GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists, such as semaglutide (marketed as Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (marketed as Saxenda), are widely used for weight loss and diabetes management. These are currently all the rage and are used by celebrties like Elon Musk and Rosy O'Donnell. Oprah Winfrey made headlines last March after ending her long-time partnership with Weight Watchers and disclosing her use and benefit from Wegovy.
While these drugs are effective, they can pose certain risks and side effects. Some common side effects associated with GLP-1 receptor agonists signific gastrointestinal issues like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain. High stomach acid and stomach acid reflux is another common side effect, leading users to constantly "pop" antacids like Tums.
With the gut motility slowed significanly, many gastrointestinal doctors won't preform any procedures on people using GLP-1s until they are off them for a month.
Lastly, studies indicate that about 20-30% of weight loss from GLP-1 medications can be lean body mass, which includes muscle. This is an issue given the importance of muscle in helping maintain healthy blood glucose. Muscle loss is especially an issue as we age, given the difficulty of putting on muscle the older you are.
1 Comment
Please cite the studies you refer to (about loss of lean body mass). It is easy to claim scientific backing for an assertion but we all need to be careful to cite sources so we can make informed decisions. Thank you.
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BrocElite replied:
Thank you for your comment. I will pass this along to the author of the post, but in the meantime, here’s an article that not only explains this in detail, but links to many studies: https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/dom.15728