#11 - Breaking Down GLP-1s For Weight Loss and Beyond with Dr. Supriya Rao

In today’s episode, Mary and Carla welcome their very first guest, Dr. Supriya Rao—a quadruple board-certified physician and a true expert in gut health and women’s wellness. She joins the show to unpack one of the most talked-about topics in health right now: GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

Dr. Rao explains how these meds work, their original role in treating diabetes, and how they’ve become powerful tools for weight management. She also shares who they're really intended for, why they’re not meant as a quick fix, and how pairing them with healthy habits—like fiber-rich meals, strength training, and good sleep—is key.

They also touch on side effects, long-term use, and some surprising benefits, including support for food cravings, binge eating, menopause symptoms, and even mental health. If you’ve been curious about the real story behind these meds, this episode is a must-listen.

Who is Dr. Supriya Rao?

Dr. Supriya Rao (she/her) is a quadruple board-certified physician in internal medicine, gastroenterology, obesity medicine, and lifestyle medicine who focuses on digestive disorders, gut health, obesity medicine, and women's health and wellness. She received her undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after which she graduated from Duke University School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency in Internal Medicine from the Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania. She went on to complete her fellowship in Gastroenterology at Boston Medical Center. She joined Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants in 2014 and is now a managing partner. She completed further certification in obesity and lifestyle medicine and is the Director of Medical Weight Loss at Lowell General Hospital and runs the Metabolic & Lifestyle Medicine Program at IGIC. She also runs the motility program, which focuses on disorders of the esophagus, irritable bowel syndrome, and anorectal disorders. She is passionate about empowering people to improve their health through sustainable changes in their lifestyles. She enjoys cooking, traveling, running, yoga, and spending time with family and friends.

Connect with Dr. Rao:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/gutsygirlmd/?hl=en
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supriya-rao-md-dip-abom-dip-ablm-b058b791/


Episode highlights:
(0:00) Intro
(1:28) Dr. Rao and her background
(3:44) What GLP-1s are and how they work
(7:46) Side effects and safety considerations
(11:20) Lifestyle habits and the importance of fiber and exercise
(13:55) Can patients eventually stop using GLP-1s?
(16:12) Why fiber is critical for gut and whole-body health
(21:49) Effects on addiction, dopamine, and brain chemistry
(29:45) Mental health impacts and serotonin connections
(31:23) Who should not take GLP-1s and potential downsides
(33:43) Thoughts on GLP-1 boosting supplements and probiotics
(36:45) What to know before starting GLP-1s
(38:47) Final thoughts and takeaways
(40:16) Outro

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