Introduction

Whole-person care is a person-centered approach to medicine. It goes beyond treating symptoms or isolated conditions, focusing on the interconnectedness of bodily systems and addressing a wide range of factors. These include biological makeup, behavioral habits, environmental factors, and a patient’s personal beliefs, values, and goals. By tailoring care to align with these unique aspects, healthcare providers can create highly personalized treatment plans that address not only physical health but also emotional and mental well-being.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone secreted in response to food intake that enhances insulin secretion, delays gastric emptying, and promotes satiety through central nervous system pathways. (Müller 2019) By mimicking this hormone, GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) medications have become increasingly popular in weight loss to help reduce appetite and caloric intake. (Moiz 2025b) Clinical trials have demonstrated substantial weight reduction in patients using GLP-1RAs. (Moll 2024) However, up to 80–97% of individuals experience medication-induced side effects. (Moiz 2025a)

This template aims to provide healthcare providers with practical suggestions for labs, supplements, and lifestyle strategies, helping them design personalized, whole-person care plans for patients looking to mitigate common side effects while preserving the therapeutic benefits of GLP-1RA therapy for weight loss.

Evidence-based supplements can be integrated into customized treatment protocols based on patient needs and lab results to support digestive comfort, replenish lost nutrients, and preserve lean muscle mass. 

Lifestyle modifications encompassing targeted nutrition, physical activity, and stress management are important components of holistic support for patients using GLP-1RAs. Clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of establishing foundational lifestyle habits to maintain digestive function, nutritional status, and muscle mass throughout therapy. (Gorgojo-Martínez 2022) This protocol highlights balanced nutrition, regular physical activity, and stress reduction practices to improve treatment tolerance.

Ingredients

Ginger

Dosing: 500 mg, twice daily, or 1–2 g daily, depending on the frequency and timing of nausea onset. If nausea occurs after injection, taking one hour prior to administration may be helpful. (Chaiyakunapruk 2006)

Supporting evidence:

• A meta-analysis of the use of ginger for postoperative nausea, a symptom that is generally induced by medication (anesthetic), concluded that ginger effectively prevented nausea for a 24-hour period. (Chaiyakunapruk 2006)
• Another meta-analysis reviewing medication-induced nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy found that ginger was able to reduce acute episodes of nausea and vomiting by 40%. (Chang 2019)
• A randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluating ginger for preventing nausea and vomiting from antiviral medication found that only 39% of participants experienced nausea and vomiting in the ginger group compared to 60% in the placebo group. (Dabagzadeh 2014)

Probiotics 

Dosing: 60 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07, as tolerated until GI discomfort resolves completely (Ringel-Kulka 2011)(Ouwehand 2014)

Supporting evidence:

• In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled (RDBPC) trial using a combination of  L. acidophilus NCFM and B. lactis Bi-07, both probiotics were found to improve distention and bloating by 15%. (Ringel-Kulka 2011) 
•  L. acidophilus NCFM alone has been found to modulate pain-associated receptors in the GI tract of humans, potentially reducing abdominal pain. (Zhang 2022)
• A large RCT evaluating L. acidophilus NCFM and B. lactis Bi-07 and BI-04 strains found that supplementation with these probiotic strains helped reduce diarrhea and bloating by more than 50% and abdominal pain by more than 80%. (Ouwehand 2014)

Whey Protein

Dosing: 24 g of protein, 1–2 times daily, ongoing, until support is no longer needed (McKendry 2024)

Supporting evidence:

• During a weight loss regimen, it is important to support muscle mass, so weight loss comes from fat mass instead of muscle. (Leidy 2015)
• A systematic review and meta-analysis compared the effects of protein supplementation on body composition in higher weight patients to a placebo or controls. The study confirmed that whey protein can help significantly reduce body weight and fat mass. (Wirunsawanya 2018)
• Another systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that whey protein can increase lean mass without influencing fat mass, and these effects were more prominent when an energy-restricted component was included. (Bergia 2018)

Creatine Monohydrate

Dosing: 3–5 g daily as creatine monohydrate, ongoing (Kreider 2017)

Supporting evidence:

• In a meta-analysis reviewing the evidence of creatine and fat mass, the authors concluded that adults supplementing with creatine lost 0.5 kg more fat mass compared to those taking a placebo during resistance training. (Forbes 2019)
• A combined systematic review and meta-analysis found that during anaerobic or aerobic exercise, creatine had a significant effect on metabolic outcomes, including increased muscle mass and decreased fat mass, in both groups compared to a placebo. (Jaramillo 2023)
• Compared to other forms of creatine, creatine monohydrate has the most evidence by far to support its effectiveness in providing muscle support during exercise. It has also been shown to be safe and economical. (Fazio 2022)

