Popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic are making waves for their ability to help people shed pounds quickly.
However, a new study from the University of Alberta raises concerns that these drugs may also cause muscle loss, including in the heart, which could have long-term health implications.
Ozempic, also known as semaglutide, was originally developed to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar. More recently, it’s gained attention as an effective medication for weight loss.
Despite its growing popularity, researchers warn that the drug’s impact on muscles should not be overlooked, especially among individuals using it without meeting the recommended medical criteria.
Researchers led by Jason Dyck, a professor at the University of Alberta, studied why Ozempic causes skeletal muscle loss. Using mice, they observed that the drug led to a decrease in heart muscle in both obese and lean mice. This effect was later confirmed in human heart cells grown in the lab.
Interestingly, while the smaller hearts in mice didn’t show any immediate signs of reduced function, Dyck cautions that long-term effects remain unknown. He notes that under certain conditions, such as cardiac stress, the loss of heart muscle might have more serious consequences.
Dyck emphasizes that people prescribed these medications for serious conditions like obesity or diabetes may find the benefits outweigh the risks. However, for those using the drugs without medical necessity, the potential for harm may increase.
The findings align with recent commentary in The Lancet by an international team of researchers, including Carla Prado from the University of Alberta.
They highlighted that as much as 40% of the weight lost by individuals using these drugs comes from muscle, a significantly higher percentage than seen with traditional calorie-restricted diets or natural aging.
Prado, a nutrition researcher, explains that muscle is vital for overall health, not just for physical strength. Muscle stores amino acids that the body uses to heal and stay resilient during illness or stress.
It also helps regulate blood sugar, which can prevent or manage diabetes, and releases molecules called myokines that support the immune system and fight infections.
Losing muscle at such a high rate could lead to long-term health problems, including reduced immunity, slower wound healing, and a higher risk of infections.
For individuals already at risk, this muscle loss might worsen conditions like sarcopenic obesity, where low muscle mass combined with high body fat increases the chances of cardiovascular disease and early death.
To minimize muscle loss while losing weight, Prado emphasizes the importance of nutrition and exercise. She recommends a diet rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, which may sometimes include protein supplements to ensure the body has enough nutrients to maintain muscle.
Resistance training, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, is equally important. This type of exercise helps prevent muscle breakdown and maintains strength during weight loss.
Prado advises that people using weight-loss medications should follow a balanced program that combines proper nutrition with regular resistance training. This approach can help them lose fat while preserving muscle, ensuring better overall health and strength.
While these findings highlight important concerns, researchers stress the need for further studies to understand the long-term effects of muscle loss caused by weight-loss drugs.
Future research could explore ways to preserve muscle mass and composition during treatment to maximize the health benefits of these medications.
For now, experts urge caution, especially for individuals using weight-loss drugs without medical necessity. Balancing nutrition, exercise, and proper medical guidance can help reduce risks and support healthier outcomes.
If you care about muscle, please read studies about factors that can cause muscle weakness in older people, and scientists find a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss.
For more health information, please see recent studies about an easy, cheap way to maintain muscles, and results showing these vegetables essential for your muscle strength.
The research findings can be found in JACC: Basic to Translational Science.
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