GLP-1 drugs for weight reduction are having their second — and for good motive.
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1. They embrace model names chances are you’ll be conversant in like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound. GLP-1s had been initially designed to assist individuals with Kind 2 diabetes management their blood sugar ranges. However they’re now authorised as an obesity remedy, and many individuals residing with weight problems have discovered that they will lose extra weight utilizing a GLP-1 than by means of weight-reduction plan and train alone. Actually, GLP-1 customers usually 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 essential to keep in mind that these drugs needs to be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan that additionally consists of wholesome diet and train.
“GLP-1s are very efficient for weight reduction, however weight-reduction plan and bodily exercise nonetheless matter,” mentioned JoAnn E. Manson, M.D., professor of medication at Harvard Medical College and chief of the division of preventive medication at Brigham and Girls’s Hospital. “It’s not sufficient to simply take these drugs — you wish to have interaction in wholesome dietary behaviors and reduce sure uncomfortable side effects that may come from utilizing them.”
About 25% of a patient’s weight loss on GLP-1s is muscle mass or lean mass. Individuals who assume they’re simply shedding adipose tissue (the fats mass that will increase the danger of further well being circumstances) may not know that they might be creating new well being dangers by shedding muscle mass as properly. Shedding an excessive amount of lean mass could cause bone loss and osteoporosis. And this may be an excellent larger threat for postmenopausal girls who already face the next threat for these circumstances due to hormonal adjustments.
“This lack of lean mass actually highlights the significance of life-style elements in attaining wholesome weight reduction,” Manson mentioned.
One other GLP-1 facet impact is diminished urge for food. Whereas that’s usually considered a optimistic end result for customers who say they now not have the need to overeat, diminished meals consumption can result in dietary deficiencies if sufferers aren’t consuming nutrient-rich meals. Gastrointestinal upset is an extra GLP-1 facet impact that may scale back customers’ dietary consumption as a result of sufferers could eat much less or their physique could fail to soak up vitamins due to vomiting. One other threat is that GI upset may trigger GLP-1 customers to stop taking the drugs, main them to regain the burden they misplaced.
Holistic weight problems therapy and care
If weight reduction drugs, together with GLP-1s, are prescribed, they should be part of an overall care plan. As with all well being situation, individuals ought to work with their healthcare supplier (HCP) to develop a plan that addresses their particular person wants.
The simplest weight problems therapy plans embrace dietary adjustments and a concentrate on train and different bodily exercise along with any remedy. Psychological or behavioral well being help must also be addressed, from counseling and help teams to discussions about managing stress and emotional/disordered consuming habits. It’s additionally essential for any weight problems therapy plan to contemplate social determinants of health, that are non-medical elements like the place individuals dwell and work that have an effect on their well being, in addition to entry to care.
Maximizing advantages and managing uncomfortable side effects of GLP-1s
When GLP-1s are prescribed, beginning on a small dose and slowly rising it could actually assist reduce GI-related uncomfortable side effects and assist sufferers handle them in the event that they do happen.
“Following a few of these pointers can assist sufferers who’re attempting to keep away from the reflux signs they could expertise,” Manson mentioned. “We wish 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 creating a therapy 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 diminished urge for food or GI points.
Eight to 12 glasses of water or different fluids must also be consumed each day to offset the dehydration GLP-1s could cause, and Manson recommends that half of 1’s plate needs to be vegatables and fruits at every meal.
Common bodily exercise can also be very important. Whereas any kind of exercise is worth it, resistance and power coaching are essential to forestall the lack of lean mass and muscle.
HCPs and sufferers can observe the MEAL plan to maximise the advantages of GLP-1s for weight reduction. The MEAL plan is:
Maintain muscle
• Devour 20–30g protein (fish, poultry, yogurt, beans) per meal
• Use protein shakes when GLP-1s severely scale back urge for food
Energize and stability
• Have snacks (nuts, fruits, yogurt) between meals
• Eat meals that digest slowly (oatmeal, candy potatoes) and wholesome fat (olive oil, avocado)
Avoid GLP-1 uncomfortable side effects
• Enhance fiber and keep hydrated to cut back constipation
• Scale back fried meals; eat entire grains and take a look at ginger for nausea
• Scale 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 mentioned that, whereas these diet pointers are what HCPs would give to most sufferers no matter weight reduction remedy use, they are often particularly essential for GLP-1 customers. Combining GLP-1s with total wholesome diet, exercise and life-style adjustments can lower the chance of regaining weight whereas selling wholesome long-term habits to take care of weight reduction.
This academic 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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