GLP-1 Resource Center

GLP-1 Glossary: Key Terms Defined

The language around GLP-1 medications and supplementation can be confusing. This glossary defines the clinical and scientific terms used throughout the TAKE GLP-1 Resource Center and on TAKE product pages.

A

Adipose tissue. Body fat. The stored energy deposits throughout the body. During GLP-1 treatment, weight lost comes from adipose tissue and, in part, from lean mass.

Amino acids. The building blocks of protein. When dietary protein is insufficient, which can happen on a GLP-1 medication as appetite falls, the body can draw on muscle tissue to access the amino acids it needs. Essential amino acids cannot be produced by the body and must come from food or supplementation.

Ashwagandha. Withania somnifera, a root traditionally used in Ayurvedic practice and studied in relation to serum cortisol and sleep quality. It appears in the TAKE Rest proprietary sleep blend, listed twelfth of fourteen ingredients, which under labeling rules means it is among the smallest components. The manufacturer does not disclose individual amounts within that blend, so we do not state one. Trials on ashwagandha typically use 300 to 600mg of a standardised extract on its own, and we are not claiming Rest delivers a comparable amount.*

B

B vitamins. A family of eight water-soluble vitamins (B1/thiamine, B2/riboflavin, B3/niacin, B5/pantothenic acid, B6, B7/biotin, B9/folate, B12) that play essential roles in cellular energy production, neurotransmitter synthesis, and DNA repair. All are obtained through food, so intake tends to fall when overall food intake falls. Low intake is associated with fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, and reduced immune function. Note that a product containing several B vitamins is not necessarily a full B complex: TAKE Hydrate provides seven of the eight and contains no biotin.

Bioavailability. The proportion of a nutrient or supplement that is absorbed into the bloodstream and available for use by the body. A supplement can contain a nutrient on its label but deliver very little to the body if the form used has low bioavailability. Forms differ, and the difference is not always in the direction a label implies. That is why every TAKE product names the specific form of each ingredient on its own page, so you can check ours rather than take a general claim on trust.

Biotin. Vitamin B7. Involved in fatty acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism, and commonly associated with hair and skin formulations. Found in eggs, nuts, and organ meats, foods often reduced during GLP-1 treatment. TAKE Complete provides biotin at 1,000% DV to support levels during periods of reduced food intake.* One practical note worth knowing: biotin at high intake can interfere with some laboratory blood tests, including thyroid and cardiac assays. Tell your provider you are taking it before any blood work.

Body mass index (BMI). A screening measure calculated from height and weight. Wegovy and Zepbound are typically prescribed for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher (obesity) or 27 or higher (overweight) with at least one weight-related health condition.

C

Caloric restriction. A reduction in total calorie intake below typical maintenance levels. GLP-1 medications produce caloric restriction by suppressing appetite. A 2025 joint advisory from four professional societies reported caloric intake dropping 16 to 39% across the GLP-1 drug class, and nutrient intake from food tends to fall with it.

CCL2 (Chemokine Ligand 2). A cell signalling protein involved in immune communication. It appears in the TAKE Regrowth peptide complex under the INCI name sh-Oligopeptide-10, as a cosmetic conditioning ingredient. It is a signalling protein rather than a growth factor, and we name it accurately rather than counting it among the growth factors.

CFU (Colony Forming Units). The measurement used for probiotic potency. One CFU represents one viable bacterial cell capable of forming a colony. TAKE Flora provides 40 billion CFU per two-capsule serving through end of shelf life, across four strains published to the strain code: Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14), Bifidobacterium lactis (Bl-04), Lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-115) and Lactobacillus paracasei (Lpc-37). CFU count alone does not determine effectiveness; the strains used and the delivery system through stomach acid both matter.

Cortisol. The primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol follows a natural daily rhythm: high in the morning, declining through the day, lowest at night. Ashwagandha, one of the fourteen ingredients in the TAKE Rest proprietary blend, has been studied in relation to serum cortisol at trial doses of 300 to 600mg of a standardised extract taken on its own. The amount present in Rest is not disclosed by the manufacturer, and ashwagandha is listed twelfth of fourteen in that blend, so it sits well below the doses used in that research. TAKE Rest is a sleep product. It is not intended for stress, anxiety or low mood.

Creatine monohydrate. A naturally occurring compound stored in muscle as phosphocreatine. Supplementation at 5,000mg daily saturates muscle phosphocreatine stores, supporting cellular energy production.* It has been the subject of a substantial body of published research. A meta-analysis published in June 2026, pooling seven randomised placebo-controlled trials across 608 postmenopausal women, reported gains in lean mass and leg press strength at 5 grams or more daily combined with resistance movement, and no measurable effect at 3 grams or less or without the movement. Bone mineral density was unchanged. Evidence specific to GLP-1 treatment remains indirect. Used in TAKE Build at 5,000mg per serving.

