Primary care providers can now use a new clinical advisory guideline to support their patients using GLP-1 receptor agonists, according to experts. The joint advisory was developed by four major medical organizations and provides practical guidance on nutritional support for these medications.
GLP-1 receptor agonists can significantly impact a patient’s gastrointestinal function and appetite, leading to reduced appetite, early satiety, and gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea. Therefore, it is crucial for clinicians to consider a patient’s nutritional needs to ensure they maintain adequate nutrient intake and avoid deficiencies.
A study recently published in Frontiers of Nutrition found that individuals on GLP-1 therapy had insufficient intakes of key nutrients like fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. Most patients who are prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists do not receive appropriate nutritional counseling, despite the known benefits.
The advisory stresses the importance of several key elements, including careful baseline nutritional assessment, maximizing weight reduction with a good diet, patient-centered initiation of therapy, personalized diets that are minimally processed and nutrient-dense, lean mass preservation via strength training and adequate protein intake, gastrointestinal adverse effect management, micronutrient deficiency prevention, and promoting other positive lifestyle changes.
Primary care providers can offer nutritional counseling to patients who need it by collaborating with registered dietitians or providing educational resources and tools to help patients understand portion control, balanced meal planning, and the importance of nutrient-dense foods. Regular follow-up appointments can also help monitor progress and make necessary adjustments to the nutritional plan.
Individualizing care is essential when managing patients on GLP-1s. While broad dietary guidelines can be beneficial, each patient’s needs, preferences, and responses to the medication can vary significantly. Personalized plans that consider the patient’s lifestyle, cultural preferences, and specific health goals are more likely to be effective and sustainable.
By integrating nutritional counseling into the management plan for patients on GLP-1s, primary care providers can enhance therapeutic outcomes, improve patient satisfaction, and reduce the risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Source: https://www.healio.com/news/primary-care/20250530/medical-groups-release-guidance-on-nutritional-support-for-patients-using-glp1s