New Year, New You? Pulling Back the Curtain on GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medications
Happy New Year! Let’s kick off 2025 with a little science!
Our latest episode of Kickback Science—"Behind the Curtain: The Real Deal With GLP-1 Agonists"—dives into the hottest trend in weight-loss medications. Spoiler alert: It’s not all rainbows and shredded abs.
GLP-1 Agonists: Weight-Loss Wonder or Marketing Magic?
GLP-1 agonists, like semaglutide (aka Ozempic or Wegovy), are the talk of the health and wellness world. These injections work by reducing overeating, slow digestion, and make you feel so full you’ll actually say no to dessert. As someone with a complicated relationship with chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream, I totally get the hype.
But wait—there’s more! (Because of course there is.) While these medications are celebrated for helping people shed pounds, the big question no one seems to be asking is: what kind of weight are we losing here?
The Trials Left Us Hanging
The clinical trials on GLP-1 agonists are all about the headline numbers: “Participants lost X pounds in Y weeks!” What they don’t tell you (or at least most of them) is whether that weight was fat or muscle.
Here’s the thing: The FDA only requires companies to report overall weight loss, not the breakdown of fat vs. muscle loss. So, yeah, you might be lighter on the scale—but at what cost?
Muscle Loss: The Plot Twist No One Wanted
A peek at the fine print (read: the supplemental files of the STEP1 clinical trial, PMID: 33567185) reveals the inconvenient truth: participants are losing almost as much muscle as fat. Yes, you read that right—your hard-earned muscle, the stuff that keeps you functional, strong, and metabolically efficient, is disappearing right along with your love handles.
If this doesn’t raise a red flag, you probably skipped leg day.
Here’s why it matters: Muscle isn’t just for flexing in gym selfies. It’s critical for overall health, metabolism, and aging gracefully. Losing muscle while trying to lose weight is like tossing out the engine while trying to lighten your car—it’s counterproductive and kind of a disaster (I don’t know anything about cars but i’m pretty sure the engine is important..).
The Takeaway (and a Shameless Plug)
GLP-1 agonists can absolutely be a helpful tool for weight loss. But they’re not perfect. If you’re considering these medications, make sure you have a plan to preserve muscle—think strength training and getting sufficient protein. And for the love of gains, ask your healthcare provider the tough questions.
If you’re wondering just how important muscle is, we’ve got you covered. Check out our other episode, "MUSCLE MANIA! Why Muscle is The Most Important Organ in Your Body". It’s a must-listen for anyone who doesn’t want to trade their biceps for a smaller number on the scale.
Here’s to a year of health, strength, and maybe keeping some muscle on your frame!
