A Recipe for Better Obesity Management: Combining GLP-1 with Food as Medicine – MedCity News

GLP-1 agonists, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, have taken a large role in the treatment of obesity and diabetes, praised for their ability to suppress appetite, reduce “food cravings,” and slow digestion for weight loss results. Although these drugs play a powerful role in the management of chronic diseases, they do not replace proper nutrition.

Diet itself is one of the best therapeutic tools for long-term health – and it’s certainly cheaper than GLP-1 treatments. In fact, a recent study reveals that the nationwide use of Medically Tailored Meals (MTMs) for patients with eating disorders, such as obesity and diabetes, can prevent 1.6 million hospitalizations and savings of $13.6 billion annually.

It’s time to stop treating nutrition as a side dish to health. If we really want to improve the metabolic health of the population, we need to combine more ‘Food as Medicine’ approaches with pharmacotherapy for better obesity and diabetes outcomes – and cost savings.

GLP-1s can cause rapid weight loss, but not without risks

GLP-1s help reduce calorie intake and promote weight loss by delaying gastric emptying and enhancing the body’s sense of fullness. Although weight loss is the goal, rapid weight loss — especially without adequate dietary changes — can lead to muscle loss, which slows metabolism and affects health. they are long term. Maintaining lean muscle mass is important and requires a focus on high-quality protein and resistance training.

Rapid weight loss can also cause nutrient deficiencies and increase the risk of malnutrition. Small meals, reduced variety, and side effects from GLP-1s can lead to deficiencies in essential vitamins and minerals such as calcium, magnesium, B12 and iron – raising the risks of anemia, osteoporosis and other health problems.

Administering these powerful medications without accompanying nutritional support is a recipe for disaster.

A plan to successfully combine diet and GLP-1 therapy

Individualized nutritional support is essential to help patients avoid muscle loss and nutrient deficiencies. These patients need more guidance on planning meals that are more efficient – high in protein, fiber and vitamins – to meet their nutritional needs.

To fully integrate Food as Medicine into chronic care, we need to focus on prevention, friendly treatment, and post-treatment strategies:

1. Prevention – Meals Tailored Meals (MTMs) and Groceries (MTGs) provide nutritious, heart-healthy options for conditions such as prediabetes and heart disease. Combining these with Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) and individualized plans can revolutionize preventive care. Regular checkups, lifestyle counseling, and collaboration with nutritionists must be part of routine care to make this work.
2. Friendly therapy – Registered dietitians can work with doctors who prescribe GLP-1 to develop nutritional plans that address muscle maintenance, micronutrient intake and gut health. High-protein diets, functional foods such as prebiotics and probiotics, and pharmaceutical-grade food replacement can supplement GLP-1 therapy and improve outcomes. By taking advantage of reduced food cravings when using GLP-1, dietitians can help patients focus on eating more mindfully and choosing foods that nourish their bodies rather than their emotions. Cooperation between nutritionists, doctors and pharmacists is important.
3. Post-medication strategy – After GLP-1 therapy, Food as Medicine is important to maintain health. Research shows that many people experience improvement in weight loss and other health symptoms (such as fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, and more) when they come off anti-obesity medication. Nutritional plans, as well as food prepared for medicine, can help maintain the positive results achieved during treatment.

Driving innovation and collaboration in the Food as Medicine movement

There are many opportunities for creative collaboration. Health providers and nutritionists can partner with major food retailers such as Kroger or Walmart to offer MTGs, with stores that have dedicated sections for these products. “Diet orders” can be completed through local or online retailers, combining convenience with medical nutrition.

Food companies can partner with health systems to provide customized food services for chronic conditions. For example, diabetes management meal planning offered through services like Hello Fresh, combined with nutrition education, can have health benefits.

Digital health platforms are another form of innovation. As employers continue to adopt digital health solutions for chronic disease management, FAM measures can be seamlessly integrated, allowing companies to track engagement and health outcomes good, showing cost savings and employee health. According to this study, providing a medicated diet increases adherence to the diet by over 90% and allows patients to achieve better management of chronic diseases. Diet-led obesity solutions offer the opportunity to increase the support of structured diets for all populations.

Medically Tailored Meals can be a game-changer for vulnerable, food-insecure people struggling with chronic conditions such as type 2 diabetes and obesity. By partnering with influential investors, public health organizations can make FAM programs a priority within Medicaid, Medicare, and SNAP, to ensure that all they have access to nutritious food. Together, these partnerships can lower barriers to health equity and make healthy food more accessible to all.

Building a future for sustainable health

Promoting the Food as Medicine Movement requires cross-industry collaboration and creative solutions. By encouraging collaboration between healthcare, technology, employers, insurers and the food industry, we can make nutrition a central part of healthcare. Together, we can improve outcomes, drive innovation, and build a sustainable future where food is medicine.

Photo: vgajic, Getty Images

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