Supplement behemoth GNC is turning to peer-reviewed research to argue that old-fashioned nutritional supplements are still important in the era of medical weight loss — and still worth spending money on
GLP-1 therapies such as Ozempic and Wegovy have changed how people eat, train and think about weight management. Now, GNC is responding with peer-reviewed research outlining how supplements can best fit into the picture.
The health and wellness retailer has published a new peer-reviewed article that outlines how dietary supplements can complement GLP-1 therapy to support muscle health, nutrition and overall wellness.
Because here’s the thing: while weight-loss medications are certainly helping people shed pounds, they can also come at the cost of lean mass, key nutrients and a long-term plan for what comes next.
Even with those trade-offs, the drugs’ popularity shows no signs of slowing. They’re also highly effective: according to Gallup, the U.S. adult obesity rate has dropped from a record 39.9% in 2022 to 37.0% in 2025 (a decline representing about 7.6 million fewer obese adults), a trend that aligns with a more than doubling in GLP-1 use for weight loss since early 2024.
GNC’s paper compiles current scientific evidence and offers practical recommendations for clinicians, including dosing. It notes that multivitamins and vitamin D can help address common nutrient gaps, while omega-3s may support muscle quality and heart health. Protein, creatine and HMB can help preserve lean body mass during weight loss, and antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients such as curcumin, polyphenols and CoQ10 may reduce oxidative stress.
The review also highlights the role of fiber and probiotics in improving bowel regularity and easing gastrointestinal side effects, along with thermogenics like caffeine or green tea, which may help increase energy.
“Patients are increasingly turning to weight loss medications, yet little peer-reviewed guidance exists on how to integrate dietary supplements alongside GLP-1 treatment with diet and exercise,” lead author Dr. Brittany Johnson said. “This paper helps close that gap by providing evidence-based data that can be applied from prior weight loss science, while paving the way for future research combining GLP-1 and supplement interventions.”
According to the paper’s disclosure of interest, all authors are employed by GNC Holdings.
The new review builds on GNC’s first published study evaluating nutrient intake among GLP-1 users. A follow-up clinical trial is underway to assess nutritional habits, body composition and health outcomes before and during GLP-1 treatment, the supplement retailer said.
At the store level, the supplement retailer last year became the first major brand to launch an in-store “semaglutide support” section across more than 2,300 U.S. locations, offering curated products and guidance for managing common side effects such as digestive discomfort.
The Rise of GLP-1 Supplements
As the science behind GLP-1s spills into the supplement aisle, brands are taking it further: building products for anyone chasing Ozempic-adjacent results without a prescription.
Supergut, which is expanding to Target stores nationwide, has carved out space as a “GLP-1 superfood” brand that it says naturally boosts the body’s own GLP-1 response. The brand reports its sales have more than tripled over the past year.
Elsewhere, supplement startup Evolv has just launched Evolv GLP-1, an HSA/FSA-eligible oral supplement that uses a proprietary yeast strain to mimic the body’s own GLP-1 signaling. The company says third-party clinical testing found participants taking its core ingredient lost an average of six pounds over two months while maintaining lean muscle mass.
