“Just inject yourself once a week, and you’ll be fine!” – no, no, NO!
For any patient looking to lose weight, understanding their bodies and recognizing the importance of prioritizing protein intake, especially with more intense exercise, is a crucial part of their weight loss process. This is because they need to realize that rapid weight loss can also lead to muscle wasting and a loss of bone density.
Patients who understand this intuitively, without the oversight of a qualified medical professional, are few and far between. For most of us, it’s tough to jump on a strict diet and exercise regimen when we are losing weight so quickly and rapidly. Furthermore, with the lack of caloric intake, many patients on GLP-1 drugs might not have the energy to get out and about to the gym or go for a walk.
Due to a lack of hunger and a strong desire to lose weight rapidly, many patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists do not receive the nutrients they need to stay healthy. Problematic is an understatement. Improper nutrition can lead to a range of problems, including hair loss, skin issues, blood level abnormalities, and even organ dysfunction.
If you’re looking for obesity medical treatment, taking your supplements along with anti-obesity medications is very important. If certain supplements are hard to tolerate or afford, talk to your provider about options available. You may be able to take injections, oral tablets, or chew medications.
Speak with your doctor and get tested
If you are on an unsupervised GLP-1 drug regimen, you should consult your doctor about getting tested periodically to make sure you aren’t experiencing any nutritional deficiencies. This is a crucial part of follow-up care when someone is on weight loss medications and after bariatric surgery, as it helps prevent the numerous problems associated with nutritional deficits.
Unfortunately, medical guidelines have not caught up to the meteoric rise in GLP-1 popularity, and many patients taking the drugs may be inadvertently hurting themselves. Also know that compound pharmacies are subject to different regulatory requirements than large pharmaceutical manufacturers, which can result in variability in how compounded medications are produced.
What are some common vitamin supplements needed when taking GLP-1 drugs?
A lack of hunger while on GLP-1 meds means that we don’t eat what we did before, and therefore, we don’t receive the nutrients that our bodies may need and crave. There are a few nutrients that should be considered for supplementation while on GLP-1 medications. Many can be measured through a blood test, and you can certainly track others by closely monitoring your food intake.
If you are a bariatric patient, supplements are taken for life, and it’s very important to continue taking them even if you are two or 10 years from your surgery date.
Protein
Protein is one of the most essential parts of the weight loss process. Prioritizing proper protein intake is crucial to minimizing hair loss, muscle wasting, and bone density issues. It may be hard to get enough protein, in which case there’s nothing wrong with supplementing with an appropriate protein shake. Keep in mind that most protein shakes are full of less-than-desirable ingredients, so consider a bariatric shake from a specialized supplement company. It’s also better to eat your protein rather than drink it, so do your best to add it into your meals wherever you can.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is usually synthesized by the skin through sun exposure and is a nutrient in which most people have a deficiency. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the absorption of calcium, which is essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth, and other bodily functions. Unfortunately, due to our mostly indoor lifestyles, we tend not to get enough vitamin D. Furthermore, vitamin D is not readily absorbed through eating food, so many patients require supplementation. A high-quality vitamin D supplement taken under the supervision of your doctor can start to show results within a week or two.
Calcium
Many patients may not get enough calcium, but supplementing with calcium, along with other essential nutrients such as vitamin D, can be very helpful in mineralizing bones throughout the body and mitigating the worst effects of osteopenia and osteoporosis. This is especially important for middle-aged, particularly female, and post-menopausal patients.
Iron
Iron, which is most abundant in animal meat, can be in short supply when you have limited ability to eat. A deficiency of iron, known as anemia, can cause systemic issues, including fatigue and other more significant problems. Iron supplementation can be challenging to balance, so please ensure you are under the guidance of a licensed nutritionist or dietitian, or a qualified weight loss practice.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin that is often in short supply, even in patients who are not actively losing weight – but it’s particularly true for bariatric patients. Vitamin B12 regulates a number of bodily functions, not least of which is the nervous system. Along with most of the other nutrients on this list, B12 can be checked periodically through a complete blood panel with your primary care physician or weight loss practice.
Patients may be deficient or have a deficiency in several other vitamins as well, which is why it’s so important to have regular lab tests. Even if you don’t like needles, a good phlebotomist can make the procedure relatively painless and quick. On the other hand, not checking your blood regularly can increase the risk of serious vitamin deficiencies and subsequent physical and mental health problems.
What about a multivitamin?
Most patients will benefit from a multivitamin, especially as they reach middle age. A multivitamin tailored to the patient’s age and gender can be very helpful in supplementing commonly deficient nutrients. With that said, it’s essential to invest in a high-quality multivitamin from a reputable company to ensure the purity and quality of the nutrients being taken.
The bottom line
While a balanced diet is the best source of nutrients, this can be difficult to achieve after bariatric surgery or with reduced appetite from GLP-1 therapy. That’s why consistent vitamin supplementation is paramount. The body likes balance, and it’s vital that you routinely check your blood work to identify and correct any problematic values.
Many nutrients can be assessed directly through bloodwork, but protein is a little different. Tests to check it measure the body’s overall protein status rather than directly quantifying dietary intake. A total protein test evaluates components like albumin and globulin, which play key roles in fluid balance, immune function, and nutrient transport.
Remember that whether you’ve had bariatric surgery or you’re on GLP–1 medications, SAMPA is here for you. Our goal is to ensure that you lose weight safely and effectively, and most importantly, maintain that weight loss over the long term.
We look forward to being your partner in this fantastic process!
