CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – As more people utilize weight-loss drugs, UVA Health experts caution users of the shortcomings regarding GLP-1 medications and overall health.<\/p>\n
Experts say GLP-1 drugs can help people drop significant amounts of weight but may cause a decrease in muscle mass alongside fat loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany people [want] to be on these medications,\u201d UVA Health endocrinologist Doctor Zhenqui Liu said. \u201cThey think about is as that it might be a quick and easy way to lose weight. But in reality, this type of medication is not for everybody.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Liu says GLP-1 medications are \u201cremarkable\u201d for weight loss and blood glucose improvements but may come with side effects harmful to long-term health.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey lose something we call fat-free mass,\u201d Liu said. \u201cWhen you continue to lose that muscle mass, if you don\u2019t rebuild that back, the function, the whole-body function actually goes down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Dr. Liu and his research team say GLP-1 medications do make improvements to heart function, but do not provide significant improvements regarding cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) \u2014 a measurement of how the body utilizes oxygen during exercise. <\/p>\n
With losses in muscle mass and no sign of CRF improvements, researchers say the drug could negatively impact metabolic health and longevity. <\/p>\n
Dr. Liu says a protein-rich diet and exercise can improve long-term health results and CRF.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople should talk to their doctor and [make] sure they\u2019re not at risk for malnutrition, [or] they\u2019re not at risk for low muscle mass,\u201d Liu said, \u201cAnd if they are at risk for those things, they probably should discuss with their doctors how to, you know, sort of tune up their body.\u201d <\/p>\n