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Muscle Loss From GLP-1 Drugs Could Undermine Long-Term Health
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, JUL 21 – GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce dementia, stroke, and mortality risks by up to 37% in adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity but cause significant muscle loss, raising health concerns.
- University of Virginia researchers published a July 21, 2025 paper warning that GLP-1 drugs cause muscle loss and do not improve heart and lung function.
- They conducted a review of data on semaglutide, tirzepatide, and related medications, aiming to understand long-term consequences of fat-free mass loss.
- The researchers found these drugs induce significant weight loss but cause loss of 25% to 40% fat-free mass, mainly muscle, without boosting cardiorespiratory fitness.
- Lead author Zhenqi Liu emphasized that ongoing studies are addressing this topic, and expressed optimism that more effective strategies will be developed in the near future. Angadi also highlighted that the impact of exercise regimens combined with GLP-1 treatment on maintaining or enhancing VO2max has yet to be thoroughly evaluated.
- The findings imply the need for screening malnutrition risk and promoting exercise and protein intake during treatment to protect muscle and support long-term health.
12 Articles
12 Articles
UVA researchers warn GLP-1 drugs may not provide long-term weight loss benefits
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WRIC) -- New research from experts at the University of Virginia (UVA) says that GLP-1 drugs may help people lose weight, but do not provide benefits that set the body up for long-term health. The weight that people lose while on GLP-1 drugs -- which are often used to aid in managing Type 2 diabetes -- includes significant muscle loss. UVA researchers said that muscle is "essential for posture, physical function and overall…
Popular Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Cause Major Muscle Loss Without Boosting Fitness, Study Warns
The study found that popular GLP-1 receptor agonists — including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) — cause people to lose substantial amounts of muscle alongside fat. The post Popular Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic May Cause Major Muscle Loss Without Boosting Fitness, Study Warns appeared first on Study Finds.
Muscle loss from GLP-1 drugs could undermine long-term health
Popular GLP-1 drugs help many people drop tremendous amounts of weight, but the drugs fail to provide a key improvement in heart and lung function essential for long-term good health, University of Virginia experts warn in a new paper.
GLP-1 drugs fail to provide key long-term health benefit, study shows
Popular GLP-1 drugs help many people drop tremendous amounts of weight, but the drugs fail to provide a key improvement in heart and lung function essential for long-term good health, University of Virginia experts warn in a new paper.
Dermatologists, Rheumatologists, and Patients Debate the Role of GLP-1 Drugs in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
While many believe the agents to be potential game changers, evidence is still lacking in psoriatic disease, and experts urge caution. Medscape Medical News
GLP-1 drugs fail to provide a key benefit of substantial weight loss
Weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide may help shrink waistlines, but new research shows they fail to boost fitness and can cause serious muscle loss, potentially undermining the long-term health benefits of slimming down.Continue ReadingCategory: Wellness & Healthy Living, Body & MindTags: GLP-1 receptor agonists, Weight Loss, Muscle, Fitness, Cardiovascular, University of Virginia
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