KyoLife

Smart Strategies to Support your GLP-1 Journey

If you are on GLP-1 therapy, you are not alone. One in eight Americans are currently using a GLP-1 receptor agonist, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide. (1) These medications mimic the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 and help to regulate blood sugar, reduce appetite, slow gastric emptying, improve cardiovascular health (while using), reduce visceral fat, and promote significant weight loss. But they can also cause digestive issues, muscle loss, and potential nutrient deficiencies. The good news? Targeted nutritional support from Wakunaga of America can make your journey smoother and more effective.

Supplement Support: The Big Four

The four supplements below work synergistically with GLP-1 therapy to fill nutritional gaps, protect gut health, and enhance health benefits.

Kyo-Dophilus® Enzyme+ Probiotic

GLP-1 drugs slow gastric emptying and can reduce stomach acid output. While that helps you feel full longer, it also impairs your ability to break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.2 A digestive enzyme that contains protease, lipase, lactase, and amylase can restore efficient digestion—particularly when combined with a probiotic.

Key Benefits:

  • Reduces bloating, gas, and post-meal discomfort3
  • Promotes better absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E,K)4
  • Improves protein absorption to help prevent muscle loss5
  • Supports exercise performance via improved nutrient delivery.6

Kyo-Dophilus® Pro+ Synbiotic

GLP-1 medications alter digestive motility and can disrupt the balance of good to bad bacteria, contributing to gastrointestinal side effects. Synbiotics combine probiotics with prebiotics to improve gut health, enhance the survival of beneficial gut bacteria, and provide synergistic health benefits.

Key Benefits:

  • Reduces nausea, bloating, and irregularity.7
  • Enhances GLP-1’s metabolic and weight loss effects.8
  • Supports immune function by improving gut microbiome.9
  • May improve muscle mass when used alongside resistance training.10

Kyolic® Aged Garlic Extract™

Aged Garlic Extract (AGE) is a proprietary odor-free supplement rich in organosulfur compounds shown to provide key cardiovascular benefits in numerous double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. GLP-1 drugs also reduce cardiovascular risk factors while in use—AGE can complement and amplify these benefits. Adding AGE to your long-term health routine can further support a healthy heart for a lifetime.*

Key Benefits:

  • Lowers blood pressure11
  • Reduces LDL cholesterol and triglycerides12
  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant protection13
  • Helps prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and coronary artery calcification14

Kyo-Green® Powdered Drink Mix

GLP-1 therapy often leads to significantly reduced food intake. A daily greens powder containing barley and wheat grass, chlorella, brown rice, kelp, inulin, and superfoods provides a concentrated source of micronutrients a reduced-calorie diet may miss.

Key Benefits:

  • Fills micronutrient gaps (beta-carotene, vitamins C/D/E, iron, etc.)15
  • Supports natural energy without stimulants16
  • Alkalizing phytonutrients reduce systemic inflammation17
  • Antioxidants that support post-exercise muscle recovery18

Healthy Lifestyle Changes to Maximize GLP-1 Benefits

Those weekly jabs or daily pills are just one part of your weight loss journey. Lifestyle changes are also critical to achieve optimal results and foster good health for a lifetime.

Exercise

Resistance training two to three times per week is vital for preventing muscle loss during rapid weight loss, especially in those using GLP-1 therapy.19 Combine with 150 minutes of moderate cardio/endurance exercise  to enhance GLP-1’s glucose lowering effect.20

Nutrition Strategy

Prioritize eating at least 30g of protein at every meal to preserve lean muscle.21  It’s also important to load up on fiber-rich vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains. Because GLP-1 drugs slow digestion, eating small, frequent meals can help reduce digestive issues and improve nutritional status.22

Hydration

Consuming 64-100 ounces of water daily and including water-rich fruits and veggies in your meals and snacks can help maintain proper hydration This is especially important since GLP-1’s often reduce the urge to drink fluids.23,24 Dehydration can worsen GLP-1 side effects including headaches and constipation.25

Sleep

Getting seven to nine hours of high-quality sleep can help maximize weight loss and exercise-induced muscle growth.26 Poor sleep—even for a single night—undermines weight loss by upending the hunger hormones, ghrelin and leptin while elevating the stress hormone, cortisol.27

Managing Common Side Effects

Studies show that 40-70% of GLP-1 users experience side effects, especially early in treatment.28 The following tips may help:

  • Nausea: Probiotics, small meals, ginger tea29
  • Constipation: Synbiotics, fiber, hydration, taking a walk30
  • Bloating/Gas/Feelings of Fullness: Digestive enzymes, gentle movement3
  • Fatigue: Powdered greens drink mix, B vitamins, adequate protein31
  • Muscle Loss: Aged Garlic Extract, adequate protein, high-quality sleep32

