Supporting Digestion and Hormones Through Modern Weight-Management Therapies

GLP-1/GIP medicines such as semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) are undeniably here — all around us. Whether they will remain forever, we can’t yet know, but for now, they are not going anywhere fast. More and more people are using them, drawn by their promise of rapid weight loss and improved metabolic health.

At the same time, these medications commonly slow the stomach, dull appetite, and disturb digestive rhythm—effects that can snowball into constipation, reflux, dehydration, and nutrient shortfalls if digestion isn’t proactively supported.

A sluggish digestion, in particular, can create a ripple effect across the body’s hormonal landscape. When elimination slows, the body struggles to clear excess oestrogen and metabolic waste, creating an internal stagnation that can subtly undermine mood, energy, and clarity. This becomes especially significant for women in perimenopause, a phase when metabolism naturally slows, motivation wavers, and energy can feel elusive. At this time of transition, supporting digestive and hormonal balance is not just about comfort—it’s about protecting long-term vitality, helping the body stay light, nourished, and deeply resilient.

Why Supporting Digestion Is Essential When Using GLP-1 Medicines

What these drugs do (biomedically). GLP-1 agonists slow gastric emptying and suppress appetite. GI effects are the most common side effects: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation. Labels and post-marketing data also warn about rarer but serious issues—acute pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and, for semaglutide, reports of ileus (intestinal blockage). People with diabetes and established retinopathy can see early worsening of retinopathy if glucose falls very quickly, as observed in SUSTAIN-6.

What this looks like in real life. Constipation and dehydration are common; gallbladder complaints are more likely during rapid weight loss; sharp abdominal pain radiating to the back warrants urgent assessment (pancreatitis rule-out). UK regulators have also asked patients who had pancreatitis while on GLP-1s to report it, underscoring ongoing safety surveillance.

A Traditional East Asian Medicine lens. Appetite suppression and delayed gastric emptying map neatly onto Spleen Qi deficiency with Damp accumulation and Stagnation. Over time, under-eating can “tax the Spleen,” weakening transformation and transportation, leading to tiredness after meals, bloating, sluggish bowels, and—if persistent—Blood deficiency patterns (dry eyes, brittle nails, light-headedness, hair shedding).

Left unattended, that combination—less intake + slower motility—can mean:

• Constipation and bloating, making it harder to meet fibre or protein needs.

• Electrolyte and micronutrient gaps (iron, B-vitamins, essential fatty acids) from smaller meals or food aversions.

• Gallbladder stasis during rapid weight loss.

• Higher risk for pancreas or gallbladder inflammation if GI slowdown becomes severe.

Breaking the taboo: you’re allowed to seek support

There’s unhelpful shame around “using jabs.” Let’s retire it. People deserve compassionate, practical care. The conversation isn’t about whether these medications should exist—they already do—but about how to support the body while using them wisely. Pairing acupuncture with mindful nutrition and medical supervision isn’t indulgent—it’s responsible, integrative healthcare.

What the research says about acupuncture for these symptoms

• Constipation (strongest data): A large multicentre RCT found electroacupuncture significantly increased complete spontaneous bowel movements versus sham treatment in chronic severe functional constipation. Follow-up studies confirmed its safety and sustained benefit.

• Nausea & gastric dysrhythmia: Cochrane reviews show acupuncture at nausea-regulating points reduces sickness and improves digestive rhythm, especially in delayed gastric emptying.

• Diabetic gastroparesis (delayed stomach emptying): Systematic reviews indicate acupuncture can improve gastric motility and symptom scores, likely by influencing the vagus nerve and gut hormones.

In short, acupuncture has strong evidence for constipation and promising evidence for nausea and gastric motility issues—the very symptoms most people experience on GLP-1 injections.

Safety flags to know (so you can act fast)

• Severe, persistent upper abdominal pain (especially radiating to the back) → urgent medical assessment to rule out pancreatitis.

• Visual changes—especially in those with diabetic retinopathy—should be reported immediately.