D

DHT (Dihydrotestosterone). A potent androgen produced from testosterone. DHT contributes to hair follicle miniaturization and is implicated in androgenetic alopecia. Saw palmetto is studied for its effect on 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT, which is why it appears in traditional hair and scalp formulations, and why products containing it are not suitable during pregnancy, nursing, or while trying to conceive.

Dysbiosis. An imbalance in the gut microbiome, a state where harmful or opportunistic bacterial species become relatively more dominant over beneficial species. Slowed gastric emptying and reduced dietary diversity during GLP-1 treatment can contribute to it. Dysbiosis is associated with bloating, gas, and irregularity.

E

Electrolytes. Minerals that carry an electrical charge when dissolved in fluid. The primary electrolytes in the human body are sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, chloride, and phosphate. They govern cellular hydration, nerve signaling, and muscle contractions. Most electrolyte intake arrives with food, so intake tends to fall when food intake falls. Low electrolyte intake is associated with muscle cramps, brain fog, headaches, and fatigue. Amounts differ substantially between products: TAKE Build provides 1,000mg of sodium per serving and TAKE Hydrate 100mg.

F

FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor). A family of proteins involved in cell signalling, growth and repair. Two appear in the TAKE Regrowth peptide complex as cosmetic conditioning ingredients: sh-Polypeptide-11, an analogue of acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF or FGF-1), and sh-Polypeptide-1, an analogue of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF or FGF-2). Human evidence for topically applied growth factors and hair is not established, and TAKE does not claim it.

G

Gastric emptying. The rate at which food moves from the stomach into the small intestine. GLP-1 medications slow gastric emptying by design; it is one of the primary mechanisms by which they extend fullness and reduce appetite. Slower gastric emptying is also a primary contributor to the nausea, constipation, and digestive changes commonly reported on GLP-1 medications.

GIP (Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide). A gut hormone involved in insulin secretion and energy metabolism. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) activates both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, which is associated with greater average weight loss than semaglutide alone, approximately 20 to 22% versus 15%.

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1). A hormone produced naturally in the gut after eating that stimulates insulin secretion, slows gastric emptying, and reduces appetite. GLP-1 receptor agonist medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) mimic this hormone at pharmacological doses, producing significant and sustained appetite suppression and weight loss.

GLP-1 receptor agonist. A drug that binds to and activates GLP-1 receptors, mimicking the effects of natural GLP-1. The GLP-1 receptor agonist class includes semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound), liraglutide (Victoza, Saxenda), and others.

Gut microbiome. The ecosystem of trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in the digestive tract. The gut microbiome is involved in digestion, immune function, vitamin production, and increasingly, mood and neurological health through the gut-brain axis. Slowed digestion and reduced dietary diversity during GLP-1 treatment can affect its balance.

I

IGF-1 (Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1). A hormone involved in cell growth and repair. It appears in the TAKE Regrowth peptide complex under the INCI name sh-Oligopeptide-2, as a cosmetic conditioning ingredient. Human evidence for topically applied growth factors and hair is not established, and TAKE does not claim it.

M

MAKTREK Bi-Pass Technology. A patented marine polysaccharide complex delivery system used in TAKE Flora. It forms a protective layer around probiotic cultures that resists stomach acid, designed to allow a higher proportion of viable bacteria to reach the intestine where they are needed.*

Melatonin. A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates the sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm). Production is triggered by darkness and suppressed by light. TAKE Rest provides melatonin at 5mg per capsule, with a label serving of two capsules (10mg).* It is the only active in Rest whose amount the manufacturer discloses. Dosing, timing and suitability alongside any prescription medication are questions for your prescriber, particularly because the Rest blend also contains St. John's Wort.

Micronutrients. Vitamins and minerals required in small amounts for normal physiological function. Distinguished from macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, fat) which are required in larger amounts. Micronutrients arrive primarily with food, so intake tends to fall when caloric intake falls, though the effect varies with what a person eats.

P

Phosphocreatine. The storage form of creatine in muscle tissue. Phosphocreatine is broken down to regenerate ATP, the body's cellular energy currency, during brief periods of higher energy demand. Creatine supplementation at 5,000mg daily saturates muscle phosphocreatine stores, supporting cellular energy production.*

Prebiotics. Non-digestible dietary fibers that selectively feed beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome. Distinguished from probiotics (live bacterial cultures). TAKE Flora contains 24mg of fructooligosaccharide as a synbiotic component, meaning a prebiotic packaged with the cultures it supports. That is a different thing from a dietary fiber serving, which is measured in grams rather than milligrams.

