"Body Composition Over Weight"... New Drug Research Results Show Reduced Muscle Loss When Using Wegovy and Mounjaro

While weight loss drugs are opening a new era in obesity treatment, concerns regarding the side effect of 'muscle loss' are also deepening. This is because when using GLP-1 class drugs such as Wegovy or Mounjaro, muscle mass can also decrease rapidly as weight is lost. According to a recent Dr. Friends video, research results regarding a new drug combination that can drastically reduce this muscle loss are drawing attention.

'Quality of Loss' is Key: Do Not Be Fooled by Weight Numbers

What is important in obesity treatment is not simply the reduction of body weight, but the 'quality of loss'—what exactly is being lost. The video explains that even if 10kg is lost, it is a much healthier and more desirable result if the weight decreases by only 6kg while muscle increases by 2kg and fat decreases by 8kg, rather than losing 5kg of muscle and 5kg of fat together. This is because if one becomes preoccupied only with weight figures, they may miss out on health benefits such as rapid loss of muscle and water, which can lead to accelerated aging or loss of elasticity.

In particular, as people age, muscle mass is a crucial factor directly linked to quality of life. A lack of muscle mass can decrease the ability to perform daily activities and may even affect lifespan. Therefore, instead of simply reducing the number on the scale, 'body composition-centered weight loss'—which reduces visceral fat and preserves muscle—is essential.

Myostatin Inhibitor Prevents 'More Than Half' of Muscle Loss

There is a recent study gaining attention to solve this problem. In our bodies, there exists a substance called 'Myostatin' that inhibits muscle production. As the name suggests, it plays a role in 'stopping' (statin) the 'myo' (muscle). According to the video, a recent study conducted an experiment where patients using Mounjaro were co-administered 'Apitegromab,' a monoclonal antibody that inhibits Myostatin.

The results of this study, conducted on approximately 100 subjects over 6 months, are interesting. While the group using Mounjaro alone saw a weight reduction of 12.5kg, the group using Apitegromab together saw a reduction of 11.2kg. Although there was no significant difference in the magnitude of weight loss itself, the composition of the body mass was vastly different. Unlike typical obesity drug use where about 30% of the lost weight is muscle, the group co-administered with Apitegromab had a muscle loss proportion of only 14.6%. This figure represents a 54.9% reduction in the degree of muscle loss compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, this group showed much more efficient weight loss, with 85.3% of the lost weight consisting of fat. However, additional research and approval processes are required before the drug can be commercialized in actual clinical practice.

'Intentional Protein Intake' is as Important as Medication

While the new drug is in the research stage, a method that people currently using or planning to use drugs can immediately practice is 'protein intake.' Because GLP-1 class drugs suppress appetite, users instinctively reduce their food intake. In particular, because the satiety felt when eating protein-oriented meals is strong, the amount of protein intake often drops sharply compared to usual.

The video emphasizes that the difference in muscle loss between the group that consumes sufficient protein during the weight loss process and the group that does not is very large. According to research, the group that managed protein intake well could have a difference of nearly 1kg in the proportion of muscle among the lost weight compared to the group that did not. Experts recommend a protein intake of approximately 1.2 to 1.5g per 1kg of body weight. For example, a person weighing 60kg should consume about 90g of protein per day, which may be difficult to achieve with regular meals alone.

Therefore, if it is difficult to eat meat every time, a strategy of 'intentionally' supplementing protein using liquid protein supplements, egg whites, or protein-fortified soy milk is necessary. Adding just two boiled eggs or one glass of protein shake a day can significantly change the quality of body composition. However, since the appropriate intake amount may vary depending on an individual's health status, specific dietary compositions must be consulted with an expert.