People who are using the medication Ozempic to lose weight have been losing muscle mass and feeling weak, which is causing concern among health experts. The drug, also known as semaglutide, works by slowing down digestion and telling the brain that it's full, making it easier for people to eat less. However, some patients taking the medication are experiencing significant loss of muscle mass and functional strength.
Dr. Robert Lustig, a metabolic scientist at the University of California-San Francisco, says that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are not a magic solution, but rather a Band-Aid that addresses the symptoms of obesity rather than the underlying causes. "It's not sufficient," he says. "We need to treat the underlying issue with healthy eating and exercise."
In clinical trials, patients taking semaglutide have lost significant weight, but many also experience muscle loss or weakness. One study found that about 40% of patients losing weight on semaglutide were losing important muscle mass.
Experts warn that taking GLP-1 drugs without making lifestyle changes can lead to malnutrition and weakened muscles. "If you don't change your behavior, if you don't change your habits, you may be looking good, you may be losing weight, but metabolically, your body is in turmoil," says Nayan Patel, a pharmacist.
To make the most of GLP-1s, experts recommend eating a high-protein diet with plenty of amino acids and strength training. "Eating protein and strength training allows your body to be more effective at trimming the fat, without compromising your core strength," Patel says.
The FDA has warned that patients taking semaglutide should also follow a low-carb diet and engage in regular exercise, including weight training and stretching exercises.
Dr. Robert Lustig, a metabolic scientist at the University of California-San Francisco, says that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are not a magic solution, but rather a Band-Aid that addresses the symptoms of obesity rather than the underlying causes. "It's not sufficient," he says. "We need to treat the underlying issue with healthy eating and exercise."
In clinical trials, patients taking semaglutide have lost significant weight, but many also experience muscle loss or weakness. One study found that about 40% of patients losing weight on semaglutide were losing important muscle mass.
Experts warn that taking GLP-1 drugs without making lifestyle changes can lead to malnutrition and weakened muscles. "If you don't change your behavior, if you don't change your habits, you may be looking good, you may be losing weight, but metabolically, your body is in turmoil," says Nayan Patel, a pharmacist.
To make the most of GLP-1s, experts recommend eating a high-protein diet with plenty of amino acids and strength training. "Eating protein and strength training allows your body to be more effective at trimming the fat, without compromising your core strength," Patel says.
The FDA has warned that patients taking semaglutide should also follow a low-carb diet and engage in regular exercise, including weight training and stretching exercises.
. Seriously though, it's no joke – doctors are saying we need to focus on the real deal here: healthy eating and exercise! I mean, who needs a magic pill when you can just get moving and eat those veggies? 
. We're not just talking about losing weight, we're talking about losing muscle mass too. Its like they say, you can't put a band-aid on a broken arm and expect it to fix itself 
. Dr. Lustig is right, GLP-1 drugs are a short-term solution, but what happens when those pills wear off? We need to be looking at the underlying issues here, like unhealthy eating habits and lack of exercise 
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It's not just about looking good in the mirror, its about being healthy and strong enough to tackle life's challenges. We need to start seeing healthcare as a holistic approach, not just a quick fix 
. And yeah, the FDA's warning is on point, we should be following a low-carb diet and exercising regularly to make the most of these meds 
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... they're losing muscle mass and feeling weak? that's not even the point of weight loss! u gotta take care of ur body, not just fix the surface level issue 
... dr lustig is right, glp-1 meds are like a quick fix but they don't address the root cause 
... gotta find that balance, not just a quick weight loss fix 
. We need to be honest with ourselves, Ozempic is not a miracle cure-all, it's just a temporary fix that addresses the symptoms of obesity, not the underlying causes 
. If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you need to make sustainable changes to your diet and exercise habits, not just rely on a quick fix 
. My friends were like "dude, you're so pale" and stuff like that... I was like "yeah, I know, I'm not exactly glowing with health right now". Anyway, after some research, I realized I wasn't changing my diet or exercise habits enough 
. Now I try to eat a lot of protein and go to the gym at least 3 times a week 
. can't we just get to the root cause of obesity already? 
. It's like Dr. Lustig said - we need a more comprehensive solution 
. I'm all about that protein diet and strength training life 
! Can't we just get it together and take care of our bodies in a holistic way? 
, which is not a good sign 
. Dr. Lustig says it's like putting a band-aid on a bullet wound 
. We need to focus on healthy eating 
and exercise 
.
! Protein-rich foods like chicken, fish, and eggs are essential for muscle growth 
. Let's focus on being healthy, not just looking good 
.
. It just goes to show that there's no magic solution when it comes to weight loss - we need to treat the underlying issues with healthy eating and exercise. What's crazy is that 40% of patients taking semaglutide are losing important muscle mass, which can lead to malnutrition and weakened muscles! 
. If you're gonna take a medication like Ozempic, make sure you're also taking care of yourself on the inside out 
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I've been saying it for ages, but eating enough protein with amino acids is key to maintaining muscle mass and strength 
.
. Eating a balanced diet rich in protein and healthy fats, combined with regular exercise (hello, strength training 
. Let's prioritize our overall health instead of just focusing on weight loss 
.