GLP-1 is released in response to food intake. GLP-1 has multiple physiological functions, including stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, and reducing appetite. Major diet companies, like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, are scrambling to adapt to the growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs.

 

AN INTRODUCTION TO LIRAGLUTIDE FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN NON-DIABETICS

Liraglutide is a medication that contributes to weight loss in non-diabetics belongs to the class of drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. GLP-1 is released in response to food intake. GLP-1 has multiple physiological functions, including stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, and reducing appetite. Major diet companies, like Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig, are scrambling to adapt to the growing popularity of GLP-1 drugs.

Many Hollywood celebrities are known for abusing drugs that lead to rapid weight loss, including prescriptions of GLP-1. GLP-1 is a modern-day miracle for many people struggling to lose weight. They are a class of medications used primarily for the management of type 2 diabetes and obesity.GLP-1 agonists are effective in patients with type II diabetes, not type 1 diabetes mellitus. 

GLP-1 AGONISTS AND EXERCISE: THE NEW GAME-CHANGING FAT LOSS COMBO?

There are several GLP-1 receptor agonists on the market, such as exenatide, lixisenatide, and dulaglutide. However, Semaglutide has emerged as a potential contender for superior weight loss efficacy. Each GLP-1 agonist has a unique profile in terms of dosing frequency.

The FDA has approved Liraglutide as the only GLP-1 receptor agonist for treating obesity. Doctors recommend using it in combination with diet and exercise. This approval is specific to adult patients who are 18 years and older. Doctors prescribe Liraglutide alongside diet and exercise when lifestyle changes alone fail to effectively regulate blood sugar levels.

Liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus [5]. Apart from its glucose-lowering effect, liraglutide has been found to have a significant impact on weight reduction [2]. This article provides an informative overview of liraglutide and weight loss, discussing its efficacy, mechanisms, and potential side effects.

Liraglutide’s Role in Weight Loss for Diabetics

Liraglutide is available in different doses, with a lower dose (1.2 or 1.8 mg/day) prescribed to patients with diabetes and a higher dose (3.0 mg/day) approved as an anti-obesity drug. The treatment effect of liraglutide in combination with exercise, as compared to exercise alone, resulted in a weight reduction of 5.4 kg.

Liraglutide Mechanism of Action

Liraglutide mimics the effects of the body’s natural production of GLP-1. GLP-1 is released in response to food intake. GLP has multiple physiological functions, including stimulating insulin secretion, inhibiting glucagon secretion, and reducing appetite. (Holst, 2007)

I have read several articles about people taking GLP-1 agonists, and they frequently comment. “I forget to eat!” That is how potent these drugs are for suppressing appetite. GLP’s effectiveness in increasing weight loss is primarily attributed to its ability to reduce appetite, leading to decreased caloric intake.

liraglutide for weight loss in non diabetics liraglutide dose liraglutide mechanism of action liraglutide

Participants treated with 3.0 mg of liraglutide daily lost an average weight loss of 15.9 lbs. over 20 weeks .(Astrup et al., 2009)

LIRAGLUTIDE FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN NON-DIABETICS

Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist that is injected once a day. Research has demonstrated its effectiveness in aiding weight loss for those with and without type 2 diabetes (Astrup et al., 2009). Liraglutide has been approved for weight management at a 3.0 mg/day dose under the brand name Saxenda. (Pi-Sunyer et al., 2015) Here are some impressive weight loss studies with liraglutide.

  • Liraglutide, at doses of 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 mg daily, led to a dose-dependent reduction in body weight and appetite in obese individuals. Participants treated with 3.0 mg of liraglutide daily experienced an average weight loss of 15.9 lbs. over 20 weeks, with a significant reduction in appetite.(Astrup et al., 2009)

  • A double-blind clinical trial of 3,731 overweight patients using liraglutide 3 mg daily with diet and exercise resulted in significant weight loss. After 56 weeks, the average body weight loss in the liraglutide group was 8.0%. This was 5.3% higher than the placebo group. (Trenson et al., 2022)

