GLP-1 Hormones and Weight Loss
Advertising for GLP-1 hormones is everywhere now—but what are GLP-1s, and are they effective?
On this special edition of HERology, co-host Drs. Joanne Stone, Anna Barbieri, and Anu Lala explore the science—and controversy—behind GLP-1 medications. The hosts examine the complex intersection of hormones, aging, and weight gain—especially for women—and tackle essential details, such as:
- The line between medical treatment and aesthetics;
- The importance of lifestyle alongside medication;
- How nutrition, movement, and sustainable habits remain foundational to health.
From disparities in access and social pressures to the role of prevention and policy, this conversation highlights both the promise and limitations of these widely discussed therapies.
Anna Barbieri: [00:00:00] There are real physiological changes that happen to people in midlife, and here we're talking about women's health to... So let's name them. You know, we get to our, typically our early 40s and everybody goes, "What's happening? Something is different. I can't, you know, I can't figure out what's what. What I used to do doesn't work anymore."
What's very interesting to me is where is the line between a medical intervention that promotes health and the line be- between that and purely aesthetics?
Joanne Stone: Welcome to Herology, the podcast from Mount Sinai Health System dedicated to advancing women's health through the lens of cutting-edge science and compassionate care I'm your host for today, Dr. Joanne Stone, and our show is brought to you in part by the Carolyn Rowan Center for Women's Health and Wellness.
Today, we're focusing on a [00:01:00] really interesting topic that's gain- gaining steam among medical practitioners and researchers: GLP-1 hormones. To walk us through all the details, including what GLPs are and what they're making- why they're making such an impact, I'm joined by two of my regular co-hosts of this show.
First, Dr. Anu Lalla, a premier cardiologist here at Mount Sinai, and Dr. Anna Barbieri, one of our most celebrated OBGYNs. So Anna and Anu, welcome to the show. So I'm so excited that we're g- here today to talk about GLP-1s, GLP. Um, you know, I live on the Upper East Side of, of Manhattan, and I walk down Madison Avenue and, like, in front of every pharmacy, there's, like, some kind of a big screen that says, you know, "We have Zepbound.
We have Mounjaro. We have this" You know, like, totally advertising it. So it's all over the place, and everywhere you look, you know, you, uh, you know, in the hospital here, you see the same people that you've known for 10 years, and all of a sudden they weigh, [00:02:00] like, 100 pounds less. You know, like, oh, th- you know.