Latest research have raised alarms about GLP-1 medication, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, highlighting that a good portion of the load misplaced could come from lean muscle mass. Actually, some research report that reductions in lean mass vary between 40% and 60% as a proportion of whole weight misplaced.
Nonetheless, Dr. Darshan Shah, board-certified surgeon, well being and wellness specialist, makes it clear: It’s not the drug, it’s what individuals do (or don’t do) whereas taking it that makes the distinction. This muscle loss isn’t an inevitable facet impact of the treatment itself. As an alternative, it’s typically resulting from sufferers in lots of the printed research not being correctly educated on sustaining muscle throughout their weight reduction journey. “Individuals in these research are given GLP-1s with none steering on protein consumption, energy coaching, or metabolic well being. After all they’re dropping muscle,” says Dr. Shah.
Muscle loss doesn’t must be a given. When you use GLP-1s strategically, you may lose fats whereas conserving—and even gaining—muscle. For girls, the stakes are even increased.
Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OB/GYN, factors out that growing older already predisposes girls to muscle loss and declining bone density, making it much more essential to protect lean mass throughout weight reduction.
“Ladies ought to pay attention to this potential impact and keep on high of it with their healthcare suppliers; frequently monitoring muscle mass can be sure that weight reduction doesn’t compromise general well being, significantly as girls navigate the bodily modifications that include growing older,” she says.
Dr. Shepherd provides that sustaining a nutritious diet with sufficient protein consumption and incorporating energy coaching workout routines may also help mitigate muscle loss. “By integrating focused energy coaching, girls can defend their bones, preserve mobility, and help long-term well being.”
Why Do GLP-1 Medicine Trigger Muscle Loss?
Dr. Shah explains that persons are dropping muscle on GLP-1s for one major cause: “They aren’t consuming sufficient protein and energy.” The acute urge for food suppression causes many to unknowingly devour too few vitamins to maintain muscle tissue.
On high of that, there’s one other issue at play: Many individuals on GLP-1s grow to be much less lively. Whereas not but broadly studied, Dr. Shah sees this pattern in sufferers. “I imagine individuals on these medication typically really feel decrease power and, in consequence, they transfer much less, work out much less, and finally lose extra muscle mass than they should.” Plus, he provides, with out the stress from muscular tissues on bones, bones can have extra breakdown versus constructing. “So that you’ll completely lose bone mass as nicely,” he says.
Dr. Arnold Avendano is a metabolic well being knowledgeable and a former ER physician with 20 years of expertise. Avendano, who now focuses on practical medication, says that mineral deficiency is yet one more rising problem. Decrease meals consumption means decrease mineral consumption, decreased intestine biodiversity, and decrease absorption fee. “The mineral standing of sufferers on GLP-1s could swing out of steadiness, which in flip can have a detrimental affect on lean mass and bone mineral density,” he says. “With out key minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, muscle perform and bone well being take a success.”
How To Lose Fats, Not Muscle, on GLP-1 Medicine
Docs like Dr. Shah, and Dr. Avendano, who work within the practical medication area, have a battle-tested protocol for sufferers utilizing GLP-1 medication with out sacrificing muscle. Right here’s what you might want to do:
- Prioritize protein
- Power prepare
- Complement properly
They suggest 5 key dietary supplements which will assist preserve muscle and metabolic well being whereas on GLP-1s:
- Creatine: Helps muscle retention and restoration.
- Vitamin D + K2: Essential for bone and muscle well being.
- Omega-3s: Helps with irritation and restoration.
- Magnesium: Helps muscle perform and insulin sensitivity.
- A high-quality multivitamin: To cowl any micronutrient gaps.
Enhance your intestine well being
Your intestine microbiome performs a significant function in your metabolic perform. To assist the physique grow to be extra environment friendly in growing its ranges of endogenous GLP-1, Dr. Shah recommends taking a probiotic pressure referred to as Akkermansia muciniphila. It’s been proven to help wholesome glucose metabolism, intestine barrier perform, and GLP-1 secretion. “There’s plenty of analysis behind it,” he says, including, “I’m a giant believer in Akkremansia as only a upkeep complement. So, I hold my sufferers on it.”
Cycle your GLP-1 use and observe progress
Neither Avendano nor Shah believes GLP-1 medication needs to be a long-term crutch. Avendano says that with long-term use, sufferers can plateau when utilizing these drugs. “That’s why I like to recommend biking on and off to advertise wholesome diversifications with out turning into depending on the drug,” he explains.
Dr. Shah provides that “we use them as a jump-start to assist individuals reset their metabolism and relationship with meals, however they shouldn’t be a ceaselessly answer.” He stated his method additionally contains monitoring a number of blood biomarkers akin to APOB ranges, LDL, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and serum insulin ranges. Plus, he advises a lot of his sufferers to make use of steady glucose screens to evaluate metabolic enhancements.
The Backside Line
The well being business wants extra analysis to completely perceive how these GLP-1 agonists affect long-term well being. Dr. Avendano says he’s curious to see what future outcomes will reveal as soon as now we have 10+ years value of information on affected person well being and metabolic perform.
However for now, analysis reveals that these medication, very similar to many prescription drugs, do provide advantages however not with out trade-offs. So in the event you assume you want a bit of nudge on the load loss division, as an alternative of utilizing them as a fast repair, be good about it.
Take them with the intention to assist wean off of processed meals and alcohol, enhance your relationship with meals, and construct sustainable habits that help long-term metabolic well being. Prioritize protein consumption, resistance coaching, and key vitamins to guard your muscle mass and bone density. Monitor your progress with common checkups and work with a healthcare supplier to make sure you’re dropping fats—not energy.