Concerns About Muscle Loss from Popular Weight Loss Injections
Recent research indicates that widely-used weight loss injections, which have become reliant on by many, might lead to muscle loss.
Originally developed for diabetes management, medications like Ozempic are now widely recognized for their effectiveness in promoting significant weight loss by curbing appetite.
However, these injections often come with a range of side effects, including nausea and constipation, and, in extreme cases, can even cause serious organ damage.
Experts in the US have discovered that semaglutide, the key ingredient in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, may also contribute to muscle reduction.
Medical professionals have raised concerns that this muscle loss could result in a higher fat-to-muscle ratio, potentially leaving users at greater risk of regaining weight after discontinuation of the medication.
The researchers conducted their studies on mice and found that the muscle shrinkage primarily affected tissues other than skeletal muscles, which are the ones commonly surrounding bones and joints.
Much of the loss occurred in organs such as the liver. Dr. Ran Hee Choi, a nutrition expert at the University of Utah and co-author of the study, noted, “Loss of mass in metabolically active organs, such as the liver, is expected as part of healthy weight loss.”
Dr. Takuya Karasawa, also from the University of Utah and a co-author, expressed that the observed loss of lean mass likely doesn’t pose a serious health risk.
According to the study, weight loss induced by Ozempic resulted in around a 10% decrease in lean muscle mass in mice; notably, skeletal muscles shrank by only 6%. In contrast, liver tissue saw nearly a 50% reduction.
The researchers evaluated muscle strength and noted that some strength diminished as the mice lost weight, despite muscle size remaining relatively constant.
In their paper published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the scientists highlighted that this potential loss of strength could be particularly concerning for adults over 60, who are already at a heightened risk of muscle loss and impaired mobility.
Dr. Katsu Funai, a nutrition professor and co-author, pointed out, “Loss of physical function strongly predicts not just quality of life but longevity.”
Experts outside the research team have urged caution regarding these findings. Professor Lora Heisler from the University of Aberdeen stated, “It’s still unclear if the slight muscle loss seen in some patients using Wegovy or similar drugs affects muscle strength or performance.”
She added that while the study indicates potential issues in mice, more research is essential to establish how these medications might impact humans.
A significant number of NHS patients in the UK, estimated at over half a million, and around 15 million individuals in the US, currently utilize weight-loss injections. These treatments can enable users to shed up to 20% of their body weight within a few months.
The private sector likely sees even higher usage rates. NHS guidelines specify that only individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 and related health issues, or those with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 who qualify for a referral to a specialized weight management program, should receive prescriptions for these weight loss medications.
In the UK, it’s against the law to sell such drugs without a prescription from a healthcare professional.
