While GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic and Wegovy) are hailed as game-changers for weight loss, there’s a catch: up to 39% of the weight lost can come from muscle, not just fat. That’s a much greater muscle loss than seen with non-pharmacological methods. Here’s why these matters:
Muscle is more than strength: It’s vital for metabolism, glucose regulation, immune function, and overall health.
Rapid muscle loss: GLP-1 meds accelerate muscle depletion far beyond the natural aging process (which is ~0.8% muscle loss per year after 40).
Weight cycling risks: If weight regain happens, it’s typically fat—not muscle—that comes back, increasing the risk of sarcopenic obesity (a dangerous mix of low muscle and high fat).
What You Can Do:
Pair GLP-1 treatments with strength training and adequate protein intake to protect muscle.
Remember: The goal isn’t just to lose weight—it’s to lose the right kind of weight and stay strong and healthy!
Prado, C. M., Phillips, S. M., Gonzalez, M. C., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2024). Muscle matters: the effects of medically induced weight loss on skeletal muscle. The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-8587(24)00272-9
#WeightLossJourney #MuscleHealth #GLP1Medications #HealthyWeightLoss #StayStrong #FatLossGoals #SarcopeniaAwareness #FitnessFacts
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