Debunking Common Weight Loss Medication Myths

Debunking the Biggest Myths About Weight Loss Medications (GLP-1 Agonists)

When it comes to weight loss medications—especially GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound)—there’s a lot of misinformation out there.

You’ve probably heard things like:

❌ “You’ll just regain the weight when you stop.”

❌ “Diet and lifestyle are more effective long-term.”

❌ “These drugs are dangerous with terrible side effects.”

❌ “You lose too much muscle on these meds.”

As a naturopathic physician, I fully believe in the importance of nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress management for weight loss and overall health. But I also recognize that for many people, weight loss medications can be a powerful tool to help them succeed—especially those struggling with metabolic conditions, hormonal imbalances, or severe obesity.

So let’s set the record straight by busting some of the most common myths surrounding these medications.

🚫 Myth 1: "You Just Regain the Weight When You Stop."

✅ Truth: Weight regain is common with any weight loss method if the underlying causes of weight gain aren’t addressed.

It’s true that stopping GLP-1 medications can lead to weight regain—but that’s not because the medications “fail.” It’s because these medications help regulate appetite and energy intake, and if those factors aren’t managed after stopping, weight can return. Additionally, research suggests that after 2 years after discontinuing their medication, patients can reserve >5% body weight loss, which may have a significant long-term impact on their health (Rubino, D., 2021, Wilding, 2025)

🔹 This is not unique to GLP-1 medications! People also regain weight after stopping restrictive diets, crash diets, or even after bariatric surgery if they don’t maintain long-term habits.

🔹 What helps? Sustainable habits like regular exercise, strength training, protein intake, fiber-rich meals, and an ongoing healthy and active lifestyle help with long-term weight loss success.

🚫 Myth 2: "Diet and Lifestyle Are More Effective Long-Term."

✅ Truth: While diet and lifestyle are crucial, many people need additional support.

We’ve been told for years that weight loss is just about “eating less and moving more”—but science tells us that obesity is a complex disease influenced by both internal and external factors such as hormones, genetics, metabolism, gut health, inflammation, culural circumstances, societal norms, and food environments.

🔹 A landmark study on semaglutide found that people lost ~15% of their body weight on medication compared to only ~2.4% with diet and exercise alone (Wilding, J. P., 2021).

🔹 Another study found that 83% of people lost at least 5% of their body weight on these medications, compared to only 31% with lifestyle alone (Garvey, W. T., 2022).

🔹 The takeaway? Lifestyle changes are still essential, but medications can significantly improve outcomes for those who struggle with weight loss through diet and exercise alone.

🚫 Myth 3: "These Drugs Are Dangerous with Too Many Side Effects."

✅ Truth: While side effects exist, they are usually mild and manageable.

The most common side effects include:✔️ Nausea✔️ Bloating, diarrhea, or constipation✔️ Appetite suppression (which is the point!); and ✔️Acid Reflux.

🔹 For most people, these side effects diminish over time as the body adjusts (Gigliotti, L., 2025, Wharton, S 2022).

🔹 Serious side effects are rare, and proper medical supervision ensures that patients start at the right dose and adjust as needed.

🔹 The health risks of obesity (heart disease, diabetes, inflammation, joint pain, sleep apnea, and diabetes) typically far outweigh the temporary side effects of these medications.

🚫 Myth 4: "These Drugs Cause Too Much Muscle Loss."

✅ Truth: Muscle loss occurs with any weight loss—on or off medication.

Anytime you lose weight, some of that loss comes from muscle as well as fat. This happens whether weight loss is from dieting, fasting, bariatric surgery, or GLP-1 medications.

🔹 In semaglutide trials, participants lost ~25-30% of their weight from lean mass (muscle and water). However, this is on par with weight loss from diet alone (Neeland, I. 2024, Jensen, S. 2024)

🔹 Without medication, weight loss can often result in even higher muscle loss because people tend to lose weight too quickly or through extreme calorie restriction.

🛠 How to Combat Muscle Loss During Weight Loss:✔️ Prioritize protein intake (~1.2-1.8g per kg of body weight per day).✔️ Engage in resistance training (lifting weights, bodyweight exercises, etc.).✔️ Avoid extreme calorie deficits—slow, steady weight loss is better for muscle retention (Al-Badri, M 2024).

Bottom line? Muscle loss is a natural part of any weight loss process, but it can be minimized by strength training, eating enough protein, and losing weight at a steady pace.

🚫 Myth 5: "These Drugs Are Just a Quick Fix."

✅ Truth: GLP-1 medications work best as part of a long-term, sustainable health plan.

