WEIGHT LOSS + BODY COMPOSITION
More than appetite suppression. A more complete approach to metabolic health and body composition.
Explore physician-managed options for weight management, appetite, metabolic health and body composition while looking beyond medication alone. Beyond the Shot pairs medical access, when appropriate, with optional functional lab insight and whole-person support through Legacy Wellness.
BEYOND WEIGHT LOSS
• Appetite
• Metabolism
• Body Composition
• Long-Term Wellness
UNDERSTANDING YOUR OPTIONS
Not every weight loss + body composition therapy works the same way. Start by understanding the difference.
From GLP-1 and GIP medications to growth-hormone pathway and mitochondrial peptides, the options available here work in very different ways. Understanding the major differences makes it easier to know what you may want to explore further.
GLP-1 + GIP THERAPIES
Tirzepatide • Semaglutide
Options focused primarily on appetite regulation, weight management and metabolic health, including standard-dose, microdose and alternative formulations.
GROWTH-HORMONE PATHWAY PEPTIDES
Sermorelin • Tesamorelin • CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin
Different approaches to growth-hormone signaling, explored for body composition, recovery, sleep and healthy aging.
MITOCHONDRIAL + METABOLIC PEPTIDES
MOTS-c • SS-31
Emerging peptide options centered on mitochondrial function, cellular energy, metabolism and resilience rather than appetite suppression.
SUPPORTIVE METABOLIC THERAPY
Lipo-Mino
A combination of lipotropic nutrients, amino acids and B vitamins used to support energy and metabolic function as part of a broader approach.
TIRZEPATIDE
For weight loss, appetite control + broader metabolic support
Tirzepatide is a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that works with pathways involved in appetite, satiety, digestion and blood-sugar regulation. Its dual-pathway action helps reduce hunger and food noise while supporting meaningful weight loss and metabolic health in appropriate patients.
WHY CHOOSE TIRZEPATIDE
• Meaningful overall weight loss is a primary goal
• Hunger, cravings or “food noise” are significant barriers
• Metabolic health or insulin resistance is also a concern
• You want an option that works through both GIP + GLP-1 pathways
• Previous diet and lifestyle efforts have not produced the desired results
WHICH TIRZEPATIDE OPTION?
​Dual GIP + GLP-1 Support
STANDARD DOSE: Best when meaningful weight loss and appetite control are the primary goals. Treatment typically begins low and is adjusted gradually based on response and tolerance.
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MICRODOSE: A lower-dose approach for those whose goals are more focused on metabolic support than significant weight loss, including certain individuals at a lower BMI. A holistic entry-level to GLP's.
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SUBLINGUAL: A needle-free option for those who prefer an oral route. Available formulations may differ from injectable options.
B12 ADD-ON: May be considered when additional B12 or energy support is desired or appropriate.
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GLYCINE ADD-ON: May provide additional metabolic and blood-sugar support, depending on the available formulation and individual goals.
COMMON THINGS WE EXPLORE: Weight Loss • Appetite • Cravings • Food Noise • Metabolic Health • Blood-Sugar Support
COMPARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Tirzepatide is best suited when overall weight loss, appetite control and metabolic health are primary goals. Prefer a GLP-1-only approach? Compare Semaglutide. More concerned with visceral abdominal fat than appetite? Compare Tesamorelin.
Choose the option that most closely matches your goals. Prescription therapies require medical intake and approval through Altro's licensed clinical team before fulfillment. Your clinician may recommend a different option based on your health history, medications or medical eligibility.
SEMAGLUTIDE
For weight loss, appetite control + metabolic support
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that works with pathways involved in appetite, satiety, digestion and blood-sugar regulation. It can help reduce hunger and food noise, make smaller portions feel more satisfying and support meaningful weight loss in appropriate patients.
WHY CHOOSE SEMAGLUTIDE
• Weight loss is a primary goal
• Hunger, cravings or “food noise” are significant barriers
• Appetite regulation is a major focus
• Metabolic health or blood-sugar regulation is also a concern
• A GLP-1-only approach is preferred
• A lower-dose metabolic approach may be desired
WHICH SEMAGLUTIDE OPTION?
​Dual GIP + GLP-1 Support
STANDARD DOSE: Best when meaningful weight loss and appetite control are the primary goals. Treatment typically begins low and is adjusted gradually based on response and tolerance.
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MICRODOSE: A lower-dose approach when metabolic support is a greater priority than significant weight loss, including certain individuals at a lower BMI. Use is individualized and requires clinician approval.
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SUBLINGUAL: A needle-free option for those who prefer an oral route. Available formulations and absorption may differ from injectable options.
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B12 ADD-ON: May be considered when additional B12 or energy support is desired or appropriate.
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GLYCINE ADD-ON: May provide additional metabolic and blood-sugar support, depending on the available formulation and individual goals.
COMMON THINGS WE EXPLORE: Weight Loss • Appetite • Cravings • Food Noise • Satiety • Metabolic Health
COMPARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Semaglutide may be a better fit when appetite control, food noise and satiety are the primary goals and a GLP 1 only approach is preferred. If you want a dual GIP + GLP 1 approach with broader metabolic support, compare Tirzepatide. If visceral abdominal fat rather than appetite is your primary concern, compare Tesamorelin. If you are closer to your desired weight and primarily interested in body composition, recovery or healthy aging, explore the growth hormone pathway options.
Choose the option that most closely matches your goals. Prescription therapies require medical intake and approval through Altro's licensed clinical team before fulfillment. Your clinician may recommend a different option based on your health history, medications or medical eligibility.
TESAMORELIN
For visceral abdominal fat, body composition + metabolic health
Tesamorelin is a growth hormone releasing hormone analog that stimulates the pituitary gland to increase the body's own growth hormone production. It has a more specific relationship to visceral abdominal fat than the other growth hormone pathway options. Its FDA approved indication is for reducing excess abdominal visceral fat in adults with HIV associated lipodystrophy. Other body composition uses are off label and require clinician approval.
WHY CHOOSE TESAMORELIN
• Visceral abdominal fat is the primary concern
• Midsection fat has been particularly resistant to nutrition and lifestyle efforts
• Improving body composition matters more than simply lowering scale weight
• Metabolic health is part of the larger goal
• A targeted growth hormone pathway option is preferred over an appetite based approach
WHAT MAKES TESAMORELIN DIFFERENT?
​Dual GIP + GLP-1 Support
​VISCERAL FAT FOCUSED: Tesamorelin stands out for its clinical research on reducing visceral adipose tissue, the deeper abdominal fat surrounding the organs.​
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GROWTH HORMONE PATHWAY: Works through GHRH signaling to stimulate the body’s own growth hormone production rather than supplying growth hormone directly.​
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BODY COMPOSITION, NOT APPETITE: Unlike Tirzepatide or Semaglutide, Tesamorelin does not primarily work by reducing hunger, cravings or food intake.​
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MORE TARGETED THAN SERMORELIN: Sermorelin is generally explored for broader recovery, sleep, vitality and healthy aging goals. Tesamorelin is the more targeted option when visceral abdominal fat and body composition are the primary concerns.
COMMON THINGS WE EXPLORE: Visceral Abdominal Fat • Midsection Fat • Body Composition • Metabolic Health
COMPARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Choose Tesamorelin when visceral abdominal or midsection fat is the primary concern, particularly when appetite is not the main issue. If sleep, recovery, vitality and broader healthy aging support are the bigger goals, compare Sermorelin. If lean muscle support, recovery and broader body composition are priorities, compare CJC 1295 + Ipamorelin. If significant weight loss, hunger or food noise are the primary concerns, compare Tirzepatide or Semaglutide.
