These “are the biggest concerns” for doctors.
By Korin MillerPublished: Sep 19, 2024 3:42 PM EDT
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Research has shown there are plenty of perks of using a medication like Ozempic for weight loss. But, given that this is a drug, there are some potential downsides to consider, too.
New research published in JAMA Network Open links GLP-1 receptor agonists—a class of medications that includes semaglutide medications like Ozempic and Wegovy—to a loss of bone density.
In case you’re not familiar with it, bone density is a measure of the amount of minerals in your bones. It plays a role in your risk of developing health issues like osteoporosis down the road.
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The researchers found that people who took a GLP-1 receptor agonist had reduced hip and spine bone mineral density when they didn’t exercise, compared to people who took a placebo or just exercised.
“These findings suggest that the addition of exercise to GLP-1 RA treatment is an effective weight loss strategy while preserving bone health,” the researchers wrote.
Do weight loss drugs like Ozempic affect bone density?
Yes, but this isn’t just an Ozempic thing.
“You can have bone density loss and muscle loss with weight loss with any modality,” says Kunal Shah, MD, is an assistant professor in the division of endocrinology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center.
Meaning, whether you lose weight through a change in your diet, a different medication, or bariatric surgery, there is a risk of losing bone density. However, in this particular study, taking weight loss drugs like Ozempic did seem to have a bigger impact on bone density than losing weight through other means.
The loss of bone density and muscle mass “are the biggest concerns” when you take a GLP-1 receptor agonist, Dr. Shah says. As a result, doctors typically try to educate their patients on how to maintain bone density while taking these medications.
How can I maintain bone density while taking Ozempic or other weight loss drugs?
While losing weight by any means puts you at risk of losing bone density, there are a few things you can do to counteract that. One is through resistance training, says Albert Matheny, RD, CSCS, a co-founder of SoHo Strength Lab. “This puts stress on your bones, which ultimately creates stronger, denser bones,” he says.
But weight-bearing exercises like running and walking can also help to build up bone density, Matheny says.
Dr. Shah also recommends following up regularly with a general physician or your prescribing doctor to make sure your bone density isn’t being impacted while you’re on a GLP-1 receptor agonist.
If you’re on a medication for weight loss, Dr. Shah says it’s important to have a conversation with your doctor about things like preserving your bone density and muscle mass. They should be able to offer up personalized suggestions to help keep you healthy and strong.
Korin Miller
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.
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