Maintaining Muscle While on GLP-1 Medications
By Dr. Swathi Varanasi-Diaz, MYOS MD Consultant
The weight loss industry is witnessing a surge in the popularity of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy. These medications have revolutionized how we think about metabolic health and weight loss, particularly for individuals who struggle to lose weight through conventional methods. While effective, it is crucial to acknowledge that with significant fat loss, there is also a risk of muscle loss. This potential side effect highlights the need for a whole-person approach that includes strategies to maintain muscle mass—an essential component of long-term health.
As an integrative medicine practitioner, I advocate for a well-rounded approach to weight loss that addresses not only the shedding of unwanted fat but also the preservation of lean muscle mass. Let’s explore the role of GLP-1 medications in weight loss, the importance of muscle health, and how MYOS MD, with its unique ingredient Fortetropin, can be part of the solution.
The Role of GLP-1 Medications in Weight Loss
GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy (both also known as semaglutide), work by mimicking the action of the glucagon-like peptide-1 hormone, which regulates appetite and glucose metabolism. These medications slow gastric emptying, reduce food intake, and enhance insulin sensitivity, contributing to significant weight loss in individuals with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
While these medications are game-changers for many, there is growing evidence that long-term use of GLP-1 agonists may lead to unintended consequences, such as the loss of muscle mass alongside fat. In fact, research suggests that a considerable portion of the weight loss achieved with these medications can come from lean tissue, not just fat.
A 2021 study by Wilding et al. demonstrated that GLP-1 agonists contribute to both fat and muscle loss in individuals undergoing long-term treatment. While fat loss can be beneficial for overall health, the accompanying muscle loss can reduce metabolic rate, impair strength, and negatively impact quality of life—particularly in older adults.
The Importance of Muscle Health During Weight Loss
Muscle health is often overlooked in conversations about weight loss, but it is a crucial element of achieving sustainable, long-term results. Muscle plays a pivotal role in overall health, from metabolism and energy expenditure to physical function and disease prevention. When individuals focus solely on losing fat, they may risk losing valuable muscle mass, which can have lasting impacts on their well-being. As a healthcare provider, it is essential to guide patients in ways to preserve muscle mass throughout their weight loss journey, ensuring that the benefits of fat loss do not come at the cost of muscle health.
Metabolic Regulation: Muscle tissue is metabolically active and burns more calories at rest than fat tissue. By preserving muscle, patients can maintain a higher basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is critical for sustaining long-term weight loss. Conversely, losing muscle can lower metabolism, making it more challenging to continue losing weight or maintain weight loss.
Physical Function and Strength: Muscle mass is essential for physical strength and functional ability. Whether it’s maintaining mobility, lifting objects, or participating in physical activities, muscle helps individuals retain their independence and quality of life. For older adults or those already at risk for muscle loss, protecting muscle mass during weight loss is even more crucial to prevent sarcopenia, frailty, and fall-related injuries.
Insulin Sensitivity and Blood Sugar Control: Muscle plays a significant role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Preserving muscle can help enhance insulin sensitivity, which is particularly important for individuals with metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. Losing muscle can exacerbate these conditions, increasing the risk of poor glycemic control, even as patients lose fat.
Long-term Weight Maintenance: Muscle loss during weight reduction can also make long-term weight maintenance more difficult. With a lower metabolic rate and diminished muscle mass, individuals are more susceptible to regaining lost weight. Preserving muscle during the weight loss process helps prevent this “yo-yo” effect, contributing to sustained fat loss while keeping muscle intact for improved overall health.
Evidence of Muscle Loss with GLP-1 Use
In the last few years, GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide–aka Ozempic and Wegovy - have become a cornerstone in managing obesity and related metabolic disorders. These medications help reduce appetite, control blood sugar levels, and facilitate significant fat loss. However, as more research emerges, it has become clear that these drugs may also contribute to muscle loss, especially during prolonged use. Understanding the clinical evidence on muscle loss associated with GLP-1 medications can help healthcare professionals develop strategies to protect patients' muscle mass while achieving their weight loss goals.
Mechanisms of Muscle Loss with GLP-1 Agonists: GLP-1 medications work by reducing caloric intake, leading to weight loss through a combination of fat and lean mass reduction. Because these drugs reduce appetite and food intake, the body may begin to break down both fat and muscle for energy. As calorie consumption decreases, muscle is often sacrificed alongside fat unless preventive measures, such as increased protein intake or resistance training, are implemented.
