GLP-1 Storage: Do They Need To Be Refrigerated?
Dr Ashwin Sharma
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Aug 21, 2024
Weight loss and diabetes medications like Mounjaro have specific storage requirements. Read on for everything you need to know.
A weight loss plateau is a common phenomenon that occurs when a person’s weight loss slows down or stalls despite continuing to follow a weight loss plan. This typically occurs after an initial period of steady weight loss and can happen whether you're using weight loss medications like Wegovy or Mounjaro or relying solely on lifestyle interventions like diet and physical activity.
As you lose weight, your body requires fewer calories to function. The body adapts to its reduced caloric intake by lowering its basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is the number of calories you burn at rest. This metabolic adaptation occurs as your weight decreases and contributes to a natural slowing of progress. [1]
When your overall weight decreases, it typically involves reductions in water weight, fat mass and also muscle mass. Muscle is a metabolically active tissue which means it requires energy to maintain it. Losing muscle mass may slow down your BMR and make it more difficult to continue losing weight. [2]
Chronic stress can often elevate circulating levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone in the body. Increased cortisol levels have been associated with an increased appetite for high-fat, high-sugar foods [3], while also being predictive of weight gain. [4]
You may not notice your calorie intake increasing over time. A landmark study [5] found that people consistently underestimate the number of calories consumed in a day, often by more than 1000 calories. It’s important to be aware of what you are consuming over the course of a day by tracking calories, to ensure you remain in your calorie deficit.
You might notice after a bad night's sleep that you are snacking more than usual. [6] This is because inadequate sleep can disrupt your hunger regulating hormones and increase your appetite, making it difficult to maintain the calorie deficit required for weight loss. [7]
Track the number of calories you are consuming regularly through use of a food diary to ensure you remain in a calorie deficit. Tracking your food intake has been consistently associated with weight loss as a food journal can make you more aware of exactly what you are consuming, possibly revealing hidden calories that may be contributing to your weight loss plateau. [8]
Prioritising foods which are high in protein can help you feel fuller for longer. This may reduce the likelihood of snacking, which can unconsciously increase your calorie intake. [9]
Your body gets more efficient at exercises it performs routinely, and so can adapt in a way that you burn less calories for the same effort. To break through a plateau, try increasing the intensity of your workouts to challenge your body and burn more calories.
It is no secret that stress management is beneficial for your overall health and well-being, and reducing your stress levels may contribute to reducing your cravings for energy-dense foods. [10]
Adequate sleep can aid in balancing hormones involved in appetite regulation and can therefore be a valuable strategy in overcoming a weight loss plateau. [11]
If you are using injectable medications for weight loss like Mounjaro or Wegovy and you feel the appetite suppressing effects of your medication starting to decrease, speak to your healthcare provider about adjusting your dosage.
The body can retain water when in a calorie deficit, which can mask weight loss efforts. Adequate hydration can help manage water retention and drinking enough water can signal to the body to stop holding onto excess water. Additionally, sometimes thirst can be mistaken for hunger, leading to unnecessary calorie intake. Drinking water can therefore help to reduce overall calorie consumption.
Hitting a weight loss plateau can be discouraging, especially if you are sticking to your weight loss plan and your results have stalled. Remember that weight loss plateaus are a normal part of any weight loss journey - try not to be disheartened. Weight is just one aspect of health and even if the scale does not reflect your weight loss efforts, your overall health could still be improving in other ways. We recommend recording your body measurements and taking progress photos so that you can get the most well rounded view of your progress.
At Levity, we offer a range of GLP-1 medications that can help you lose weight sustainably. Plus, included in your monthly medication costs is your initial consultation, prescription medication – which we’ll deliver to your door each month – shipping, and unlimited clinical check-ins. To learn more about weight loss medications and if they are right for you, click here.
[1] Molé PA. Impact of Energy Intake and Exercise on Resting Metabolic Rate. Sports Medicine [Internet]. 1990 Aug;10(2):72–87. Available from: https://link.springer.com/article/10.2165/00007256-199010020-00002
[2] Zurlo F, Larson K, Bogardus C, Ravussin E. Skeletal muscle metabolism is a major determinant of resting energy expenditure. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 1990 Nov 1;86(5):1423–7.
[3] Epel E, Lapidus R, McEwen B, Brownell K. Stress may add bite to appetite in women: a laboratory study of stress-induced cortisol and eating behavior. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2001 Jan;26(1):37–49.
[4] Chao AM, Jastreboff AM, White MA, Grilo CM, Sinha R. Stress, cortisol, and other appetite-related hormones: Prospective prediction of 6-month changes in food cravings and weight. Obesity [Internet]. 2017 Mar 28;25(4):713–20. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2Foby.21790
[5] Lichtman SW, Pisarska K, Berman ER, Pestone M, Dowling H, Offenbacher E, et al. Discrepancy between self-reported and actual caloric intake and exercise in obese subjects. The New England journal of medicine [Internet]. 1992;327(27):1893–8. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14540
[6] Nedeltcheva AV, Kilkus JM, Imperial J, Kasza K, Schoeller DA, Penev PD. Sleep curtailment is accompanied by increased intake of calories from snacks. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009 Jan;89(1):126-33. doi: 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26574. Epub 2008 Dec 3. PMID: 19056602; PMCID: PMC2615460.
[7] Taheri S, Lin L, Austin D, Young T, Mignot E. Short sleep duration is associated with reduced leptin, elevated ghrelin, and increased body mass index. PLoS Med. 2004 Dec;1(3):e62. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0010062. Epub 2004 Dec 7. PMID: 15602591; PMCID: PMC535701.
[8] Burke LE, Wang J, Sevick MA. Self-monitoring in weight loss: a systematic review of the literature. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011 Jan;111(1):92-102. doi: 10.1016/j.jada.2010.10.008. PMID: 21185970; PMCID: PMC3268700.
[9] Moon J, Koh G. Clinical Evidence and Mechanisms of High-Protein Diet-Induced Weight Loss. J Obes Metab Syndr. 2020 Sep 30;29(3):166-173. doi: 10.7570/jomes20028. PMID: 32699189; PMCID: PMC7539343.
[10] Chao A, Grilo CM, White MA, Sinha R. Food cravings mediate the relationship between chronic stress and body mass index. J Health Psychol. 2015 Jun;20(6):721-9. doi: 10.1177/1359105315573448. PMID: 26032789; PMCID: PMC6186388.
[11] Papatriantafyllou E, Efthymiou D, Zoumbaneas E, Popescu CA, Vassilopoulou E. Sleep Deprivation: Effects on Weight Loss and Weight Loss Maintenance. Nutrients. 2022 Apr 8;14(8):1549. doi: 10.3390/nu14081549. PMID: 35458110; PMCID: PMC9031614.
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Weight loss and diabetes medications like Mounjaro have specific storage requirements. Read on for everything you need to know.
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