3420: GLP-1 Medications and Muscle Loss - Effects of GLP1 on Your Muscles on Nutrition And Muscle Health

3420: GLP-1 Medications and Muscle Loss - Effects of GLP1 on Your Muscles on Nutrition And Muscle Health

June 5, 2026 · 13 min · Episode 3420

About this episode

Dr. Neal discusses the effects of GLP-1 medications on muscle loss and shares strategies for preserving muscle mass during weight loss.

Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 3420: Dr. Neal answers Joe’s question about preserving muscle while using GLP-1 medications for weight loss, explaining that some loss of strength can be expected as body weight decreases and that current research does not show GLP-1 medications cause greater muscle loss than weight loss alone. He highlights the two most important strategies for maintaining muscle mass, adequate protein intake and consistent strength training, and shares practical recommendations for both. Quotes to ponder: “One explanation for the loss of muscular strength is simply that there is less of you.” “In fact, some studies have found that, when we lose weight, 25-30% of that weight, may be lost muscle!” “So far, the good news is that GLP-1 medications do not seem to increase muscle loss to any greater extent than what we would normally see as people lose weight.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Neal Malik

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Optimal Living Daily, Megaphone

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