References

    1. Harris E. Poll: Roughly 12% of US adults have used a GLP-1 drug, even if unaffordable. 2024;332(1):8.
    2. Imeryüz N, Yeğen BC, Bozkurt A, et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 inhibits gastric emptying via vagal afferent-mediated central mechanisms. American Journal of Physiology. 1997;273(4):G920-7.
    3. Ullah H, Di Minno A, Piccinocchi R, et al. Efficacy of digestive enzyme supplementation in functional dyspepsia: A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. 2023;169:115858.
    4. Rathi A, Potale S, Vaze R, et al. In vitro stimulated study of macronutrient digestion in complex food using digestive enzyme supplement. 2024;10:e30250.
    5. Koopman R, Walrand S, Beelen M, et al. Dietary protein digestion and absorption rates and the subsequent postprandial muscle protein synthetic response do not differ between young and elderly men. Journal of Nutrition. 2009;139(9):1707-13.
    6. Santibañez-Gutierrez A, Fernández-Landa J, Calleja-González J, Effects of probiotic supplementation on exercise with predominance of aerobic metabolism in trained population: A systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Nutrients. 2022;14(3):622.
    7. Allegretti JR, Kassam Z, Kelly CR, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating multi-species synbiotic supplementation for bloating, gas, and abdominal discomfort. Nutrients. 2026;18(2):255.
    8. Lin CW, Zou H, Chen R, et al. A synbiotics supplement reduces body fat and increases GLP-1 secretion in a pilot clinical study. Journal of Functional Foods. 2026;137:107171.
    9. Li X, Hu S, Yin J, et al. Effect of synbiotic supplementation on immune parameters and gut microbiota in healthy adults: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Gut Microbes. 2023;15(2):2247025.
    10. Zeng Q, Luo Y. Effect of probiotics or synbiotics on skeletal muscle in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Aging Research. 2024;2(1):9340028.
    11. Ried K. Garlic lowers blood pressure in hypertensive subjects, improves arterial stiffness and gut microbiota: A review and meta-analysis. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2020;19(2):1472-8.
    12. Gruenwald J, Bongartz U, Bothe G, et al. Effects of aged garlic extract on arterial elasticity in a placebo-controlled clinical trial using EndoPAT™ technology. Experimetal and Therapeutic Medicine. 2020;19(2):1490-9.
    13. Ansary J, Forbes-Hernández TY, Gil E, et al. Potential health benefit of garlic based on human intervention studies: a brief overview. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(7):619.
    14. Wlosinska M, Nilsson AC, Hlebowicz J, et al. The effect of aged garlic extract on the atherosclerotic process – a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2020;20(1):132.
    15. Zhang W, Chen P, Huo S, et al. Requirements for essential micronutrients during caloric restriction and fasting. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2024;11:1363181.
    16. Karkos PD, Leong SC, Karkos CD, et al. Spirulina in clinical practice: evidence-based human applications. Evidenced-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:531053.
    17. Sibi G, Rabina S. Inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines by chlorella vulgaris extracts. Pharmacognosy Research. 2016;8(2):118-22.
    18. Canals-Garzón C, Guisado-Barrilao R, Martínez-García D, et al. Effect of antioxidant supplementation on markers of oxidative stress and muscle damage after strength exercise: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022;19(3):1803.
    19. Tinsley GM, Nadolsky S. Preservation of lean soft tissue during weight loss induced by GLP-1 and GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists: A case series. SAGE Open Medical Case Reports. 2025;13:2050313X251388724.
    20. Åkerström T, Stolpe MN, Widmer R, et al. Endurance training improves GLP-1 sensitivity and glucose tolerance in overweight women. Journal of the Endocrine Society. 2022;6(9):bvac111.
    21. Stokes T, Hector AJ, Morton RW, et al. Recent perspectives regarding the role of dietary protein for the promotion of muscle hypertrophy with resistance exercise training. 2018;10(2):180.
    22. Bodnaruc AM, Prud’homme D, Blanchet R, et al. Nutritional modulation of endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 secretion: a review. Nutrition & Metabolism (Lond). 2016;13:92.
    23. Mehrtash F,Dushay J, Manson JE. I am taking a GLP-1 weight-loss medication—what should I know? JAMA Internal Medicine. 2025;185(9):1180.
    24. McKay NJ, Kanoski SE, Hayes MR, et al. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists suppress water intake independent of effects on food intake. American Journal of Physiology: Regulatory, Integrative, and Comparative Physiology. 2011;301(6):R1755-64.
    25. Liska D, Mah E, Brisbois T, et al. Narrative review of hydration and selected health outcomes in the general population. 2019;11(1):70.
    26. Song J, Park SJ, Choi S, et al. Effect of changes in sleeping behavior on skeletal muscle and fat mass: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Public Health. 2023;23(1):1879.
    27. Gresser D, McLimans K, Lee S, et al. The impact of sleep deprivation on hunger-related hormones: a meta-analysis and systematic review. 2025;5(2):48.
    28. Gorgojo-Martínez JJ, Mezquita-Raya P, Carretero-Gómez J, et al. Clinical recommendations to manage gastrointestinal adverse events in patients treated with Glp-1 receptor agonists: a multidisciplinary expert consensus. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2022;12(1):145.
    29. Armuzzi A, Cremonini F, Bartolozzi F, et al. The effect of oral administration of Lactobacillus GG on antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal side-effects during Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2001;15:163-9.
    30. Allegretti JR, Kassam Z, Kelly CR, et al. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating multi-species synbiotic supplementation for bloating, gas, and abdominal Discomfort. 2026;18(2):255.
    31. Boon H, Clitheroe J, Forte T. Effects of greens+: a randomized, controlled trial. Canadian Journal of Dietary Practice and Research. 2004;65(2):66-71.

This article is for informational purposes only. This article is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice.