GLP-1 medications have changed the game for weight loss—but behind the dramatic results lies a hidden cost.

By drastically reducing appetite and food intake, GLP-1s can quietly deplete muscle, slow metabolism, and leave the body dangerously vulnerable to nutritional deficiencies and unhealthy changes in body composition.

Research reveals that up to 60% of weight lost on GLP-1s can come from lean mass, not fat.【1】That means muscle loss, slower metabolism, and increased risk of weight regain down the line.

Less food means fewer nutrients, too. Protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, and calcium often fall below optimal levels. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—common side effects—can make things worse by limiting absorption even further.

After GLP-1: The Battle to Keep Weight Off

Less than one-third of patients stay on GLP-1 medications beyond a year. 【2】When treatment stops, the body pushes back. One study found that within a year of stopping once-weekly GLP-1 and making lifestyle changes, participants regained nearly two-thirds of the weight they had lost. 【3】

Biology is at work here. Weight loss lowers your resting metabolic rate, and hormonal shifts push the body to restore its previous weight. Even at the same size, someone who loses weight needs fewer calories than someone who has never been overweight. Maintenance becomes a daily challenge.

Why Protein Makes All the Difference

Protein is more than a macronutrient. It’s a strategic tool for anyone on GLP-1 therapy. Its benefits include:

1. Preserving lean mass during weight loss, reducing fatigue and muscle loss【4】
2. Boosting GLP-1 levels when combined with calcium【5】
3. Improving insulin sensitivity and muscle function【6】
4. Supporting muscle growth alongside resistance training, helping stabilize weight long term【7】

The Hidden Threat to GLP-1 Success: Muscle Loss

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Zepbound have transformed weight loss, but they bring a hidden risk: muscle loss. These medications suppress appetite and slow digestion, making it difficult to consume enough protein. When protein intake drops, the body breaks down muscle, not just fat—leading to serious consequences.

Why Standard Protein Solutions Fall Short

Traditional protein options often don’t work for GLP-1 users:

• Shakes: Too heavy for reduced stomach capacity, often causing bloating or nausea.
• Protein bars: Too dense and dry, and often unappealing due to taste changes.
• Whole food proteins: Require large portions that are hard to manage.

As a result, even with good intentions, maintaining muscle can be a struggle-quietly undermining your progress.

Muscle Matters More Than You Think

Muscle provides strength, but it also fuels your metabolism. Losing muscle lowers your calorie burn, making it easier to regain fat, even as the scale drops. Muscle also helps regulate blood sugar, so losing it can reduce the metabolic benefits of GLP-1 therapy and worsen insulin resistance.【8】

Less muscle equates to less strength, reduced mobility, and a higher risk of falls and injuries, especially for older adults. Weight loss may look like success, but without muscle, your body gets weaker (not healthier).【9】

To make your GLP-1 journey a lasting success, you must protect lean mass by prioritizing protein and pairing it with resistance training. Muscle is the foundation of long-term health. Lose it, and you risk long-term problems; keep it, and you unlock the full benefits of GLP-1 therapy.

Why Plus Nutritional Cookie Is a Game-Changer for GLP-1 Users

GLP-1 medications can suppress hunger and nutrient intake. The Plus Nutritional Cookie bridges that gap by providing optimal protein along with the right nutrients to optimize health:

• Complete Nutrition: Each 220-calorie cookie provides 24 essential vitamins and minerals, helping cover nutrient needs when your appetite is low.
• Muscle Protection: With 10 grams of high-quality plant-based protein, each cookie helps preserve lean muscle, stabilizes blood sugar, and keeps you full longer.
• Gentle Digestion: GLP-1s slow digestion, which can affect gut function. Each Plus Nutritional Cookie provides two grams of prebiotic fiber to support gut health, promote regularity, and help maintain a balanced microbiome for overall digestive wellness.【10】
• Sustained Energy: B vitamins (B6, B12, folate, niacin, riboflavin) fuel metabolism and nervous system health. Combined with fiber and protein, B vitamins help balance blood sugar and provide lasting energy. 【11】
• Bone and Immune Support: With vitamin D, vitamin C, and calcium, the cookie supports bone strength and immunity. Vitamin D may even enhance the bone-protective effects of GLP-1 meds. 【12】
• Replenish What’s Lost: Research shows GLP-1 users are more prone to vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and iron deficiencies.【13】Plus Nutritional Cookie helps restore these nutrients, supporting metabolism, red blood cell production, nerve function, and overall health.

