TODAY'S AJENDA #80

“Microdosing” GLP-1s sounds great in theory. Stretch your expensive medication, dodge nasty side effects, and maintain your weight loss without the full-dose intensity. What’s not to love? 💉

Turns out, plenty. Those bargain vials and custom doses are uncharted waters with almost zero formal data. Before you go rogue with GLP-1s, here’s what you need to know: 

First, How Do You Microdose GLP-1s? 

There are two approaches (and it’s possible to combine both): 

• Stay at the Starter Dose. Normally, doctors start you on a low dose and gradually increase it to curb gastrointestinal side effects. Microdosing starts at fractions of the lowest prescribed dose and stops that titration early, maintaining a subtherapeutic dose long-term.

• Stretch Out Your Injections. The most popular GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, Zepbound) are administered as once-weekly injections. But you can microdose by spacing them out longer (e.g., every 10 days or two weeks). 

The Potential Pros of Microdosing GLP-1s 

The true potential benefit of microdosing may have nothing to do with weight loss; it may be cellular. GLP-1’s have a plethora of benefits ranging from reducing inflammation, to stimulating the immune system, to reducing oxidative stress, to boosting mitochondrial function, that lead to documented neurocognitive and cardiovascular protection. 

Next, let’s talk about cost. If you’re paying out of pocket, GLP-1s can cost anywhere between $850-$1,400 per month. Microdosing is one way to bring that price tag down. 

Next, side effects. Studies show that between 40 to 70% of people experience gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. The logic is that lower doses lead to milder side effects. 

Then there’s the maintenance angle. Maybe you’re someone who’s already lost weight on full-dose GLP-1s and is looking for “maintenance” to keep the scale steady. 

It all sounds promising. But if it were that great, wouldn’t organizations like the American Diabetes Association be loudly endorsing GLP-1 microdosing?  

The Cons of Microdosing GLP-1s 

The reason they don’t is that we don’t have any data on it, YET.

The FDA approved GLP-1s after testing them in large clinical trials (such as STEP and SURMOUNT) at specific doses and intervals. Microdosing was not part of those studies. 

That means we have no formal evidence on whether lower doses are effective, safe, or provide any long-term health benefits. And without trial data: 

1) Insurance (probably) won’t cover it. Microdosing GLP-1s isn’t FDA-approved, so insurers see it as “experimental.” And experimental treatments are almost always excluded from coverage. 

2) We can’t predict the response. Will you lose weight? Maintain it? Have less appetite? There’s no way to predict the outcome because we don’t have research. 

3) Sourcing becomes risky. FDA-approved GLP-1s aren’t designed to be split into tiny doses, so people turn to compounded versions. But the FDA has restricted the mass compounding of GLP-1s for safety and regulatory concerns. 

• Zoom In: That means if you stumble on a pharmacy or medspa offering GLP-1 microdosing, it might carry safety and purity risks. 

It could also become an ethical issue. If lots of people start microdosing, it could re-trigger a GLP-1 shortage and make it harder for people with diabetes to access the medication. 

How Microdosing GLP-1s Got Popular

Despite these cons, microdosing GLP-1s seems to be everywhere on social media. And part of the reason for that is our society’s cultural baggage. 

• Zoom In: It’s not uncommon for women to be accused of “cheating” or being “vain.” By the way, this applies to men too. 

It seems people are more comfortable saying they “microdose” GLP-1s because it signals they’re not taking the drug for vanity’s sake. In my opinion, we have bigger issues than judging anyone for taking or not taking a drug. 

Tips for Women Over 50 Considering This 

If you’re going to explore microdosing, here’s what you should do: 

1. Chat with your doctor. Microdosing is off-label. If you’re considering it, do so under medical guidance. 

2. Remember this is a tool (and not a solution). Anchor any medication in the fundamentals: training 2-3x weekly, eating protein (90-100 grams daily), and getting quality sleep. 

3. Reframe success. The goal isn’t to just “lose weight.” It’s for you to have energy, mobility, and to feel good day-to-day. 

