According to some estimates, nearly 1 in 8 U.S. adults now take GLP-1 medications like Ozempic®, Wegovy®, and Mounjaro®.
These weight loss medications have been hailed through the media as "magic pills," as a transformation in weight loss science.
We're not here to get into this debate or tell you whether or not these medications are for you. That’s a conversation between you and your healthcare provider.
We're here to fill a gap in the GLP-1 conversation. That's a discussion about some of the well-observed downsides of these medications, and how the right nutrition support can offset them.
How GLP-1 Medications Work: They Help You Feel Full, Fast
GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone your body naturally releases after eating.
It plays a role in blood sugar regulation and helps signal to your brain that you’re full.
GLP-1 medications mimic this hormone to:
- Slow down how quickly food leaves your stomach
- Reduce your appetite
This means you feel fuller faster and for longer. This leads to a reduction in calorie intake, which leads to weight loss.
The logic here is simple. But eating less, especially over time, can have unintended consequences.
When you simply eat less, you'll loss weight, but you may also not get enough protein, electrolytes, fiber, or essential vitamins and minerals.
Without these nutrients, you'll likely lose muscle and may experience other downsides.
In this article, we’ll go through supplements that can help provide that nutritional support if you’re taking GLP-1s.
Even if you aren’t taking these medications, these ideas apply to anybody in a calorie deficit.
Let’s dive in.
1) Protein Powders + Meal Replacements: Protecting Muscle While Losing Weight
One of the clearest effects of GLP-1 medications is how much of the weight lost comes from muscle, not just fat.
Recent studies suggest that 25% to 39% of the total weight lost on GLP-1 medications comes from fat-free mass. This looked at weight loss over the course of 36-72 weeks.
That’s significantly higher than what’s typically seen with non-pharmacological dieting, and far beyond the typical rate of age-related muscle loss (which is around 0.8% per year after age 40).
Muscle and protein aren’t just about aesthetics or performance, either. They play a key role in injury prevention as you age, metabolism, hormone production, and structural integrity.
If you're losing significant amounts of muscle, you should take steps to protect it.
There are two core ways to do this.
1) Strength train.
2) Eat enough protein.
When your appetite is suppressed by weight loss drugs, it's naturally harder to hit your daily protein target through food alone.
That's where a convenient protein powder can make a big difference.
For a simple, clean choice, Kaged Whey Protein Isolate is fast-digesting, ultra-filtered to cut out unwanted fats and sugar. It’s perfect in between meals to help you preserve muscle.
When you're not hungry but know you need protein, a protein shake provides a great way to do that.
When to Choose a Meal Replacement
If you’re skipping meals or struggling to eat full portions, you may not just be falling short on protein. You might also be missing out on key nutrients your body needs to function at its best.
That’s where a meal replacement can help.
Kaged Clean Meal is designed to give you the macronutrients and micronutrients of a balanced meal, with:
- 28g of premium whey protein isolate
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20g of clean carbohydrates from organic quinoa and Swedish oats
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MCTs from coconut oil for rapid fuel from healthy fats
- A full spectrum of vitamins and minerals from whole-food sources.
It’s a great option if you’re skipping meals altogether, you need an all-in-one meal that you can get down without getting full, or if you’re training hard and know you need extra nutritional support.*
SHOP CLEAN MEAL
2) Electrolytes: Support Hydration + Daily Function
GLP-1 medications reduce appetite, but they have also been shown to reduce thirst and shift hydration habits.
Research on the importance of optimal hydration for exercise performance and daily function is extensive.
For example, one review looked 34 studies on hydration and endurance. They concluded that if an individual loses 2% or more of their body mass in fluid, aerobic exercise and endurance performance become impaired.
And since you’re likely eating less food overall, you may also be missing out on electrolytes that would normally come from your meals.
These essential electrolytes are important for hundreds of bodily functions.
It’s common to feel low on energy while taking weight loss medications due to decreased caloric intake. However, an electrolyte imbalance or suboptimal hydration may also be part of this picture.
Kaged Hydration can be an easy way to consume these key electrolytes. It contains five key electrolytes a to help you stay hydrated with only 1g of carbs per scoop.
Hydration may not be the first thing you think about when taking GLP-1s, but it’s one of the simplest ways to help you stay hydrated, even as the medications impact your thirst, fluid, and electrolyte intake.
SHOP HYDRATION
3) Greens: Bridge the Nutrient Gap
Even without GLP-1s in the mix, most of us struggle to eat enough vegetables.
According to 2015 national data, only 9.3% of U.S. adults meet the recommended daily vegetable intake.
If you’re taking a GLP-1 medication and your appetite is lower than usual, that number could be even lower.
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of fiber, and they’re packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that we need for immune health, digestion, and overall vitality.
No supplement replaces whole food fruits and vegetables.
