OKLAHOMA –
1 medications continue to grow in popularity for <a href="https://healthylife7.com/ariana-grandes-health-all-about-her-weight-loss-past-hypoglycemia-diet-more/” title=”Ariana Grande’s Health: All About Her Weight Loss, Past Hypoglycemia, Diet & More”>weight loss, but doctors say the number on the scale doesn’t tell the whole story
Experts say people taking medications like Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound should also focus on preserving muscle mass while losing fat. That’s especially important for women, who naturally lose muscle as they age
Looking beyond the scale
After struggling with the same 30 pounds for decades, 53-year-old Jenna Glass decided to try a GLP-1 medication last November
She has since lost more than 30 pounds, but says her goal is about more than weight loss
Glass underwent a DEXA scan at Human Powered Health, which measures body composition, including muscle mass and visceral fat — the fat stored around internal organs
The scan is part of a program designed to help patients lose weight while maintaining muscle
“For about 40 years, I gained and lost the same 30 pounds, probably more than a dozen times,” Glass said
She admitted she was initially hesitant to take a GLP-1 medication
“My former grandfather said, ‘You work harder and you eat less. That’s how you lose weight,’” Glass said. “Getting into that GLP-1 conversation, I’ll be honest, I really felt like it was me saying, ‘I’m a failure. I can’t do this by myself.’”
After experiencing increased inflammation during menopause, she decided to give the medication a try
Why muscle loss matters
Dr. Chuck Svensson, chief medical officer at Astride Health and a former bariatric surgeon, says losing weight often means losing both fat and muscle
“All weight loss involves not just losing fat, but also losing muscle,” Svensson said. “Nobody wants to lose bone mineral density. Nobody wants to lose muscle mass.”
That’s why he recommends patients focus on preserving lean muscle while losing weight
How to protect muscle while losing weight
Doctors recommend two key strategies for people taking GLP-1 medications:
- Eat enough protein each day to support muscle maintenance.
- Include regular strength or resistance training to help preserve muscle mass.
Experts also say women may benefit from discussing hormone replacement therapy with their healthcare provider. In some cases, combining hormone therapy with a GLP-1 medication may help preserve muscle and improve fat loss during menopause
Doctors say the goal isn’t simply to lose weight, it’s to improve overall body composition and long-term health
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