Lastly, don’t let stigma drive your choices. This is a decision based on what serves you best. Just get the proper guidance so you’re clear on what’s proven versus what's still a guess. 

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If you’re over 50, you’ve probably had that heart-stopping moment: a slip on a wet floor, a stumble on uneven pavement, a skid over a rug. Most of the time, you recover with a laugh (and maybe a sore shin). But as we age, those falls can become life-altering. 

• Zoom In: Each year, 3 million older adults go to the ER for fall-related injuries. And over 95% of hip fractures (which carry a high mortality risk) result from falls. 

Enter: Reactive Perturbation Training (RPT). It’s a research-backed method that trains your body to “catch itself” when balance is suddenly disrupted. And done right, it could prevent you from becoming another ER statistic. 

Why This Matters For Women Over 50 

Maybe you’re thinking, “I’m not clumsy. This doesn’t apply to me.” 

But falls aren’t just accidents. They’re biochemical events. As we age, our bodies change in a way that makes falls more dangerous, no matter how coordinated we’ve always been. 

Here’s what happens when you fall: 

1. The brain detects perturbation. Nerves in your feet and legs signal “we’re falling.” 

2. The body launches a rapid motor response. This might be a quick step forward, a hip shift, an arm swing, etc. 

That rapid motor response is everything. Without it, any force that shifts our center of gravity (sideways, forward, backward, or with a twist) would send us toppling. The problem is that as we age, those reactions slow down dramatically. 

• Zoom In: After menopause, estrogen drops and decreases bone density and muscle mass. This leaves bones weaker and more prone to breaking. 

Combine all of these factors (a slower reaction time, fragile bones, muscles that can’t catch you as well), and you get the perfect storm for a fall to do real damage. 

Cue: Reactive Perturbation Training 

The good news is that RPT significantly reduces your chance of falling in real life. But what exactly is it? 

• The What: You practice controlled stumbles and slips in a safe, supervised environment. Think walking on a treadmill that speeds up (or slows down), or standing on a wobble board. 

• The How: By repeatedly disrupting your balance, you're training your nervous system to get faster at sending the right signals to your muscles. 

Now, the science: A 2015 meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials with 404 participants found that those who completed RPT were 29% less likely to fall compared to control groups. 

And in some trials? Just a handful of sessions improved balance recovery for months.

But there’s another thing RPT does that doesn’t show up in the studies: it ends the fear cycle. After a fall, many women move less out of fear. But less movement leads to weaker muscles and slower reactions, which ironically, increases your chance of falling again! 

RPT ends that cycle and gives you the power to (literally) move on. 

How to Practice RPT Yourself

Fortunately, you don’t need fancy equipment or a specialist. We actually do a lot of this type of training in The Wellness Experiment. 

Think step training, balance challenges, agility drills, and more, all with the goal of strengthening both sides of your body and training your nervous system to react faster in case you fall.

• Doctor’s Note: About 80% of the time, my workouts have been on one leg and then the other, to build balanced strength. And I don’t just do this in the gym! A favorite of mine is to alternate standing on one foot while brushing my teeth. 

Most workout programs aren’t designed for women over 50, so they don’t include any RPT techniques. The Wellness Experiment is not one of them. We know life will never stop throwing slippery, uneven sidewalks your way. The question is: Will your body be ready to react? 

With a little training, the answer can be yes! Whether you can react in high heels is a topic for another newsletter :-)

Scroll through social media, and you’ll see seed oils are branded either as “toxic industrial byproducts” or “heart-healthy staples.” Meanwhile, beef tallow is either “ancestral nutrition” or “a heart attack in a jar.” 

Which side is right? 

Neither. Both. It’s complicated. The reality is far more nuanced than politicians and wellness influencers would have you believe, but nuance doesn’t trend on social media. 

Good thing you’re here instead. Let’s see what the science says: 

What Are Seed Oils, Really? 

A “seed oil” is any oil extracted from seeds, such as canola, soybean, sunflower, safflower, rapeseed, and corn. Most are heavily processed using heat and chemical refining techniques. 

