Semaglutide has recently become popular among people who want to lose weight and manage blood sugar. This medicine controls blood sugar levels and supports weight loss by reducing appetite.
As its use grows, more people are turning to it as an effective medication for managing obesity and insulin resistance. Research shows that semaglutide can help individuals lose weight effectively. A study found that participants lost an average of 15% of their body weight over the span of 68 weeks.
However, a key concern remains: Does semaglutide affect muscle growth? When people lose weight, they often worry about losing muscle. Maintaining lean body mass is as important as losing fat for long-term health. Rapid weight loss might cause muscle loss, impacting strength and overall fitness.
It's essential to understand how semaglutide influences muscle retention, especially for those aiming to improve body composition alongside weight loss. This blog explores how semaglutide affects muscle growth and muscle mass preservation during weight loss.
What is Semaglutide?
Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that imitates the natural hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This hormone regulates blood sugar levels by boosting insulin production and suppressing glucagon, which signals the liver to release glucose.
These actions are particularly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes. Semaglutide also reduces appetite by promoting feelings of fullness, decreasing overall calorie intake, and supporting weight loss. Originally approved to manage type 2 diabetes, semaglutide gained attention for its efficacy in promoting weight loss.
Many people using the drug experience significant reductions in body weight, primarily due to decreased food consumption. In addition to reducing fat mass, it preserves lean body mass. While semaglutide supports weight loss by targeting fat, muscle preservation requires attention to nutrition and exercise.
Muscle loss can occur during weight loss without proper care, so it's important to combine the drug with resistance training and adequate protein intake to maintain muscle mass. This approach ensures fat loss while preserving muscle and improving body composition.
Semaglutide is marketed under several well-known brand names. Ozempic is usually prescribed for type 2 diabetes management, while Wegovy is designed for weight loss in those with obesity or those who are overweight.
The oral version, Rybelsus, provides a convenient alternative to injections. Male Excel offers a form of semaglutide tailored to individuals seeking both diabetes management and weight control. Each version functions similarly by enhancing insulin secretion, suppressing appetite, and improving metabolic health.
Still, they differ in administration methods, with injectable options offering weekly doses and Rybelsus providing an oral alternative.
Semaglutide and Muscle Mass
Medical institutes administer semaglutide due to its effectiveness in promoting weight loss. However, many individuals are concerned about whether it can cause muscle loss, particularly when weight loss occurs rapidly.
While semaglutide effectively reduces fat, its impact on muscle mass largely depends on other factors, such as nutrition and exercise. In particular, rapid weight loss can reduce lean body mass, which includes muscle tissue. However, it doesn't directly cause muscle loss. Instead, it matters most how the body responds to the calorie deficit.
Without sufficient protein intake and proper exercise, the body may break down muscle tissue to meet its energy needs. Clinical studies have examined the relationship between semaglutide and muscle preservation, showing that people who use the drug and engage in regular physical activity can better preserve muscle mass.
In a study involving adults with obesity, participants underwent 24 weeks of treatment with semaglutide and lifestyle changes. The results indicated a weight loss of 9.9 kg, 11.2% of their body weight, with a more pronounced reduction in fat mass of 5.6 kg.
In contrast, skeletal muscle mass decreased by 1.4 kg. This suggests that fat loss was more evident than muscle loss during the treatment. This reinforces the idea that semaglutide does not directly cause muscle loss, but muscle preservation depends heavily on proper nutrition and exercise.
Do the Benefits of Semaglutide Outweigh the Risks?
Weight loss often comes with a loss of both fat and lean mass. This isn't specific to semaglutide. It's a common outcome across most weight loss approaches, including diet changes, exercise plans, surgical procedures, and medications.
While semaglutide has been linked to some degree of muscle mass loss, the extent and ratio of that loss matter. In clinical trial data evaluating the drug, participants taking semaglutide lost an average of 10.4% of their fat and 6.9% of their lean mass.
On the other hand, those who took a placebo lost much less fat, just 1.2%, and also saw lean mass loss of about 1.5%. Interestingly, the placebo group lost a higher proportion of lean mass compared to fat, which isn't the ideal outcome.
What stands out in semaglutide's results is the favorable ratio between fat and lean mass lost. This pattern aligns with the expected 2:1 fat-to-lean loss ratio often seen in clinical settings. That suggests the medication helped the body shed more fat relative to muscle, something many weight loss methods struggle to achieve.
Keep in mind that muscle preservation still matters, and it shouldn't be ignored during treatment. Beyond body composition, semaglutide has shown additional benefits. Patients using it have experienced improvements in blood sugar control, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure. These metabolic changes contribute to a lower chance of chronic disease and improved overall health outcomes.
Practical Tips for Maintaining Muscle Mass While on Semaglutide
As semaglutide works to reduce fat and improve body composition, focusing on muscle preservation is important. The following strategies will help you retain lean muscle while achieving your weight loss goals.
Exercise
Maintaining muscle mass should be a priority as you use semaglutide for weight loss. One of the most effective ways to do this is through strength training.
