"Does Losing Weight Also Mean Losing Muscle?" Wegovy Burns Fat Only, Surprising Results [Health Issue]

[Financial News]"Does losing weight also mean losing muscle?"This is one of the most common questions during obesity treatment and a concern for many people trying to lose weight. In fact, muscle loss can occur during weight reduction, often leading to a decrease in basal metabolic rate.

Recent findings suggest that Wegovy may address these concerns. According to the pharmaceutical and biotech industry on the 26th, results from the SEMALEAN study, which focused on French patients with severe obesity, were published in the international endocrinology journal 'Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.'
The study tracked patients with an average body mass index (BMI)—calculated as weight divided by the square of height—of 46 for one year. Results showed that the group treated with Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist Wegovy achieved significant weight loss, with the majority of the weight reduction attributed to fat loss.
Muscle loss in the Wegovy group was around 3 kg, accounting for only about 18% of total weight loss. This indicates that while fat decreased, most muscle mass was preserved.
Additionally, the proportion of patients with 'Sarcopenic Obesity'—a body type characterized by low muscle and high fat—dropped significantly from 49% to 33%. Despite weight loss, body composition improved to a healthier state.

In fact, some patients who had Sarcopenic Obesity before treatment no longer met the criteria after one year. Indicators of muscle function, such as grip strength, also improved, overturning the belief that weight loss inevitably leads to reduced physical strength.
This study is notable as the first Real-World Study to provide long-term, real-world evidence of fat-focused weight loss, muscle mass preservation, improved muscle function, and maintained metabolic efficiency. Real-World Studies evaluate the effectiveness and safety of drugs or treatments in actual clinical settings, and are typically conducted after a drug has been developed, approved, and on the market for some time.
Compared to traditional randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which are conducted under strict controls, Real-World Studies involve a broader patient population and are better suited to assess the long-term effects, efficacy, and safety of medications in real-world prescription environments.
A representative from the pharmaceutical and biotech industry stated, "The results demonstrate that Wegovy is not just a weight loss drug, but also improves body composition and function."
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter