Do GLP-1s cause muscle loss?

Certain glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1s), like Wegovy and Zepbound, are approved for weight management. They are typically safe and effective for this use, but it’s important to lose weight in a sustainable, healthy way.

GLP-1s reduce your appetite, and when you eat less, your body may begin burning muscle as well as fat, leading to lean muscle loss. However, this loss is typically small compared to the amount of fat lost.

With that said, because of this risk, doctors typically prescribe GLP-1s alongside dietary and exercise recommendations to help preserve muscle mass and promote fat loss.

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How to prevent GLP-1 muscle loss

It’s possible to prevent muscle loss on a GLP-1 by fueling your body properly and exercising:

• Prioritize protein: Experts recommend you aim to eat 20 to 30 grams of protein per meal through sources like skinless chicken breast, lean turkey, tofu, lentils, or eggs.
• Start strength training: Strength training involves lifting weights, doing body weight exercises, or using resistance bands. It helps your body to build or maintain muscle mass even while you’re in a calorie deficit.
• Avoid extreme calorie deficits: It’s important to continue to fuel your body throughout GLP-1 treatment to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. Eating too little can lead your body to burn muscle as well as fat.

Next steps

When you’re prescribed a GLP-1, your doctor should give you recommendations for diet and exercise throughout treatment. If you have any concerns about muscle loss throughout the journey, you can speak with a healthcare professional about strategies to prevent this.

You can also learn more about incorporating protein in a GLP-1 diet.

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