"As a psychiatrist, I've seen the mental health benefits that go along with successful weight loss-improved mood, enhanced self-esteem, and reduced anxiety. And as a registered dietitian, Jenna Moore has witnessed the physical benefits firsthand. Medicines such as semaglutide and tirzepatide have produced a breakthrough in the treatment of obesity. Patients generally lose 15-20% of their body weight. These medicines mimic the effects of a natural hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and are known as "GLP-1 agonists." However, both of us have become increasingly concerned about"
"GLP-1 agonists work by causing us to feel full, delaying the release of food from our stomachs, and reducing our appetite. While this can produce impressive weight loss, it also creates a nutritional paradox. Recent studies have found that individuals using GLP-1 agonists reduce their caloric intake by 16-39%. This can result in some individuals consuming such a small number of calories that they are at risk of developing micronutrient insufficiency."
"From my psychiatric practice, I can tell you that caloric restriction doesn't just affect your body-it also impacts your mental health. Some patients experience brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and trouble sleeping. What many people don't realize is that these aren't necessarily side effects of the GLP-1 agonists. They may be symptoms of a nutritional deficiency. From my dietitian's perspective, the food choices people make on these medications often worsen the problem."
GLP-1 agonists such as semaglutide and tirzepatide mimic glucagon-like peptide-1, slow gastric emptying, suppress appetite, and typically produce 15–20% body-weight loss. These drugs commonly reduce caloric intake by 16–39%, creating a nutritional paradox where very low calorie intake can cause micronutrient insufficiency. Reduced calories and poor food tolerability can lead to inadequate protein and micronutrient intake. Caloric restriction can cause brain fog, concentration problems, and sleep disturbances, which may reflect nutritional deficiencies rather than drug side effects. Large-scale data show that a significant portion of patients develop nutritional deficiencies within 12 months of starting GLP-1 therapy.
Read at Psychology Today
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