If you’ve recently worked with me or followed me closely, you’re probably familiar with my peptide obsession. Over the last several years, they’ve become some of my favorite tools—both personally and in my coaching practice.
I still use foundational supplements daily, and I layer in additional targeted support depending on what I have going on at any given time.
But peptides are different. They tend to work faster — and you can often feel them working.
And because most are injected, you’re not relying on gut absorption and bioavailability the way you are with oral supplements.
My name is Alisa Turner and I’m a certified integrative health coach specializing in nutrition planning, fitness, and overall well-being. If you’re ready for clarity and a sustainable approach to a healthier life, I’m here for you. Contact me!
So in many ways, peptides can feel like flipping a light switch— while supplements are more like supporting the current level of light.
And that difference matters — because most people are used to that “light switch” effect from pharmaceuticals. They want to feel something working. Which is one reason why peptides are taking off right now—well beyond just GLP-1s.
I get asked almost weekly now: “What peptides do you take?” And I’m always happy to share. But my answer always comes with a caveat — And this is usually the part no one wants to hear:
Peptides don’t replace the fundamentals. They amplify them.
And I see this all the time — people layering in more supplements, more peptides, more protocols….
While the foundation underneath is still unstable.
And then wondering why they don’t get the same results.
There are peptides to support just about every system and organ in the body, but given my metabolic health specialty, I have been especially focused on learning about and experimenting with peptides that support:
- muscle health
- mitochondrial function
- recovery and resilience
- nervous system regulation
Because when those systems are working well, everything works better.
The Reframe Most People Need (This is where most people tune out — so stay with me)
If you take nothing else from this post, take this…
No supplement.
No peptide.
No protocol.
…replaces structure or foundational health.
You still need:
- balanced macronutrients and sufficient micronutrients
- proper hydration and electrolyte balance
- a well-designed strength training program that is consistently and progressively overloading your muscles, particularly your lower body.
- sufficient overall daily movement (outside of strength training)
- a regulated nervous system
- optimized hormones (including thyroid)
- sufficient quality sleep
- a healthy, balanced & diverse microbiome
That’s what determines whether any of this actually works long term. And GLP-1 medications are a perfect example of this.
They’re powerful.
They can absolutely help with fat loss.
But they’re just one tool in a much bigger landscape. And without the right support around them, I see people:
- lose muscle
- feel flat
- struggle with energy
- hit plateaus
- regain weight later
Not because the medication “failed”— but because the system around it wasn’t built.
So, What Supports Metabolism (Beyond GLP-1 and The Core Requirements Noted Above)
Instead of overwhelming you with 30+ supplements… I want you to think about this in layers.
1. Foundational Support
This is the layer most people try to skip. But remember — more targeted layers don’t work as well without the basics.
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, magnesium)
→ Especially important on GLP-1s where thirst is reduced
- Dietary Protein + supplemental amino acids (Unmatched, Perfect Aminos) → Muscle is your metabolic engine. More muscle = more mitochondria = better glucose control = greater metabolic advantage!
- Creatine
→ Strength, recovery, cognition, cellular energy
- Magnesium
→ Nervous system, sleep, recovery
- Omega-3s
→ Inflammation, insulin sensitivity, brain health
- B-complex
→ Energy production, methylation, stress support
- Whole Food Multi (Juice Plus, Balance By Nature, Athletic Greens)
→ micronutrient coverage to fill common gaps
You can get fancy later. But if this layer is missing, nothing else will land quite as well.
2. Nervous System + Stress Resilience
This is the most underestimated layer.
And ironically—the one that determines whether your body can actually “receive” all the other inputs.
- Glycine
- Magnesium & B-Complex (again—yes, they overlap with foundational) ● L-theanine
- Passionflower / calming botanicals
- Taurine (context-dependent)
- Adaptogens like Ashwagandha, Rhodiola, or others depending on stress patterns and tolerance
I’m currently developing a targeted formulation that supports this — stay tuned!
3. Targeted Metabolic Support
This is where we get more specific depending on the person.
Think:
-insulin sensitivity
-mitochondrial function
-metabolic flexibility
- Berberine
- Chromium
- Omega-3s (higher dosing if needed)
- Specialty mitochondrial support supplements like Energenesis or Urolithin A ● NAD / methylene blue (advanced layer)
This is where I start asking: “Where is this person’s metabolism struggling?”
4. Peptides (advanced, but powerful)
This is where things get even more individualized—and more nuanced. And more FUN! And also where I see the most misuse. Because again:
Peptides don’t replace structure. They amplify whatever foundation is (or isn’t) there.
Not all of these are appropriate for every person — but here are some of the peptides I have used — not all at once, and not indefinitely—but strategically, depending on my goal:
- Tesamorelin / Ipamorelin (and CJC-1295/Ipamorelin)
→ recovery, body composition, GH signaling, sleep
(better results when not layered heavily on GLP-1s)
- SS-31
→ mitochondrial support (one of my absolute personal favorites)
- MOTS-c
→ metabolic flexibility, cellular energy
- “KLOW” peptide stack (BPC-157, TB500, GhK-Cu, KPV)
→ healing, gut, inflammation, skin
- Thymosin Alpha-1
→ immune + gut support (in the right context)
- Oxytocin
→ mental health, nervous system regulation, metabolic health, appetite regulation
- SLU-PP-332
→ Mitochondrial signaling efficiency + endurance, metabolic flexibility, longevity
- Epitalon
→ Longevity, circadian rhythm, oxidative stress
- DSIP
→ Sleep
- NAD+
→ Energy, cognitive function, longevity
What I Personally Come Back To Again and Again
Because I believe personal experience matters more than theory or textbook information, I almost never recommend something I haven’t tried myself.
My supplement and peptide stacks change over time, but if I simplify it down to what I consistently come back to:
- Electrolytes
- Protein + amino acids
- Creatine
- Magnesium + glycine
- Cod Liver Oil (omega-3s)
- B-Complex
- Probiotics
- Multi Collagen
- Juice Plus trio
- Vitamin C (from acerola fruit not ascorbic acid)
- Methylene Blue
- “KLOW” peptide blend
- NAD+
- SS-31
- Oxytocin
Not everything at once. Not everything forever — some things are cycled off. And I layer in others for mood, focus, and stress as needed.
But these are my anchors right now.
Final Thought
Peptides like GLP-1s can absolutely be part of a powerful strategy.
But they’re not the strategy.
The goal isn’t just to lose weight.
It’s to build metabolic resilience, so you can sustain fat loss, feel vibrant, and increase health span, not just your lifespan.
If you’re on a GLP-1 (or considering one) and want to do this the right way— Comment “GLP1” on my latest post and I’ll send you my free GLP-1 metabolic reset guide
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