Lifting weights stimulates muscle fibers and maintains skeletal muscle mass. Aim for at least two to three strength training sessions every week, targeting different muscle groups in each session. Resistance bands are another excellent tool for preserving muscle while on semaglutide.
They offer a low-impact alternative to traditional weightlifting while engaging various muscle groups effectively and stimulating muscle growth. Since resistance bands are gentle on the joints, this makes them ideal for people looking for a less strenuous workout.
Although not directly related to muscle retention, cardio exercises still affect your overall fitness. Cardio supports weight loss, improves cardiovascular health, and boosts overall endurance. However, finding a balance between cardio and strength training is a necessity.
Consume a Balanced Diet
Eating the right way while using semaglutide makes a big difference in keeping your muscles strong. It's easy to lose fat and muscle during weight loss, but the right food choices can help your body hold onto muscle.
Protein sustains muscle repair and growth by fueling muscle protein synthesis. Foods like chicken, fish, eggs, beans, and yogurt are great places to start. Keep in mind that your calorie intake also matters. Cutting too many calories too quickly can burn through muscle.
A more balanced approach helps you lose fat while keeping your body strong. Eating enough, eating often, and choosing whole foods keeps your energy steady and helps your muscles recover after workouts. Eating well doesn't just protect muscles. It enables you to move better and feel stronger overall.
Lastly, one must consume sufficient vitamin D and calcium to keep their bones strong while working on losing fat. Adults should aim for 600-800 IU of vitamin D and 1,000-1,200 mg of calcium a day.
Monitoring Progress
Stepping on the scale can be exciting or frustrating, but it rarely tells the whole story. When you're trying to lose weight, what truly matters is what you're losing: Is it fat, water, or muscle?
That's where tracking the right measures can make a significant difference and help you make the correct decision. Consider using a body composition scale instead of relying solely on your weight. This type of scale shows you changes in fat and muscle, not just total weight.
Additionally, you can take simple measurements with a tape measure around your waist, thighs, or arms to see where your body is changing. These small steps can provide better insight than just a number on a scale. Muscles help you stay strong and keep your metabolism working well. If you lose muscle, you might feel tired and weak, even if the scale shows progress.
That's why it's important to check in regularly. If your muscle mass is decreasing, you may need to increase your protein intake or more frequently incorporate weight training. Keep a simple log in an app or a notebook to stay on track. Over time, these regular check-ins will enable you to make smarter changes and feel more in control of your progress.
Who Should Be Concerned About Muscle Loss While on Semaglutide?
Muscle loss is a possible concern for specific groups of people using semaglutide for weight management. Older people face a higher risk because of the natural reduction in strength and muscle mass that occurs with aging.
Sarcopenia affects nearly 10% of adults over 60 and makes it harder for the body to maintain lean body mass during weight loss. Furthermore, athletes and bodybuilders should also pay close attention. Their performance depends on maintaining skeletal muscle mass, and any drop in lean mass can affect strength, stamina, and muscle function.
Even a small loss in muscle may lead to slower recovery and reduced training capacity. Also, anyone following a rapid weight loss plan may experience lean mass loss. Without sufficient protein intake and strength training, the body may break down muscle alongside fat. Rapid changes in body composition can affect energy levels, mobility, and long-term weight maintenance.
Conclusion
Semaglutide helps with weight loss and managing type 2 diabetes but can lead to muscle loss. While it reduces appetite and enhances glucose metabolism to help with fat loss, the medication doesn't focus on preserving muscle mass.
A good balance of exercise and nutrition is needed to keep muscle intact during weight loss. So, if you're wondering, "Does semaglutide affect muscle growth?" - the answer depends on how you use it. It's not just about losing weight, it's about how you're losing it.
So, don't focus solely on the scale. Pay attention to changes in muscle and fat to ensure you're on the right track. Before starting semaglutide, talk to your doctor or weight loss expert. They can offer advice on how to use the drug effectively while preserving muscle.
Combine exercise, good nutrition, and guidance from a specialist to ensure your weight loss journey is healthy and sustainable. If you're considering semaglutide for weight management or diabetes control, Male Excel offers a tailored solution to meet your unique needs. Contact us now to learn how Male Excel can support your goals.
References
1. Bergmann, N. C., Davies, M. J., Lingvay, I., & Knop, F. K. (2023). Semaglutide for the treatment of overweight and obesity: A review. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism, 25(1), 18-35. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14863
2. Xiang, J., Ding, X., Zhang, W., Zhang, J., Zhang, Y., Li, Z., Xia, N., & Liang, Y. (2023). Clinical effectiveness of semaglutide on weight loss, body composition, and muscle strength in Chinese adults. PubMed, 27(20), 9908-9915. https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202310_34169
3. Wilding, J. P., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Rosenstock, J., Tran, M. T., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Zeuthen, N., & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-Weekly Semaglutide in Adults with Overweight or Obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmoa2032183
