Diet, exercise still important when taking weight-loss medication
Individuals who take glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications—such as Ozempic—for weight loss should follow a healthy diet and exercise to maximize the drugs’ benefits, according to experts from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
An article published July 14 in JAMA Internal Medicine, co-authored by Farhad Mehrtash, MPH ’25, and JoAnn Manson, professor in the Department of Epidemiology, along with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center’s Jody Dushay, offered advice for patients.
Used to treat obesity, GLP-1 medications can reduce food cravings, increase fullness, slow digestion, and help with blood glucose control—but can also lead to gastrointestinal (GI) side effects and challenges in maintaining muscle and energy levels. The researchers recommended that people using GLP-1 drugs eat enough protein; consume smaller meals and snacks; avoid or focus on certain foods to reduce constipation, nausea, and heartburn; stay hydrated; and exercise, including both aerobic exercise and strength training.
The authors also wrote a related paper in JAMA Internal Medicine that offered strategies for clinicians to support their GLP-1 patients’ lifestyle changes, which was highlighted in a Mass General Brigham (MGB) story.
“Many patients lose muscle mass (in addition to fat mass) and have GI symptoms that lead to stopping medication,” Manson said in the MGB story. “We propose an approach to improving outcomes on GLP-1s by preserving lean body mass, ensuring good nutrition, and managing symptoms that can otherwise lead to stopping medications.”
Read the JAMA Internal Medicine article: I Am Taking a GLP-1 Weight-Loss Medication—What Should I Know?
Read the JAMA Internal Medicine paper abstract: Integrating Diet and Physical Activity When Prescribing GLP-1s—Lifestyle Factors Remain Crucial
Read the Mass General Brigham story: Why Diet and Exercise Still Matter During Treatment with GLP-1 Medications
