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Wegovy is a semaglutide-based medication that can cause muscle loss as a side effect. While the manufacturer does not list muscle loss as a side effect, some health experts have criticised the use of these medications, claiming that the weight lost on them is unhealthy. Muscle mass loss is a common side effect of weight loss, and it can occur irrespective of the method used to lose weight, be it diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or medications. To help maintain muscle mass while taking Wegovy, it is recommended to eat adequate amounts of protein and do ongoing strength training.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does Wegovy eat muscle? | It is not listed as a side effect, but muscle loss can occur |
| How to prevent muscle loss | Eat more protein, do strength training |
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What You'll Learn
How to prevent muscle loss while taking Wegovy
While muscle mass loss is not listed as a side effect of Wegovy, it can be a side effect of semaglutide, which is an ingredient in Wegovy. As such, it is recommended that you speak with your healthcare provider about preventing muscle loss with a resistance (strength) training program.
To help maintain your muscle mass while taking Wegovy, you can do ongoing strength training, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, doing leg squats, push-ups, or calf raises, and using gym machines. It is also important to eat adequate amounts of protein, which can be found in foods like eggs, lean meats (chicken, fish), low-fat dairy like cheese, cottage cheese, milk, or Greek yogurt, tofu, and beans and legumes. The Institute of Medicine recommends 0.8 g/kg of body weight per day for healthy adults, with higher amounts suggested for people over 65 years of age. However, individual recommendations can vary, with some sources suggesting 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kg of your current body weight as a good goal.
In addition to strength training and protein intake, there are other strategies you can employ to help retain muscle mass. These include meeting with a registered dietitian who can provide specific guidance on nutritional strategies, as well as timing your meals strategically, such as leaving a two-hour window between eating and going to bed to help minimise reflux and not drinking liquids while eating to avoid feeling too full too quickly.
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The link between muscle loss and weight loss
Weight loss and muscle loss are linked, and muscle loss can be a side effect of taking semaglutide, which is found in Wegovy. However, it is not unique to the drug or the GLP-1 agonist drug class. According to Amy Rothberg of the University of Michigan, who is also a spokesperson for the Endocrine Society, "Muscle mass loss is part-and-parcel to losing weight. So in the context that semaglutide helps people lose weight, they are going to lose muscle mass. But you lose muscle mass irrespective of the modality, whether that's diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or medications."
To help maintain muscle mass while taking Wegovy, doctors recommend ongoing strength training, such as lifting weights, using resistance bands, doing leg squats, push-ups, or calf raises, and using gym machines. Eating adequate amounts of protein can also help lessen muscle loss. The Institute of Medicine recommends 0.8 g/kg of body weight per day for healthy adults, with higher amounts suggested for people over 65 years of age. Individual recommendations can vary, but 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kg of body weight is a good goal for most people.
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The amount of protein to eat while taking Wegovy
While taking Wegovy, it is important to eat adequate amounts of protein to help maintain your muscle mass. This is because muscle mass loss can be a side effect of the drug. However, it is important to note that muscle mass loss is not unique to Wegovy and can occur with any weight loss method, including diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or other medications.
To prevent muscle loss while taking Wegovy, it is recommended to eat between 1.0 and 1.2 grams of protein per kg of your current body weight. This is higher than the Institute of Medicine's recommendation of 0.8 g/kg of body weight per day for healthy adults, with higher amounts suggested for people over 65 years of age.
You can find protein in foods like eggs, lean meats (chicken, fish), low-fat dairy like cheese, cottage cheese, milk, or Greek yogurt, tofu, and beans and legumes. It is also recommended to do ongoing strength training, such as lifting weights or using resistance bands, to help maintain muscle mass while taking Wegovy.
There is no specific Wegovy diet to follow, but it is recommended to stick to a balanced eating plan that includes low-fat foods and does not skip meals. It is also important to time your meals strategically, such as leaving a two-hour window between eating and going to bed to help minimise reflux and not drinking liquids while eating to prevent feeling too full too quickly.
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The side effects of Wegovy
Wegovy (semaglutide) is a prescription drug used for weight management and heart disease related to obesity. It is a once-weekly weight loss medicine approved to help eligible people lose weight and keep it off.
Muscle mass loss can be a side effect of semaglutide, but it is not unique to the drug or the GLP-1 agonist drug class. According to data from two randomised controlled trials, up to 40% of the weight lost on semaglutide may be from lean mass. However, this does not mean that the drug causes muscle to be 'eaten' or destroyed.
The most common side effects of Wegovy include nausea, which occurs in about 44% of people, as well as diarrhoea, vomiting, constipation, stomach-area pain, feeling bloated, heartburn, belching or gas, and headaches. For most people, these stomach side effects lessen or go away after a few weeks of treatment.
More serious side effects are less common or rare, but include an increased risk of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia), gallbladder problems, severe allergic reactions, and inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis). In animal studies, Wegovy has also been associated with a risk of thyroid cancer.
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The link between muscle loss and age
While there is no direct evidence that Wegovy eats muscle, muscle mass loss can be a side effect of semaglutide, which is an ingredient in Wegovy. However, it is not unique to the drug or the GLP-1 agonist drug class. According to Amy Rothberg of the University of Michigan, who is also a spokesperson for the Endocrine Society, "Muscle mass loss is part-and-parcel to losing weight. So in the context that semaglutide helps people lose weight, they are going to lose muscle mass. But you lose muscle mass irrespective of the modality, whether that's diet and exercise, bariatric surgery, or medications."
Age-related loss of muscle mass can lead to reduced strength and physical function, a term often called sarcopenia. To maintain muscle mass while taking Wegovy, it is recommended to do ongoing strength training (resistance training) such as lifting weights, using resistance bands, doing leg squats, push-ups, or calf raises, and using gym machines. Eating adequate amounts of protein can also help lessen muscle loss. The Institute of Medicine recommends 0.8 g/kg of body weight per day for healthy adults, with higher amounts suggested for people over 65 years of age. Individual recommendations may vary, but 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kg of current body weight is a good goal for most people.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, muscle mass loss can be a side effect of Wegovy. However, it is not unique to the drug or the GLP-1 agonist drug class.
According to data from two randomised controlled trials (STEP 1 and SUSTAIN 8), up to 40% of the weight lost on Wegovy may be from lean mass.
To help maintain your muscle mass while taking Wegovy, you can do ongoing strength training (resistance training) and eat adequate amounts of protein.
Individual recommendations can vary, but 1.0 to 1.2 grams of protein per kg of your current body weight is a good goal for most people.
Foods that are high in protein include eggs, lean meats (chicken, fish), low-fat dairy like cheese, cottage cheese, milk, or Greek yoghurt, tofu, and beans and legumes.
