GLP-1s Slow Gastric Emptying!

Why it's not a bad thing

Author

Hunter Williams
February 03, 2025

Gastric emptying.

It sounds like something you should run away from as fast as you can.

Many of the haters of GLP-1s love to say that these peptides “slow gastric emptying.”

Today, I want to explain why that’s not necessarily bad.

Moreover, I will walk you through some digestion hacks you can use to soothe your tummy when using a GLP-1.

What Does ‘Slowing Gastric Emptying’ Really Mean?

When people say that GLP-1 receptor agonists like retatrutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide “slow gastric emptying,” it can sometimes sound scary — as if the food is sitting in your stomach for a long time.

In reality, it is a modulated physiological process that is involved in the regulation of blood glucose, satiety, and digestion.

How It Actually Works

1. The Normal Process of Gastric Emptying

  • Food is swallowed into the stomach, from where it moves to the small intestine and is absorbed into the bloodstream.

  • The pace of this transport determines the frequency with which nutrients (especially glucose) appear in circulation.

  • Under normal conditions, high-carbohydrate, low-fat meals are emptied from the stomach faster than high-protein or high-fat meals.

2. How GLP-1s Alter This Process

  • Activation of GLP-1 receptors by GLP-1 peptides slows down stomach motility.

  • The food does not move into the small intestine all at once. It is secreted gradually.

  • This results in stable blood sugar levels to avoid high and low spikes.

3. Why This Feels Different

  • You feel full for longer because food remains in the stomach slightly longer.

  • Hunger hormones (ghrelin) are suppressed, so cravings are reduced.

  • Some people feel ‘full’ or ‘heavy’ in the first few weeks – this is usually dose-related and usually resolves.

4. Is This Dangerous?

  • No. It is not the same as gastroparesis, where the stomach ceases to function.

  • The delay is temporary and can be reversed once you discontinue the medication.

  • Some people adapt well to it, while others may require changing some foods to meet their digestive needs.

5. How to Reduce Discomfort

  • Small and frequent meals rather than large ones.

  • Increase digestive enzymes to improve nutrient absorption (I like Enzymedica’s Digest Gold with ATP Pro).

  • Stay hydrated and add magnesium or electrolytes to prevent constipation.

  • Take apple cider vinegar or betaine HCl before eating protein-rich foods.

Bottom Line

Slowed gastric emptying is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a key mechanism of GLP-1s that regulates appetite and blood glucose.

Rather than being scared of it, make digestion as effective as possible to enjoy all the benefits of weight loss and metabolic enhancement from peptides like Retatrtutide.

The Complete Strategy to Optimize Digestion While Using GLP-1s

Since slowed gastric emptying is a core mechanism of GLP-1 receptor agonists, it is crucial to manage digestion to avoid discomfort and to improve nutrient absorption, satiety, and fat loss.

1. PREPARE THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM BEFORE MEALS

Since digestion will be slower, your body needs extra help breaking down food before it even gets to the intestines. Here’s what to do:

Enzyme & Acid Support

  • Take your digestive enzymes with the meals, such as:

  • Betaine HCl + Pepsin (for protein digestion)

  • Ox Bile or Tudca (for fats, especially with high-fat meals)

  • Pancreatic Enzymes (for all macronutrients overall)

  • Consume 1 tbsp of Apple Cider Vinegar or lemon water before meals to activate the acid in the stomach.

Pre-Meal Mobility Hack

  • Go for a 5-minute brisk walk before eating – this enhances the motility of the colon and sensitivity to insulin.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOODS TO EAT

Best Foods for Digestion

✅ Protein:

  • Leaner meats like chicken, turkey, wild-caught fish, and grass-fed beef are easier to digest than super fatty cuts of meat.

  • Eggs and collagen protein powder are also easy to digest and absorb.

✅ Carbs:

  • White rice, sweet potatoes, and berries are much easier to digest than high-fiber grains and nuts.

  • Well-cooked vegetables (zucchini, squash, carrots) are easier to digest than raw fibrous vegetables.

✅ Fats:

  • Use medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut oil rather than heavy long-chain fats, which slow down digestion.

  • Avocado and olive oil are also very easy to digest and absorb.

  • Avoid inflammatory seed oils at all costs!

✅ Bonus: Bone Broth & Fermented Foods

  • Bone broth heals gut lining & supplies electrolytes (assists with constipation).

  • Fermented foods (kimchi, sauerkraut, etc) confer probiotics to maintain balance in the gut.

3. SUPPLEMENT STRATEGY TO PREVENT DIGESTIVE ISSUES

For Constipation & Gut Motility

  • Magnesium Citrate (200-400mg at night) – triggers bowel movement.

  • Tributyrin (Butyrate 500mg/day) – Metabolism of the gut lining and motility.

  • Aloe Vera and Slippery Elm – Oral lubricants that have soothing effects on the gut.

  • Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, taurine) – to avoid dehydration that leads to slow digestion.

For Bloating and Gas:

  • Activated Charcoal with Zeolite – Absorb excess gas and toxins.

  • Fennel Tea and Ginger Tea – Have a de-congesting and anti-emetic effect.

For Gut Bacteria and Digestion Support:

  • Probiotics (I like Seed Synbiotic).

  • Prebiotics (Resistant Starch, Inulin, Acacia Fiber) – For the growth of beneficial bacteria.

SUMMARY

1️⃣ Pre-Meal Support – Enzymes, HCl, ACV, pre-meal walk.

2️⃣ Easy-to-Digest Foods – Lean protein, white rice, healthy fats.

3️⃣ Supplements for Digestion – Magnesium, tributyrin, probiotics.

4️⃣ Post-Meal Movement – Walk for 10 minutes, perform breathwork, and do not remain seated immediately after eating. 

5️⃣ Adjust GLP-1 Dosing – If needed, micro-dose and stack with mitochondrial boosters.

If you follow this strategic approach, you’ll experience all the fat loss, metabolic, and appetite control benefits of GLP-1s without the sluggish digestion issues.

See, the slowdown of gastric emptying isn’t so bad after all!

Best,

Hunter

P.S. We now have Retatrutide in stock at BioLongevity Labs.

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