However, if you’re not getting enough, then a daily scoop of Kaged Organic Greens can help bridge the nutrient gap.* It’s made from 26 organic superfoods, including kale, spinach, turmeric, ginger, and matcha. It supports immune health, provides gut support with prebiotic fibers, and even supports natural energy.*
If you’re eating fewer whole meals, or skipping salads and sides more often than not, a scoop of greens can act like a daily nutrient insurance policy. It’s a simple, effective, and easy on your stomach.
SHOP ORGANIC GREENS
4) Creatine: Preserve Strength and Support Muscle Performance
Creatine isn’t just for bodybuilders. It’s one of the most well-researched supplements in the world, shown to improve performance, strength, and support muscle mass.
That makes it especially valuable if you’re taking a GLP-1 medication.
As we mentioned earlier, GLP-1s can lead to significant muscle loss alongside fat loss. If you’re training less intensely or consuming fewer calories and protein, that risk increases.
Creatine is backed by literally hundreds of research studies. It can help you hold on to the strength you’ve built—even when you’re eating less or working out at a lower intensity.
At Kaged, we have the classic creatine monohydrate as well as the easier-mixing Creatine HCl. You can learn about the differences in this article on creatine HCl vs monohydrate.
SHOP CREATINE
5) Weight Management Supplements vs GLP-1s
GLP-1 medications are very powerful. But of course, they’re not for everyone.
Since GLP-1s have hit the market, we’ve seen supplement companies marketing their weight loss products as “Nature’s Ozempic,” or otherwise making it seem like an alternative to these medications.
To be clear: no supplement has shown the weight loss results as these medications have.
Any and all supplements that do support weight loss work through different processes.
Let’s compare GLP-1 medications to weight loss support supplements like Kaged Clean Burn. Keep in mind, though, the choice is between you and your healthcare provider. We're here to provide an overview and clear up common misunderstandings.
GLP-1 Medications
How they work: GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a hormone that affects insulin secretion and signals the brain to reduce appetite. This leads to lower food intake and, in many cases, dramatic weight loss.
Pros:
- Clinically proven for significant fat loss
- Helpful for individuals with obesity or type 2 diabetes
- Medical supervision ensures dosing and safety
Cons:
- Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, digestive issues
- May cause muscle loss without resistance training or proper protein intake
- Not intended for individuals with moderate weight loss goals
- Weight regain is common after stopping the medication
GLP-1 medications are powerful tools. But they’re medical interventions, not lifestyle solutions. Generally, they're more suitable for those with more severe obesity. If you're just trying to lose that last five pounds for summer... then look at the supplement route.
Weight Loss Support Supplements (Like Kaged Clean Burn)
While a lot of “weight loss supplements” out there haven’t shown to be effective, the Kaged Clean Burn formula brings together many patented ingredients to support metabolism and calorie-burning using natural, well-studied ingredients.
There are many key differences though.
GLP-1 medications have been called “magic pills.” Clean Burn is not a magic pill. But paired with your effort, it can give you a real edge.
A supplement like Clean Burn doesn’t lead to weight loss on its own. It’s designed to be a part of lifestyle that supports healthy weight loss.*
For example, we include organic caffeine in the formula to help you power through you cardio. That alone doesn’t lead to weight loss, but when keeping in mind the bigger picture of your lifestyle, it can.
While GLP-1 medications have shown many side effects, Clean Burn’s natural ingredients come with limited downsides and risks. Just stick to the recommended 1-2 scoops per day. It doesn’t manipulate your body’s hormones.
If you’re looking for modest weight loss results, Clean Burn is a great option. But it’s not to treat medical conditions, unlike GLP-1s.
Pros:
- Stimulant and non-stimulant options available
- Made with patented, research-backed ingredients
- Affordable, accessible, and easy to fit into your routine
- Designed to complement a healthy diet and exercise plan
- No prescription required, no hormonal manipulation
Cons:
- Not as rapid or dramatic in effects as GLP-1s
- Results depend heavily on consistency and lifestyle habits
Learn more about the Kaged Clean Burn line to support weight loss in this blog post.
Stacks for Nutrition Support if You’re Taking GLP-1s
GLP-1 medications have changed the game when it comes to weight loss. But the journey doesn’t stop at eating less.
Whether you're on a GLP-1 or simply cutting calories, how you support your body during weight loss matters. Losing weight without getting the nutrients you need, or without protecting your muscle, hydration, and energy, can leave you feeling worse, not better.
That’s where high-quality supplements come in. We’ve built a few custom stacks built for you if you’re looking for nutrition support while taking GLP-1 medications.
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GLP-1 Foundation Stack – $79.99 ($84.98)
Includes Clean Meal + Hydration
Complete nutrition support plus essential electrolytes.
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GLP-1 Foundation Plus Stack – $119.99 ($134.97)
Includes Clean Meal + Hydration + Organic Greens
Everything in the Foundation Stack, plus daily greens for immune and gut support.
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GLP-1 Total Body Support Stack – $149.99 ($169.96)
Includes Clean Meal + Hydration + Organic Greens + Creatine
Everything in the Foundation Plus Stack, with creatine to support performance and strength.
Whatever level of support you need, there’s a stack designed to make daily nutrition simple, complete, and effective.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
