What Does Ozempic Do to Muscle Mass?

The landscape of weight loss has been taken by storm, with the first wave’s name undoubtedly being Ozempic.

This drug, from the team at Novo Nordisk, while formulated as a treatment for type-2 diabetes, has become a popular backdoor treatment for obesity.

Semaglutide has even been repackaged with different dosages as Wegovy to treat obesity more directly. Thousands have already seen the positive effects of Ozempic on their health and weight. But what does Ozempic do to muscle mass and development?

A fear that some have before getting on the drug is experiencing “Ozempic muscle loss” – losing lean mass and strength while shedding pounds. This article will dig into one of the less-reported side effects of Ozempic, along with offering advice on how to maintain muscle mass while using weight loss injections. 

How does Ozempic work? 

Ozempic helps the vast majority of takers to lose weight by mimicking a natural hormone called GLP-1. This stimulates insulin release, helping to reduce glucose production in the liver as well as slowing down digestion. All of these elements result in appetite suppression, aiding people to lose weight faster and more efficiently. 

How long does Ozempic take to work?

The effects of Ozempic start to take shape within a couple of days, with results starting to show themselves at around the month mark for most patients. It and contemporary injections are effective ways to speed up the weight loss process. However, rapid weight loss can also result in sarcopenia. 

What is sarcopenia?

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and bone density, generally associated with losing body weight quickly. What does Ozempic do? Speed up your weight loss. When you lose weight quicker than you’re used to, your body might start breaking down muscle tissue for energy. If you’re not considerate, your weight loss might not be completed in the healthiest way possible. 

How to prevent muscle loss on Ozempic

Preventing muscle loss on Ozempic should be approached in the same way that it should be in any weight loss program. You need to account for aspects of health that influence strength and muscle development. Remember, weight loss alone isn’t enough to achieve a healthy lifestyle. 

• High-protein diet. You might be sick of hearing it by now, especially within the protein craze the world is in the midst of, but prioritising protein in your diet is vital for maintaining and building muscle. Aim for around a gram per kilogram of bodyweight for maintenance and 1.2-1.6 grams per kilogram to build more. 
• Strength training. That protein your eating needs somewhere to go, so prioritise strength training when exercising. Lift weights and do body weight training until failure regularly to stimulate muscle development, which the protein will support. 
• Hydration. This should go without saying, but any exercise or diet regime should be supplemented by drinking LOTS of water. Aim for around 2 litres a day at a minimum. 
• Supplements. While many supplements are essentially just snake oil, creatine is probably the ultimate choice for aiding with muscle recovery and growth.

Essentially, you can’t treat Ozempic as a one-way ticket to health. Developing a sustainable, healthy body requires work, as it would when taking a fully traditional route. Use it as a tool for your dieting, but don’t neglect your fitness and strength when doing so. 

So, what does Ozempic do to muscle mass? If you take a proactive approach to your fitness throughout your weight loss journey, it doesn’t have to have any negative effect. Talk with your doctor, watch some fitness videos online, eat well and get in the gym – you should be able to manage just fine.

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