Choose the option that most closely matches your goals. Prescription therapies require medical intake and approval through Altro's licensed clinical team before fulfillment. Your clinician may recommend a different option based on your health history, medications or medical eligibility.
CJC-1295 + IPAMORELIN
For body composition, lean muscle support + recovery
CJC 1295 + Ipamorelin combines two peptides that work through complementary growth hormone signaling pathways. CJC 1295 supports growth hormone releasing hormone signaling, while Ipamorelin stimulates growth hormone release through the ghrelin receptor. Together, they may be explored when body composition, recovery and maintaining physical resilience are greater priorities than appetite suppression.
WHY CHOOSE CJC-1295 + IPAMORELIN
• Improving overall body composition is a primary goal
• Maintaining or supporting lean muscle is important
• Recovery from exercise or physical activity has become slower
• Physical resilience and healthy aging are priorities
• A broader growth hormone pathway approach is desired rather than appetite suppression
WHAT MAKES CJC-1295 + IPAMORELIN DIFFERENT?
​Dual GIP + GLP-1 Support
DUAL PEPTIDE APPROACH: Uses two complementary signaling pathways involved in stimulating growth hormone release.​
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BODY COMPOSITION FOCUSED: Often explored when maintaining lean mass and improving overall body composition matter more than simply lowering scale weight.​
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RECOVERY + RESILIENCE: May be considered when exercise recovery, physical resilience and maintaining an active lifestyle are priorities.
NOT APPETITE BASED: Unlike GLP 1 therapy, this combination does not primarily work by suppressing hunger or reducing food intake.
COMMON THINGS WE EXPLORE: Body Composition • Lean Muscle • Recovery • Physical Resilience • Healthy Aging
COMPARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Choose CJC 1295 + Ipamorelin when body composition, lean muscle support and recovery are the primary goals. If visceral abdominal fat is the main concern, compare Tesamorelin. If sleep, restoration and broader healthy aging support are the priority, compare Sermorelin. If significant weight loss, appetite or food noise are the primary concerns, compare Tirzepatide or Semaglutide.
Choose the option that most closely matches your goals. Prescription therapies require medical intake and approval through Altro's licensed clinical team before fulfillment. Your clinician may recommend a different option based on your health history, medications or medical eligibility.
SERMORELIN
For recovery, sleep, body composition + healthy aging
Sermorelin is a peptide that works with the body’s natural growth hormone pathway. Rather than supplying growth hormone directly, it signals the pituitary to support the body’s own growth hormone production. It may be explored when recovery, sleep quality, body composition and maintaining vitality with age are the primary goals.
WHY CHOOSE SERMORELIN
• Recovery and physical resilience are priorities
• Sleep quality and nighttime restoration are concerns
• Maintaining healthy body composition with age is a goal
• Healthy aging and vitality are bigger priorities than appetite suppression
• A more foundational growth hormone pathway approach is preferred
WHAT MAKES SERMORELIN DIFFERENT?
​Dual GIP + GLP-1 Support
NATURAL GH PATHWAY: Supports signaling for the body's own growth hormone production rather than supplying growth hormone directly.​
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RECOVERY + RESTORATION: Often explored when sleep, recovery and maintaining physical resilience are priorities.​
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NOT APPETITE BASED: Unlike GLP 1 therapy, Sermorelin is not primarily used to reduce hunger or food noise.​
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BROADER HEALTHY AGING FOCUS: Better suited when the goal includes recovery, vitality, body composition and healthy aging rather than targeted abdominal fat.
COMMON THINGS WE EXPLORE: Recovery • Sleep • Body Composition • Physical Resilience • Vitality • Healthy Aging
COMPARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Choose Sermorelin when sleep, recovery, vitality and broader healthy aging support are the primary goals. If visceral abdominal fat or midsection fat is the main concern, compare Tesamorelin. If body composition, lean muscle support and recovery are stronger priorities, compare CJC 1295 + Ipamorelin. If appetite, food noise or significant weight loss is the primary concern, start with Tirzepatide or Semaglutide.
