Ozempic (semaglutide) is popular for managing type 2 diabetes and weight, but it can cause muscle loss, impacting health and quality of life. How can we lose fat while keeping muscles strong?
Ozempic (semaglutide) is super popular these days, not only for managing type 2 diabetes but also for weight management. However, one aspect often overlooked is muscle loss, which can negatively impact your health and quality of life. So, how can we ensure that we're losing fat but keeping our muscles strong?
We are covering insights from Reddit users in the article 'Can Ozempic Cause Joint Pain or What is Ozempic Butt?'
Ozempic was developed as a solution for type 2 diabetes. It works by boosting insulin secretion, which lowers blood sugar, and primarily acts by suppressing your appetite. But remember, just because we're losing weight doesn't mean we're always getting healthier! Rapid weight loss can lead to sarcopenia, defined by Healthline as "the gradual loss of muscle mass, strength, and function" . However, there are steps you can take to mitigate this risk while maintaining a healthy weight.
When you lose weight with Ozempic, you most likely also lose muscle. This occurs because consuming fewer calories means your body may start using muscle for energy, especially if you're not consuming enough protein or engaging in sufficient physical activity.
"In the clinical studies for drugs in the GLP-1 class, the data indicated that 40% to 50% of the weight loss comes from lean muscle mass instead of fat," said Andrew Y. Sun, M.D., a board-certified urologist and chief medical advisor for Marius Pharmaceuticals in Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas . "When you lose muscle mass, your resting metabolic rate, or the rate at which your body burns calories, also declines."
Muscle health is crucial—not just for moving around but also for your metabolism. They play a big role in managing blood sugar and insulin, and losing muscle can make you weaker, slow down your metabolism, and make it harder to maintain a healthy weight.
A common concern among users is the so-called "Ozempic butt," which refers to sagging skin or loss of muscle tone in the buttocks due to rapid weight loss. This highlights the importance of maintaining muscle mass while losing weight with semaglutide .
Besides Ozempic, other medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro (another semaglutide) are also used for weight management and type 2 diabetes. These drugs work similarly and also carry the risk of muscle loss, underscoring the need for strategies to preserve muscle mass.
Patients on semaglutide therapy should adopt strength and resistance training — combined with a high-protein diet — to offset the effects of muscle loss.
You don't need to go all out and become a bodybuilder—just a couple of light sessions each week can really help.
Check out the Kiwi Fitness app if you are worried about muscle loss. It provides adaptable and personalized strength training plans and dietary tips to keep your muscles strong. Plus, it's tailored to your fitness level.
Download Kiwi Fitness today for workout plans that keep you strong and healthy!
