Do you need to worry about muscle loss when using semaglutide?

 research paper titled "Is Weight Loss - Induced Muscle Mass Loss Clinically Relevant" published in the authoritative international comprehensive medical journal JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association) shows that patients taking glucagon like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (such as semaglutide and tilpotide) and their treating doctors do not have to worry about excessive muscle loss that usually accompanies rapid weight loss when taking these drugs.

Research has shown that semaglutide increases the proportion of lean body mass to total body weight, resulting in individuals having higher muscle mass and potential energy expenditure capacity at relatively lighter weights. This change may make individuals feel more empowered and healthy when engaging in daily activities and physical exercise.

Research has shown that GLP-1 weight loss drugs such as semaglutide not only reduce blood sugar and weight, but also improve physical function

The popularity of GLP-1 drugs has grown exponentially, with patients reporting a rapid 25% weight loss despite known cardiovascular benefits.

In the papers published online synchronously on JAMA, Caterina Conte, M.D., Ph.D. (Rome Open University, San Rafael, Italy), Kevin D. Hall, Ph.D. (National Institute of diabetes and Digestive Nephropathy, Bethesda, Maryland) and Klein summarized the currently available data on the ratio of fat free mass (FFM) to skeletal muscle mass (SMM), as well as its relationship with the total weight loss of fast weight loss patients.

They wrote that the decrease in fat free mass (FFM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) relative to body weight may lead to a relative increase in their proportion in the human body.

Muscle tissue consumes much more energy than adipose tissue, so even if weight loss occurs, if muscle mass is maintained or slightly increased, the basal metabolic rate may increase, allowing individuals to consume more energy in a static state. In this situation, individuals may experience higher energy levels and improved physical fitness.

In fact, concerns about muscle loss caused by GLP-1 agonists have always been hypothetical, as these concerns predate any confirmed data

Michael Albert, a medical doctor at the remote obesity clinic (Accomplish Health and University of Oklahoma Health Science Center), stated that concerns about muscle loss caused by GLP-1 inhibitors have always been hypothetical, as these concerns arise before any confirmed data.

He said that JAMA's viewpoint effectively indicates that "existing evidence does not indicate that these drugs make people weaker. People's physical functions become better. Although I believe the data is still in the early stages and we should directly study this, it does not mean that there are significant issues worth worrying about