Nutrition firms support GLP-1 medications with supplements

Suppliers of nutrition ingredients are encouraging businesses in the sector to market their offerings as enhancements to GLP-1 medications rather than substitutes. They emphasize that while supplements cannot replicate pharmaceuticals, they can play a role in ensuring the safe and effective use of these weight management drugs.

Stephan Theis, Ph.D., head of Nutrition Science and Communication at Beneo, believes that the nutrition industry’s role is to help enable better long-term health outcomes throughout the weight management journey so that nutrition and medication work synergistically before, during, and after treatment. “While GLP-1 therapies can be effective tools for obesity management, they do not replace the need for good nutrition,” he adds. “Different stages of the journey, from preparation and active weight loss to maintenance and discontinuation, require tailored nutritional support.”

GLP-1 Companion Nutrition

Maggie McNamara, VP of Global Marketing at Saanroo, adds that the nutrition industry needs to be “clear about where supplements fit” in the growing GLP-1 category. “Emphasizing research-driven development will help guide the industry in creating effective products that support broader wellness needs without overpromising.”

McNamara says that emphasizing research-driven development will help guide the industry in creating effective products without overpromising. She also urges brands to be disciplined in the claims they make. “If research shows an effect on a specific pathway or biomarker, state that exactly. Clear, evidence-based claims can build trust and credibility with both consumers and regulators.”

Julio Boza, Ph.D., chief R&D officer at HTBA, notes the conversation is shifting from how much weight people lose to the quality of that weight loss and how they feel during treatment. For example, he notes that energy is relatively underexplored, even though fatigue is commonly reported during GLP-1 treatment.

“Our dual-effect GLP-1 companion ingredient, Leanara, combines proprietary citrus bioflavonoids with highly bioavailable vitamin B12, giving brands an opportunity to support GLP-1 users with lean muscle development, sustained energy, and metabolic health.”

Supporting GLP-1 Users

Preeti Jethwa, Ph.D., scientific affairs manager EMEA at Phynova, points out that GLP-1 medications carry several side effects, including reduced appetite, altered digestion, rapid weight loss, nutrient deficiencies, and muscle changes.

Jethwa elaborates: “Supplements can help address deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, preserve muscle and bone health—which is vital for preventing conditions like sarcopenia and insulin resistance linked to lean mass—and stabilize metabolism during dosage adjustments or treatment discontinuation.” She adds that many patients cannot tolerate maximum GLP-1 doses due to side effects.

Boza shows that scientific validation will be key for GLP-1 companion ingredients to succeed. Jethwa highlights Phynova’s Reducose, a mulberry leaf extract that reduces blood sugar fluctuations and appetite.

Andrew Gallagher, Phynova’s global head of science, emphasizes that companies must conduct ingredient-specific clinical trials to validate benefits beyond weight loss alone.

Boza also notes that regulatory frameworks will influence how brands communicate. In the EU, health claims must be pre-approved, while the US allows structure/function claims provided they are substantiated by credible science.

Theis argues that scientific evidence for functional ingredients and claims will help manufacturers build consumer confidence, particularly as demand for substantiated health benefits grows. Gallagher identifies muscle, bone, metabolic, and gut health, as well as longevity and glycemic quality, as critical factors for sustainable weight management.

McNamara at Saanroo identifies gastrointestinal and microbiome support as a promising area for companion nutrition. A 12-week placebo-controlled study found that a bioavailable form of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) increased beneficial gut bacteria and improved intestinal barrier function.

Theis also highlights global disparities in GLP-1 access as a major barrier to market expansion.

Future Development of GLP-1 Companion Ingredients

GLP-1 nutrition support is expected to move beyond weight management. The WHO’s guideline on GLP-1 therapies supports this shift. It places medication within a wider approach that includes healthy diets and physical activity.