Achieving fat loss with Semalgutide in Mobile is not a given. There is a big problem lurking out there for many people who have been taking GLP-1 medications for weight loss. These medications include Ozempic (Semaglutide), Wegovy (Semaglutide), and Mounjaro (Tirzepatide). While these medications are incredibly effective in helping people lose weight, they also come with several potential risks. You need to make sure you are achieving fat loss and not losing lean muscle tissue.
First, just a quick recap of what GLP-1 medications are and how they work.
GLP-1 drugs are a groundbreaking class of medications that revolutionize diabetes treatment while offering significant benefits for weight loss. Derived from the hormone GLP-1, these drugs mimic its actions by stimulating insulin release and suppressing glucagon. By enhancing insulin production, GLP-1 drugs effectively lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, they slow down stomach emptying, leading to increased feelings of fullness and reduced calorie intake, resulting in weight loss. This dual action makes GLP-1 drugs an attractive option for individuals seeking to manage diabetes while achieving their weight loss goals, offering hope for improved health and quality of life.
There are potential health risks with this medication, no different than any other medication on the market. This includes Tylenol, Aspirin, Benadryl and so on. If you read the label on any kind pf pharmaceutical drug you will find a laundry list of side effects. That is not what we are focusing on in this article.
The biggest risk for the average person taking Semaglutide or any other GLP-1 is losing the wrong kind of weight. Here is a quote from noted physician Dr. Peter Attia, who specializes in longevity medicine.
“Almost every patient we put on this drug [semaglutide] has lost muscle mass at a rate that alarms me.”
“So, all of the studies that we’ve talked about, the FDA has forced the primary outcome to be weight loss,” Attia said. “They don’t care about body composition.”-Dr. Peter Attia (Instagram post)
Like most things in medicine, there are physicians and researchers on both sides of the debate as to whether the risk of losing lean muscle mass outweighs the benefits of weight loss for certain patients. We are not going to debate that here either. A recent article in Advisory Board discusses this issue in more depth. Another semaglutide side effect: Loss of muscle mass? (advisory.com)
What we are going to focus on is the importance of trying to maintain lean muscle tissue as much as possible with Semaglutide. Why is it so important to maintain lean muscle mass?
- Metabolic Health: Lean muscle mass plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Muscle tissue requires more energy to function compared to fat tissue, meaning that individuals with higher muscle mass tend to have a higher basal metabolic rate. This can aid in weight management and prevent the onset of conditions like obesity and metabolic syndrome.
- Bone Strength: Regular resistance training and the presence of lean muscle mass can contribute to improved bone density and strength. Engaging in weight-bearing exercises helps stimulate bone remodeling, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures later in life.
- Functional Independence: Strong muscles are essential for maintaining functional independence and carrying out daily activities. Having adequate muscle strength and endurance promotes balance, stability, and mobility, reducing the risk of falls and injuries, particularly in older adults.
- Disease Prevention: Research suggests that maintaining lean muscle mass may have a protective effect against chronic diseases. Higher muscle mass has been associated with a lower risk of developing conditions like cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, muscle tissue acts as a reservoir for glucose uptake, aiding in blood sugar regulation and reducing the risk of insulin resistance.
- Quality of Life: Having a healthy amount of lean muscle mass contributes to an improved overall quality of life. Strong muscles enhance physical performance, making it easier to engage in various activities and hobbies. Additionally, increased muscle mass is often associated with improved body composition, leading to improved body image and self-confidence.
In summary, maintaining lean muscle mass is crucial for metabolic health, bone strength, functional independence, disease prevention, and overall well-being. Incorporating regular resistance training and adequate protein intake into your lifestyle can help preserve and enhance your muscle mass, ensuring optimal health benefits.
This is why achieving fat loss with Semalgutide in Mobile vs. losing lean muscle tissue is so important.
The last thing that anyone that successfully loses weight wants to have happen is the weight to come right back once you are off your program. One of the best ways to make sure that your weight loss is sustainable for the long term is to have plenty of lean muscle mass. This is why achieving fat loss with Semalgutide in Mobile vs. losing lean muscle tissue is so important.
