Current research have raised alarms about GLP-1 medicine, like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, highlighting that a good portion of the load misplaced could come from lean muscle mass. In reality, some research report that reductions in lean mass vary between 40% and 60% as a proportion of whole weight misplaced.
Nevertheless, 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 aspect impact of the remedy itself. As an alternative, it’s usually on account of sufferers in lots of the revealed 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, power coaching, or metabolic well being. In fact they’re shedding muscle,” says Dr. Shah.
Muscle loss doesn’t must be a given. In the event you use GLP-1s strategically, you possibly can lose fats whereas holding—and even gaining—muscle. For girls, the stakes are even larger.
Dr. Jessica Shepherd, a board-certified OB/GYN, factors out that ageing 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; usually monitoring muscle mass can be certain that weight reduction doesn’t compromise total well being, notably as girls navigate the bodily adjustments that include ageing,” she says.
Dr. Shepherd provides that sustaining a nutritious diet with sufficient protein consumption and incorporating power coaching workouts may also help mitigate muscle loss. “By integrating focused power coaching, girls can shield their bones, preserve mobility, and assist long-term well being.”
Why Do GLP-1 Medicine Trigger Muscle Loss?
Dr. Shah explains that individuals are shedding muscle on GLP-1s for one main purpose: “They aren’t consuming sufficient protein and energy.” The intense urge for food suppression causes many to unknowingly eat too few vitamins to maintain muscle tissue.
On high of that, there’s one other issue at play: Many individuals on GLP-1s turn out to be much less lively. Whereas not but extensively studied, Dr. Shah sees this development in sufferers. “I imagine individuals on these medicine usually really feel decrease vitality and, consequently, they transfer much less, work out much less, and in the end lose extra muscle mass than they should.” Plus, he provides, with out the stress from muscle tissue on bones, bones could have extra breakdown versus constructing. “So that you’ll completely lose bone mass as effectively,” he says.
Dr. Arnold Avendano is a metabolic well being professional 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 stability, which in flip can have a destructive impression on lean mass and bone mineral density,” he says. “With out key minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, muscle operate and bone well being take successful.”
How To Lose Fats, Not Muscle, on GLP-1 Medicine
Docs like Dr. Shah, and Dr. Avendano, who work within the practical medication house, have a battle-tested protocol for sufferers utilizing GLP-1 medicine with out sacrificing muscle. Right here’s what you must do:
- Prioritize protein
- Energy 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 operate and insulin sensitivity.
- A high-quality multivitamin: To cowl any micronutrient gaps.
Enhance your intestine well being
Your intestine microbiome performs a serious function in your metabolic operate. To assist the physique turn out to be extra environment friendly in rising its ranges of endogenous GLP-1, Dr. Shah recommends taking a probiotic pressure referred to as Akkermansia muciniphila. It’s been proven to assist wholesome glucose metabolism, intestine barrier operate, and GLP-1 secretion. “There’s lots of analysis behind it,” he says, including, “I’m an enormous believer in Akkremansia as only a upkeep complement. So, I preserve my sufferers on it.”
Cycle your GLP-1 use and observe progress
Neither Avendano nor Shah believes GLP-1 medicine must be a long-term crutch. Avendano says that with long-term use, sufferers can plateau when utilizing these medicines. “That’s why I like to recommend biking on and off to advertise wholesome variations with out changing 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 without end answer.” He stated his method additionally consists of monitoring a number of blood biomarkers equivalent to APOB ranges, LDL, triglyceride, C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine, and serum insulin ranges. Plus, he advises lots of his sufferers to make use of steady glucose displays to evaluate metabolic enhancements.
The Backside Line
The well being business wants extra analysis to completely perceive how these GLP-1 agonists impression long-term well being. Dr. Avendano says he’s curious to see what future outcomes will reveal as soon as we’ve 10+ years value of information on affected person well being and metabolic operate.
However for now, analysis exhibits that these medicine, very like many prescription medicines, do supply advantages however not with out trade-offs. So for those who suppose you want a bit of nudge on the load loss division, as a substitute 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 assist 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 shedding fats—not power.
