NEW DELHI New Delhi: Amid the increasing use of weight loss drugs, a new study has raised concerns about the decline in skeletal muscle health caused by the popular drugs. In a recent commentary published in The Lancet journal, the US and Canada Researchers highlighted the critical importance of skeletal muscle mass in the context of medically induced weight loss, particularly with the widespread use of GLP-1 receptor agonists.

While the drugs have shown immense potential in treating obesity – a precursor to many diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer – they can also cause substantial loss of muscle mass as part of the weight loss process, according to Pennington Biomedical Research Center in the US. Researchers from Alberta and McMaster universities in Canada argued the same. They noted that muscle loss — measured by reduction in fat-free mass — could account for 25 to 39 percent of the total weight lost over the course of 36 to 72 weeks. The role of skeletal muscle is not only to maintain physical strength and function, but it is also important for metabolic health and regulation of the body's immune system.

The team found that GLP-1 receptor agonists caused significantly greater muscle decline than non-pharmacological calorie restriction diets or normal aging. This “may lead to unintended negative health consequences,” the researchers said. People with weak muscles have lower immunity, and are at increased risk of infection, poor glucose regulation and other health risks.

Additionally, researchers found that muscle loss caused by weight loss can also increase sarcopenic obesity—which is common in obese individuals, and contributes to heart disease and higher mortality rates.Pennington's Metabolism and Body Professor of composition Dr Steven Heymsfield called on people taking weight loss drugs to “be aware of side effects”. People “eat less and do not obtain appropriate amounts of dietary vitamins and minerals” while on the drugs, he said. The researchers suggested that along with medications, attention should also be paid to adequate amounts of protein and adequate amounts of exercise.