GLP-1 medications help people lose weight more effectively than diet and exercise alone, but they are not a “magic pill.” The best outcomes happen when they are combined with:

✔️ Strength training – To maintain muscle and metabolism.✔️ High-protein, fiber-rich diet – To support satiety and gut health.✔️ Stress and sleep optimization – Since poor sleep and chronic stress drive weight gain.

When used as a tool in a holistic approach, GLP-1 medications can be life-changing for many people struggling with weight-related health conditions.

🚫 Myth 6: "These Drugs Are Bad for Your Health."

✅ Truth: Research shows that GLP-1s improve metabolic and cardiovascular health.

Originally developed for type 2 diabetes, these medications provide multiple health benefits, including:

✔️ Lower risk of heart attack and stroke – The FDA recently approved semaglutide to reduce cardiovascular risk in people with heart disease. (FDA)

✔️ Better blood sugar control – Even in non-diabetics, GLP-1s help stabilize insulin and glucose levels, reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

✔️ Reduced inflammation – Weight loss and improved metabolic health decrease overall inflammation, benefiting conditions like PCOS, fatty liver disease, and osteoarthritis.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Talk About All the Tools Available

Obesity is a chronic, complex condition, and just like with diabetes or heart disease, we need multiple tools to manage it.

Instead of dismissing GLP-1s as “cheating” or “dangerous,” we should see them for what they are:✔️ A scientifically backed treatment option✔️ A way to help people achieve lasting, meaningful health improvements✔️ A complement to healthy lifestyle changes—not a replacement

If you’ve been curious about weight loss medications but hesitant because of what you’ve heard, I encourage you to have an open conversation with your healthcare provider. The more we break down the stigma, the more people can access the tools they need to live healthier, happier lives.

🚀 Have questions? Book a meet and greet to find out what tools might be available for you. 💬

References:

Wilding, J. P., Batterham, R. L., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Van Gaal, L. F., Lingvay, I., ... & Kushner, R. F. (2021). Once-weekly semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity. New England Journal of Medicine, 384(11), 989-1002.

Garvey, W. T., Batterham, R. L., Bhatta, M., Buscemi, S., Christensen, L. N., Frias, J. P., ... & STEP 5 Study Group. (2022). Two-year effects of semaglutide in adults with overweight or obesity: the STEP 5 trial. Nature medicine, 28(10), 2083-2091.

Gigliotti, L., Warshaw, H., Evert, A., Dawkins, C., Schwartz, J., Susie, C., ... & Rozga, M. (2025). Incretin-Based Therapies and Lifestyle Interventions: The Evolving Role of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists in Obesity Care. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 125(3), 408-421.

Wilding, J. P. H., Batterham, R. L., Davies, M., Gaal, L. F. V., Kandler, K., Konakli, K., Lingvay, I., McGowan, B. M., Oral, T. K., Rosenstock, J., Wadden, T. A., Wharton, S., Yokote, K., Kushner, R. F. & Group, S. 1 S. (2022). Weight regain and cardiometabolic effects after withdrawal of semaglutide: The STEP 1 trial extension. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24(8), 1553–1564. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14725

Neeland, I., Linge, J., & Birkenfeld, A. (2024). Changes in lean body mass with glucagon-like peptide-1-based therapies and mitigation strategies.. Diabetes, obesity & metabolism. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.15728.

Jensen, S., Blond, M., Sandsdal, R., Olsen, L., Juhl, C., Lundgren, J., Janus, C., Stallknecht, B., Holst, J., Madsbad, S., & Torekov, S. (2024). Healthy weight loss maintenance with exercise, GLP-1 receptor agonist, or both combined followed by one year without treatment: a post-treatment analysis of a randomised placebo-controlled trial. eClinicalMedicine, 69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102475.

Al-Badri, M., Askar, A., Khater, A., Salah, T., Dhaver, S., Al-Roomi, F., Mottalib, A., & Hamdy, O. (2024). 14-PUB: The Effect of Structured Intensive Lifestyle Intervention on Muscle Mass in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Receiving GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Diabetes. https://doi.org/10.2337/db24-14-pub.

Wharton, S., Calanna, S., Davies, M., Dicker, D., Goldman, B., Lingvay, I., Mosenzon, O., Rubino, D. M., Thomsen, M., Wadden, T. A. & Pedersen, S. D. (2022). Gastrointestinal tolerability of once‐weekly semaglutide 2.4 mg in adults with overweight or obesity, and the relationship between gastrointestinal adverse events and weight loss. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, 24(1), 94–105. https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.14551