The Medical Advisor

Muscle is one of the most important physical assets you can build for healthy aging—but muscle mass alone is not the whole story . Strength, muscle quality, physical function, cardiorespiratory fitness, nutrition and the ability to remain active all contribute to healthspan. Updated October 5, 2026 · Evidence reviewed and expanded with 2025–2026 research The Bottom Line The strongest longevity strategy is not simply to become as muscular as possible. It is to preserve enough muscle, strength, power, balance and aerobic capacity to remain independent as you age . Resistance training is the foundation for maintaining muscle and strength. Adequate protein provides the raw material for tissue repair and adaptation. Regular walking and aerobic activity support cardiovascular and metabolic health. Creatine monohydrate is a useful adjunct for some adults—especially during resistance training—but it is not a substitute for exercise or adequate nu...

GLP-1 medicines can be powerful tools for treating obesity and improving metabolic health. But successful weight loss should not be measured only by the number on the scale. When appetite falls and body weight declines, some people also lose lean mass. Bone mineral density can decline during substantial weight loss as well. That does not mean that GLP-1 medicines have been proven to directly cause osteoporosis. Current evidence is mixed, and the effects appear to depend on the drug, diabetes status, magnitude of weight loss, baseline bone health, nutrition and physical activity. The practical goal is therefore not to fear GLP-1 therapy. It is to make sure that fat loss does not come at the expense of muscle, physical function or skeletal health. OneDayMD evidence position: GLP-1 therapy should be viewed as one component of a broader weight-management strategy. Protein adequacy, resistance training, weight-bearing activity, adequate calcium and vitamin D, fall prevention...

OneDayMD Master Evidence Guide • Updated September 2026 Semaglutide, tirzepatide, oral GLP-1 medicines, retatrutide and the next generation of metabolic therapies have changed the obesity and cardiometabolic treatment landscape. But the phrase “GLP-1 drug” can hide major differences in mechanism, indication, dose, study population and clinical evidence. This master guide organizes the most important clinical trials into an ebook-style reference—from the landmark STEP and SURMOUNT obesity trials to SELECT , FLOW , SUMMIT , ESSENCE , OASIS 4 , ATTAIN-1 , TRIUMPH, SURPASS  and the emerging CagriSema program. 2026 update: The field has moved beyond injections alone. Oral semaglutide (Wegovy tablets) and orforglipron (Foundayo) are now U.S. FDA-approved options for weight management, while higher-dose semaglutide (Wegovy HD) has also ...