No, Ozempic is not shredding bones <\/p>\n
The latest iteration of GLP-1 misinformation revolves around bones.<\/p>\n
People are claiming<\/a> on social media that the drugs can commonly \u201cshred\u201d bone, based on a misreading of a real, if preliminary, study. The research, presented last month at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, found<\/a> that GLP-1 use was associated with higher rates of\u00a0osteoporosis (bone weakening)\u00a0and osteomalacia (bone softening).<\/p>\n Leaving aside that this study hasn\u2019t yet gone through the typical peer review process, there\u2019s some very important context here. For starters, the absolute rates of osteoporosis and osteomalacia were low, even in the GLP-1 group (4.1% and 2%, respectively). And other research has suggested<\/a> that the increase in these risks comes from the weight people lose while taking a GLP-1, rather than the drug directly.<\/p>\n Even the study researchers themselves don\u2019t call for people to abandon their GLP-1s. Instead, they argue that doctors should monitor the bone health of users at higher risk of these complications, since there are easy things you can do to prevent them proactively, like taking more vitamin D and calcium or strength training. Interestingly enough, a separate study presented at the same conference found that GLP-1 use might reduce the risk of post-operative side effects in people undergoing common orthopedic surgeries.<\/p>\n Oh, and the viral image attached to this latest bit of fearmongering (seen above)? No idea where it\u2019s actually from, but it has squat to do with the study.<\/p>\n Other kinds of misfortune blamed on GLP-1s are based on even more flimsy evidence. As Gizmodo has covered before<\/a>, for instance, there\u2019s next to little data supporting that these drugs are sapping people\u2019s muscles. People will lose some lean body mass when losing weight, no matter how it\u2019s done. And as with our bones, you can take steps to mitigate potential muscle loss if you\u2019re really worried about it, such as increasing your protein intake.<\/p>\n Other zombie GLP-1 myths linger despite most relevant research having refuted it.<\/p>\n It\u2019s true, for instance, that some health agencies were worried about Wegovy increasing people\u2019s suicide ideation soon after it hit the market in 2021. However, these agencies investigated the matter more extensively and ultimately found<\/a> no connection. A study published<\/a> just this month found that semaglutide use was actually associated with a lower risk of worsening depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.<\/p>\n Risks and benefits <\/p>\n To be clear, this isn\u2019t me saying GLP-1s are all reward and no risk.<\/p>\n These drugs very commonly cause unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, though you can take steps to mitigate them. And while scientists are constantly finding new potential health benefits of GLP-1s, they\u2019re finding new possible risks, too.<\/p>\n Several studies have shown that GLP-1s can increase the odds of certain eye conditions, for instance. While the overall risk of these eye issues seems to be very rare<\/a>, it\u2019s still vital to know about that risk so doctors and patients can prevent or treat them appropriately. And this might not be the last unpleasant surprise we learn about GLP-1s, if history is any teacher.<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t really a free lunch in medicine. Most anything that can positively change the body can sometimes backfire in ways we do and don\u2019t expect. Even my regular jogs have occasionally resulted in me spraining my ankle or coming home with scrapes and bruises from an accidental fall.<\/p>\n![\"He7cfjramaaioyc\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/HE7cfjraMAAioyC.jpg\")
The viral image accompanying the latest meme about Ozempic\u2019s harms. \u00a9 Lukathor\/X <\/p>\n