#465: Personalizing GLP-1 Medications: The Role of Genetics in Weight Loss and Side Effects With Noura Abul-Husn M.D. Ph.D

📍 Good news! My original Instagram is back! Please follow my original account at https://www.instagram.com/nathalieniddam/ and also my backup account at https://www.instagram.com/longevitywithnat/. Today, I’m joined by the incredible Dr. Nora Abdul-Hussein, a physician-scientist, medical geneticist, and one of the leading voices in the field of genomic medicine. In this episode, Dr. Abdul-Hussein and I dig into a huge question—why do two people taking the exact same GLP-1 medication have such wildly different results, from weight loss to side effect profiles? She shares her unique path from internal medicine to cutting-edge population genomics, and how her work at 23andMe is beginning to answer some of medicine’s toughest puzzles. Episode Timestamps: Introduction: podcast focus on genetics, peptides, and longevity ... 00:00:00 Dr. Nora Abdul-Hussein’s background and journey in genomic medicine ... 00:07:01 Prevention and population-scale genetics ... 00:08:06 Power of genetic insights for personal lifestyle choices ... 00:14:40 Barriers to adopting genetics in clinical practice ... 00:16:41 Pharmacogenomics and the move toward personalized prescribing ... 00:17:21 Launching a large-scale study on GLP-1 genetics ... 00:19:41 Discovery: GLP-1 receptor gene variants linked to weight loss and nausea ... 00:22:40 Risk calculators and personalized expectations for GLP-1s ... 00:27:26 Broader genomics: diet, exercise, and response variability ... 00:28:24 Avoiding genetic determinism and emphasizing holistic care ... 00:29:29 Findings for tirzepatide and the GIP receptor ... 00:34:20 Population differences and ancestry’s impact on results ... 00:38:07 Is genetic information ready for prime time in GLP-1 therapy? ... 00:41:12 Clinical implications beyond “calories in, calories out” ... 00:43:01 GLP-1s: potential for non-weight related conditions ... 00:44:48 Personalized medicine: integrating genomics with other data ... 00:51:02 Reducing shame and embracing genes as tools for prevention ... 01:00:02 Genomic information as an empowering health strategy ... 01:01:30 Study insights and validation: self-reporting and sample diversity ... 01:05:40 Protecting privacy and building trust in genomics ... 01:13:32 Final thoughts: embrace your genes and use the data for healthspan ... 01:20:10 Where to learn more and wrap-up ... 01:21:18 Our Amazing Sponsors: Mitopure Gummies by Timeline – Supports healthier cellular energy, muscle strength, recovery, and healthy aging with clinically proven Urolithin A—without artificial sweeteners, colors, flavors, or unnecessary fillers. Head to timeline.com/NAT20 to get Mitopure starting at just $99 and save an additional 20% on your order. Manukora Honey – A delicious real-food source of prebiotics, Manukora's high-MGO Manuka honey helps support your gut microbiome, digestion, and immune health with just one teaspoon a day. Head to MANUKORA.com/NAT to save up to 31% plus receive $25 worth of free gifts with the Starter Kit. Just Thrive 90-Day Probiotic – A spore-based probiotic that survives stomach acid to arrive 100% alive in your gut, supporting better digestion, nutrient absorption, immunity, and less bloating. Start your first 90-day subscription today and you'll get a FREE 90-day supply of Digestive Bitters (a $90 value) to help optimize digestion and support healthy appetite regulation. Click HERE to learn more. Nat's Links: YouTube Channel Join My Membership Community Sign up for My Newsletter Original Instagram Backup Instagram Dr. Bill Lawrence Episode