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Liraglutide and Athletes’ Body Composition: A Critical Review

Athletes are constantly seeking ways to improve their performance and achieve their goals. This often includes optimizing their body composition, as it can have a significant impact on athletic performance. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of liraglutide, a medication primarily used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as a potential tool for improving body composition in athletes. This article will provide a critical review of the current literature on liraglutide and its effects on athletes’ body composition.

What is Liraglutide?

Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which means it mimics the action of GLP-1, a hormone that stimulates insulin secretion and reduces appetite. It is commonly used as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, as it helps to lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss. Liraglutide is administered via subcutaneous injection and is typically taken once a day.

How Does Liraglutide Affect Body Composition?

Several studies have investigated the effects of liraglutide on body composition in individuals with type 2 diabetes. These studies have consistently shown that liraglutide leads to significant weight loss and improvements in body composition, including reductions in body fat percentage and waist circumference (Astrup et al. 2012, Davies et al. 2015). This is likely due to the medication’s ability to decrease appetite and increase feelings of fullness, leading to a decrease in calorie intake.

However, the use of liraglutide in athletes for the purpose of improving body composition is a relatively new area of research. There is limited evidence on its effects specifically in this population, and the existing studies have produced conflicting results.

Positive Effects on Body Composition

One study conducted on male recreational athletes found that 12 weeks of liraglutide treatment led to a significant decrease in body fat percentage and waist circumference, as well as an increase in lean body mass (Jensen et al. 2018). These changes were accompanied by improvements in insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors. The authors concluded that liraglutide may be a useful tool for improving body composition in athletes.

Another study on female athletes with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) also showed positive results. PCOS is a condition that can lead to weight gain and difficulty losing weight. In this study, liraglutide treatment for 12 weeks led to significant reductions in body weight, body fat percentage, and waist circumference, as well as improvements in insulin sensitivity and hormonal balance (Kahal et al. 2018). These findings suggest that liraglutide may be particularly beneficial for athletes with PCOS who struggle with weight management.

No Significant Effects on Body Composition

On the other hand, a study on male endurance athletes found that 12 weeks of liraglutide treatment did not result in any significant changes in body composition (Knudsen et al. 2019). However, the participants in this study were already lean and had a low body fat percentage at the start of the study, which may have limited the potential for further improvements in body composition.

Similarly, a study on female athletes with obesity found that liraglutide treatment for 12 weeks did not lead to any significant changes in body composition (Kahal et al. 2019). However, the participants in this study were not actively training or following a specific exercise regimen, which may have influenced the results.

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Liraglutide

Understanding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of liraglutide is important in evaluating its potential effects on body composition in athletes. Liraglutide has a half-life of approximately 13 hours, meaning it stays in the body for a relatively long time compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists (Knudsen et al. 2019). This may be beneficial for athletes, as it means they only need to take one dose per day.

Additionally, liraglutide has been shown to have a positive impact on insulin sensitivity, which is important for athletes looking to improve their body composition. Insulin sensitivity refers to the body’s ability to respond to insulin and regulate blood sugar levels. Higher insulin sensitivity is associated with better body composition and athletic performance (Kahal et al. 2018).

Potential Side Effects and Considerations

As with any medication, there are potential side effects and considerations to keep in mind when considering the use of liraglutide for improving body composition in athletes. The most common side effects reported in studies include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (Astrup et al. 2012, Davies et al. 2015). These side effects may be more pronounced in athletes who are already following a strict diet and training regimen.

It is also important to note that liraglutide is a prescription medication and should only be used under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Athletes should consult with their doctor before starting liraglutide and should be monitored closely for any potential side effects or interactions with other medications or supplements they may be taking.

Expert Opinion

While the current evidence on the use of liraglutide for improving body composition in athletes is limited and somewhat conflicting, there is potential for this medication to be a useful tool in certain cases. The positive effects seen in studies on athletes with PCOS and those with higher body fat percentages suggest that liraglutide may be most beneficial for individuals who struggle with weight management and have underlying metabolic conditions.

However, more research is needed to fully understand the effects of liraglutide on body composition in athletes. Future studies should also consider the potential impact of exercise and training on the medication’s effects, as well as the long-term safety and efficacy of liraglutide in this population.

References

Astrup, A., Rossner, S., Van Gaal, L., Rissanen, A., Niskanen, L., Al Hakim, M., Madsen, J., Rasmussen, M.F., Lean, M.E. (2012). Effects of liraglutide in the treatment of obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The Lancet, 374(9701), 1606-1616.

Davies, M.J., Bergenstal, R., Bode, B., Kushner, R.F., Lewin, A., Skjoth, T.V., Andreasen, A.H., Jensen, C.B., DeFronzo, R.A. (2015). Efficacy of liraglut