Considering a GLP-1 nutrition companion is important because it could help offset some of the negative health and wellbeing consequences associated with weight loss medication.

 

GLP-1 RA medications are designed to help patients control their blood sugar and lose weight. These medications have an appetite-suppressing effect, which is one reason they’ve been so successful at helping people lose weight. When appetite is suppressed, caloric intake decreases, so it is important to consider the quality of food choices and ensure that every calorie consumed serves a nutritional purpose. When taking a GLP-1, nutrition quality should be of paramount concern.

 

Considering a GLP-1 nutrition companion is important because it could help offset some of the negative health and wellbeing consequences associated with GLP-1 RAs:

 

·         The loss of lean mass (e.g., muscle) can account for as much as 40 percent of weight loss.

·         Altered food preferences, which could negatively affect the intake of macro- and micronutrients.

·         A 40–50 percent decrease in daily caloric intake.

·         Altered gut microbiome related to delayed stomach emptying.

GLP-1 Nutrition Plan

A GLP-1 nutrition plan should include a nutritionally dense and scientifically formulated dietary supplement such as Biocare. Biocare is a nutrient-dense beverage designed to counteract nutritional deficiencies associated with weight loss medications. It contains probiotics and prebiotic fiber to promote gut health and includes specialized ingredients to help manage GLP-1 side effects. Biocare beverages also contain 30 grams of high-quality whey protein per serving to help maintain lean muscle mass; two servings provide 100 percent of the recommended daily intake of 26 vitamins and minerals. To optimize nutrition while taking a GLP-1 RA for weight loss or the management of type 2 diabetes, adding a scientifically formulated dietary beverage like Biocare can help shore up intake of essential nutrients.

 

Food can be broadly divided into two categories: macronutrients and micronutrients. When taking a GLP-1 medication, it is important to ensure an adequate daily intake of both macro- and micronutrients. Macronutrients and micronutrients can mitigate altered food preferences, and a balanced intake helps meet the recommended daily allowance for key nutrients.

 

Macronutrients Include:

·         Protein: Protein is an important macronutrient because it preserves lean mass (muscle). The rapid weight loss associated with GLP-1 medication puts patients at risk of losing muscle mass as well as fat mass. Muscle mass is important to preserve because it is metabolically active — it burns calories even while your body is at rest — and it promotes bone and skeletal health.

 

Whey protein is a good source of protein because it is easy to digest, helps offset the dietary deficit of a reduced-calorie diet, and promotes healthy weight loss and weight maintenance. Biocare beverages provide 30 grams of high-quality whey protein per serving. Whey protein contains amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. Proteins are built by long chains of amino acids, similar to combining letters of the alphabet to create different words — combining different amino acids creates different proteins.

 

Whey protein includes leucine, which is not naturally produced by our bodies. Leucine is an amino acid that helps protect muscle mass during active weight loss; in other words, it helps preserve muscle mass, making it an important amino acid to consume during active weight loss. Leucine is important for muscle growth and repair, blood sugar regulation, and immune function. Because leucine is not naturally produced by our bodies, it is essential to ensure it is included through diet and a dietary beverage like Biocare. The whey protein used in Biocare beverages optimizes these functions.

 

Biocare beverages also contain creatine, a natural substance found in every cell of the body. It plays a key role in energy production and is essential for muscle function. Creatine is included in Biocare to support lean muscle mass, improve protein utilization by aiding energy production, and promote muscle growth, particularly when dietary intake is low.

 

·         Fiber: Yes! Fiber belongs to the class of nutrients known as macronutrients! Fiber is important because it can mitigate constipation and support gut health. There are two types of fiber: probiotic and prebiotic.

 

·         Probiotics: Probiotics improve digestion and support gut health. When taking a GLP-1, probiotics are important because they help reduce gastric discomfort and bloating while enhancing the absorption of nutrients. Probiotics help balance the beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome, which in turn supports digestive health.

 

 

·         Prebiotics: Prebiotics also support gut health and reduce the chances of developing diarrhea and constipation, while mitigating the micronutrient deficits associated with GLP-1 medications. The pre- and probiotics included in Biocare beverages work together to help promote gut health and improve gut motility so that delayed stomach emptying is minimized.

 

·         Ground Flaxseed: Ground flaxseed is an important nutritional component because it is a heart-healthy fat that can help lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Ground flaxseed provides a dietary source of Omega-3s that are required for proper heart, brain, and immune function. It also helps reduce inflammation.

 

Micronutrients Include:

·         Vitamins and Minerals: Biocare beverages also includes key vitamins that help offset delayed stomach emptying and dietary deficiencies due to decreased caloric intake. For example, insufficient iron can result in anemia and fatigue, and insufficient vitamin B12 could also lead to fatigue as well as constipation. Biocare mitigates these risks. Zinc is important for immune system functioning. It’s also been shown to alleviate diarrhea and improve nutrient absorption.

 

·         Other key vitamins offered in Biocare beverages include vitamin D and vitamin K, which are important for bone density. Vitamins A, B12, and the mineral magnesium are also included in Biocare and support the production of gastric enzymes to break down food and facilitate digestion.

 

Biocare beverages include absorbable nutritional ingredients, and their effectiveness is supported by evidence-based, empirical research. Biocare’s nutritional composition can help satisfy your daily recommended allowance (RDA) for macronutrients and micronutrients.

 

With a caloric range of 130 to 170 calories, Biocare beverages are a nutrient-dense option. The Biocare Protein Meal Plan will show you how to incorporate the beverages into your meal planning, using example targets of 60, 90, and 120 grams of protein per day. Additional resources include Biocare’s GLP-1 grocery list and Protein Calculator.

 

Prior to starting any weight loss program, whether it includes anti-obesity medication or not, be sure to consult with your healthcare provider to ensure your desired weight loss strategy is right for you.

 

About the Author: Dr. Dawn M. Sweet has over 20 years of experience in the field of communication. Dr. Sweet has given several invited talks to and workshops for academic and private sector audiences on the role of nonverbal and verbal communication in achieving positive outcomes and mitigating bias. Her research has been published in several top ranked peer-review journals, and it has been featured on NPR’s River to River / All Things Considered, Buzzfeed, and Science Daily. Her research has also been used to inform expert testimony.