GLP-1 Medications for Endurance Athletes: Risks, Benefits & Who's a Good Candidate
- Jul 16
- 4 min read
GLP-1 medications have taken over health headlines the past few years, and as a sports dietitian, I’m frequently asked the following: Are GLP-1s safe for endurance athletes?
To answer this question, I sit down with fellow sports dietitian and endurance athlete Jennifer O’Donnell-Giles, MS, RDN in episode 141 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, the final installment of my 3-part podcast series on GLP-1 medications.
In this series, I speak with three different dietitians, each bringing their own professional expertise and personal experience to the conversation. In case you missed the first two episodes, you can catch them below:
GLP-1 Medications for Endurance Athletes
Jenn has spent 27 years helping athletes optimize their health and performance. More recently, she's been supporting select clients using GLP-1 medications when appropriate. It's an area she's studied closely, in part after using one herself during early menopause.
Jenn and I discuss:
How natural GLP-1 production can decline with age
Why under-fueling is still the primary issue for many athletes
Different types and forms of GLP-1 meds
Who should (and shouldn't) consider these medications
Potential risks of GLP-1 use, including muscle loss, bone density loss, and GI distress
Potential benefits to inflammation, autoimmune conditions, gut health, and mood
Nutrition and supplement strategies when appetite is lower
Dosing and microdosing for therapeutic use, not just weight loss
Why some athletes cycle on and off these meds, or may only need them for a short period of time
Why Jenn takes most clients off GLP-1s during race training
The stigma around GLP-1 use among athletes
Jenn's own story: early menopause, a cardiovascular family history, and how a short course changed her running
Why solid diet and lifestyle habits must always come first
I hope this episode helps you better understand the complexities of GLP-1 medications in endurance athletes, and why there's rarely a simple yes-or-no answer to the questions we explore together.
GLP-1 Medications Are Just One Piece of the Puzzle
One of the things I appreciated most about this conversation was Jenn's nuanced approach to a topic that's so often oversimplified online.
As she shared:
"Every single person that came to me said, 'I am an athlete. I put so much hard work day in and day out... training, eating right, recovering right, hydrating, all the things... but I don't look like myself anymore and I don't feel like myself anymore.'"
Hearing this same story over and over is what sent Jenn down a research rabbit hole exploring the role GLP-1s can play in the care of certain athletes. She quickly realized there was much more to these medications than weight loss alone. They can also serve as a therapeutic tool for certain athletes, particularly those dealing with metabolic health concerns, inflammation, or menopause-related changes.
In our conversation, Jenn also explains that she always looks at GLP-1s as just one piece of the puzzle: healthy habits, including nutrition, exercise, strength training, and sleep, have to be there first.
I couldn't agree more. As sports dietitians, both Jenn and I spend much of our time helping athletes build those foundations before layering anything else on top.
Under-fueling is one of those foundational issues, and it's something I commonly see in my own practice. Many endurance athletes struggling with low energy, poor recovery, injuries, or body composition concerns simply aren't eating enough to support the amount of training they're doing. That's why it's so important to understand why someone is struggling before considering whether a GLP-1 medication is appropriate.
Who Should (and Shouldn't) Take GLP-1 Medications?
Just because you want to lose weight does not mean GLP-1 medications are appropriate for you. Jenn heavily screens her clients to determine who should and shouldn't take them.
Athletes are not good candidates if:
They are chronically under-fueling
They have a history of an eating disorder or disordered eating
If their nutrition, recovery, and other key lifestyle habits aren't yet well established
Athletes may benefit, alongside comprehensive nutrition and medical care, if:
They're experiencing overweight/obesity or metabolic disease
Have significant inflammation or other medical conditions
Have experienced certain peri/post-menopausal changes
Even if you're a good candidate for GLP-1 meds, there are still potential risks. Inadequate food intake (including protein) and strength training may lead to nutrient deficiencies and reduced lean body mass. Some people may also experience GI side effects.
Either way, the decision to take a GLP-1 should always be made individually, with guidance from a qualified healthcare team who understands a person's full health history, goals, and training demands. For some athletes, a GLP-1 becomes a helpful piece of the puzzle. For many others, the better path is focusing on the foundations.
Looking for Personalized Nutrition Support?
If you're navigating questions about body composition, fueling, performance, or wondering whether a GLP-1 medication may be appropriate for your situation, you don't have to figure it out alone.
As a board-certified sports dietitian, I help endurance athletes and active people cut through the confusion with evidence-based guidance that's personalized to your goals, health history, and training.
Here are a few ways to get nutrition support:
Join my low-cost, low-commitment Fuel for Life Crew membership for just $39/month, (cancel anytime)
Browse my nutrition masterclasses (all are also included in the membership)
Grab my Eat for Endurance Mini Guide Bundle (a collection of 6 mini guides, worksheets, and a bonus supplement resource)
Download my free fueling resources
Fill out a new client inquiry form for comprehensive 1:1 coaching (limited spots available)
Meet My Podcast Sponsor
A big thank you to Tailwind Nutrition for sponsoring this episode!
Use code EATFORENDURANCE20 for 20% off your first purchase at Tailwind Nutrition. I love so many of their sports nutrition products and have been using them a ton lately, especially the Endurance Fuel during the summer!
Other Easy (And Free) Ways to Support the Podcast
If you enjoy The Eat for Endurance Podcast, here are a few easy ways to support it:
Leave a 5-star rating and write a review wherever you get your shows
Subscribe/Follow The Eat for Endurance Podcast so you don't miss an episode
Shop my merch and affiliate codes for Skratch, Momentous and more
Join my Patreon community
Grab the Ultimate Fueling Sticker Pack to fuel in style
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.
Comments