Can you use GLP-1s to treat chronic illness?? (ft. Dr. Zach Spiritos)

This week on Calling in Sick, Dr. Zach Spiritos is back for to chat about one of the most exciting developments in chronic illness treatment that almost nobody is talking about. Microdosing GLP-1s, not for weight loss, but inflammation and disease management. Specifically, we're diving into: 🧬 How GLP-1s actually work in the gut — the natural peptide that regulates GI homeostasis, repairs tight junctions in the intestinal wall, reduces systemic immune activation, and supports a diverse microbiome 🤯 The "flipped clinic" phenomenon — patients prescribed GLP-1s for diabetes are seeing secondary improvements in Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, asthma, eczema, and MCAS that nobody predicted 🧠 The MCAS symptoms breakthrough — Dr. Zach's clinical experience micro-dosing GLP-1s in an MCAS patient with profound post-meal bloating, and what happened to her brain fog, neuroinflammation, and food sensitivities ⚠️ Who should NOT use GLP-1s — eating disorder history, baseline nausea, severe constipation, and the cautions every patient needs to hear before asking their provider 📋 The 3-week runway protocol — how Dr. Zach phases treatment, monitors small wins, checks for adverse reactions, and determines if patients can eventually titrate off antihistamines or cromolyn 🔗 The trifecta connection — how GLP-1s don't directly reverse hEDS or POTS but can dramatically turn down the volume on mast-cell-driven inflammation, joint pain, and POTS flares Plus the honest conversation about where the research actually is, the systemic bias against women's health in clinical trials, and why cautious optimism is the right posture for this community right now. 🤍 xx, Alex 💬 Comment: Have you ever tried a GLP-1 for anything other than weight loss — and what happened? TIMESTAMP: Intro: 00:00:00 Welcome back to Calling in Sick! 00:00:22 Introduction of Guest Dr. Zack Spirtos Use of GLP-1s Beyond Weight Loss: 00:05:58 What is a GLP-1? 00:07:51 Pre-clinical and Observational Data 00:11:00 Exploring GLP-1s as a Treatment Modality for IBS and MCAS 00:12:28 The "Flipped Clinic" effect of GLP-1s How to use GLP-1s for Chronic Illness Management: 00:14:09 Responsibly Micro-Dosing Chronic Illness Patients 00:17:13 Assessing Good Candidates and Cautions for Eating Disorders 00:20:07 Titrating Medications and Phased Treatment The Future of Chronic Illness Research: 00:24:21 Squeaky Wheels and Shifting Paradigms in Medical Funding 00:28:00 Accessibility and the Role of Compounding Pharmacies 00:30:26 Academics vs. Independent Providers in Western Medicine 00:31:55 Turning Down the Volume on POTS, MCAS, and hEDS Conclusion: 00:35:58 Thank You for Listening to the 100th Week of Calling in Sick!! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? Connect with our Guest, Dr. Spiritos! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drzacspiritos/?hl=en • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.zac.spiritos • EverBetter Medicine - https://everbettermedicine.health/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ #GLP1 #GLP1ForChronicIllness #MCAS #MastCellActivationSyndrome #ChronicIllness #Ozempic #Semaglutide #BrainFog #GutHealth #ChronicIllnessTreatment #SpoonieLife #InvisibleIllness #DrZachSpiritos #EverBetterMedicine #Dysautonomia #POTS #hEDS #Trifecta #CallingInSickPodcast #AlexWildeson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices