Recent findings indicate that widely used weight-loss medications might lead to muscle loss, including vital heart muscle, potentially causing serious health complications over time. Experts call for caution and a cautious approach to using these drugs, stressing the need for proper diet and exercise to mitigate risks.
A new study from the University of Alberta warns that popular weight-loss drugs may also cause unintended muscle loss, with researchers finding significant reductions in both lean and obese mice’s heart muscle size. The lead author, Dr. Jason Dyck, calls this a “cautionary tale” about the potential long-term health risks of these medications.
Dr. Carla Prado, co-author of a related commentary published in *The Lancet*, explains that up to 40% of the weight lost by people using weight-loss drugs is actually muscle loss. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining muscle strength for overall health and highlights the need for more research into these findings.
Experts recommend focusing on a balanced diet rich in protein, essential vitamins, and minerals, paired with resistance training like lifting weights or using resistance bands to prevent muscle breakdown during weight loss. For anyone using weight-loss medications, combining sufficient protein intake with regular exercise can help maintain muscle strength while losing fat.
This discovery highlights the importance of monitoring for muscle-related side effects and underscores the need for further studies to fully understand these medications’ potential risks and benefits.
Source: https://scitechdaily.com/heart-shrinkage-linked-to-popular-weight-loss-drug-ozempic-semaglutide