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Lose Weight But Keep The Muscle
There are several strategies that can help prevent or manage muscle mass loss associated with GLP-1 agonist treatment:
## Resistance Training
Incorporating resistance or strength training exercises is one of the most effective ways to preserve and build muscle mass during weight loss[1][2]. This counteracts the catabolic effects of caloric deficit by stimulating muscle protein synthesis.
## Adequate Protein Intake
Ensuring sufficient dietary protein intake, ideally 1.6-2.2 g/kg of ideal body weight per day, can help minimize muscle loss[2]. Protein provides amino acids needed for muscle maintenance and repair.
## Combining with Myostatin Inhibitors
Myostatin is a key negative regulator of muscle growth. Blocking myostatin with investigational drugs like apitegromab (SRK-439) from Scholar Rock may enhance muscle growth and prevent muscle loss when combined with GLP-1 agonists[1]. Early clinical trials are underway to test this approach.
## Using Activin Receptor Inhibitors
Activin receptor inhibitors like those being developed by companies like Regeneron can block activin signaling and potentially increase muscle mass when used alongside GLP-1 medications[3].
## mTOR Activators
The mTOR pathway regulates muscle protein synthesis. Drugs that activate mTOR, such as the PPAR agonist enobosarm being tested by Veru, may preserve muscle when combined with GLP-1 treatment[5].
## Adequate Vitamin D and Calcium
Ensuring sufficient vitamin D and calcium intake is important for preserving bone mineral density, which can be impacted by the weight loss and muscle loss induced by GLP-1 agonists[2].
The key is utilizing a multi-modal approach combining GLP-1 agonists with resistance exercise, optimal nutrition, and emerging muscle-preserving medications to maximize fat loss while minimizing the loss of metabolically active lean muscle mass[1][2][3].
Citations:
[1] https://pharmanewsintel.com/features/addressing-muscle-loss-associated-with-glp-1-medication-use
[2] https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/994030
[3] https://www.tctmd.com/news/dont-worry-about-muscle-loss-glp-1-inhibitors-viewpoint-asserts
[4] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/rapid-weight-loss-can-lead-loss-muscle-mass
[5] https://www.drugdiscoverytrends.com/glp-1-impact-lean-mass/
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