A new study says that weight loss medications can be the cause of declining skeletal muscle health. In a recent commentary published in The Lancet journal, researchers from the US and Canada highlighted the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists. GLP-1 receptors are present in popular weight loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound.
GLP-1 receptors are proteins found on cell surfaces and they play an important role in regulating blood sugar levels and metabolism. These receptors stimulate insulin secretion from the pancreas while inhibiting the release of glucagon which is a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. This helps to lower blood sugar after eating.
GLP-1 receptors also influence appetite control, thereby, improving feelings of fullness and potentially helping in weight management. Drugs that mimic GLP-1, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have been developed to help manage type 2 diabetes and obesity by improving these natural effects, thus helping in blood sugar control and supporting weight loss. The researchers from Pennington Biomedical Research Center in the US, Universities of Alberta and McMaster in Canada argued that while the drugs have shown extreme potential in treating obesity which is a precursor for many diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cancer, they can also lead to substantial muscle loss as part of t.
