Ozempic Sheds Fat But May Impact Heart and Lung Health.

In 2025, Zhenqi Liu and team from the University of Virginia reviewed studies on GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, focusing on their impact on cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), a key predictor of heart health and longevity. While these drugs drive significant weight loss, they also reduce fat-free mass (25-40% of total weight lost), including vital muscle, raising concerns about long-term health.

Despite benefits like better blood sugar and short-term heart-kidney outcomes, GLP-1 drugs showed no clear improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max), critical for heart, lung, and muscle function. Small studies hint exercise may help, but robust trials are needed.

Pair Ozempic with exercise and protein to protect muscle and heart health.