How Gut Hormones Help Your Heart
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After you eat, your gut does more than just digest food. It also releases special hormones that help your body manage the nutrients you’ve taken in. Two of these hormones are GLP-1 and GIP. They are called "incretins." Their main job is to help control blood sugar, but they also have powerful effects on your heart and blood vessels.
How do these hormones work?
Incretins are released from the gut after a meal. They signal the pancreas to release insulin, which helps lower blood sugar. But that’s not all. These hormones also relax blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and improve how well your heart and other organs receive blood.
For example, GLP-1 helps widen blood vessels using a substance called nitric oxide. This allows more blood to flow to areas that need it, like the brain, muscles, and kidneys. GIP also affects blood flow, although in different ways depending on the organ.
How do gut hormones help your heart?
When your heart gets better blood flow, it doesn’t have to work as hard. GLP-1 can improve heart function by reducing pressure in the arteries and making the heart pump more efficiently. This can be especially helpful after meals, when your body is digesting and needs more energy.
In people with type 2 diabetes or obesity, these benefits are even more important. Their blood vessels often don’t work well, and their hearts may be under more stress. Incretin-based medications can help support heart health by improving blood flow, lowering blood pressure, and reducing inflammation in the arteries.
What do the studies say?
Research has shown that drugs that mimic incretins, like GLP-1 receptor agonists, can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and even kidney problems. These medications are now a common part of treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, not just to control blood sugar but also to protect the heart.
Some newer medications target both GLP-1 and GIP together. These "dual agonists" may offer even greater benefits, including better weight loss, improved blood sugar control, and stronger heart protection.
How does this affect the brain and other organs?
Incretins also improve blood flow to the brain, which may help with memory and focus. Some studies suggest these hormones can protect brain cells and may reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s.
They also help the kidneys filter waste more efficiently and support healthy fat storage by improving blood flow to fat tissue. This may lower inflammation and help prevent insulin resistance.
Why is this important?
For people living with type 2 diabetes, heart disease is a major concern. By using medications that support both blood sugar control and heart health, doctors can better protect their patients. Even for people without diabetes, incretin-based therapies may offer future benefits for preventing heart and brain diseases.
What can you do?
If you have type 2 diabetes, talk to your doctor about whether an incretin-based therapy might be right for you. These are often available as injections or pills and are becoming more common in treatment plans.
Eating a balanced diet rich in fiber and healthy fats may also support natural incretin release. Staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can improve how your body responds to these hormones.
Final thoughts
Gut hormones like GLP-1 and GIP are not just about digestion. They play a big role in keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy. With the help of new medications and better understanding, these hormones are helping people live longer, healthier lives by connecting what we eat to how our bodies work.