Probiotics. Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. In the context of GLP-1 treatment, probiotics are used to support gut microbiome balance.* Effectiveness depends on both the strains used and the delivery system carrying them through stomach acid, which is why strain designations matter: probiotic research is conducted on strains rather than species, and two products listing the same species can contain entirely different cultures.

Proprietary blend. An ingredient group where the manufacturer discloses the total weight of the blend and the ingredients inside it, but not the individual amount of each one. Ingredients within a blend are listed in descending order of predominance, so position in the list tells you something even when the amount does not. Three TAKE products contain proprietary blends: TAKE Complete, which has three of them, TAKE Rest, which has a 905mg sleep blend, and TAKE Flora, which has an 800mg probiotic blend. We say so on those product pages rather than publishing amounts the manufacturer has not disclosed.

Psyllium husk. A soluble fiber derived from the seeds of Plantago ovata. It absorbs water and forms a gel in the intestine, adding bulk and moisture to stool and supporting regular bowel transit. Psyllium husk is a well studied source of soluble fiber for supporting regularity and is compatible with long-term daily use.* Used in TAKE Flow at 3,000mg per sachet.*

R

Resting metabolic rate (RMR). The number of calories the body burns at rest to maintain basic physiological functions. Muscle mass is a primary driver of resting metabolic rate. Lean mass loss during significant weight loss can lower RMR, which is one reason supporting muscle is widely considered important during and after treatment.

S

Saw palmetto. A plant extract from Serenoa repens, studied for its effect on 5-alpha reductase, the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT.* Because of that mechanism, products containing it are not suitable during pregnancy, nursing, or while trying to conceive. Used in TAKE Regrowth alongside the peptide complex and rosemary extract, and in TAKE Complete within a 170mg proprietary blend.

Semaglutide. The active ingredient in Ozempic (approved for type 2 diabetes) and Wegovy (approved for chronic weight management). A GLP-1 receptor agonist that suppresses appetite, slows gastric emptying, and improves blood glucose regulation. Clinical trials show average weight loss of 14.9% of body weight over 68 weeks at the Wegovy dose of 2.4mg weekly.

Serotonin. A neurotransmitter involved in mood, appetite, sleep, and cognitive function. Produced from tryptophan, an amino acid obtained through dietary protein, which means intake of its precursor can fall when food intake falls. 5-HTP, a precursor in the serotonin synthesis pathway, is one of the fourteen botanicals in the TAKE Rest proprietary blend, listed last, which under labeling rules means it is the smallest component. Individual amounts within that blend are not disclosed by the manufacturer.

St. John's Wort. A botanical included in the TAKE Rest proprietary blend. It interacts with a wide range of prescription medications, including hormonal contraceptives, where it can reduce effectiveness, and antidepressants, where combining them carries a risk of serotonin syndrome. It is not suitable during pregnancy, while nursing, or while trying to conceive. Speak to your prescriber before taking it alongside any medication.

T

Telogen effluvium. A form of temporary, diffuse hair loss caused by a significant physiological stressor that pushes hair follicles prematurely into the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. Rapid weight loss is a recognized trigger. The stressor occurs two to four months before shedding begins, which is why many patients do not immediately connect their hair loss to their medication. Often temporary. Discuss management with your healthcare provider.

Tirzepatide. The active ingredient in Mounjaro (approved for type 2 diabetes) and Zepbound (approved for chronic weight management). A dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist that activates two hormone pathways rather than one. The SURMOUNT-1 trial showed average weight loss of 22.5% at the 15mg dose over 72 weeks.

Tryptophan. An essential amino acid and the dietary precursor to serotonin. Found in protein-rich foods including poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes. Because it arrives with food, tryptophan intake can fall when food intake falls. It is often discussed as a contributing factor in sleep and mood changes reported during GLP-1 treatment, though the mechanisms are not fully established. It is the largest single component of the TAKE Rest proprietary blend.

V

VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor). A protein involved in new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis). It appears in the TAKE Regrowth peptide complex under the INCI name sh-Polypeptide-9, as a cosmetic conditioning ingredient. Human evidence for topically applied growth factors and hair is not established, and TAKE does not claim it.

Y

YESTEIN fermented yeast protein. A protein source used in TAKE Nourish, derived from fermented yeast. It appears in the Nourish blend alongside fava bean protein isolate because single plant proteins are each limited in at least one amino acid. TAKE has not located peer-reviewed human data on this branded ingredient and says so on the product page rather than claiming otherwise.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. TAKE products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Individual results vary. Always speak with your healthcare provider about medication side effects or medical concerns.