Article highlights:
- GLP-1 drugs increase risk of bone loss, osteoporosis, and osteomalacia
- Users of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Victoza show higher Gout and uric acid risk
- How to support your bone health and muscles with nutrition
The list of adverse effects linked with the globally popular GLP-1 medications continues to grow. As millions of people have been taking these weight loss drugs (Ozempic,Wegovy/semaglutide and Victoza, Saxenda/liraglutide), researchers are now documenting increased problems for bone strength and uric acid metabolism.
GLP-1 Drugs and Bone Loss
New research presented at the recent American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons on glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) showed adverse concerns on musculoskeletal health. This research identifies risks that you need to be aware of.
This cohort study evaluated the five-year risk of osteoporosis, gout, and osteomalacia (bone softening) in patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity who were treated with GLP-1 medications semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, or exenatide. Patients were matched with equal characteristics for the drug-treated group and controls with 73,483 individuals in each group.
Results showed “this large, matched cohort study of adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity, treatment with GLP-1 RAs was independently associated with significantly increased five-year risk of osteoporosis, gout, and osteomalacia compared to non-users. These findings contradict recent assertions of musculoskeletal protection and suggest that GLP-1 RA exposure may confer increased long-term skeletal risk.” Previous research has been inconclusive and conflicting.
My recent article GLP-1 Drugs Lead to Nutrient Deficiency highlighted several nutrient deficiencies that individuals experience while using these medications. Most of those nutrients like protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamins D and K are essential for bone quality and density.
Over the years, numerous other drugs have been linked with bone loss. More information is found below.
Drugs That Lead to Increased Uric Acid and Gout
In addition to osteoporosis, it was identified that many GLP-1 users experienced a greater incidence of increased uric acid which leads to the development of gout. Other drugs that cause increased uric acid and gout include:
Alcohol, Amiloride, Bumetanide, Chorthalidone, Cisplatin, Cyclophosphamide, Cyclosporine, Ethacrynic acid, Ethambutol, Furosemide, Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Isotretinoin, Ketoconazole, Levodopa, Metolazone, Pentamidine, Phencyclidine, Pyrazinamide, Salicylates, Theophylline, other Thiazide diuretics, and Vincristine.
Drugs That Lead to Osteomalacia
Osteomalacia, or softening of bones, is brought on by defective mineralization in adults and children. Bone softening happens because of insufficient key nutrients like calcium, vitamin D and phosphate required for bone architecture. GLP-1 now has been linked with the increased likelihood of osteomalacia.
Other drugs more frequently associated with osteomalacia include aluminum containing antacids, bisphosphonates, cholestyramine, isoniazid, phenytoin, phenobarbital, rifampicin, saccharated ferric (iron) oxide, and metals like aluminum, cadmium, and lead.
Educate and Empower Yourself
Drugs do not work the same way as nutrition. Drugs metabolically force things, impair processes, and change functions. Sometimes that is needed to save a person’s life from serious or catastrophic concerns.
GLP-1 and other weight loss drugs such as fen-phen have changed people’s health over the decades, but they often come with a serious cost only to be revealed later after long-term use.
If you or someone you love uses these medications, be watchful, protective, and supportive in making good nutrient choices, lifestyle changes, and purposeful health-oriented goals. Health is all about the balance of wear-and-tear and making sure your body has the proper support to withstand stressors. Use these tools below to make highly informed decisions. Share it with others. Be diligent in daily healthful choices. Ask for help.
Fundamental Nutritional Support
• Daily Bone Xcel contains a higher ratio of calcium to magnesium, with vitamins D and K, and trace minerals. All minerals are in bioactive forms that allow for superior absorption. Five capsules provide 1000 mg of calcium.
• Daily Builder is similar to Daily Bone Xcel but has a 2:1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. It also contains glucosamine for bone and cartilage architectural building blocks. Four capsules provide 500 mg calcium and 250 mg magnesium.
• Daily Energy Multiple Vitamin provides essential vitamins, especially B vitamins in their bioactive, methylated form. It’s energy in a bottle without caffeine or other stimulants!
• Daily Protein Plus is grass-fed whey protein from cows raised in the lush green pastures of Ireland. No sugars, antibiotics, steroids, casein, lactose, or cholesterol. Mixes easily in a beverage of your choice.
• Vitamin D3 + K2 provides 5000 IU of vegan vitamin D3 and the most important form of vitamin K for calcium and vitamin D assimilation into bones. Dosage is one capsule per day.
• Leptinal provides a unique blend of omega-3 DHA, EPA, and omega-6 GLA, with vitamin E and bioflavonoid antioxidants. It is multipurpose in supporting healthy metabolism, essential for leptin, insulin and other hormone receptor sites function and signaling.
Additional Resources
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Common Diabetes Drug Causes Bone Loss – Medical Profession in a Funk
