With the growing number of patients nationwide participating in medical weight loss programs, treatments like GLP-1 agonists—including Ozempic, Semaglutide, and Mounjaro—are gaining popularity. While these therapies often lead to significant weight loss and improved metabolic markers, they also come with potential challenges. To help minimize negative effects and optimize long-term results, here are several key factors to consider.
Muscle Loss
Patients using these medications often experience a disproportionate loss of muscle mass during weight loss. Maintaining lean muscle is essential for long-term metabolic success and overall health. Muscles consume about 80% of the glucose from meals and play a crucial role in metabolism, particularly your Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)—the amount of energy burned at rest. Prioritizing protein intake combined with regular movement such as resistance training or weight lifting can help preserve muscle mass.
Collagen
Collagen levels naturally decrease after the age of 20, and weight loss can accelerate this process. Collagen peptides are essential for maintaining various tissues, including bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Additionally, collagen supports skin integrity and hair growth. Many weight loss patients experience increased collagen loss, leading to adverse effects on muscles, skin, and hair. Supplementing with collagen can help mitigate these issues.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Health and Motility
Many semaglutide patients struggle with constipation due to slowed gastric emptying and other factors. To counter this, it’s important to incorporate the right fiber sources and probiotics. Specific probiotic strains can improve GLP-1 cell function and enhance gut health by producing butyrate, which strengthens the gut lining. This may not only boost weight loss benefits but also help curb sugar cravings.
Important Lifestyle Considerations
- Eat Nutrient-Dense Foods: Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and proper hydration. Avoid ultra-processed foods, fried foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol.
- Exercise Regularly: Prioritize resistance training to work your muscles and ensure you get enough quality sleep.
Recommended Supplements for Medical Weight Loss Patients
Our pharmacists recommend the following supplements to support your medical weight loss journey:
- MuscleGuard HMB: A derivative of leucine, MuscleGuard HMB helps preserve lean muscle mass, which is critical for medical weight loss patients prone to muscle loss from GLP-1 agonist medications.
- FiberLean Pro: Provides much-needed fiber to help with constipation and supports gut health by feeding the microbiome, enhancing metabolism. This fiber is a highly pure, propolmannan fiber.
- GLP-1 Probiotic: Contains Akkermansia and Butyricum strains, which help optimize gut function and GLP-1 activity. Higher levels of Akkermansia are associated with improved metabolism, better blood sugar control, and fewer cravings.
- PowerMulti: A comprehensive multivitamin with therapeutic doses of Vitamin D, K2, methylated B vitamins, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and other key nutrients. PowerMulti ensures optimal cellular and mitochondrial support for patients eating less on their weight loss journey.
- Collagen: Supplementing with collagen supports bone, soft tissue, hair, and skin health—important for medical weight loss patients who may experience accelerated collagen loss.
Additional Considerations
- Colostrum PRP: Supports gut health and stimulates collagen production, improving skin and hair health.
- Collagen Booster: Contains ch-OSA® (choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid) and biotin to support collagen production and activate enzymes used by collagen-generating cells.
- Berberine UltraMax 5: Features dihydroberberine (DHB), a bioavailable form of berberine, shown to improve blood glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and support weight loss.
To shop our medical weight loss support supplements, visit Kizer Pharmacy or click here to browse online for products designed to optimize your journey. Our pharmacists are here to help you every step of the way.
