Experts Urge 6 Key Nutrients for GLP-1 Patients as Lower Appetite Risks Deficiencies
Updated
Updated · Everyday Health · Jun 3
Experts Urge 6 Key Nutrients for GLP-1 Patients as Lower Appetite Risks Deficiencies
3 articles · Updated · Everyday Health · Jun 3
Summary
Six nutrients—iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium and zinc—deserve special attention for people taking GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, experts said.
GLP-1 medications can suppress appetite and overall calorie intake, raising the risk that patients fall short on micronutrients even when they focus on protein.
Specific daily targets include 2.4 micrograms of B12, 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D, and 1,000 to 1,200 mg of calcium, with iron, magnesium and zinc needs varying by age and sex.
Eggs, fish, dairy, beans, leafy greens, nuts, seeds and fortified cereals were highlighted as nutrient-dense options that may be easier to tolerate when nausea or low appetite limits eating.
Experts said patients worried about gaps in intake should speak with a doctor or registered dietitian, reflecting broader concern in recent nutrition reviews about GLP-1-linked deficiencies.