Are GLP-1 Medications Safe for Athletes? Who's a Good Fit (and Who's Not)

Many athletes are not good candidates for GLP-1s. But for some, these medications can be a useful tool. In episode 141 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I'm joined by fellow sports dietitian and endurance athlete Jennifer O'Donnell-Giles, MS, RDN. Jenn brings 27 years of clinical experience to this conversation, along with a perspective that's evolved a lot over the past few years. 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 lean body mass 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 👉 Jenn's own story: early menopause, a cardiovascular family history, and how a short course changed her running Jenn's biggest takeaway: in the athlete population, a GLP-1 is one piece of the puzzle, not the whole solution. Weight loss can be part of why someone uses one, but either way, it works best alongside solid nutrition and lifestyle habits, not as a stand-in for them. It's not appropriate for everyone, especially anyone with a history of disordered eating or a complicated relationship with food. 🎧 Tune in for a nuanced, experience-based look at where these medications can genuinely help endurance athletes, and where they can do real harm. This is the third and final episode in my 3-part GLP-1 podcast series. If you missed the first two episodes, I highly recommend listening to those as well for more background on how these medications work and the concept of food noise. 👉 GLP-1 Medications: What Active People Need to Know:    • GLP-1 Medications: What Active People Need...   👉 What is Food Noise?    • What Is Food Noise? A Dietitian's GLP-1 Ex...   👉 Check out my sponsor, Tailwind Nutrition: Use code EATFORENDURANCE20 for 20% off your first purchase 👉 Join my Fuel for Life Crew membership: https://www.eatforendurance.com/ 👉 Download my free nutrition resources: https://www.eatforendurance.com/free-... #GLP1 #GLP1Medications #EnduranceAthletes #SportsNutrition #RegisteredDietitian #RunningNutrition #Triathlon #EnduranceNutrition #Semaglutide #EatForEndurance