Choose the option that most closely matches your goals. Prescription therapies require medical intake and approval through Altro's licensed clinical team before fulfillment. Your clinician may recommend a different option based on your health history, medications or medical eligibility.
LIPO-MINI
For metabolic nutrient support + energy
Lipo-Mino is a compounded injectable blend of lipotropic nutrients, amino acids and B vitamins designed to provide nutritional support for normal energy production and fat metabolism. Unlike GLP-1 medications or peptide therapies, Lipo-Mino does not primarily suppress appetite or target growth hormone or mitochondrial peptide pathways. It is best considered a supportive option that may be used alone or alongside a broader weight or metabolic wellness plan.
WHY CHOOSE LIPO-MINI
• You want nutritional support for energy and metabolism
• Supporting normal fat metabolism is part of your overall goal
• You want a supportive option rather than a peptide therapy
• You are already working on nutrition, movement and metabolic health
• You want something that may complement a broader weight-management plan
WHAT MAKES LIPO-MINI DIFFERENT?
​Dual GIP + GLP-1 Support
NOT A PEPTIDE OR GLP-1 - Lipo-Mino is a combination of nutrients and amino acids rather than a peptide or appetite-regulating medication.
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LIPOTROPIC SUPPORT - Its ingredients are commonly used to support pathways involved in normal fat metabolism and liver function.
ENERGY SUPPORT - B vitamins and other nutrients support normal cellular energy production, making this option more focused on nutritional and metabolic support than appetite control.
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SUPPORTIVE, NOT PRIMARY WEIGHT-LOSS THERAPY - Lipo-Mino is best viewed as an adjunct to nutrition, movement and other appropriate therapies rather than a stand-alone treatment for significant weight loss.
COMMON THINGS WE EXPLORE: Metabolic Nutrient Support • Energy • Healthy Fat Metabolism • Metabolic Wellness • Weight-Management Support
COMPARE BEFORE YOU CHOOSE
Choose Lipo-Mino when you want supportive metabolic nutrients and energy support rather than a therapy primarily directed at appetite, weight loss or mitochondrial function. If weight loss, hunger, cravings or food noise are the primary concerns, compare Tirzepatide or Semaglutide. If mitochondrial function, cellular energy or physical resilience are the bigger goals, compare SS-31 or MOTS-c. Lipo-Mino may also be considered as a supportive addition to a broader weight or metabolic program rather than an alternative to those therapies.
Choose the option that most closely matches your goals. Prescription therapies require medical intake and approval through Altro's licensed clinical team before fulfillment. Your clinician may recommend a different option based on your health history, medications or medical eligibility.
GO DEEPER
Want a clearer picture of what’s happening beneath the surface?
The quiz helps you identify therapies worth exploring. Comprehensive lab testing and a Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis can take the next step further by looking for patterns in blood sugar regulation, thyroid function, hormones, inflammation, nutrient status, metabolic health, and more.
WANT DEEPER INSIGHT?
A Functional Blood Chemistry Analysis looks beyond standard “normal” ranges to help identify patterns and imbalances that may be influencing how you feel.
© 2023 by Lisa Metzger, ND * 602 Main Street W., Locust, NC 28097 * 704-389-0102 * Support@LegacyWellnessNC.com
DISCLAIMER: Legacy Wellness and Beyond The Shot provide educational and holistic wellness support focused on restoration, lifestyle, and foundational care. Advanced physician-managed therapies, when appropriate, are reviewed and prescribed separately through licensed medical partners. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Intended for adults 18 and older.
Legacy Wellness provides naturopathic wellness and educational services only. Information and recommendations from Lisa Metzger, Board-Certified Naturopathic Doctor (BCND / ND), are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical condition and do not replace care from a licensed medical provider.