• Zoom In: Seed oils are packed with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), specifically omega-6 linoleic acid. These essential fats play a role in energy, inflammation regulation, immune response, and more. 

The Case For Seed Oils 

Decades of research suggest that swapping saturated fats (think butter, lard) for polyunsaturated fats lowers “bad” LDL cholesterol and reduces your risk of heart disease. 

• Science Says: A 2024 study found that people with higher blood levels of linoleic acid (the main omega-6 fat in seed oils) had lower rates of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. 

And we can’t forget that seed oils contain vitamin E and other antioxidants, which help protect your cells and support immune function. 

The Case Against Seed Oils 

Maybe you’re thinking, “Great! Omega-6 is good for us.” But it’s not that simple. While omega-6s do produce anti-inflammatory mediators, they can actually lead to inflammation if consumed in excess. 

When you eat more omega-6 than omega-3 (which is common with a diet heavy in seed oils), your body produces more pro-inflammatory compounds, which can contribute to heart disease, diabetes, and more. 

• Zoom In: The ideal omega-6 to omega-3 ratio is around 5:1. But the current Western diet has a ratio of about 20:1 (four times higher than ideal). 

Plus, the processing and repeated high-heat frying of seed oils can create harmful oxidation products. But typical home cooking produces much less than the sensational posts suggest.  

What About Beef Tallow? 

Beef tallow is rendered (melted and purified) fat from cattle. It’s creamy, white, and solid at room temperature, and rich in saturated fatty acids like palmitic and stearic acid. 

The Case For Beef Tallow 

Unlike seed oils, beef tallow stays more stable under heat, so it’s less prone to oxidation. And less oxidized oils means less exposure to byproducts linked with inflammation and chronic disease. 

There’s also the grass-fed aspect. Grass-fed beef tallow contains phytochemicals (plant compounds with antioxidant properties) and conjugated linoleic acid (which may support your metabolism) 

• Doctor’s Note: A 2022 study found huge inconsistencies among grass-fed products in the U.S., so just know “grass-fed” doesn’t guarantee quality. 

The Case Against Beef Tallow 

Grass-fed or not, beef tallow is a saturated fat. Saturated fat is not good for our arteries, leading to atherosclerosis or clogging of the arteries. 

• Zoom In: The American Heart Association advises limiting your saturated fat to only 6% of your daily caloric intake. But just ONE tablespoon of beef tallow almost hits the full daily amount of saturated fat recommended in a 2,000-calorie diet. 

What The Headlines Miss

The social media posts you see claiming seed oils are poison or that beef tallow is “liquid gold” are all missing one thing: nuance. Before you believe a wellness guru on TikTok, remember this: 

1. Frequency Matters 

Seed oils in a Mediterranean diet (vegetables, legumes, fish, whole grains) aren’t the same seed oils as in ultra-processed foods. Likewise, an occasional roast potato cooked in tallow isn’t the same as using it daily. 

2. Dose and Preparation Matters 

Neither ingredient is inherently “toxic.” It’s your overall eating pattern (how you pair and prepare your foods) that’s the most important variable. 

3. Women Over 50 Are Unique 

After menopause, heart disease risk rises sharply. The evidence shows that unsaturated fats (olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and yes, moderate amounts of seed oils) support heart health better than relying heavily on saturated fats like tallow. 

4. Science is Not Politics 

These debates are hijacked by politics and clickbait. But science isn’t dramatic: diverse, plant-forward eating patterns with limited saturated fat remain the most evidence-based approach. Remember that in nutrition, nuance beats headlines. Always.

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ABOUT DR. JEN

In her former roles as chief medical correspondent for ABC News and on-air cohost of “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” Dr. Jennifer Ashton—”Dr. Jen”—has shared the latest health news and information with millions of viewers nationwide. As an OB-GYN, nutritionist, and board-certified obesity medicine specialist, she is passionate about promoting optimal health for “the whole woman.” She has authored several books, including the national best-seller, The Self-Care Solution: A Year of Becoming Happier, Healthier & Fitter—One Month at a Time. And she has gone through menopause…

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