Taking GLP-1 Medication? Here’s What You Need to Know
Did you know that 1 in 8 adults in the United States have taken a GLP-1 agonist medication? Many people use GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss or blood sugar control. While there can be some benefits to GLP-1 drugs, there can also be common challenges to work through. Whether you are currently using a GLP-1 medication or considering it, we’re here to help you understand how it works and what nutritional support you may need.
What is GLP-1 medication and how does it work?
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), also known as GLP-1 agonists or GLP-1 analogs, are a class of drugs that is used to manage both weight and blood sugar levels. Some common brand names of GLP-1 medications are Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity. GLP-1 medications are designed to mimic the GLP-1 hormone, which is a hormone naturally released by the gut after eating to help regulate metabolic processes. GLP-1 medications have two main benefits:
Weight management: GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, which reduces your appetite to support weight loss.
Glucose control: GLP-1s help increase insulin secretion and decrease glucagon levels, helping to stabilize blood sugar.
While people may turn to GLP-1 medication to maintain a healthy weight or lower blood sugar levels, there can be challenges that come from taking the medication. Let’s talk about some of the common challenges and how you can address them.
Common GLP-1 medication issues
Gaps in your nutrition
GLP-1 agonist medications suppress your appetite, causing you to eat less. While this may be beneficial for healthy weight goals, eating less may mean that you’re consuming fewer essential nutrients, which can lead to nutrient gaps. Most diets already lack vital nutrients, and a suppressed appetite can make it even harder to get the nutrition your body needs.
How to fill your nutrient gaps
If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication, make sure that you are still eating healthy, balanced, and nutrient-rich meals. A balanced plate consists of 1/2 vegetables and fruit, 1/4 lean protein, and 1/4 healthy grains. If you need some ideas, see the Eat Well Nutrition & Recipe Guide.
Sometimes even the healthiest meals can lack the nutrients you need because you’re consuming fewer calories. So one of the best ways to fill nutrient gaps and help build a solid nutritional foundation is with a daily multivitamin. Multivitamins like Vita-Lea® have been clinically shown to increase nutrient levels in the blood, and they can help round out your diet by giving you the nutrients you’re missing.*
Effects on gut health
GLP-1 medications affect digestion by slowing down the rate at which the stomach empties its contents into the small intestine. This delay in gastric emptying can lead to irregularity and occasional stomach discomfort, indigestion, and nausea. GLP-1 medications can also disrupt the normal composition of your gut microbiome, the community of microorganisms in your gut that helps with digestion, synthesizing vital nutrients, and protecting against harmful pathogens.
How to support gut and digestive health
To keep your gut healthy, you need to make sure that your gut microbiome keeps a balance between good and bad bacteria. The gut microbiome has a symbiotic relationship with your gastrointestinal tract, meaning it’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Your GI tract provides a place for these microorganisms to live and thrive, while your gut microbiome helps maintain the health and functionality of your GI tract.
You can support your gut microbiome with your diet by eating fiber-rich foods like asparagus, bananas, apples, dandelion greens, onions, barley, and oats. These prebiotic fibers provide food for the good bacteria in your gut. You can also support your gut microbiome with probiotics. Foods like fermented vegetables, yogurt, miso, kombucha, and tempeh can add probiotic bacteria to the gut.
If diet isn’t enough, you can take prebiotic and probiotic supplements. A great probiotic AND prebiotic solution designed for your gut is Good Gut & Go. This is a synbiotic solution, meaning it contains both prebiotics and probiotics that work together. For more targeted digestive health solutions, check out our GLP-1 Nutritional Support Partners.
Loss of lean muscle
Taking GLP-1 agonist medications to lose weight can cause you to lose muscle along with fat. This has a domino effect that makes it hard to maintain a healthy weight, because muscle is an active tissue that burns calories. The less muscle you have, the fewer calories your body is able to burn.
How to maintain lean muscle
It’s important to have enough protein in your diet that will help you build and maintain lean muscle. According to the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) established by the National Academy of Medicine, we need about 0.4 grams of protein per pound of body weight. This amounts to roughly 56 grams per day for the average male and 46 grams a day for the average female. Good sources of protein include lean meats, seafood, nuts, and seeds. Protein supplements and shakes are also a great way to ensure that you’re getting the right amount of protein every day, and they can keep you feeling satisfied, which aids in weight management. Try Life Shake™ with 20 g protein per serving, including the key essential amino acid leucine to help you build lean muscle, burn fat, improve metabolism, and reduce cravings.†
Get the GLP-1 Support You Need
Make sure to consult your health care provider if you’re still considering whether or not GLP-1 medication is right for you. And if you do take GLP-1 medication, let us support you through your wellness journey with the nutritional solutions you need.‡
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
†As part of the Shaklee 180 Program. Clinical study participants replaced two meals with Shaklee Life Shakes daily, reduced their caloric intake, and followed a 45-minute exercise program twice weekly. See full details of Life Shake clinical studies at healthresource.shaklee.com.
‡Individuals who have been prescribed a GLP-1 agonist medication need to manage their usage of this medication with the prescribing physician. Shaklee is not endorsing these medications but simply offering information and nutrition product suggestions that may be helpful for supporting nutritional needs during weight loss.
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