Incretins
Incretins are gut hormones released after eating that help control blood sugar and appetite — GLP-1 is the best known.
Plain English
Patient-Friendly Explanation
Incretins are gut hormones released after eating that help control blood sugar and appetite. GLP-1 is the best known — and the class of medicines used in weight management works on this system.
Medical
Clinical Definition
Incretins are peptide hormones secreted by the gut in response to nutrients — principally GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide). They potentiate glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, suppress glucagon, slow gastric emptying and signal satiety. The incretin system is the biological target of GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines used in diabetes and weight management.
Key Insight
Why It Matters
The current generation of weight-loss medicines doesn't invent new biology — it amplifies a system your own gut already runs after every meal. Understanding incretins explains why these treatments affect appetite, not just blood sugar.
Sources
Reviewed against standard medical references.
Medically reviewed by
Family Physician & Registered Acupuncturist, Accord Medical Clinic. MBBS (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Family Medicine (NUS), Graduate Diploma in Acupuncture (Singapore College of TCM).
Last reviewed: August 2026
This page is general health education, not medical advice. Whether any treatment is appropriate for you is a decision made in consultation after assessment.