Liraglutide Studies

Liraglutide, at doses of 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 mg daily, led to a dose-dependent reduction in body weight and appetite in obese individuals. Participants treated with 3.0 mg of liraglutide daily experienced an average weight loss of 15.9 lbs. over 20 weeks, with a significant reduction in appetite.(Astrup et al., 2009)

A double-blind clinical trial of 3,731 overweight patients using liraglutide 3 mg daily with diet and exercise resulted in significant weight loss. After 56 weeks, the average body weight loss in the liraglutide group was 8.0%. This was 5.3% higher than the placebo group. (Trenson et al., 2022)

Liraglutide is a potent weight loss drug, but there are few studies examining liraglutide combined with exercise for weight loss. This leads us to a recent study by (Sandsdal et al., 2023), who investigated the effects of liraglutide in combination with exercise in non-diabetic adults with obesity.

New Study on Liraglutide for Weight Loss in Non-Diabetics and Exercise for Treatment of the Metabolic Syndrome and Inflammation

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) and inflammation are common risk factors that are early indicators of cardiometabolic disease risk. (Alberti et al., 2009)A meta-analysis has shown that moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise for at least 12 weeks can improve the MetS and inflammation.

A study of self-reported physical activity has shown that exercise was associated with reduced inflammation markers in 10 years of follow-up. (Hamer et al., 2012) The potential anti-inflammatory effects of exercise are partly due to reduced visceral fat independent of total body weight loss.

All participants ate a eight-week very low-calorie diet (~800 kcal/day) before being randomized to one of the four groups. Throughout the trial, participants received 12 individual consultations for diet counseling and lifestyle support.

Exercise Intervention

Participants in the exercise groups aimed to achieve a minimum of 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity, 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of both. 

Liraglutide Intervention

Participants receiving liraglutide or placebo started at 0.6 mg/day and increased the dose weekly until reaching 3 mg/day.

Results

After 52 weeks, the exercise plus liraglutide group displayed the best outcome of all the trail conditions. Exercise plus liraglutide reduced metabolic syndrome (MetS-Z), abdominal obesity, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (i.e., a marker of inflammation) compared to the placebo group.

The liraglutide-only group also showed reductions in MetS-Z and abdominal obesity compared to the placebo group. On average, the largest decreases in metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and hsCRP occurs in the exercise plus liraglutide group.

Additionally, the combination group maintained lean mass and did not experience an increase in resting heart rate. In contrast, the liraglutide-only group saw an increase in resting heart rate.

IS LIRAGLUTIDE AND EXERCISE THE NEW GAME-CHANGING FAT LOSS COMBO?

The study by Sandstal et al. contributes valuable insights to the literature by highlighting the synergistic effects of exercise and GLP-1 medication (liraglutide) for potentially greater improvements in metabolic syndrome markers, body fat, and inflammation compared to liraglutide alone or exercise alone in individuals with obesity.

The exercise plus liraglutide group displayed larger losses in body fat and improvements in cardiometabolic risk factors compared to the other groups. Moreover, exercise helped to mitigate the potentially unfavorable increase in resting heart rate observed in the liraglutide-only group and maintained lean mass during significant weight loss.

The author concluded, “The combination of liraglutide and exercise reduced all outcomes compared to placebo, potentially providing the largest risk reductions of future cardiometabolic disease in an adult population with obesity.”

LIRAGLUTIDE FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN NON-DIABETICS DOSE 

The optimal liraglutide dose for weight loss in non-diabetic individuals is 3.0 mg/day. (Pi-Sunyer et al., 2015) This dose effectively induces significant weight loss and improves cardiometabolic risk factors. However, it is essential to initiate liraglutide at a lower dose (0.6 mg/day) and gradually increase the dose over several weeks to minimize gastrointestinal side effects (Astrup et al., 2009).

Regarding the question of whether one can skip a dose of Saxenda, it is generally not recommended. Missing a dose may reduce the drug’s efficacy and increase the risk of side effects when resuming treatment (Novo Nordisk, 2021). I

Side Effects

Common side effects include fast heartbeat, abdominal pain, acute pancreatitis, hypoglycemia, and injection site reactions. However, these side effects are usually mild to moderate and tend to decrease over time.