Plus Nutritional Cookie goes above and beyond being a snack. It’s a strategic ally for GLP-1 users. Whether you’re focused on weight loss or simply want to feel your best with fewer calories, this cookie delivers the nutrition you need to stay strong, energized, and well-supported, without extra pills.

References:

1. Neeland IJ, Linge J, Birkenfeld AL. Changes in lean body mass with glucagon-like peptide-1-based therapies and mitigation strategies. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2024 Sep;26 Suppl 4:16-27. doi: 10.1111/dom.15728. Epub 2024 Jun 27. PMID: 38937282.
2. Gleason PP, Urick BY, Marshall LZ, Friedlander N, Qiu Y, Leslie RS. Real-world persistence and adherence to glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists among obese commercially insured adults without diabetes. J Manag Care Spec Pharm. 2024 Aug;30(8):860-867. doi: 10.18553/jmcp.2024.23332. Epub 2024 May 8. PMID: 38717042; PMCID: PMC11293763.
3. Wilding JPH, Batterham RL, Davies M, Van Gaal LF, Kandler K, Konakli K, Lingvay I, McGowan BM, Oral TK, Rosenstock J, Wadden TA, Wharton S, Yokote K, Kushner RF; STEP 1 Study Group. Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2022 Aug;24(8):1553-1564. doi: 10.1111/dom.14725. Epub 2022 May 19. PMID: 35441470; PMCID: PMC9542252.
4. Mettler S, Mitchell N, Tipton KD. Increased protein intake reduces lean body mass loss during weight loss in athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2010 Feb;42(2):326-37. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181b2ef8e. PMID: 19927027.
5. Watkins JD, Koumanov F, Gonzalez JT. Protein- and Calcium-Mediated GLP-1 Secretion: A Narrative Review. Adv Nutr. 2021 Dec 1;12(6):2540-2552. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmab078. PMID: 34192748; PMCID: PMC8634310.
6. Tettamanzi F, Bagnardi V, Louca P, Nogal A, Monti GS, Mambrini SP, Lucchetti E, Maestrini S, Mazza S, Rodriguez-Mateos A, Scacchi M, Valdes AM, Invitti C, Menni C. A High Protein Diet Is More Effective in Improving Insulin Resistance and Glycemic Variability Compared to a Mediterranean Diet-A Cross-Over Controlled Inpatient Dietary Study. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 7;13(12):4380. doi: 10.3390/nu13124380. PMID: 34959931; PMCID: PMC8707429.
7. Tagawa R, Watanabe D, Ito K, Otsuyama T, Nakayama K, Sanbongi C, Miyachi M. Synergistic Effect of Increased Total Protein Intake and Strength Training on Muscle Strength: A Dose-Response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Sports Med Open. 2022 Sep 4;8(1):110. doi: 10.1186/s40798-022-00508-w. PMID: 36057893; PMCID: PMC9441410.
8. Cava E, Yeat NC, Mittendorfer B. Preserving Healthy Muscle during Weight Loss. Adv Nutr. 2017 May 15;8(3):511-519. doi: 10.3945/an.116.014506. PMID: 28507015; PMCID: PMC5421125.
9. Larsson L, Degens H, Li M, Salviati L, Lee YI, Thompson W, Kirkland JL, Sandri M. Sarcopenia: Aging-Related Loss of Muscle Mass and Function. Physiol Rev. 2019 Jan 1;99(1):427-511. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00061.2017. PMID: 30427277; PMCID: PMC6442923.
10. Fu J, Zheng Y, Gao Y, Xu W. Dietary Fiber Intake and Gut Microbiota in Human Health. Microorganisms. 2022 Dec 18;10(12):2507. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms10122507. PMID: 36557760; PMCID: PMC9787832.
11. Tardy AL, Pouteau E, Marquez D, Yilmaz C, Scholey A. Vitamins and Minerals for Energy, Fatigue and Cognition: A Narrative Review of the Biochemical and Clinical Evidence. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 16;12(1):228. doi: 10.3390/nu12010228. PMID: 31963141; PMCID: PMC7019700.
12. Pazarci Ö, Dogan HO, Kilinc S, Çamurcu Y. Evaluation of Serum Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 and Vitamin D Levels in Elderly Patients with Bone Fractures. Med Princ Pract. 2020;29(3):219-224. doi: 10.1159/000502132. Epub 2019 Jul 17. PMID: 31311025; PMCID: PMC7315181.
13. Healthline: 5 Common Nutrient Deficiencies You Can Develop on Drugs Like Wegovy and Zepbound

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