What vitamins are depleted by the GLP-1 weight loss drugs? Technically, you can experience multiple vitamin and nutrient deficiencies. However, some of them are more likely to occur. The most common ones that are depleted include proteins, vitamin D, calcium, vitamin B12, and Iron. In this article, we examine this topic more closely. We invite you to read on!

Top 5 Common Deficiencies in Patients on GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 receptor agonists tend to lower your appetite and cause side effects like vomiting and diarrhea. All of these impact the amount of nutrients your body absorbs daily. In the end, the type of vitamins and minerals that you may lack depends strongly on your diet. However, there are some more common deficiencies that you might experience.

What vitamins and minerals are depleted by GLP-1 weight loss drugs? Take a look below.

Proteins

The case with proteins is two-sided, which is why they are among the most common deficiencies. It looks like this:

• you should consume more proteins than usual while losing weight,
• you do not absorb as much protein as usual due to the side effects of GLP-1 drugs, as well as due to lower appetite.

This is why you either need protein products or a diet that includes more protein foods to ensure that this deficiency doesn’t occur.

Vitamin D

We don’t consume much vitamin D overall. Its main source is the sun. As a result, we are susceptible to vitamin D deficiencies in the winter, when the days are shorter, and we don’t absorb as much of it as we need.

GLP-1 drugs make you absorb even less vitamin D, which in turn can easily lead to a deficiency in the less sunny seasons. At the same time, this is a crucial nutrient for your bone health, weight loss, and mood. Therefore, it is crucial to supplement yourself with this vitamin when on GLP-1 receptor agonists or to craft a diet that includes vitamin D-rich foods.

Calcium

Like vitamin D and proteins, calcium is a crucial component of your bones. At the same time, the lack of it is also among the top 5 most common deficiencies in patients on GLP-1 receptor agonists. If you do not consume enough calcium, proteins and vitamins at the same time, you won’t only experience your bones getting weaker—you might actually slow down the weight loss process.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is the second vitamin on the list. But, if you consider the fact that you might also be depleted of other vitamins, we don’t recommend purchasing supplements with just this nutrient. Instead, opt for multi-vitamins, as they are among the best supplements for preventing nutrient depletion from GLP-1 drugs—they provide you with overall nutrition.

Iron

Finally, there is iron—yet another key nutrient that you might lack due to GLP-1 weight loss drugs. This particular mineral is crucial for your cardiovascular health as well as sleep and energy production. Its deficiency might impact your mood and make you less motivated to work out or proceed with your everyday activities. Therefore, you should either include more iron-rich foods in your diet or find a specialized supplement that will support you with this nutrient.

The Takeaway

Knowing what vitamins and minerals are depleted on GLP-1 weight loss drugs is just the first step. You still need to ensure that you consume (and absorb) sufficient amounts of these nutrients. Therefore, if you’re taking or plan to take such medications, plan your diet in advance and consider additional supplementation, as it may be necessary.

You may also read: Why Supplements Are Essential While Taking GLP-1 Weight Loss Medication