Dr. Mike Israete recently discussed GLP-1s and their emerging role in bodybuilding and health optimization during an appearance on the Trensparent podcast with Nyle Nayga.
Israetel explained how major pharmaceutical companies are investing heavily in non-androgenic anabolics, though not for the bodybuilding community.
“Multiple gigantic pharmaceutical companies are looking into non-androgenic anabolics like crazy. Why would they do that? They don’t give a cr*p about bodybuilders.”
The driving force behind this research is the geriatric and untrained populations who are now using GLP-1 medications for fat loss.
“They care about geriatric and untrained populations who are now using semaglutide and tirzepatide to lose fat. It’s working so well. The problem is when you lose weight, you don’t eat enough protein.”
In discussing his current protocols, Israetel revealed he uses a GLP-1s himself during muscle gain phases.
“I am taking tirzepatide at currently, I’ll adjust it based on hunger, 7.5 milligrams per week once weekly.”
He described the once-weekly injection schedule as manageable and said he experiences minimal side effects compared to other GLP-1 options.
“I probably get better nausea from splitting it up, but honestly I just don’t get nausea. I get a little bit heartburn, but I take medications for that anyway.”
He emphasized that this compound produces cleaner effects than alternatives.
“It’s clean burning as heck. It’s sure not semaglutide, which is going to give you way worse side effects. Tirzepatide is way better.”
When discussing another next generation GLP-1 compound, Israetel‘s enthusiasm was evident.
“Tirzepatide is already a god molecule. Like, it’s amazing. I have nothing about it I don’t like. Retatrutide is like magic magic juice.”
According to Israetel, this innovation offers multiple health and performance benefits beyond appetite control.
“It does like 10 other things for your health and longevity. It sensitizes you to muscle growth more. It controls your appetite like a turn dial. It reduces whole body systemic inflammation. It reduces neural inflammation. It pulls out your intra-abdominal fat. Retatrutide specifically zaps liver fat like nothing they’ve ever tested. It’s a health elixir, period.”
He noted one significant side effect related to increased thermogenesis.
“Retatrutide causes me to increase my body temperature as it does for everyone. And like I can’t bulk on retatrutide. That’s ridiculous. I’m just not hungry and then I’m eating and I’m sweating.”
Israetel outlined his strategic approach to using these peptides across different phases.
“I try to take year-round tirzepatide at at least at 5 milligrams per week. That’s just my dose. For some people five is way too much. Super individual.”
During fat loss phases, he adds another GLP-1 compound, building up to about 8 milligrams per week on top of his baseline dose.
For someone with naturally high hunger levels, these medications represent a major breakthrough.
“My hunger knows no bounds. And so hunger control for me is the biggest unblock ever for prep.”
One particularly valuable application Israetel mentioned is using these peptides to counteract insulin resistance associated with growth hormone use.
“Huge. It does a ton.”
This synergy represents a practical solution to a common issue in enhanced bodybuilding, where growth hormone use can create metabolic complications that GLP-1 medications help mitigate while also supporting body composition.
