by - Although GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound can help with weight loss, they can also cause nutritional deficiencies.
- When taking a GLP-1 drug, it is important to consider adequate protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and calcium.
- Experts share how to manage these deficiencies with diet and lifestyle changes.
Losing weight on GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound may increase your risk of developing nutritional deficiencies because these medications cause people to increase their food intake. significantly reduced.
“If the reduced amount they are eating is not nutritious enough, they may not get all the vitamins and minerals they need,” said Rekha B. Kumar, MD, associate professor of clinical medicine at Cornell and Chief Medical Officer at Found. Health Line.
Also, if you get side effects from GLP-1 drugs, such as vomiting or diarrhea, you may not absorb all the nutrients from the food you eat.
However, Tara Schmidt, chief dietitian for the Mayo Clinic diet, said nutritional deficiencies develop over weeks or sometimes even months.
“Most deficiencies are likely to occur with long-term inadequate intake, such as overly restrictive dieting, malnutrition, or avoidance of entire food groups,” she told Healthline.
While there isn’t enough data yet on nutritional deficiencies specific to people on GLP-1 drugs, experts say these are the five most common nutritional deficiencies people can experience and what they can do about it to avoid them.
Not consuming enough protein can lead to lean body mass loss, weakness, oedema, hair loss and skin changes.
Although recommendations vary by age, sex, frequency of exercise, and health, the
However, for people living with obesity who are on treatment to lose weight, such as those who have received bariatric surgery, their doctor may recommend as much as possible.
Kumar encourages her patients taking GLP-1 medications to prioritize eating protein, healthy fats and vegetables “because they feel full easily and get the nutrition they need.”
Foods high in protein include:
- Eggs
- Nuts
- Chicken breast
- Homemade cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Milk
- Lentils
Vitamin D helps the body build and maintain strong bones. The recommended amount of Vitamin D is for adults aged 19 to 70 years
If you are not getting enough vitamin D, your body may show the following symptoms:
- Muscle pain
- Muscle weakness
- Tiredness
- Bone pain
- Tingly sensation in hands or feet
Some foods high in vitamin D include:
- Fatty fish, including trout, salmon, tuna and mackerel
- Beef liver
- Egg yolks
- Cheese
- Milk
Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium.
Calcium helps the body function in a number of ways, including allowing muscles to move and nerves to convey messages from the brain to the body.
It also helps dilate blood vessels and releases essential hormones in the body. Adults need to be about it
Foods high in calcium include milk, yogurt and cheese.
“For those who want to avoid dairy, tofu, soymilk, broccoli, some mushrooms, and fortified orange juice are other options, but not all of them contain both nutrients,” Schmidt said.
Vitamin B12 helps keep blood and nerve cells healthy and helps make DNA. It also prevents anemia.
Some symptoms of B12 deficiency include fatigue, headaches, pale or yellow skin, and difficulty concentrating.
Recommended amounts of B12 for adults
Vitamin B12 is found naturally in meat, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy.
“For those who follow a vegan diet, this can be a challenge, so it can be helpful to choose fortified products such as grains, meat substitutes and nutritional yeast,” Schmidt said.
Iron helps the body grow and develop. It also helps the body make hemoglobin in red blood cells, which carries oxygen from the lungs to the body, as well as myoglobin, which supplies oxygen to the muscles. Iron also makes some hormones.
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Some symptoms of low iron include:
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
- Pale or yellow skin
- Rapid heartbeat
- Headache
- Brittle nails
Sources of iron include:
- Clams and oysters
- Lean beef and poultry
- Legumes and lentils
- Whole grain
- Fortified breakfast cereals
- Spinach and kale
“Because iron from plants is not absorbed as well, it is a good idea to pair the iron source with a vitamin C source; think spinach salad with strawberries, lean cut of beef with bell peppers, or iron-fortified cereal with melon,” said Schmidt.
When taking GLP-1 weight loss medications, consider the following tips to help ensure you get adequate nutrients.
Think about what you drink
Food and beverage choices should provide adequate calories, protein and hydration in smaller amounts of food, “because overeating while on GLP-1 can cause nausea or vomiting,” Schmidt said.
Adjust your food intake
When starting GLP-1 or as the dose increases, Schmidt recommends eating soft, blended or liquid meals to help with symptoms. Consider overnight oats, smoothies, Greek yogurt, soft fruit, and protein shakes, which can provide protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and/or hydration.
Avoid empty calories
Foods and drinks that provide empty calories, meaning high calories with low nutritional value, should be avoided. These include items such as sugary drinks, sweets, alcohol, and ultra-processed snack foods. “Intake of these items could replace nutrient-dense foods that the body needs,” said Schmidt.
Take a multivitamin
Kumar said your doctor may recommend a multivitamin or supplement. She sometimes recommends that her women take a prenatal or bariatric supplement if their food intake has decreased significantly.
“If someone is dehydrated and feels cramps, I encourage water intake and recommend magnesium supplementation,” she said.
Self-monitor your habits
Keeping track of habits like how well you hydrate, how much nutrients like protein you consume, how many calories you eat, and how much exercise you’re getting helps increase self-awareness and encourages available for realistic change, it was said. Schmidt.
Get help
If you think your diet may be inadequate, talk to your doctor and a registered dietitian about ways to make sure you get healthy amounts of nutrients.
