By Gabriel Alizaidy, MD, MS, and Starling Krentz, MS
You're behind the curve if you're not implementing some form of performance medicine into your routine. But here's the problem: people think they have to choose just one thing from a sea of options, and decision fatigue sets in. What if we told you that you don't have to pick one? What if stacking these tools is not only better, but optimal for getting the results you want?
Some guys have already figured this out. They're dropping fat while building muscle, have energy all day, and somehow look better at 45 than they did at 25. There's a pattern here, and it's simpler than you might think.
Most men use just one intervention and miss the synergistic benefits that come from a comprehensive approach. Here's why the stack of Testosterone, Sermorelin, and GLP-1s creates results that none can achieve alone.
Testosterone is great for building muscle, not just because of its anabolic properties, but because it rewires your relationship with training. Men with optimized testosterone also report increased drive, better workout intensity, and faster recovery between sessions. This isn't just about having more muscle, though. It's about having the psychological fuel to actually pursue transformation.
Testosterone increases muscle protein synthesis and enhances the anabolic environment for growth.¹ But here's the thing about testosterone by itself: it has limitations. Without addressing metabolic factors, weight gain can spiral out of control. With more unintended weight gain comes more body fat, which means more aromatization to estradiol, which then drives further fat storage. It becomes this vicious cycle that's really hard to break without metabolic support.
Sermorelin stimulates your pituitary to release growth hormone naturally. Growth hormone and its downstream effects on IGF-1 promote fat loss while preserving lean mass.² This creates a unique metabolic state where your body preferentially burns fat for fuel while maintaining muscle tissue.
Beyond body composition, Sermorelin enhances deep sleep quality, which is when your body repairs and recovers. Better sleep naturally leads to better testosterone production and enhanced training response. Growth hormone also mobilizes fatty acids for fuel while preserving glycogen, so you can maintain training intensity even in a deficit.
GLP-1s do more than suppress appetite. They eliminate food noise. You know that constant background chatter about what to eat next? The hedonic eating that sabotages progress? It goes quiet. You eat when you're genuinely hungry, not because your brain is seeking its next dopamine hit from food.
The metabolic benefits go way beyond appetite control. GLP-1s improve insulin sensitivity, reduce visceral fat accumulation, and enhance mitochondrial function.³ These mechanisms create an environment optimized for fat oxidation while supporting metabolic health.
Now, while GLP-1s alone deliver impressive weight loss, research shows that 25 to 40% of that loss can come from lean mass without proper support.⁴ You'll hit your goal weight, sure, but body composition might not reflect the transformation you actually envisioned. This is exactly why strategic microdosing is so crucial. You're not trying to stop eating altogether. You're eliminating the noise that leads to overeating while focusing on muscle preservation through comprehensive lifestyle and nutritional strategies.
The key insight isn't about maxing out one intervention. It's really about strategically combining lower, sustainable doses across multiple pathways to create synergy without stacking side effects.
Here's where the metabolic magic happens. Testosterone improves insulin sensitivity and glucose uptake in muscle tissue.¹ GLP-1s enhance this effect while reducing visceral fat accumulation and improving mitochondrial function.³ Combined with Sermorelin's lipolytic properties and its ability to stimulate growth hormone release,² you create an environment that's optimized for lean mass preservation and fat oxidation.
Research shows the combination of growth hormone and testosterone can add significant lean mass while simultaneously dropping body fat. Neither hormone alone produces these kinds of dramatic shifts.⁵
When you combine all three, something amazing happens:
Muscle Preservation During Deficit: Testosterone maintains anabolic signaling while GLP-1s create the caloric deficit. Sermorelin enhances recovery and fat mobilization. The result? You lose fat, not muscle.
Enhanced Nutrient Partitioning: GLP-1s improve insulin sensitivity, testosterone drives nutrients toward muscle, and Sermorelin optimizes fat metabolism. Your body becomes more efficient at using what you eat for building rather than storing.
Sustainable Energy and Motivation: Testosterone provides drive, Sermorelin improves sleep quality, and GLP-1s stabilize blood sugar. No more energy crashes or motivation valleys that derail progress.
Accelerated Recovery: Growth hormone from Sermorelin plus testosterone's anabolic effects mean faster recovery between training sessions. More quality training naturally equals faster transformation.
Here's how to implement the complete protocol:
Testosterone Optimization: Target high-normal physiologic levels (800 to 1200 ng/dL) through appropriate therapy. This provides the anabolic foundation without going overboard.
Sermorelin Nightly: Take before bed on an empty stomach to optimize growth hormone pulses during deep sleep. Some guys prefer daily dosing, others do 5 days per week. Both protocols work effectively.
GLP-1 Strategic Dosing: Start with the lowest effective dose that reduces food noise without eliminating appetite. For most guys, this means microdosing at 25 to 50% of standard weight loss doses. Adjust frequency (every 3 to 5 days) based on how you respond.
Supporting Cast:
At Maximus, our physicians customize your protocols based on your unique physiology and goals. Through regular monitoring and adjustments, we optimize for sustainable transformation, not quick fixes.
The Max Stack approach creates a metabolic environment where your body naturally maintains its ideal composition. This isn't just about transforming your physique. It's about redefining what's possible.
References:
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Disclaimer: The contents of this article, including, but not limited to, text, graphics, images, and other information, is for information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. The content is not meant to be complete or exhaustive or to be applicable to any specific individual's medical condition. You should consult a licensed healthcare professional before starting any health protocol and seek the advice of your physician or other medical professional if you have questions or concerns about a medical condition. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment because of something you have read on this site. Maximus does not recommend, endorse, or make any representation about the efficacy, appropriateness, or suitability of any specific test, products, procedures, treatments, services, opinions, healthcare providers or other information contained herein. Maximus is not responsible for, nor will they bear any liability for, the content provided herein or any actions or outcomes resulting from or related to its use.
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