• Persistent inability to pass stool or gas with abdominal swelling → emergency evaluation for potential bowel obstruction.

These warnings appear in official prescribing guidelines and are worth keeping in mind.

How acupuncture supports you while on GLP-1 treatment

Acupuncture works by restoring balance and flow, encouraging proper digestion, and supporting the organs responsible for transforming nourishment into energy and Blood.

Regulating digestion and elimination: Treatments gently encourage normal peristalsis, relieve constipation, and calm nausea by helping the body’s rhythm return to its natural state.Nourishing and stabilising energy: By strengthening the systems that convert food into Qi and Blood, acupuncture helps maintain vitality even when appetite is low.Balancing hormones: Treatments harmonise the relationship between the digestive and endocrine systems, supporting mood, sleep, and menstrual balance during weight loss.Soothing the nervous system: Regular acupuncture calms stress pathways, which can otherwise compound digestive stagnation and fatigue.

When paired with mindful eating, acupuncture allows the body to continue absorbing life—not just nutrients.

A Gentle Treatment Roadmap

Weeks 1–4: Weekly sessions to stabilise digestion, ease nausea, support regular elimination, and strengthen overall energy as your body adjusts to the medication.

Weeks 5–12: Continue with weekly or fortnightly treatments as symptoms improve. The focus gradually shifts toward rebuilding vitality, supporting deeper sleep, balancing mood, and maintaining digestive resilience.

Maintenance phase: Monthly sessions—or visits timed around dose adjustments or weight plateaus—help sustain hormonal steadiness, metabolic balance, and emotional well-being, ensuring your body stays harmonised throughout your journey.

A note on vision and pancreas health

The SUSTAIN-6 trial found a temporary increase in retinopathy complications with semaglutide in people with pre-existing eye disease, likely due to rapid glucose changes. Those with diabetes should have regular eye monitoring.

Pancreatitis is a known, though uncommon, risk. Severe abdominal pain or vomiting requires urgent medical evaluation. Acupuncture can support recovery from digestive sluggishness post-medically cleared pancreatitis but is not a treatment for acute pancreatitis itself.

Vision health beyond diabetes: the TCM perspective

While most medical studies associate GLP-1–related vision issues with diabetic patients, Traditional Chinese Medicine recognises that visual changes can also arise in people who are Liver Blood deficient or poorly nourished.

In TCM, the Liver governs the eyes, and clear vision depends on the nourishment and moisture provided by healthy Liver Blood. When appetite is suppressed by GLP-1 medications, people may unknowingly eat too little to sustain Blood production—especially if meals are light, rushed, or lacking in nutrient density. Over time, this can lead to dry, tired, or blurred vision, difficulty focusing, or sensitivity to light.

From a biomedical perspective, this pattern mirrors nutrient depletion—low iron, B-vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, or vitamin A—all vital for eye and nervous system function. Reduced appetite means fewer opportunities to take in these building blocks, especially in already depleted or plant-based eaters.

Acupuncture supports the circulation of Blood and nourishment to the eyes, improves absorption of nutrients through better digestive function, and helps balance the autonomic nervous system so the visual field remains bright and steady.

Alongside treatment, simple steps like eating Blood-nourishing foods—such as leafy greens, beetroot, egg yolks, sardines, black sesame, bone broth, goji berries, or small portions of red meat—help replenish the reserves the eyes depend on.

Final Thought

In a world that prizes quick results, it’s easy to surrender to the allure of instant weight-loss programmes. And that’s okay—these medicines exist because modern life and metabolism are complex, and sometimes a little help is needed. But as you move through this process, remember that your body’s inner ecology still needs care.

Acupuncture offers a way to stay connected to that inner rhythm—to keep your organs balanced, your digestion steady, and your hormones supported while using the medication, and long after you decide to stop. Think of it as tending the soil beneath a plant that’s rapidly shedding its leaves: it’s what ensures new growth can return. Use this moment not just to lose weight, but to restore vitality, harmony, and trust in your body’s natural wisdom.