Embarking on a weight loss medication journey can be a transformative experience for those seeking to manage weight, improve metabolic health, or control blood sugar levels. While weight loss medications offer valuable support in regulating appetite and promoting satiety, they are most effective when combined with a thoughtful approach to nutrition. A well-balanced diet not only enhances the benefits of weight loss treatment but also helps ensure sustainable, long-term success.
How do Weight Loss Medications Work?
GLP-1 agonists are a class of medications that mainly help manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. Some GLP-1 agonists can also help treat obesity.
Furthermore, GLP-1 agonists are most often injectable medications, meaning you inject a liquid medication with a needle and syringe. You give the shots in the fatty tissue just under your skin. Areas of your body you can give the injections include your belly, outer thighs, upper buttocks and the backs of your arms.
Lastly, GLP-1 agonist medications work by mimicking this hormone. In medication terms, an agonist is a manufactured substance that attaches to a cell receptor and causes the same action as the naturally occurring substance. In other words, GLP-1 medications bind to GLP receptors to trigger the effects of the GLP-1 hormone. The higher the dose of the GLP-1 agonist, the more extreme the effects.
List of Weight Loss Medications:
- Dulaglutide (Trulicity®)
- Exenatide (Byetta®)
- Exenatide extended-release (Bydureon®)
- Liraglutide (Victoza®)
- Lixisenatide (Adlyxin®)
- Semaglutide injection (Ozempic®)
- Semaglutide tablets (Rybelsus®)
There’s also a similar class of medications called dual GLP-1 receptor agonists. There’s currently one of these medications on the market. It’s called tirzepatide (Mounjaro®).
GLP-1 is a hormone that your small intestine makes already. It has several roles including:
- Triggering insulin release from your pancreas: Insulin is an essential hormone that allows your body to use the food you eat for energy. It lowers the amount of sugar in your blood. If you don’t have enough insulin, your blood sugar increases, leading to diabetes.
- Blocking glucagon secretion: Glucagon is a hormone your body uses to raise your blood sugar levels when necessary. GLP-1 prevents more glucose from going into your bloodstream.
- Slowing stomach emptying: Slower digestion means that your body releases less sugar from the food you eat into your bloodstream.
- Increasing how full you feel after eating: GLP-1 affects areas of your brain that processes hunger and satiety. These combined effects often result in weight loss.
Nutrition on a Weight Loss Medication
Since these medications reduce your appetite and you stay full longer, it’s really important to make sure the food that you are eating is very high nutritional quality.
Protein is essential for our bodies because it’s not something we store—meaning we need to consume it regularly to keep our muscles in good shape. When on a weight loss medication and getting full quickly, try eating protein first when sitting down for a meal. This way, even if you don’t finish everything on your plate, you’ve at least gotten a few good bites of protein.
Not getting enough protein throughout the day, especially at every meal, can lead to muscle breakdown. Over time, this can have negative long-term effects on your health. But don’t worry—there are ways to minimize muscle loss and ensure your body is getting the nutrients it needs to thrive.
Get your customized calorie and protein needs!
Sign up for a consultation with a Registered Dietitian Nutrition to discuss just how much your body needs.
When it comes to supporting your overall health — especially while using a weight loss medication — focusing on nutrient-dense foods can make a big difference. Incorporating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, and legumes into your meals provides your body with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Don’t forget about nuts, either; they’re packed with healthy fats and protein that support long-term wellness. These whole, unprocessed foods can help you feel more satisfied, stabilize your blood sugar, and contribute to overall better health while you’re on your GLP-1 journey.
While taking GLP-1 medications, it’s advisable to avoid foods that can cause rapid spikes in blood sugar levels or lower the medication’s effectiveness, such as:
- sugary foods and beverages like juices, soda, and alcohol
- refined carbohydrates like white bread and pasta
- high fat foods
Alcohol and Weight Loss Medications
The most well-known drug interaction associated with GLP-specific medicines like Ozempic is with alcohol. Alcohol can interfere with the effectiveness of these drugs, so it’s important to limit your intake or avoid alcohol altogether when taking medications such as this one. Additionally, certain antibiotics such as clarithromycin can reduce the concentration of GLP- and/or insulin in the body, making them less effective in managing blood sugar levels.
If you are on a weight loss medication and need help figuring out your calorie and protein needs, speak to one of our Registered Dietitians for 1 on 1 counseling!
Supplements on a Weight Loss Medication
Vitamin B12
GLP-1 drugs can slow gastric emptying, which might affect the absorption of vitamin B12, particularly in individuals with pre-existing deficiencies or those on long-term therapy. B12 is vital for red blood cell formation, neurological function, and DNA synthesis. Low levels can lead to anemia, fatigue, and neurological issues.
Folate
Folate is essential for DNA synthesis and cell division. It’s particularly important for women of childbearing age, as it helps prevent neural tube defects in the developing fetus. Since folate absorption can be compromised by gastrointestinal changes, supplementation may be necessary.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is critical for bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Weight loss can sometimes lead to changes in vitamin D levels. Given that many people are already deficient in vitamin D, it’s important to monitor and supplement as needed.
Calcium
Calcium works hand in hand with vitamin D to support bone health. Since GLP-1 drugs can affect appetite, ensuring adequate calcium intake is crucial, especially if your dietary intake decreases.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s are essential fats that play a role in heart health, inflammation, and brain function. While GLP-1 drugs do not directly impact omega-3 levels, ensuring adequate intake is crucial, especially if your diet becomes more restricted.
Magnesium
Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body, including muscle function, nerve transmission, and blood glucose control. Reduced food intake might lower your magnesium levels.
Probiotics
Given that GLP-1 drugs slow gastric emptying and can affect gut motility, maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is important. Probiotics can support digestion and overall gut health.
Exercise on a Weight Loss Medication
When using weight loss medications to manage weight or blood sugar, exercise can play a pivotal role in enhancing the medication’s effectiveness. GLP-1 medications work by helping regulate insulin, reduce appetite, and promote weight loss, but combining them with regular physical activity can take your results to the next level. Exercise not only boosts metabolism but also improves insulin sensitivity, helping your body respond better to the medication.
Strength training is a powerful complement to GLP-1 medications, especially when it comes to enhancing weight loss and improving overall metabolic health. Adding strength training to your routine helps preserve and build lean muscle mass, which is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolism. As you lose weight, it’s easy to lose muscle too, but strength training helps counteract that, ensuring that the weight you’re losing comes from fat rather than muscle. Whether you’re lifting weights, doing bodyweight exercises, or using resistance bands, strength training amplifies the benefits of weight loss medications, helping you feel stronger, boost metabolism, and achieve lasting results.
How We Can Help
If you’re using GLP-1 medications to manage weight or blood sugar, understanding your body’s metabolism is key to achieving the best results. Metabolic testing offers valuable insights into how your body processes food, burns calories, and responds to insulin. By combining these insights with your GLP-1 treatment, you can create a more personalized plan to optimize your health journey. Ready to take control of your health? Metabolic testing is the next step in maximizing the benefits of GLP-1 medications and achieving long-term wellness.
