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Comment by pyrophane | Hacker News Reader

One thing that it seems we are just starting to talk about with these drugs is the associated muscle and bone density loss. I'm concerned that this generation of GLP-1 early adopters will wind up more frail and suffer a lower quality of life in old age as a result.

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> One thing that it seems we are just starting to talk about with these drugs is the associated muscle and bone density loss.

Muscle loss is associated with _any_ kind of weight loss.

And GLP-1 drugs _improve_ the bone density: https://academic.oup.com/jcem/article/100/8/2909/2836097 It's likely simply because thinner people naturally move more.

Can these negative effects be countered/offset by continuing weight training? I lift 2-4 days a week.

Yes, but you would certainly still see some - it's just a consequence of weight loss. Even IFBB bodybuilders on god knows how many steroids see some muscle loss when cutting.

Eat a whole lot of protein, lift, and you're going to be doing more than fine in the muscle loss department.

Certainly, just like with any other diet.

I gained muscle mass by doing strength training 2 times a week while on GLP-1 drugs.

My program strongly recommends some form of muscle training (pushups/weights/etc) as they see improvements from muscle development for weight loss and to counteract the muscle loss from losing weight.

The fact remains that having to carry around 50+ extra pounds of fat requires more muscle. When that requirement goes away so does your need for that musculature.

I've seen zero evidence that muscle loss from GLP-1-assisted weight-loss is any different to the muscle loss from simply eating less. Do you have a link to a study I've missed?

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