GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections: Pros, Cons & Why Nutrition Still Matters
GLP-1 weight-loss injections such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro have become one of the most talked-about health trends of the last few years. Praised for their ability to reduce appetite and support rapid weight loss, they’re now being used far beyond their original purpose of treating type 2 diabetes.
But as a nutritional therapist, I see a growing concern:
Weight loss is being medicated — while nutrition is being sidelined.
This article breaks down:
What GLP-1s actually do
The real pros and cons
And why focusing on appetite alone misses the deeper picture of health, hormones, metabolism and long-term wellbeing
What Are GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs?
GLP-1 stands for Glucagon-Like Peptide-1, a hormone made in the gut that:
Regulates blood sugar
Slows stomach emptying
Sends “I’m full” signals to the brain
Reduces appetite
GLP-1 medications mimic this hormone, helping people feel fuller for longer and eat less.
Originally developed for diabetes management, they are now widely prescribed for:
Weight loss
Insulin resistance
Obesity
PCOS
Metabolic syndrome
The Pros of GLP-1 Weight Loss Injections
There’s no denying that for some people, these medications can be helpful — especially when used appropriately and medically supervised.
Potential benefits include:
✅ Powerful appetite suppression
✅ Rapid weight loss
✅ Improved blood sugar control
✅ Reduced insulin resistance
✅ Lower food cravings for some people
✅ Can be life-changing for people with severe obesity
For individuals who have struggled for years with weight, metabolic dysfunction or emotional eating, GLP-1s can feel like a relief — and for some, they are a useful starting point.
The Downsides & Risks No One Talks About Enough
Where I see concern is when GLP-1s are treated as a solution, rather than a tool.
1. Muscle Loss, Not Just Fat Loss
Rapid weight loss increases the risk of:
Muscle wasting
Slower metabolism
Weaker bones
Reduced long-term fat-burning capacity
Muscle is metabolically protective — losing it makes long-term weight maintenance harder.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies
When appetite drops dramatically, so often does nutrient intake.
This increases the risk of low:
Protein
Iron
Magnesium
B vitamins
Zinc
Omega-3 fats
These nutrients are essential for:
Hormone production
Thyroid function
Energy
Mood
Fertility
Immune health
Eating less without strategic nutrition can quietly create deeper health issues.
3. Gut Side Effects
Many people experience:
Nausea
Constipation
Diarrhoea
Bloating
Acid reflux
This can worsen:
IBS
SIBO
Low stomach acid
Sluggish digestion
And if digestion is impaired, nutrient absorption drops even further.
4. The Mental Health Impact
For some, appetite suppression leads to:
Emotional flattening around food
Fear of eating without the drug
Rebound bingeing when stopped
Anxiety about weight regain
Weight loss without addressing stress, emotional eating, sleep and nervous system regulation is rarely stable.
The Bigger Issue: A Return to 1980s Diet Culture
What concerns me most is that GLP-1s can quietly reinforce an old narrative:
“Eat as little as possible. Be as small as possible. Health will follow.”
This is not true health.
It echoes:
Low-fat, low-everything dieting
Chronic restriction
Fear of hunger
Suppressing the body rather than supporting it
The truth is:
👉 You don’t heal your physiology by starving it into submission.
You heal it by feeding it properly.
Why Nutrition Still Matters (Even on GLP-1s)
Your body runs on co-factors — vitamins, minerals, protein, essential fats and amino acids that drive:
Hormone production
Detoxification
Energy creation (mitochondria)
Brain chemistry
Thyroid function
Blood sugar balance
Feminine hormone balance (especially in perimenopause)
Suppressing appetite without supplying these physiological building blocks risks:
Fatigue
Hair loss
Hormone disruption
Slower metabolism
Poor recovery
Skin issues
Mood instability
Weight loss does not equal health.
GLP-1s and Women Over 40
This is especially relevant in:
Perimenopause
Hormonal weight gain
High cortisol
Thyroid dysfunction
Insulin resistance
At this life stage, women already experience:
Natural muscle loss
Blood sugar instability
Oestrogen-progesterone fluctuations
Increased stress load
Adding aggressive appetite suppression without nutritional scaffolding can worsen:
Fatigue
Low mood
Sleep issues
Hormonal symptoms
A Smarter Conversation: Medication + Metabolic Support
I am not anti-medication.
But I am pro-physiology.
If someone is using a GLP-1 medication, they should also be supported with:
✅ High-protein nutrition
✅ Mineral support
✅ Blood sugar-balancing meals
✅ Gut health support
✅ Muscle-preserving strength training
✅ Hormonal and thyroid monitoring
Medication should support health — not replace it.
So, Do GLP-1s “Work”?
Yes — they work at:
✅ Appetite control
✅ Short-term weight loss
But they do not address:
❌ Metabolic dysfunction
❌ Hormone imbalance
❌ Emotional eating
❌ Stress physiology
❌ Nutrient depletion
❌ Gut health
❌ Root-cause weight gain
Without those foundations, weight regain is common once the medication stops.
The Take-Home Message
GLP-1 medications can be a tool, but they are not a long-term strategy for health.
True, sustainable wellbeing comes from:
Nourishing your body
Supporting your hormones
Feeding your metabolism
Regulating your nervous system
And rebuilding trust with food
Weight loss without nourishment is not progress — it’s just a different form of stress.
Want Support With Weight, Hormones & Energy — Without Extreme Restriction?
At Future You Nutrition, I specialise in helping people rebalance:
Blood sugar
Hormones
Gut health
Stress
Energy
And weight — without starvation
If you’re:
On a GLP-1
Considering one
Or struggling with stubborn weight and low energy
I’d love to support you properly.
