When you are trying to lose weight through diet, it’s essential to make sure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need. When you cut foods or categories of foods out of your life, you can miss essential nutrients.
GLP-1 medications have helped millions of people around the world lose weight. But, as with any diet, it can lead to nutritional gaps. According to a systematic review from the Hunter Medical Research Institute, GLP-1 studies often don’t track whether participants change their diets or get enough vitamins and minerals. That may increase the risk of malnutrition.
While it appears to be uncommon, some people have developed scurvy while taking GLP-1s. Scurvy, or “pirate’s disease,” occurs when there is a severe lack of vitamin C in the body. It becomes hard to maintain healthy tissue and a strong immune system, leading to anemia, loose teeth, bruises, bleeding gums, wounds that won’t heal and other problems.
“Very little is known about the exact changes these medications have on what people actually eat, whether vitamin and mineral intakes are adequate, and whether weight-loss achieved through medication also supports optimal nutrition-related health and wellbeing in the long-term,” wrote the team at Hunter Medical Research Institute.
“These medications work, there’s no question about that,” said Clare Collins, a metabolic health researcher at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. “But a reduction in body weight does not automatically mean the person is well nourished or healthy. Nutrition plays a critical role in health, and right now it’s largely missing from the evidence. With case reports of thiamine deficiency and protein malnutrition, we need to ensure we are not throwing the baby out with the bath water.”
Out of 41 GLP-1-controlled trials, 39 focused on body weight. Only two looked at nutrition. Those two studies found that the medications can contribute to nutritional deficiency.
Scurvy is not a common side-effect of GLP-1s. It’s not something most people have to worry about. But nutritionists do recommend getting your health assessed regularly while taking GLP-1 medications to ensure you stay healthy while on them.
“If you’re on these medications, you should be seeing your doctor at least once a year and getting labs drawn to check your vitamin and mineral levels, not just your weight,” said registered dietitian nutritionist Ilana Muhlstein.
Staying on top of your health is essential, and that means ensuring you don’t have any nutritional gaps. That will help you keep your body healthy and avoid the fate of the pirate, matey!
