Tips while on GLP-1s or weight loss medications

Why electrolyte replacement is important during GLP-1s and active weight loss

Since GLP-1s reduce intake by suppressing appetite and slowing gastric emptying, many patients:

• Eats significantly less food, Skip meals, reduce salty foods intentionally causing baseline electrolyte replenishment drops.

Increased fluid loss (intentional and unintentional)

• With insulin levels dropping from diet adjustment, natural diuresis occurs (of sodium and water)
• Increased urination from higher intake of water

Alterations in kidney and hormonal signaling 

• Promoting natriuresis
• Reduction in insulin levels (high insulin levels cause sodium retention)
• Electrolytes are lost faster than replaced due to fluid shift

Since your heart, nerve, and cardiac function depend on electrolytes, deficiencies can manifest as:

• Fatigue, weakness
• Headaches
• Dizziness, or othostatic hypotension
• Palpitations
• Muscle cramps or twitching
• Constipation
• Brain Fog or Anxiety like symptoms

Electrolytes support exercise tolerance and fat loss

• Sodium maintains blood volume
• Potassium supports muscle contraction
• Magnesium supports ATP production and recovery
• Without replacement exercise feels harder, recovery worsens and risk of injury increases

Helps in prevention of unnecessary medication discontinuation by reducing:

• Reducing nausea
• Improving energy
• Improving blood pressure stability
• Improve adherence to GLP-1 therapy