America has a weight problem. It’s the elephant in the room that has actually been talked about for years. Everyone is aware of the issue, with a large percentage of the population being overweight or obese. In recent years, many people are turning to weight loss drugs, such as GLP options, that help with rapid weight loss. While that may sound amazing to someone carrying around extra baggage, there’s a dark side of taking these drugs that gets little attention. One doctor is on a mission to put it in the spotlight to help prevent health issues long-term.
“Losing weight with these medications can be effective, but nutrition has to be part of the conversation,” explains Dr. Brandon Richland, founder of Richland MD and Richland Aesthetics. “Weight loss alone can’t be the goal. Protecting muscle, supporting metabolism, and maintaining overall health are what truly determine long-term success.”
What Dr. Richland is referring to is what happens nutritionally when someone uses drugs to promote rapid weight loss. Without focusing on quality nutrition and maintaining muscle mass, patients may be substituting one problem for another. While additional medications are in development to help address the issues, there are currently many people taking GLP-1’s to lose weight. The good news is that this issue can be addressed by being proactive.
According to a poll conducted by KFF, an information organization that focuses on health policy, polling, and journalism, 1 in 8 adults report they are currently taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, and 1 in 5 reports that they have at some point. The trend is an increase in people taking it as the information becomes available, and people feel it’s the best option for their needs.
Those who take GLP-related drugs for weight loss tend to be successful until they stop taking it. When stopped, they often see the weight come back, which leads to a reinstatement of the drugs for some. Meanwhile, the rapid weight loss, as Dr. Richland points out, can lead to a loss of muscle mass, which is detrimental to one’s health and metabolism. Loss of muscle can lead to a slower metabolism, increased fatigue, increased risk of weight gain, reduced strength, and long-term health.
Considering that muscle is a metabolically active tissue, losing it may be setting people up for issues. For long-term health and wellness, focusing on nutrition while taking a GLP may be the best approach. Dr. Richland offers up what he considers the three essentials for those using GLP-1 for weight loss, which include:
- High protein intake – Focus on intentional meal planning that will prioritize preserving lean muscle mass. According to Harvard Health, the body needs roughly a minimum amount of 0.36 grams of protein per pound daily. Aim for eating healthy forms of protein with each meal.
- Muscle preservation support – Start weight training to signal to the body to maintain muscle mass while in a calorie deficit. Muscle-strengthening activities should be done at least three days per week. Resistance training can include free weights, weight machines, bands, and even using one’s own body weight.
- B12 and energy support – One of the common side effects of taking GLP-1 for weight loss is that it can lead to fatigue. Making energy support a priority can help with this by monitoring B12 levels and overall nutritional intake to avoid missing out on essential nutrients.
“Losing weight rapidly may be good, but it may also lead to some other issues that need to be addressed while you take them,” says Dr. Richland. “You can help prevent the issues by keeping the three essentials in mind. You want the weight loss and health benefits to be long-term, and that’s going to help you do it.”
He has seen some of the physical issues that result from rapid weight loss as well, such as facial volume loss, skin laxity, and body contour changes. This is another reason why he cautions people and recommends they use a gradual, medically supervised support when it comes to GLPs, as well as a nutrition-forward weight loss program. He reminds people that the goal is not just to be thinner, but to look healthy and feel strong.
Dr. Richland is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Fountain Valley, California. He provides services in Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Woodland Hills, and Las Vegas. His focus is on delivering excellence that provides a natural look and beauty aesthetics to age gracefully. He specializes in mommy makeovers, including breast augmentation, lifts, and reduction, tummy tucks, skin tightening, and body contouring. He also offers facelifts, chin liposuction, fat transfers, and additional procedures. Those interested in learning more, seeing before and after procedure photos, and getting promotions should visit the site at: https://www.richlandmd.com.
