As a Woman Weight, Hormones, and Metabolism: What Women Need to Know | Nicole Basa, MD
Aug 12, 2025
Dr. Nicole Basa, a board-certified bariatric surgeon and founder of BNA Medical Center, shares invaluable insights on the connection between weight, hormones, and metabolism. She explains how insulin impacts weight gain and the hormonal changes women face during perimenopause. Listeners learn effective strategies for weight loss, including the importance of protein and resistance training. Dr. Basa also discusses medical options like GLP-1 medications and bariatric surgery, emphasizing the need to reset one's weight set point for long-term success.
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Protein Targets And Short Strength Sessions
- Aim for about 1–1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight, roughly 80–100 g/day for many women.
- Do short consistent resistance sessions (20 minutes) most days to build muscle and improve labs.
How GLP-1 Drugs Work
- GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic gut hormones to increase fullness, boost insulin, and slow gastric emptying.
- They were developed for diabetes and later repurposed for weight loss with dramatic effects.
Use GLP-1s Strategically
- Consider GLP-1s for patients who follow lifestyle foundations but still cannot lose weight, typically with BMI ~30+.
- Use GLP-1s as part of a multi-front strategy and not a sole long-term solution for very high BMIs.
