GLP-1 Alone? Not Enough

Published on 4 June 2025 at 19:55

Top health groups warn: obesity drugs alone are not enough—nutrition is essential for long-term success

 

Washington, D.C. — In a joint clinical advisory, four major health organizations—ACLM, ASN, OMA, and TOS—have issued a warning to clinicians: without nutrition and lifestyle support, GLP-1 therapies for obesity may fall short, pose risks, and become economically unsustainable.

While medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide show 5–18% weight loss and metabolic improvements in trials, experts stress that real-world, long-term success demands more.

“These medications are not enough,” said Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, chair of the advisory panel. “Without proper lifestyle intervention, they can lead to GI side effects, nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss, weight regain, and high costs.”

Published across Obesity, Obesity Pillars, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, the advisory outlines 8 critical nutritional priorities:

  1. Patient-centered therapy initiation

  2. Baseline nutritional assessments

  3. GI side effect management

  4. Personalized, nutrient-dense, minimally processed diets

  5. Micronutrient deficiency prevention

  6. Adequate protein and strength training

  7. Dietary strategies to enhance weight loss

  8. Broader lifestyle changes: sleep, stress, social ties, substance use

Recent studies (Wadden et al., Kushner et al.) back this integrated approach: patients receiving both GLP-1 therapy and structured nutrition support show greater weight loss, better adherence, and better outcomes after stopping the drug.

Yet most GLP-1 users currently lack access to nutrition counseling. This guidance aims to bridge that gap, offering clinicians a practical framework to turn prescriptions into sustainable change.

“Nutrition is not an afterthought,” said Dr. Lydia Alexander, former president of the OMA. “It’s a therapeutic partner—essential for preserving lean mass, sustaining weight loss, and turning medical progress into lifelong health.”

SOURCE: TOS

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