172. GLP-1s & Muscle: Should We Be Concerned? Interview with Dr. Michael Tsoukas
GLP-1 medications are either wildly overhyped or harshly criticized depending on the week—and one of the loudest concerns right now is that they “cause muscle loss.” In this episode, I’m digging into what the research actually shows about lean mass changes on GLP-1s, what’s being misunderstood online, and what patients and clinicians can do to protect muscle while still benefiting from these powerful therapies.
To help me unpack this, I’m joined by Dr. Michael Tsoukas, Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Endocrinology at the McGill University Health Centre, Co-Director of the Metabolic & Weight Optimization Clinic, and a clinician-scientist whose work focuses on GLP-1 pharmacotherapy and obesity treatment. He’s trained at Tufts, McGill, and Harvard, and has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications.
We talk about where the muscle-loss concern came from, how GLP-1 weight loss compares to bariatric surgery and diet-only approaches, and whether lean mass loss always reflects true functional muscle loss. We also get practical, discussing resistance training and protein targets (it’s more than you may think!).
If you’re on a GLP-1, considering one, or prescribing them—this is a science-based conversation that separates fear from facts.
Guest: Dr. Michael Tsoukas
Website: mwoc.ca
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