{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 259: What Is a Peptide, Really? GLP-1s, Retatrutide, & the Truth Behind the Hype","description":"If someone tells you, \u201cIt\u2019s just a peptide,\u201d that should be the beginning of the conversation, not the end. Peptides are chains of amino acids, but the word tells you very little about what you're actually taking. It doesn't tell you whether something is a supplement, medication, investigational drug, FDA approved, or even whether the product contains what the label says it does. In this episode, I break down what \u201cpeptide\u201d really means and why the term has become so confusing in the world of weight loss. I explain the differences between FDA-approved medications, compounded medications, investigational drugs, and research peptides sold online. I also discuss retatrutide, an investigational medication that targets three hormone receptors, and why calling something a peptide does not automatically make it natural or safe. Most importantly, I'll walk you through the questions you should ask before taking any peptide or weight loss medication, including what it is, where it came from, whether it has been studied, and whether you have appropriate medical supervision.   Episode Highlights: \u25cf Why \u201cpeptide\u201d describes a type of molecule, not a safety rating \u25cf What retatrutide is and how it differs from semaglutide and tirzepatide \u25cf The differences between FDA-approved, compounded, investigational, and research products \u25cf Why dramatic results and social media testimonials don't prove safety \u25cf The questions you should ask before taking peptide or weight loss therapies \u25cf Why \u201cnatural\u201d does not automatically mean safe or effective \u25cf What it really means to be your own health advocate   Connect with Dr. Alicia Shelly Website | drshellymd.com Facebook | www.facebook.com\/drshellymd Instagram | @drshellymd Linked In | www.linkedin.com\/in\/drshellymd Twitter | @drshellymd   About Dr. Alicia Shelly Dr. Alicia Shelly was raised in Atlanta, GA. She received her Doctorate of Medicine from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH.  Dr. Shelly has been practicing Primary Care and Obesity medicine since 2014.  In 2017, she became a Diplomat of the American Board of Obesity Medicine. She is the lead physician at the Wellstar Medical Center Douglasville. She started a weekly podcast & Youtube channel entitled Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight loss,  where she discusses how to get on track and stay on track with your weight loss journey. She has spoken for numerous local and national organizations, including the Obesity Medicine Association, and the Georgia Chapter of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons. She has been featured on CNN, Fox 5 News, Bruce St. James Radio show, Upscale magazine, and Shape.com. She was named an honoree of the 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 under 40 award. She also is a collaborating author for the, \u201cMade for More: Physician Entrepreneurs who Live Life and Practice Medicine on their own terms''. Resources: FREE! Discover the 5 Reasons Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Gotten Derailed (And How To Get Back On Track!) \ud83d\udc49 Click HERE ","author_name":"Back on Track: Achieving Healthy Weight Loss","author_url":"http:\/\/drshellymd.com","html":"