Clinical Studies Highlighting Muscle Loss: A 2023 study published in PLOS ONE investigated the effects of semaglutide on body composition in individuals with overweight and obesity. The study found that while participants achieved significant fat loss, they also experienced a reduction in lean muscle mass. The results indicated that semaglutide use led to an average 8-15% reduction in total body weight, with a portion of that coming from lean tissue. This highlights the need to monitor muscle health in patients on GLP-1 therapies.
Semaglutide and Long-term Muscle Loss: The Lancet study led by Wilding et al. in 2021 also documented muscle loss as a side effect of semaglutide use. Participants in the trial lost substantial amounts of fat, but a notable percentage of the weight loss came from lean muscle mass. This muscle reduction is concerning because muscle loss lowers metabolic rate, reduces physical function, and may hinder long-term weight maintenance.
Impact on Older Adults: Muscle loss with GLP-1 medications is especially concerning for older adults. Older individuals are already at a higher risk of sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. The additional muscle loss induced by GLP-1 agonists could exacerbate sarcopenia, increasing the risk of frailty, falls, and reduced independence. Therefore, protecting muscle in this population is paramount to preserving their functional abilities and quality of life.
The Need for Muscle Preservation Strategies: The evidence surrounding muscle loss with GLP-1 medications highlights the importance of implementing strategies to mitigate these effects. Encouraging patients to engage in regular resistance training, consume adequate protein, and adopt muscle-preserving practices should be integral to their weight loss plan. By taking a proactive approach to muscle health, healthcare providers can help patients achieve their fat loss goals without sacrificing the lean tissue essential for long-term metabolic and physical health.
Strategies to Support Muscle Health During Weight Loss
Given the risk of muscle loss, it is essential to adopt strategies that preserve and build muscle while losing fat. As an integrative practitioner, I encourage patients to incorporate a combination of dietary, exercise, and supplementation strategies to protect their muscle health during weight loss.
Nutritional Approaches: Protein is the building block of muscle. Ensuring adequate protein intake is crucial for maintaining muscle mass during weight loss. Foods rich in high-quality protein, such as lean meats, fish, eggs, and plant-based options like lentils and tofu, should be part of any weight loss plan. Consideration of the patient’s individual needs, such as those with food sensitivities or specific metabolic conditions, is also important.
Resistance Training: Exercise, particularly resistance or strength training, is one of the most effective ways to preserve and even build muscle during weight loss. Strength training not only increases muscle mass but also improves bone density, joint health, and overall physical resilience.
Supplementation: While a balanced diet and exercise routine are essential, certain supplements can play a pivotal role in maintaining muscle health. One supplement that can be recommended is MYOS MD, which contains Fortetropin—a revolutionary ingredient designed to support muscle growth and maintenance.
Introducing MYOS MD and Fortetropin as Part of a Muscle Health Strategy
MYOS MD is a clinically-backed nutritional supplement that addresses the growing need to support muscle health, particularly for those on GLP-1 medications. The key ingredient in MYOS MD is Fortetropin, a bioactive complex derived from raw, fertile egg yolk powder. Fortetropin has been studied extensively for its ability to increase muscle protein synthesis and reduceprevent muscle atrophy.
In a 2020 study conducted by Dr. William Evans at the University of California, Berkeley, Fortetropin was shown to significantly enhance muscle protein synthesis. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that participants who supplemented with Fortetropin experienced an 18% increase in the rate of muscle protein synthesis compared to the placebo group. These findings suggest that Fortetropin could play a valuable role in preserving muscle mass, even during periods of weight loss or caloric restriction.
Additionally, the 2016 study by Sharp et al. found that Fortetropin supplementation reduced muscle loss during periods of disuse and increased lean body mass in participants undergoing resistance training. These findings indicate that MYOS MD is a powerful tool for healthcare professionals looking to support their patients in maintaining muscle health during their weight loss journey.
Conclusion
Maintaining muscle health should be a top priority for anyone embarking on a weight loss journey, particularly those using GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy. While these medications offer impressive fat loss benefits, they also come with the risk of muscle loss, which can compromise metabolic health and physical function.
By adopting a whole-person approach that includes proper nutrition, resistance training, and supplementation, healthcare professionals can help their patients preserve their muscle mass while achieving their weight loss goals. MYOS MD, with its innovative Fortetropin ingredient, offers a scientifically validated option for maintaining muscle health during weight loss and should be considered by any healthcare provider looking to optimize their patients' outcomes.
As an integrative healthcare professional, I strongly recommend MYOS MD to support patients in maintaining muscle while they reap the benefits of GLP-1 medications.
