What are GLP-1 Drugs and how do you use them in a Safe and Effective Way?
Table of Contents:
What are GLP-1 drugs?
Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs
Combating the loss of Lean Body Mass
Behavior Changes to Maintain Weight Loss
Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs have become increasingly popular as a weight loss mechanism. While there has been great success using GLP-1 drugs for this purpose, it is crucial that individuals are educated on the effects of GLP-1s, what they do to your body, and how to maintain the positive results after discontinuing use of the medication.
What are GLP-1 Drugs?
GLP-1 stands for “Glucagon-like peptide-1” and they are typically used to treat type 2 diabetes; they work to increase insulin secretion, which is typically decreased in the presence of the disease. However, GLP-1s have also become widely used as a weight loss drug, as they tend to delay gastric emptying, causing a prolonged feeling of fullness, resulting in weight loss. They also work to inhibit the effects of glucagon, which typically counteracts insulin and increases blood glucose levels. GLP-1s have resulted in an average weight loss of 2.9 kilograms when compared to a placebo, and have also been shown to successfully reduce blood pressure and total cholesterol levels.
One GLP-1 that is gaining popularity is Ozempic, which has been used by many celebrities and has now made its way to the general public. It is administered through injection in the arm, thigh, or abdomen and given weekly. The clinical trial of Ozempic revealed that 69.1% of participants lost 10% or more of their starting body weight. Because these drugs often result in weight loss at a faster pace than normal, they can display some unfavorable side effects.
Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs
With the administration of GLP-1s like Ozempic, individuals can experience gastrointestinal troubles such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and when these side effects are prolonged, they could result in acute kidney injury. Some other side effects include headaches, dizziness, and infections. With rapid weight loss from these drugs, individuals are also subjected to loss of lean body mass, muscle, and bone density; while this tends to naturally occur with age, it is important to maintain a nutritionally-adequate diet to decrease these losses.
Combating the loss of Lean Body Mass and Muscle
One of the most important macronutrients in preserving muscle and lean body mass is protein. The daily dietary protein recommendation for the average individual is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight. However, when someone is experiencing weight loss at such an extreme weight, protein needs are increased and individuals should aim for around 1.2-1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight. This will dramatically help maintain muscle and prevent the loss of lean body mass. There is also an emphasis on lean protein sources such as ground turkey, fish, chicken, and more. Aside from eating more protein, another thing to prevent the loss of lean body mass and muscle is to continue with physical activity; participating in resistance training and keeping your muscles engaged will help maintain their strength and endurance, preventing further losses and possibly even building more muscle.
Behavior Changes to Maintain Weight Loss
A common problem among many people is maintaining weight loss and allowing older habits to take over. If an individual is taking Ozempic or another GLP-1 for weight loss reasons, once the medication is stopped, the weight that was lost does have the potential to come back. Behavior and lifestyle changes can help prevent this from occurring and maintain one’s body weight post-weight loss. Just like exercising is important during rapid weight loss periods, it is also extremely beneficial to help maintain weight and overall health; if you are new to exercising, try incorporating it 1 or 2 days a week by doing a light walk or jog and adding to that as time goes on. Another helpful trick is to learn portion sizes! For example, portions of protein should be about the size of the palm of your hand, and vegetables should represent half of your plate of food. Overall, it is important to continue with a healthy diet, limit consumption of alcohol, and try to aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Adapting your lifestyle and behaviors will drastically help in the long run and help fuel your body with the nutrients it needs.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551568/#:~:text=Glucagon%2Dlike%20peptide%2D1%20(,%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20obesity
https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-muscle-mass-loss#:~:text=Rapid%20weight%20loss%20from%20taking,is%20typically%20associated%20with%20aging