GLP-1 Research
How Much Muscle Do You Actually Lose?
Key body composition data from STEP 1 & SURMOUNT-1 clinical trials
~15%
Lean mass in total
weight lost (STEP 1)
~13%
Lean mass in total
weight lost (SURMOUNT-1)
25%
Typical lean mass loss
with diet alone (no GLP-1)
3x
More calories muscle
burns vs fat at rest
GLP-1s don't uniquely destroy muscle. The lean mass loss is proportional to total weight lost — and actually better than diet-alone weight loss, where 20–25% of lost weight is typically muscle. The 3 pillars below minimize it even further.
The 3 Pillars of Muscle Preservation
1
Protein
0.7–1.0g per pound of goal body weight daily
Start every meal with proteinGreek yogurt, cottage cheese, eggsProtein shake on low-appetite days
2
Resistance Training
2–3 sessions per week 20-30 min is plenty
Bodyweight or bands workCompound movements firstTrack lifts — getting stronger = winning
3
Smart Dosing
0.5–1% body weight lost per week max
Faster loss = more muscle lostStay at effective dose longerNo prize for losing fastest
ByAaliyah K. Mallard, PharmD
halo-rxmeds.com/blog/glp1-muscle-lossScreenshot this card to share on social media. Tag @halorxmeds on Instagram.
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