Key takeaways:
- The rule of thumb has eight factors of emphasis on particular components of way of life drugs.
- PCPs can use them to assist their sufferers.
ORLANDO — Main care suppliers can use a brand new medical advisory guideline to nutritionally assist sufferers who’re utilizing GLP-1 receptor agonists, in accordance with specialists.
The joint advisory was developed by 4 main medical organizations: the American Society for Diet, the American Faculty of Way of life Medication, the Weight problems Society and the Weight problems Medication Affiliation. It was printed within the organizations’ medical journals: American Journal of Scientific Diet, American Journal of Way of life Medication, Weight problems and Weight problems Pillars. A number of of the main researchers will talk about the advisory on the annual NUTRITION assembly.

Main care suppliers can use a brand new medical advisory guideline to nutritionally assist sufferers who’re utilizing GLP-1s. Picture: Adobe Inventory
GLP-1 receptor agonists could considerably influence a affected person’s gastrointestinal perform and urge for food, Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA, MACP, FAAP, FAHA, FAMWA, FTOS, an weight problems drugs doctor scientist at Massachusetts Normal Hospital and Harvard Medical Faculty, informed Healio.
“These drugs usually result in decreased urge for food, early satiety and generally gastrointestinal unintended effects corresponding to nausea,” Stanford, one of many researchers additionally presenting on the advisory, stated. “Due to this fact, it’s essential for clinicians to think about a affected person’s dietary wants to make sure they preserve enough nutrient consumption and keep away from deficiencies. Correct dietary steerage will help sufferers optimize the advantages of GLP-1 remedy whereas minimizing potential opposed results.”
A examine lately printed in Frontiers of Diet discovered that people on GLP-1 remedy had inadequate intakes of key vitamins like fiber, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and nutritional vitamins A, C, D and E.
Most sufferers who’re prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists don’t obtain acceptable dietary counseling, regardless of the identified advantages, so the advisory “seeks to fill that hole with sensible, interdisciplinary steerage for implementation in medical follow,” in accordance with a press launch.
The advisory stresses the significance of:
- cautious baseline dietary evaluation;
- maximizing weight discount with weight loss plan;
- patient-centered initiation of remedy;
- customized diets which can be minimally processed and nutrient-dense;
- lean mass preservation by way of energy coaching and enough protein consumption;
- gastrointestinal opposed impact administration;
- micronutrient deficiency prevention; and
- selling different constructive way of life modifications in a number of areas — like sleep, train, substance use, psychological stress and social connections — to make sure long-term success.
There are a number of methods PCPs can supply dietary counseling to sufferers who want it, like “by collaborating with registered dietitians who specialise in diabetes and weight administration,” Stanford stated.
“They will additionally present academic assets and instruments to assist sufferers perceive portion management, balanced meal planning and the significance of nutrient-dense meals,” she stated. “Common follow-up appointments will help monitor progress and make vital changes to the dietary plan.”
An important ingredient of managing sufferers on GLP-1s is individualizing care, Stanford stated.
“Whereas broad dietary pointers, corresponding to emphasizing complete meals, lean proteins and fiber-rich greens, will be useful, every affected person’s wants, preferences, and responses to the treatment can fluctuate considerably,” she stated. “Customized plans that contemplate the affected person’s way of life, cultural preferences and particular well being objectives usually tend to be efficient and sustainable.”
Stanford careworn that PCPs ought to keep knowledgeable concerning the newest pointers and analysis on GLP-1 therapies and diet as a result of interdisciplinary collaboration and steady schooling “can enormously enhance affected person care and outcomes.”
“The take-home message for PCPs is to acknowledge the significance of integrating dietary counseling into the administration plan for sufferers on GLP-1s,” she stated. “By doing so, they will improve the therapeutic outcomes of the treatment, enhance affected person satisfaction and cut back the chance of dietary deficiencies. Collaboration with dietitians and common affected person follow-ups are key elements of profitable administration.”
For extra info:
Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, MBA, MACP, FAAP, FAHA, FAMWA, FTOS, will be reached at primarycare@healio.com.