The Endogenous Incretin Revolution: Leveraging Bitter Botanicals for Gut-Brain Signaling

The rise of synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonists has brought clinical focus to the gut-brain axis as a primary lever for metabolic, glycemic, and appetite control. While monotherapy pharmaceutical interventions can bypass the body’s natural physiology and broader incretin signaling networks, bitter herbs have been found to activate endogenous incretin production, showing improvements in broader gut-brain signaling. This session explores the clinical application of extra-oral bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) distributed throughout the gastrointestinal tract and their physiological role in triggering endogenous GLP-1, PYY, and CCK secretion. We will critically examine the emerging clinical literature surrounding key bitter and metabolic phytocompounds—and attendees will leave with practical, evidence-informed strategies to leverage these botanical agents to enhance physiological satiety, optimize metabolic health, and offer sustainable gut-brain targeted interventions.

Learning objectives:

• Explain the role of extra-oral bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in gastrointestinal signaling and their influence on endogenous GLP-1, PYY, and CCK secretion
• Evaluate emerging clinical and mechanistic evidence for bitter botanicals and phytocompounds that modulate incretin signaling and metabolic pathways
• Apply evidence-informed strategies for integrating bitter botanicals into clinical practice to support satiety, glycemic regulation, and gut-brain metabolic health

Carina Toledo, MS, MHI, DBM, CNS, LDN is a board-certified Clinical Nutritionist, Master Herbalist, and nationally recognized educator with more than 25 years of experience in the natural products industry. Combining expertise in clinical nutrition, botanical medicine, and healthcare innovation, she is passionate about helping healthcare practitioners integrate evidence-based phytotherapy into everyday clinical practice. Her professional experience spans clinical practice, practitioner and consumer education, product development, sales, manufacturing, ingredient sourcing, and dietary supplement regulation, giving her a comprehensive understanding of botanical medicine from seed to patient. As North American Liaison and Practitioner Educator for MediHerb® Australia, distributed by Standard Process®, she educates healthcare professionals across North America on the clinical application of medicinal plants backed by modern scientific evidence. Carina holds graduate degrees in Clinical Nutrition and Healthcare Innovation, along with a Doctorate of Botanical Medicine. She approaches patient care through a functional, personalized lens, combining nutrition and botanical medicine to address the root causes of chronic disease. She also serves on the Patient and Family Advisory Council at Tahoe Forest Hospital, where she champions greater integration between conventional healthcare and evidence-based integrative medicine.