EPISODE 54: What FDA Approval Actually Means and the Future of Peptides with Dr. Jean Cunningham

Welcome back to Peptides for Women podcast! In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jean Cunningham, Senior Director of Medical Affairs at Empower Pharmacy. With over 15 years of experience in pharmacy, medical affairs, scientific communications, and evidence-based healthcare, Dr. Cunningham brings a unique perspective on peptides, GLP-1s, women’s health, and the evolving regulatory landscape surrounding compounding pharmacies.Together, we dive into the science behind peptide therapies, the role of GLP-1 medications beyond weight loss, the history of hormone replacement therapy, and what the FDA’s upcoming peptide discussions could mean for patients, providers, and the future of personalized medicine.In this episode, we cover:Dr. Cunningham’s journey from pharmacy school to medical affairs leadershipWhy evidence-based medicine matters, and how to evaluate research criticallyThe lasting impact of the Women's Health Initiative on hormone replacement therapyWhy many women were underserved by traditional healthcare approachesHow GLP-1 medications have evolved over the past two decadesThe connection between obesity, inflammation, and chronic diseaseThe difference between visceral fat and subcutaneous fatWhy GLP-1s can improve more than just weight lossMuscle preservation, protein intake, and strength training while using GLP-1sHow scientific studies are funded and how researchers account for biasThe role of compounding pharmacies in personalized healthcareWhat 503A and 503B compounding pharmacies actually doThe difference between FDA-approved medications and compounded medicationsThe upcoming FDA peptide hearings and what they could mean for patientsWhy access to high-quality peptide therapies remains an important conversationThe risks associated with unregulated peptide sourcingWhat patients should consider before starting peptide therapyThe future of telehealth, personalized medicine, and peptide treatmentsConnect with Dr. Jean Cunningham!LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeancunninghamEmpower Pharmacy Website: https://www.empowerpharmacy.com/Empower Pharmacy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empowerpharmacy/Links & Resources:🔗 Learn more at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠elliemd.com/JenniferWoodwardNutrition⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🎯 Take my free peptide quiz and get a personalized, midlife-smart roadmap for the peptides that actually match your symptoms and goals: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quiz.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/peptide-quiz⁠⁠🎓 Enroll in the Peptides for Practitioners Certification Course and get $100 off for podcast subscribers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.carrotsncake.com/offers/TrVo7mCz?coupon_code=PFPJENNIFER⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠🧬 Want to pair GLP-1s with functional lab testing? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://learn.jenniferwoodwardnutrition.com/invitation⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠📩 Grab The Body Edit Guide here for full protocols, labs, and more: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stan.store/jenniferwoodwardnutrition/p/get-the-body-edit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠‼️Disclaimer‼️This podcast is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Always speak with your licensed healthcare provider before starting or changing any medication or treatment plan.