GLP-1 drugs for weight reduction are having their second — and for good purpose.
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. They embrace model names you might be acquainted with like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. GLP-1s had been initially designed to assist folks with Kind 2 diabetes management their blood sugar ranges. However they’re now permitted as an weight problems treatment, and many individuals dwelling with weight problems have discovered that they’ll lose extra weight utilizing a GLP-1 than by weight-reduction plan and train alone. In reality, GLP-1 customers typically lose as much as 15% to 21% of their beginning physique weight inside a yr.
As extra girls begin to consider utilizing GLP-1s for weight reduction, it’s necessary to do not forget that these drugs ought to be a part of a complete remedy plan that additionally contains wholesome vitamin and train.
“GLP-1s are very efficient for weight reduction, however weight-reduction plan and bodily exercise nonetheless matter,” stated JoAnn E. Manson, M.D., professor of drugs at Harvard Medical Faculty and chief of the division of preventive drugs at Brigham and Girls’s Hospital. “It’s not sufficient to only take these drugs — you need to interact in wholesome dietary behaviors and decrease sure unwanted effects that may come from utilizing them.”
About 25% of a affected person’s weight reduction on GLP-1s is muscle mass or lean mass. Individuals who assume they’re simply dropping adipose tissue (the fats mass that will increase the chance of further well being circumstances) may not know that they might be creating new well being dangers by dropping muscle mass as properly. Shedding an excessive amount of lean mass may cause bone loss and osteoporosis. And this may be a fair greater danger for postmenopausal girls who already face the next danger for these circumstances due to hormonal modifications.
“This lack of lean mass actually highlights the significance of life-style components in attaining wholesome weight reduction,” Manson stated.
One other GLP-1 facet impact is decreased urge for food. Whereas that’s typically regarded as a optimistic final result for customers who say they now not have the will to overeat, decreased meals consumption can result in dietary deficiencies if sufferers aren’t consuming nutrient-rich meals. Gastrointestinal upset is a further GLP-1 facet impact that may scale back customers’ dietary consumption as a result of sufferers might eat much less or their physique might fail to soak up vitamins due to vomiting. One other danger is that GI upset might trigger GLP-1 customers to give up taking the drugs, main them to regain the load they misplaced.
Holistic weight problems remedy and care
If weight reduction drugs, together with GLP-1s, are prescribed, they need to be a part of an general care plan. As with all well being situation, folks ought to work with their healthcare supplier (HCP) to develop a plan that addresses their particular person wants.
The simplest weight problems remedy plans embrace dietary modifications and a concentrate on train and different bodily exercise along with any treatment. Psychological or behavioral well being help also needs to be addressed, from counseling and help teams to discussions about managing stress and emotional/disordered consuming habits. It’s additionally necessary for any weight problems remedy plan to think about social determinants of well being, that are non-medical components like the place folks reside and work that have an effect on their well being, in addition to entry to care.
Maximizing advantages and managing unwanted effects of GLP-1s
When GLP-1s are prescribed, beginning on a small dose and slowly rising it may possibly assist decrease GI-related unwanted effects and assist sufferers handle them in the event that they do happen.
“Following a few of these pointers might help sufferers who’re making an attempt to keep away from the reflux signs they could expertise,” Manson stated. “We need to assist sufferers keep on the GLP-1s and keep away from the untimely [stopping] of those drugs.”
To enhance outcomes for sufferers utilizing GLP-1 medication, HCPs can begin growing a remedy plan following a baseline dietary evaluation and screening and studying a affected person’s present dietary habits. Manson recommends that sufferers utilizing GLP-1 medication ought to devour 1 to 1.5 grams of protein per kilogram of their physique weight to assist preserve lean mass. Whereas plant- or animal-based protein choices are the popular decisions for protein, protein shakes can be utilized if sufferers are scuffling with decreased urge for food or GI points.
Eight to 12 glasses of water or different fluids also needs to be consumed every day to offset the dehydration GLP-1s may cause, and Manson recommends that half of 1’s plate ought to be fruit and veggies at every meal.
Common bodily exercise can be very important. Whereas any kind of exercise is worth it, resistance and power coaching are necessary to forestall the lack of lean mass and muscle.
HCPs and sufferers can comply with the MEAL plan to maximise the advantages of GLP-1s for weight reduction. The MEAL plan is:
Maintain muscle
• Eat 20–30g protein (fish, poultry, yogurt, beans) per meal
• Use protein shakes when GLP-1s severely scale back urge for food
Energize and steadiness
• Have snacks (nuts, fruits, yogurt) between meals
• Eat meals that digest slowly (oatmeal, candy potatoes) and wholesome fat (olive oil, avocado)
Avoid GLP-1 unwanted effects
• Enhance fiber and keep hydrated to cut back constipation
• Cut back fried meals; eat complete grains and check out ginger for nausea
• Cut back spicy meals; keep upright after meals to keep away from heartburn
Liquid for hydration wants
• Drink 8–12 cups of water a day; eat hydrating meals (soups, cucumbers, melons)
For bodily exercise, 150 minutes of cardio train per week (reminiscent of brisk strolling), is advisable, together with half-hour of power coaching with weights or resistance bands two to 3 occasions every week.
Manson stated that, whereas these vitamin pointers are what HCPs would give to most sufferers no matter weight reduction treatment use, they are often particularly necessary for GLP-1 customers. Combining GLP-1s with general wholesome vitamin, exercise and life-style modifications can lower the probability of regaining weight whereas selling wholesome long-term habits to take care of weight reduction.
This instructional useful resource was created with help from Weight problems Care Advocacy Community, a HealthyWomen Company Advisory Council member. HealthyWomen is a member of the Weight problems Care Advocacy Community.
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