In addition to treating diabetes, semaglutide and tirzepatide drugs have been shown to be effective in weight loss in people who are overweight or obese. However, it is important to specify that, just as happens during a diet or after surgery, you not only lose fat mass, but also muscle and bone density.
Among them novelty most important in recent times in the treatment of obesity, drugs based on semaglutide and tirzepatide have proven effective in weight loss in obese people o in overweightas well as achieving the objective for which they were initially formulated, namely treating the diabetes. Let's talk about those drugs that entered the pharmaceutical market with names like Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegs e Zepbound.
In this first year since they actually entered the market – the more innovative of the two principles, the tirzepatidewas authorized byItalian Medicines Agency (AIFA) only in October 2024 – several studies have shown the various benefits, not only in actual weight loss. However, several experts warn aboutimportance of using these drugs correctly latest generation.
The effects on muscles and bones
For example in this article on the scientific information site The Conversation, the experts they warn about one aspect not always adequately highlighted when talking about the many kilos lost by those who have taken semaglutide or similar to treat a severe overweight or obesity condition (obviously under medical prescription): as happens in any significant weight loss, in addition to fat mass the kilos lost also include muscles e mass of bones.
Semaglutide shrinks the heart and heart cells in laboratory tests: what it means
Drugs based onGLP-1 e GIPhormones naturally produced by the intestine, they cause people to feel fullerhelping them to eat less. This ability allows patients who take them to lose weight effectively: several clinical studies have also demonstrated weight loss up to 20% of the starting body weight. However, up to a third of this loss can be represented by non-fat mass, i.e. composed of muscles and bone massjust as happens – specifies the author of the article – after a diet or weight loss surgery.
Possible health consequences
This is a side effect that cannot be overlooked or taken too lightly when starting a weight loss treatment, because it can imply important consequences on overall health of the person. For example, muscles perform a fundamental function in check your blood sugar and therefore blood sugar levels. If these are above the recommended values for a long time, you may in fact encounter metabolic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and all the possible consequences that derive from it.
Likewise, too lose bone density can have unwanted health effects by increasing the risk of fractures. Weight and bone health are in fact linked: if your body weight decreases too muchthe bones are subjected to less stress and this could influence the process of renewal of bone mass known as bone turnover.
Why it is important to do physical activity
Given these risks associated with any significant weight loss and thelack of data on possible long-term effects of taking these innovative drugs, given that they have been introduced so recently, experts recommend Don't neglect muscle and bone health. Seeing the kilos drop on the scale could in fact give the illusion that weight loss is the only important aspect, however, even if this is achieved by the latest generation drugs, such as those based on semaglutide and tirzepatide, it remains essential to follow all The appropriate precautions for healthy weight loss, how to eat the right amount of protein and do physical activityso as to reduce the amount of non-fat mass lost and the possible effects that could arise from this. This is why when you start a journey to lose weight, it is It is essential to be followed by a professional who monitors our health, an essential figure especially if the process uses drugs.
