GLP-1 weight‑loss therapy warned of muscle loss; experts recommend protein and resistance training

Pharmetic Girişimci Eczacılar Derneği (PGED) board chair Şule Dilek Yağcı Tüysüz says GLP‑1 analogs have become an effective option for treating diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome and hyperlipidaemia, enabling rapid blood‑sugar control and weight loss. However, she cautions that fast weight reduction can also diminish muscle tissue (sarcopenia), especially because the appetite‑suppression of GLP‑1 leads to lower calorie and protein intake.

To preserve muscle mass during GLP‑1 therapy, Tüysüz advises three core measures: consume sufficient protein (1.2–2 g per kilogram body weight daily, e.g., 96–120 g for an 80 kg person, with supplements such as whey or collagen if needed); perform regular resistance exercise (at least 2–3 sessions per week, including squats, push‑ups, Pilates, etc.); and support vitamin and mineral status, notably adequate vitamin D and increased omega‑3 intake. She adds that lifestyle adjustments—slow chewing, gradual fibre increase, adequate hydration, and, when necessary, magnesium citrate under medical guidance—can lessen gastrointestinal side‑effects of GLP‑1 drugs.

Tüysüz emphasizes that GLP‑1 treatment must be undertaken under specialist supervision, combining medication with proper nutrition and physical activity to achieve sustainable health benefits.