GLPwatch

Beyond fat: Does semaglutide affect lean mass?

Clin Nutr · 2025

Last updated 2026-05-28

Research on semaglutide, a GLP-1 drug, shows mixed results about its effect on lean body mass. Some studies found that while people lost weight on semaglutide, they also lost some lean mass along with fat. However, other larger trials reported significant reductions in lean mass after treatment. The findings remain inconsistent, and more research is needed as semaglutide use increases.

AI summary of the abstract below.

JournalClin Nutr, 2025
Citations5
Relative citation ratio2.04
Molecules semaglutide
Conditions studied Obesity

Abstract

This opinion paper aims to discuss the influence of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA), on lean mass beyond its impact on weight loss. Although significant weight loss is achieved with semaglutide, the impact of this drug on lean mass remains controversial. Several investigations have demonstrated that semaglutide-induced weight loss is linked to decreases in lean mass as well as fat mass; on the other hand, the ratio of lean mass to total body mass rises. Nevertheless, larger clinical trials have reported converse findings and significant reductions in lean mass following treatment with semaglutide. This disparity in research findings emphasizes the necessity for additional studies on this subject because semaglutide use is rising quickly.

Verbatim abstract via PubMed 39647240 ↗

Related research