ALMOST nine in 10 people taking GLP-1 weight loss drugs semaglutide and tirzepatide may not be meeting their recommended daily protein intake, according to new research to be presented at this year's European Congress on Obesity (ECO) in Turkey.
A team from Italy analysed more than 5,700 days of data from 332 consenting adults with overweight or obesity using a mobile dietary tracking app, comparing those taking GLP-1 RAs with those who were not.
The analysis found that participants using GLP-1 RA drugs reported significantly lower total energy intake compared with non-users (average 1,102 vs 1,281 kcal/day) as well as significantly lower intake of macronutrients, including protein, carbohydrates and fat.
The weight-adjusted daily protein intake was critically low in GLP-1 RA users at 0.6g/kg/day, with the majority (88%) falling below the Italian national recommendation for protein intake of 0.9g/kg/day.
Those not taking the weight loss drugs also fell short of the national guidelines at 0.7g/kg/day, with the researchers suggesting that inadequate protein consumption is a concern regardless of the weight loss strategy employed.
"Real-world GLP-1 RA use in adults with overweight or obesity is associated with widespread protein inadequacy and increased meal skipping, underscoring the urgent need for proactive nutritional monitoring and personalised dietary guidance to be integrated alongside obesity treatment to support long-term health beyond weight loss," said lead author Dr Valentina Vinelli from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University in Milan.
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