You want or need to lose weight, and you’re thrilled about the new GLP-1 medications that have been FDA-approved to aid in weight loss. What you didn’t count on, though, was that they come with side effects, one of which is constipation. What should you do?
Our team of experienced physicians at Women's Health Specialists, PLLC is proud to offer a medically supervised weight loss program to our patients, which may include use of GLP-1 medications. If you’re struggling with constipation from the drug, know that it’s a common side effect and easily manageable. Here’s how.
Being overweight or obese poses many health risks. Excess fat in the abdominal area, called visceral fat, contributes to major causes of death and disability, such as heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, some cancers, fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes.
In this population, weekly treatment with the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist semaglutide leads to both reduced body fat and increased lean body mass, according to a 2021 study presented virtually at the Endocrine Society’s annual meeting.
Semaglutide, already approved by the FDA as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1 and works on appetite centers in the brain and the gut, producing feelings of fullness.
In February 2021, the researchers published the findings from their trial in The New England Journal of Medicine, showing that patients using semaglutide lost almost 15% of their body weight, on average, compared with 2.4% among patients who got the placebo. More than one-third of those receiving semaglutide lost more than 20% of their weight.
It’s important to understand that GLP-1s do come with side effects, including constipation — defined as having three or fewer bowel movements per week. You may also have hard, dry stools that may be painful to pass. These effects are temporary, however. Your body simply needs time to adjust to the medication. As you adapt, the side effects will decrease.
In the meantime, here are some recommendations for dealing with the constipation.
Water plays a vital role in the body, and it’s necessary to keep stool soft. Water even moves food through the digestive tract, pushing stool more effectively. If you’re eating food but not drinking enough, you can develop hard stools that are painful to pass.
The general recommendation is 73 ounces for women and 100 ounces for men per day at a minimum.
Fiber is a carbohydrate, but unlike the carbohydrates broken down through digestion, fiber can’t be digested. This plays a role in its many functions. First, fiber slows down digestion, keeping you fuller for longer. So foods higher in fiber — such as fruits, vegetables, brown rice, whole grain breads, and oats — provide more satiety.
Second, fiber comes in two forms: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber means it can dissolve in water, forming a gel-like material that pulls things through the digestive tract. In this way, it helps lower both cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
Insoluble fiber can’t dissolve in water, so it adds bulk to stool, also helping to move things through. Consuming both types of fiber is therefore crucial for reducing constipation.
Foods typically contain a combination of both types of fiber, and you’ll generally want at least three grams per serving, with a total of 25-35 grams per day for adults. You can get this amount by having whole fruits/vegetables instead of juices; replacing white breads/pastas with whole grains, and adding foods such as flaxseeds and chia seeds to your diet.
While a food-first approach is ideal, not everyone can get enough fiber through food. In that case, a fiber supplement may be beneficial. Start slowly and increase the dosage if necessary. If you’re unsure of how much to take, talk with your doctor about it.
Psyllium husk is a good supplement choice. Start with one teaspoon a day, potentially increasing to 2-3 teaspoons per day if necessary.
Exercise is important for maintaining good overall health, and it can be helpful if you’re dealing with constipation. Exercise stimulates the colon so food can pass through at a faster rate.
Try to get 150 minutes weekly of moderate-intensity exercise, and add on two days of strength training. Go for a walk, lift weights, go swimming. Choose something you like so it won’t feel like a chore and will be easy to maintain.
Getting results from the GLP-1 you’re taking but feeling that constipation is weighing you down? Women’s Health Specialists, PLLC can help with even more tips to relieve the problem. Call our office in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, at 615-907-2040, or book your appointment online with us today.
