GLP-1 drugs may spare more muscle and preserve function, study suggests
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · May 7
GLP-1 drugs may spare more muscle and preserve function, study suggests
10 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · May 7
In Cell Reports Medicine, Charité University Medicine Berlin researchers found obese mice lost about 25% of weight from muscle, not nearly 40%, while 10 adults retained leg strength.
The study suggests earlier scans may have overstated muscle loss by counting shrinking organs, especially fat-laden livers, as lean-mass declines during GLP-1-driven weight loss.
Researchers said exercise appears crucial for maximizing benefits, but outside experts cautioned the findings do not yet address older adults, sarcopenic patients or people cycling on and off treatment.
GLP-1 drugs shrink liver fat, but are they also silently weakening your bones?
Beyond diet and exercise, do your genes decide if weight-loss drugs will work for you?
2026 BELIEVE Trial: Bimagrumab-Semaglutide Combo Achieves 22% Fat Loss While Preserving Lean Muscle
Overview
The 2026 BELIEVE Phase 2b trial demonstrated that combining bimagrumab, which promotes muscle growth by blocking activin receptors, with semaglutide, which suppresses appetite and reduces caloric intake, leads to greater weight loss than either drug alone while preserving lean muscle mass. This combination causes weight loss primarily from fat, reduces systemic inflammation, and restores normal blood glucose in prediabetic patients. In contrast, semaglutide alone often causes muscle loss and gastrointestinal side effects that can reduce exercise ability and increase risks like sarcopenia. Managing hydration and electrolyte balance is important due to these side effects. The dual therapy offers a promising advance, especially for older adults and those with sarcopenic obesity, though access barriers remain significant.