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GLP-1 users are facing nutrient deficiencies that can impact patients’ overall health, according to a growing body of research.
Some 30 million Americans are taking the medications for weight-loss and diabetes. But while curbing appetite with the shots has helped many people shed large amounts of weight, there are downsides.
An August review of multiple studies, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and University of Copenhagen, showed GLP-1 users are deficient in vitamin B12, which protects nerves; protein, which repairs muscles and organs; and fiber, which supports the digestive system.
“As GLP-1 prescriptions reach millions of patients across diverse and often under-resourced clinical settings, integrating nutrition into this care model is not just advisable; it is urgent,” the researchers stressed.
Overall, 10 million Americans aren’t getting enough B12, according to researchers at Ohio State University.
B12 is often found in animal-based foods, so people who eat on plant-based diets are at increased risk of deficiency if they are taking GLP-1s.
The review also found that 43 percent of GLP-1 users are eating inadequate amounts of protein, and that low fiber intake could lead to nausea, bloating and constipation “creating a cycle in which patients eat even less.”
The body needs protein, along with fiber, to maintain a healthy weight and fight blood sugar spikes that can leave people at a risk of developing diabetes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
It’s not just adults who are affected by nutrition deficiencies while on GLP-1 drugs, either. American children under-12 are taking GLP-1 drugs to fight obesity at 300 times the rate of seven years ago. Nearly one in six kids, aged 10-17, who took GLP-1s for a year were diagnosed with nutrient deficiencies, a September study from Northwestern University found.
The most frequent complication was vitamin D deficiency. The vitamin, which is added to milk and cereal, helps keep bones healthy and supports immune health.
“Nutrients such as vitamin D, iron, and calcium are of particular concern during adolescence, when deficiencies may have lasting implications for skeletal health and overall development,” the study authors noted.
Middle-aged and older adults showed a similar deficit in vitamin D – a concerning development as the nutrient is needed for strong bones, particularly at a time in life when they begin to deteriorate.
Vitamin D deficiency affected 13.6 percent of more than 480,000 adults on the drugs after a year of treatment, a January review showed.
Ultimately, a loss of any of these nutrients could harm more than just weight loss. More research is needed, but nutrient deficiency not tied to GLP-1s has led to soft bones, stunted growth and soft bones, the Cleveland Clinic says.
Signs you might be affected include weakness, fatigue, inattention, dry skin or rashes, hair loss and brittle hair, infections, low body temperature and reduced heart rate.