Fat melts away—but so does muscle: What Ozempic users need to know

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are transforming weight loss, but a new UVA study warns they're not improving a critical measure of health: cardiorespiratory fitness. While these medications help people shed fat, they also strip away vital muscle mass—raising concerns about long-term heart health, physical function, and mortality. The researchers urge combining treatment with exercise, protein intake, and possibly future drugs to avoid hidden downsides of rapid weight loss.