Ozempic weight loss might cost you muscle strength, says new study

New findings reveal a hidden cost of Ozempic’s weight loss benefits—muscle weakness that’s hard to detect until it affects daily life. Experts call for more human studies, especially in older adults. (Image: Pexels)

We have seen a wave of celebrity body transformations in recent months, with many rumoured to have turned to Ozempic. However, new research reveals that Ozempic’s weight loss effects may come with an unseen cost: weaker muscles.

Researchers at the University of Utah Health, in a mouse study, found that Ozempic-induced weight loss sometimes reduced muscle strength—even when muscle size remained unchanged. Published in Cell Metabolism and funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the study raises concerns for older adults, who are already at higher risk of mobility loss.

Ozempic, hailed as a breakthrough for managing type 2 diabetes and later for weight loss, is now under fresh scrutiny. New research from the University of Utah Health indicates that while the drug may help shed kilos, it could also impact muscle health. In mice, muscle size often remained stable, but strength occasionally declined.

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The research, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published in Cell Metabolism, found that Ozempic-induced weight loss reduced lean mass by about 10%. Surprisingly, most of that came from organs like the liver, which shrank by nearly half, not from skeletal muscle. Some muscles did shrink slightly, about 6%, while others held steady. But strength was another story. Certain muscles lost force, even at the same size. That’s what worries scientists: you can’t see or measure that loss easily without proper tests, and by the time you notice weakness in daily life, you’ve already lost ground.

Here’s what the study says:

Weight loss isn’t just muscle loss: In the study, mice lost a little muscle, but most “lean mass” came from other tissues like the liver. Even so, less muscle means less strength.

Size isn’t everything: Some muscles stayed the same size but worked less well. For older adults, even a small strength drop can affect balance, walking, or daily tasks.

Some loss is natural: When you gain fat, you gain muscle to carry it. Lose the fat, and some muscle goes too. The real issue is when the muscle left behind is weaker.

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Age raises the stakes: After 60, muscle and mobility loss speed up. If drugs like Ozempic can cut strength, they could make ageing harder and independence shorter.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.