SAGE open medical case reports

Maintaining muscle and lean tissue during weight loss with GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP treatments: A case series

Updated

Abstract

Essence

Some patients preserved or increased lean soft tissue during semaglutide or tirzepatide weight loss when paired with exercise and protein-focused strategies.

Evidence

This case series describes three patients with BMI 32.9-51.9 kg m who used semaglutide or tirzepatide alongside intentional activity, resistance training, and reported protein intakes, with lean soft tissue changes from -6.9% to +5.8%.

Caveat

The uncontrolled three-patient case series cannot separate medication effects from exercise, protein intake, baseline differences, or measurement variability.

Simplified

Key numbers

8.7%
Weight Loss as
Percentage of total weight lost as in case 1.
5.8%
Increase
Percentage increase in for case 3.
1.6–2.3 g·kg·day
Protein Intake Relative to Fat-Free Mass
Typical protein intake relative to fat-free mass during treatment.

Full Text

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Funding

Competing interests

2 of 2
authors report competing interests
PubMed

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