Having a healthy amount of muscle tissue is instrumental in keeping weight off and maintaining long-term weight loss for several reasons:
- Increased Resting Metabolic Rate: Muscle tissue is metabolically active, meaning it requires more energy to maintain compared to fat tissue. By building and preserving muscle mass, you can raise your resting metabolic rate (RMR). A higher RMR means your body will burn more calories at rest, making it easier to maintain your weight loss without drastically reducing your calorie intake.
- Improved Fat Oxidation: Muscles are efficient at utilizing stored fat as an energy source. Having more muscle mass increases your body’s capacity to burn fat, even during periods of rest or low-intensity activities. This can help prevent weight regain by promoting ongoing fat loss and better weight management.
- Enhanced Insulin Sensitivity: Building and maintaining muscle mass is closely linked to improved insulin sensitivity. When your muscles are insulin sensitive, they are more effective at utilizing glucose for energy instead of storing it as fat. This can help prevent insulin resistance and the development of conditions like type 2 diabetes, which can hinder weight loss maintenance.
- Weight Maintenance through Strength Training: Incorporating strength training exercises into your routine helps preserve and build muscle mass. By engaging in resistance training, you can target specific muscle groups, stimulate muscle growth, and prevent muscle loss that commonly occurs during weight loss efforts. This not only contributes to a toned and fit appearance but also supports long-term weight management.
- Psychological Benefits: Building muscle and maintaining a healthy body composition can have positive effects on your mental well-being. Feeling strong, confident, and physically capable can motivate you to continue making healthy lifestyle choices, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. The positive psychological impact can help sustain weight loss efforts and prevent relapse.
Having a healthy amount of muscle tissue plays a crucial role in keeping weight off and making weight loss sustainable long-term. It boosts your metabolism, improves fat oxidation, enhances insulin sensitivity, supports weight maintenance through strength training, and provides psychological benefits. By focusing on building and preserving muscle mass, you can increase your chances of maintaining your weight loss success and leading a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
So, if you are taking Semaglutide in Mobile how do you know if you are losing fat or muscle tissue? Well, you must have a way to measure it.
At the Connexus Clinic we have two different ways. In our Mobile clinic we use a device called Body Script. It uses NIR light technology to accurately measure body fat percentage, lean body mass, body water percentage, and several other metrics. It is a quick, easy measurement that allows us to have a good idea as to what is going on regarding the type of weight that you are losing. In our new Fairhope clinic, we have a DEXA scanner which is the gold standard for accurate measurement of body composition. It gives a much deeper analysis of your body composition. Every major research institution in the world uses this to accurately determine body composition.
By having these devices, we can track your weight loss and make adjustments if the numbers tell us that you are losing muscle tissue at a greater pace than body fat.
Here is real life example from one of our patients recently.
Starting weight in March was 250lbs.
On April 28th he stepped on the Body Script and was down 24lbs, his body fat was 28% and lean body mass 158lbs.
When he came in three weeks later, on May 19, he was down another 8 lbs. total. Great, right? After the Body Script analysis we saw that his body fat % had gone UP to 32% and his lean body mass was DOWN 13lbs to 145lbs. This had us concerned. The good news is this patient is incredible and committed to doing this the right way. It gave us the opportunity to sit down with him and reevaluate his daily routines. We were able to show him that he was not doing enough resistance training or eating enough protein for what his body needed to maintain his lean body mass.
Fast forward to June 2. The patient comes in and does another Body Script scan. His total weight is UP 3 lbs. His body fat % is DOWN and he had gained 7lbs of lean body mass. This was a HUGE win. Most importantly, he stated that he feels better than he had in the previous weeks and could tell a difference from increasing his resistance training.
Semaglutide and any GLP-1 can be a great tool to help lose weight. But that is how it needs to be viewed, as a tool. If you rely on the shot to be the only method of losing weight you will probably see results on the scale. But it will not be a long-term weight loss solution.
If you are on Semaglutide in Mobile or a GLP-1 medication and your provider is not educating you on the healthy way to lose weight do not be afraid to ask them questions about what you should be doing for diet and exercise. Also, if you are not getting a body composition analysis regularly to measure what kind of weight you are losing, please give us a call. We will be happy to accommodate you. Knowing these numbers is too important not to know.
Achieving fat loss with Semalgutide in Mobile vs. losing lean muscle tissue is possible. It just takes some education and monitoring.
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