SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – As fitness resolutions surge with the new year, many are turning to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for weight loss.
These drugs, originally designed for diabetes, have become popular for obesity treatment due to their effectiveness in reducing appetite and promoting weight loss.
Dr. Amy Somerset, an obesity medicine specialist at Detroit Medical Center, explains that while these medications help shed pounds, they also cause loss of muscle mass.
“When you lose weight with these medications, you can lose anywhere from 10 to 40 percent of non-fat mass,” she says.
Non-fat mass includes muscle, bone, and organs, which are crucial for overall health.
The mechanism behind this muscle loss involves appetite suppression and decreased glucagon, a hormone that helps build muscle. Without enough calories and protein, the body may break down muscle for fuel.
“You have to utilize these medications with diet and exercise and lifestyle changes,” Dr. Somerset said.
Stephanie Lopez Gilmore, a fitness and personal trainer at Franklin Athletic Club, echoes this concern.
She advises clients on GLP-1s to increase protein intake and strength training to preserve muscle.
“Losing muscle mass makes it very difficult to gain it back, especially after age 40,” she says.
Katie Sullivan, who lost 60 pounds using Ozempic alongside clean eating and exercise, shares her experience with muscle loss.
“I probably started to lose some muscle mass during that time,” she says, noting the importance of proper nutrition and working out to maintain muscle.
Experts caution that muscle loss affects more than appearance.
Dr. Somerset highlights risks including poor metabolism, posture issues, balance problems, and increased risk of osteoporosis and fractures.
“This is about longevity, health, reducing your comorbidities, living a better life,” she says.
Both doctors and trainers emphasize that GLP-1 medications are not magic pills.
Sustainable weight loss requires a deliberate approach combining medication with a high-protein diet, resistance training, and ongoing lifestyle changes.
Dr. Somerset warns against using these drugs as quick fixes without proper support.
“If a patient’s not able to commit to the healthy lifestyle, don’t take these medications,” she says. “We need to stop focusing on the scale and start focusing on health and living longer.”