The GLP-1 effect on the body—and why wellness is going protein-first.
GLP-1s are transforming not only the numbers on the scale, but also the wellness needs of spa-goers across America. More than 10 million Americans are on medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro to lose weight quickly. That number continues to climb. A recent Gallup survey found that GLP-1 usage has quadrupled since 2024 with the number of Americans on these medications being at an all-time high. Many people on GLP-1s don’t have obesity or type 2 diabetes—the conditions for which GLP-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists) were originally approved. Many people are now micro dosing GLP1s (taking a fraction of the standard clinical dose) to quickly drop 10, 15, or even 20 pounds.
“GLP-1 medications help people feel full sooner, stay full longer, and eat less overall,” explains Ryan Kane, MD, MPH, MHSc, assistant professor at the Food is Medicine Institute at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy and the Department of Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine and Tufts Medical Center. “They slow gastric emptying and act on brain pathways involved in appetite and nausea”—quieting hunger signals and reducing the brain’s reward response to food.
As appetite declines and weight loss accelerates, concerns about preserving muscle, meeting nutritional needs, and maintaining long-term health are becoming increasingly common issues that wellness resorts and spas are helping guests address. “Weight loss of half a pound to 2 pounds per week is a generally healthy rate of weight loss where the body mostly burns reserve energy from fat,” says Blaire New hard, RD, a registered dietitian at Cal-a-Vie Health Spa in Vista, California. “When more rapid weight loss occurs, the body burns both fat and muscle, reducing lean body mass and resting metabolic rate. Additionally, as a body loses weight, you naturally lose some muscle that developed to support the extra weight.”
One study from Texas Tech University researchers found that 20 to 40% of total weight loss on GLP-1s comes from lean mass and muscle rather than fat. Because muscle burns more calories than fat, even at rest, losing lean muscle can slow metabolism, making it harder to maintain weight loss over time, explains Jennifer Wagner, MD, chief health and performance officer at Canyon Ranch, adding that it can also reduce strength, mobility, and overall physical function as we age.
“Protein is important for maintaining, repairing, and synthesizing new muscle. It is one of the primary macronutrients needed for human health.”
— Blaire New hard, RD, Cal-a-VieHealth Spa in Vista, California
Prioritizing Protein for Healthy Weight Loss
When appetite disappears, so can nutrients that the body depends on to function and stay strong and healthy. Protein has become central to that conversation because of its role in preserving lean muscle, supporting healthy aging, and helping the body function at its best.
“Protein is important for maintaining, repairing, and synthesizing new muscle. It is one of the primary macronutrients needed for human health,” explains Newhard. “It’s made up of amino acids that are the building blocks of muscle, but also our immune cells and neurotransmitters. Not eating enough protein to build and maintain adequate lean muscle can lead to reduced quality of life. The more muscle mass you have, the more balanced you are, the fewer falls you have, and the more resilient and active you can be.”
Because GLP-1s can contribute to lean muscle mass loss, getting enough protein becomes even more important. “It can be difficult to consume adequate amounts of protein to maintain lean muscle mass if one is not prioritizing protein intake while on a GLP-1,” stresses New hard. “GLP-1 users skip meals or eat very small portions because of the reduction in their appetite, further reducing opportunities for protein intake.”
How much protein is enough? “For the average healthy adult, the minimum is about 0.8 grams per kilogram of bodyweight per day,” says Tufts’ Kane, “but that is really a floor, not an optimal target.” But this changes for someone on a GLP-1: “Many experts support higher intake, often around 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram per day,” says Kane, who recommends slowly increasing intake levels and focusing on whole-food sources of protein.
“Protein matters, but it works best in the context of an overall whole food-focused dietary pattern.”
— Ryan Kane, MD, MPH, MHSc, assistant professor at the Food isMedicine Instituteia
“When someone is eating much less, every bite matters more,” he says. “Making sure people are able to reach their individual protein, fiber, vitamin, and mineral levels to protect overall health while weight is coming down becomes even more important and challenging. Protein matters, but it works best in the context of an overall whole food-focused dietary pattern.”
This is why resorts and spas like Cala-Vie Health Spa and Canyon Ranch are treating protein as one critical component of a broader nutrition and wellness strategy for healthy aging, resilience, and long-term vitality. Smoothie stations with protein add-ins and chef-prepared, protein-rich meals are becoming standard for guests as part of a holistic program of nutritional wellness.
“Helping guests who are on these medications understand macronutrient sand how to build a plate becomes important,” explains Wagner. “That way, if they do get full, they’ve given their body the nourishment it needs to thrive.” As protein and good nutrition take on greater importance, so too does strength training. “Resistance training is essential to maintain muscle mass and physical function with weight loss,” says Kane. “Protein helps provide the raw material, but protein alone is unlikely to preserve muscle without structured strength training.”
A New Model for Luxury Wellness
As the conversation around weight loss evolves, luxury wellness resorts are evolving with it. Many are placing renewed emphasis on personalized nutrition, hydration (GLP-1s reduce thirst too), body composition, strength, and long-term health. Physicians, registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, behavioral health specialists, and estheticians are working together to help guests build sustainable habits and navigate every stage of their journey.
Guests appear to be embracing this broader approach to wellness. While eating less and spending less on food overall, they are spending more on holistic health journeys according to a recent Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Monaco. This include san increased interest in protein powders, high-protein snacks like yogurt, and protein-forward mini meals, as well as spa and aesthetic services to treat facial volume loss—often referred to as “Ozempic face.”
To meet that growing demand, many luxury wellness resorts and spas are expanding programs that bring together a team of physicians and specialists to support guests from every angle. “We talk about the guest’s goals and challenges,” says Wagner, who explains that a visit to Canyon Ranch allows guests uninterrupted time to discuss concerns and map out a long-term wellness plan. Many spas such as Canyon Ranch and Cal-a-Vie Health Spa also offer follow-up consultations—and even a user friendly app in the case of Canyon Ranch—after guests’ stays.
DEXA scans for bone density and BODPOD measurements of skeletal muscle mass, strength, and hydration (among other measurements like metabolic testing) are common offerings at wellness resorts. Personalized fitness consultation sand training continue to be a priority for guests too.
Resorts are also introducing programs specifically designed for the growing GLP-1population. The Four Seasons Hotel LosAngeles at Beverly Hills debuted The GLPBody Preservation Infusion to support nutrients needed while on the weight-loss medication, while Hilton Head Health inSouth Carolina offers a week-long TheGLP-1 Experience that includes strength training, chef-prepared protein-rich meals, and workshops on topics like muscle preservation.
“The medication,” says Wagner, “is only one piece of the puzzle. Long-term success still depends on nutrition, physical activity, strength training, sleep, stress management, and ongoing support.” It’s a holistic wellness philosophy luxury resorts and spas have embraced for decades—and one that has never been more relevant.
