Everything GLP-1

In this episode of Everything GLP-1, Dr. Lavin speaks with Caroline Brennan, a nurse practitioner at YourEra Med Spas, to explore what personalized GLP-1 dosing looks like in real-world practice. Rather than following fixed titration schedules, Caroline explains how patients are guided toward what she calls the green zone, the dose at which appetite is controlled, food noise fades, and weight loss continues steadily without unnecessary side effects.Together, they discuss the biology behind hunger and cravings, the role of hormones in perimenopausal weight gain, and why tolerance can develop over time, requiring thoughtful dose adjustments rather than automatic increases. Caroline also shares patient stories illustrating how sustainable weight loss restores confidence, protects muscle mass, and supports long-term metabolic health.It is a practical discussion for clinicians, healthcare leaders, and anyone interested in how individualized, patient-centered GLP-1 care can lead to safer outcomes and lasting results.

In this episode of Everything GLP-1, Dr. Lavin sits down with his sister, Megan Duplain, three months into her GLP-1 therapy with YourEra, to explore what it looks like to take genuine ownership of your health journey rather than simply following a prescription. Megan shares how she has lost 19 pounds without increasing her starting dose, crediting the green zone concept, consistent strength training, and prioritizing protein over any focus on speed or aesthetics. Together, they discuss how physical progress connects to emotional and spiritual practices, including morning routines, mindfulness, and sleep discipline, and why these habits reinforce the appetite and food-noise changes GLP-1 medications create. Dr. Tom Lavin explains the green zone framework and the broader case for pairing medication with lifestyle change. It's a grounded, practical conversation for patients, clinicians, and healthcare leaders interested in how education, self-advocacy, and consistent habits can shape long-term success on GLP-1 therapy.

In this episode of Everything GLP-1, Dr. Tom Lavin speaks with Cassidy Palmisano, a licensed professional counselor with a master's in clinical mental health counseling and roughly a decade of experience across inpatient and outpatient settings, to examine the relationship between obesity and mental health. Rather than treating weight loss and emotional wellbeing as separate concerns, the conversation frames them as deeply interconnected, with GLP-1 medications acting as a tool that removes long-standing barriers to change.Together, they discuss how the biology of obesity has historically been misread as a failure of willpower, and how easing that burden opens space for patients to address depression, anxiety, and past trauma that food struggles had long overshadowed. Cassidy explains how reduced compulsive behavior and diminished food noise can restore a sense of agency, allowing patients to reconnect with what is meaningful in their lives.It is a thoughtful discussion for clinicians, mental health professionals, and anyone interested in how physical and psychological care intersect in the treatment of obesity.[00:00] Welcome and Meet Cassidy Palmisano[02:36] Why Healthcare Works in Silos[06:57] Obesity as Biology, Not Willpower[11:26] Opening Space for Mental Health Work[19:51] Self-Acceptance Without Complacency[24:57] Building the Whole-Person Approach[35:10] Peptides, Inflammation, and What's Next

In this episode of Everything GLP-1, Dr. Tom Lavin speaks with Amy Davis, a registered dietitian with ten years of experience helping patients optimize their nutrition and health, to explore how food choices shape outcomes for people on GLP-1 medications. Nutrition is often treated as an afterthought once a prescription is written, but the conversation makes clear that what patients eat directly influences muscle preservation, side effect management, and long-term success.Amy explains her three non-negotiables, protein, non-starchy vegetables, and fiber, and why each becomes more critical as calorie intake drops. Together, they discuss practical strategies for hitting protein goals, managing constipation and other GI symptoms tied to slowed digestion, and recognizing ultra-processed foods without falling into all-or-nothing thinking.It is a practical, evidence-grounded discussion for clinicians, patients, and anyone seeking sustainable, real-world nutrition strategies to complement GLP-1 therapy.[00:00] Welcome and Introduction to Amy Davis[02:25] The Three Nutrition Non-Negotiables[06:46] Protein Goals and Easy Sources[13:10] Balanced Plates and Healthy Carbs[14:02] Fiber, Gut Health, and GI Side Effects[19:31] Fasting, Weightlifting, and Realistic Goals[23:26] Spotting and Avoiding Ultra-Processed Foods

In this episode of Everything GLP-1, Dr. Tom Lavin speaks with Trey (Joseph) Pierre, who heads Galleria Medical Pharmacy in New Orleans and ranks among the top compounding pharmacists in the Gulf South, to trace how compounding has evolved from mortar-and-pestle apothecary work into a heavily regulated science built on sterility testing, potency verification, and sourcing from FDA-registered facilities.Trey explains how oversight from the United States Pharmacopeia reshaped the industry after early safety failures, and together they draw a sharp line between legitimate 503 pharmacies and the unregulated gray and black markets supplying peptides with no quality assurance or physician oversight. They also discuss why personalized, customized medications are central to the future of preventive, patient-centered care.It is a timely discussion for clinicians, healthcare leaders, and patients who want to understand what separates safe, accountable compounding from the risks lurking in unregulated peptide sourcing.[00:00] Introducing Trey Pierre and Galleria Pharmacy[01:01] From Mortar and Pestle to Modern Compounding[03:13] Rising Standards in Today's Industry[06:59] The Dangers of the Black Market[09:24] Category 1, Category 2, and FDA Oversight[12:41] The Case for Personalized Medicine[21:10] What's Next for Galleria Medical PharmacyDISCLAIMER: Dr. Lavin's podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or before making decisions about your health.

In this episode of Everything GLP-1, Dr. Tom Lavin speaks with Scott Brunner, CEO and President of the Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding, to examine how pharmacy compounding has shaped patient access during the GLP-1 shortage era. Rather than framing compounding as a workaround, Brunner explains how it operates within a rigorous, multilayered regulatory system involving the FDA, USP standards, and state boards of pharmacy.Together, they discuss how drug makers have sometimes conflated legitimate compounding with counterfeit activity, the growing black market for unapproved peptides, and why personalized, prescriber-directed formulations remain essential for patients whose needs fall outside commercially available options. Brunner also outlines the case for creating a regulated pathway for peptide compounding, including enhanced safety data collection.Listeners will come away with a clearer understanding of how compounding regulation actually works, why it matters for patient safety and access, and what policy changes may be coming. It is a valuable listen for clinicians, healthcare leaders, and anyone following the future of GLP-1 access and obesity medicine.DISCLAIMER: Dr. Lavin's podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any medical concerns or before making decisions about your health.