Now that you understand what GLP peptides are, you might be wondering about the different types. While GLP-1 gets most of the attention in health news, there are actually several members of the GLP family, each with unique roles in your body. Let's break down the key differences between GLP-1, GLP-2, and GLP-3.

GLP-1: The Blood Sugar and Appetite Manager

What it does: GLP-1 is the most well-known and widely studied of the GLP peptides. It's your body's primary tool for managing blood sugar levels and controlling appetite.

Key Functions:

• Stimulates insulin release when blood sugar is high
• Slows stomach emptying to help you feel full longer
• Reduces appetite and food cravings
• May help preserve pancreatic beta cells that produce insulin

Where it's made: Primarily produced in the L-cells of your small intestine, with some production in the pancreas and brain.

Medical Applications: GLP-1 medications (like semaglutide and liraglutide) are widely used for type 2 diabetes management and weight loss. These are the medications you've probably heard about in the news.

Duration in body: Natural GLP-1 breaks down very quickly (within 2-3 minutes), which is why synthetic versions were developed to last longer.

GLP-2: The Gut Health Guardian

What it does: GLP-2 is less famous than its cousin GLP-1, but it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your intestinal tract.

Key Functions:

• Promotes growth and repair of intestinal lining cells
• Increases the absorption of nutrients from food
• Reduces inflammation in the gut
• Helps maintain the protective barrier function of the intestine
• Slows gastric emptying (similar to GLP-1 but to a lesser degree)

Where it's made: Also produced in the L-cells of the small intestine and colon, often released alongside GLP-1.

Medical Applications: GLP-2 analogs (like teduglutide) are used to treat short bowel syndrome, a condition where the small intestine cannot absorb enough nutrients. This is a much more specialized medical application compared to GLP-1.

Duration in body: Like GLP-1, natural GLP-2 is quickly broken down, lasting only about 7 minutes in the bloodstream.

GLP-3: The Lesser-Known Member

What it does: GLP-3 is the least understood member of the GLP family, and research is still ongoing to fully understand its role.

Key Functions:

• May play a role in glucose metabolism (though less significant than GLP-1)
• Potential effects on insulin sensitivity
• Possible involvement in gut health, similar to GLP-2
• Research suggests it may have anti-inflammatory properties

Where it's made: Produced in the intestines, though in smaller amounts than GLP-1 and GLP-2.

Medical Applications: Currently, there are no approved medications based on GLP-3. It remains primarily a subject of research rather than clinical application.

Research Status: GLP-3 is still being studied, and scientists are working to understand its full potential and whether it could lead to new therapeutic options.

Key Differences at a Glance

Primary Focus:

• GLP-1: Blood sugar control and appetite regulation
• GLP-2: Intestinal health and nutrient absorption
• GLP-3: Still being researched, potentially metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects

Medical Use:

• GLP-1: Widely used for diabetes and weight management
• GLP-2: Specialized use for intestinal disorders
• GLP-3: No current medical applications

Research and Development:

• GLP-1: Extensively studied with multiple approved medications
• GLP-2: Well-studied with some approved treatments for specific conditions
• GLP-3: Early-stage research with potential for future applications

Why GLP-1 Gets All the Attention

GLP-1 has become the star of the GLP family because of its powerful effects on two major health concerns: diabetes and obesity. The dramatic weight loss results seen with GLP-1 medications have captured public attention and led to significant media coverage.

GLP-2, while important for gut health, treats more specialized conditions that affect fewer people. GLP-3 remains largely in the research phase, so it hasn't yet translated into practical medical treatments.

The Future of GLP Research

Scientists continue to study all members of the GLP family, looking for ways to harness their unique properties. Future research might reveal new applications for GLP-2 and GLP-3, or even lead to combination therapies that use multiple GLP peptides together.

Some researchers are exploring whether combining different GLP peptides could provide enhanced benefits, such as improved gut health alongside blood sugar control and weight management.

The Bottom Line

While GLP-1, GLP-2, and GLP-3 are all part of the same peptide family, they each have distinct roles in your body. GLP-1 dominates the headlines for good reason—it's proven highly effective for managing diabetes and promoting weight loss. GLP-2 quietly does important work maintaining your gut health, while GLP-3 holds promise for future medical breakthroughs.

Understanding these differences helps explain why you hear so much about GLP-1 medications and why each peptide represents a unique approach to supporting human health. As research continues, we may see exciting developments in how all three peptides can be used to improve medical care.

‍