The risk of thyroid tumors with GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment is still under investigation. Still, evidence suggests no significant association exists between GLP-1 receptor agonists and an increased risk of site-specific cancer.

Across different regions such as Europe, China, and Switzerland, Liraglutide is a treatment for type 2 diabetes and weight loss. Although several studies have demonstrated encouraging outcomes, it is crucial for researchers to conduct additional research to gain a complete understanding of the long-term effects of liraglutide on weight loss and its potential in preventing weight regain.

LIRAGLUTIDE FOR WEIGHT LOSS IN NON-DIABETICS CONCLUSION

Starting liraglutide at a lower dose of 0.6 mg/day is essential. This minimizes gastrointestinal side effects (Astrup et al., 2009). The dose should gradually increase over several weeks. The risk of thyroid tumors from GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment is still being studied.

 The Sandsdal et al. study demonstrates that the synergistic benefits of liraglutide and exercise may lead to greater weight loss and improved cardiometabolic risk factors. To optimize the benefits, it is crucial to adhere to the recommended liraglutide dose and avoid skipping.

References

AAlberti, K. G., Eckel, R. H., Grundy, S. M., Zimmet, P. Z., Cleeman, J. I., Donato, K. A., Fruchart, J. C., James, W. P., Loria, C. M., & Smith, S. C., Jr. (2009). Harmonizing the metabolic syndrome: a joint interim statement of the International Diabetes Federation Task Force on Epidemiology and Prevention; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; American Heart Association; World Heart Federation; International Atherosclerosis Society; and International Association for the Study of Obesity. Circulation, 120(16), 1640-1645. https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.109.192644

Astrup, A., Rössner, S., Van Gaal, L., Rissanen, A., Niskanen, L., Al Hakim, M., Madsen, J., Rasmussen, M. F., & Lean, M. E. (2009). Effects of liraglutide in the treatment of obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Lancet, 374(9701), 1606-1616. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(09)61375-1

Hamer, M., Sabia, S., Batty, G. D., Shipley, M. J., Tabák, A. G., Singh-Manoux, A., & Kivimaki, M. (2012). Physical activity and inflammatory markers over 10 years: follow-up in men and women from the Whitehall II cohort study. Circulation, 126(8), 928-933. https://doi.org/10.1161/circulationaha.112.103879

Holst, J. J. (2007). The physiology of glucagon-like peptide 1. Physiol Rev, 87(4), 1409-1439. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00034.2006

References

Pi-Sunyer, X., Astrup, A., Fujioka, K., Greenway, F., Halpern, A., Krempf, M., Lau, D. C., le Roux, C. W., Violante Ortiz, R., Jensen, C. B., & Wilding, J. P. (2015). A Randomized, Controlled Trial of 3.0 mg of Liraglutide in Weight Management. N Engl J Med, 373(1), 11-22. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1411892

Sandsdal, R. M., Juhl, C. R., Jensen, S. B. K., Lundgren, J. R., Janus, C., Blond, M. B., Rosenkilde, M., Bogh, A. F., Gliemann, L., Jensen, J. B., Antoniades, C., Stallknecht, B. M., Holst, J. J., Madsbad, S., & Torekov, S. S. (2023). Combination of exercise and GLP-1 receptor agonist treatment reduces severity of metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and inflammation: a randomized controlled trial. Cardiovasc Diabetol, 22(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12933-023-01765-z

Trenson, L., Trenson, S., van Nes, F., Moyson, C., Lannoo, M., Deleus, E., Meulemans, A., Matthys, C., Mertens, A., Van der Schueren, B., & Vangoitsenhoven, R. (2022). Liraglutide for Weight Management in the Real World: Significant Weight Loss Even if the Maximal Daily Dose Is Not Achieved. Obesity Facts, 15(1), 83-89. https://doi.org/10.1159/000520217

About The Author

Robbie Durand

I am an exercise physiologist dedicated to writing about health, fitness, nutrition, and resistance exercise. I have spent a large portion of my career studying muscle growth, fat loss, and nutrition.

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