Multivitamin

Dosing: Multivitamin formulation, daily, ongoing 

Supporting evidence:

• A review of popular low-carb/high-protein (e.g., Atkins) or heart-healthy (e.g., DASH) diet plans found that to meet 100% of the reference daily intake (RDI) of 27 micronutrients, a caloric intake would need to be >18,000 kcal per day, consistently. (Calton 2010) Reaching the RDI on these diets would be unrealistic, so supplementation would be necessary. 
• A 2020 review of the micronutrient status of patients with obesity found that the most common deficiencies in this population tend to be carotenoids, manganese, magnesium, chromium, vanadium, and vitamins A, D, B1, B9, and B12. (Lapik 2020)
• An RDBPC trial of patients on diets that did not meet the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) who took a multivitamin and mineral supplement (MVM) found that supplementation improved blood concentrations of pyridoxal phosphate, calcifediol, α-tocopherol, and β-carotene concentrations by 30% overall, while the placebo group showed declines in blood vitamin concentrations and an increased prevalence of suboptimal vitamin status during the six-month trial. However, the MVM did not significantly affect mineral concentrations. (Michels 2023)

Calcium Citrate

Dosing: Ensure a total daily calcium intake of 1,000–1,200 mg from dietary sources and supplements combined. Adjust supplemental dosage as needed when dietary intake is insufficient. (ElSayed 2025)

• Note: Calcium carbonate is likely to cause GI side effects, such as bloating, constipation, and gas. Calcium citrate, which is less dependent on stomach acid for absorption and generally better tolerated, is a preferred form of calcium in patients receiving GLP-1RA therapy to minimize the risk of additional digestive discomfort. (National Institutes of Health 2024)

Supporting evidence:

• Patients using GLP-1RAs for weight loss tend to reduce daily calorie intake by 16–39%. Calorie restriction frequently leads to inadequate calcium intake, and most adults already consume only about half the RDA. (Camacho 2020)(Mozaffarian 2025)
• GLP-1RAs are associated with modest reductions in bone mineral density (BMD) and increased bone turnover, particularly when accompanied by significant caloric restriction and rapid weight loss. (Jensen 2024) Studies show that calcium supplementation during weight loss can help attenuate loss of BMD and may reduce the loss of fat-free mass when combined with vitamin D. (Ilich 2019)(Kerksick 2020)

Lifestyle Recommendations

Nutrition

Recommend these healthy eating habits to patients starting GLP-1RA therapy to minimize the occurrence and severity of GI side effects: 

• Eat without distractions, slowly, and chew your food thoroughly before swallowing
• Listen to hunger and satiety signals: Eat when you are hungry and stop eating when you are full
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals 
• Avoid lying down after eating and eating too close to bedtime (Gorgojo-Martínez 2022)

Work with your patients to develop nutrient-dense meal plans that help prevent nutritional deficiencies. Emphasize the inclusion of foods rich in vitamins and minerals commonly lacking in the diets of individuals consuming <1,200 kcal per day (females) or <1,800 kcal per day (males). (Mozaffarian 2025)

• Calcium: Dairy products, bone-in sardines, tofu, and leafy green vegetables

• Iron: Red meat, poultry, fish, lentils, beans, tofu, and dark leafy greens

• Magnesium: Nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, leafy greens, and dark chocolate

• Zinc: Shellfish (especially oysters), beef, pork, poultry, beans, nuts, and whole grains

• Vitamin A: Liver, eggs, sweet potatoes, carrots, and spinach

• Vitamin B1: Whole grains, pork, legumes, nuts, and seeds

• Vitamin B12: Fish, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy, and nutritional yeast

• Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, bell peppers, broccoli, and tomatoes

• Vitamin D: Fatty fish (e.g., salmon, mackerel, sardines), fortified milks, eggs, and mushrooms exposed to sunlight
• Vitamin E: Almonds, sunflower seeds, vegetable oils, spinach, and avocados

• Vitamin K: Leafy greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and natto

Tailor nutrition counseling to your patient’s symptom burden.

For nausea, recommend:

• Consuming small, frequent meals every 3–4 hours and avoiding skipping breakfast
• Limiting high-fat and high-fiber foods during the first days of treatment
• Eating apples or crackers, or drinking mint- or ginger-containing tea, 30 minutes after administering an injection (Gorgojo-Martínez 2022)(Mozaffarian 2025)

For constipation, recommend:

• Gradually incorporating foods high in soluble and insoluble fiber, working towards a daily fiber goal of 25 g for adult women and 38 g for adult men. (Dahl 2015) Examples of fiber-rich foods include: 
  • Whole grains
  • Nuts and seeds
  • Vegetables, such as artichokes, asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, mushrooms, and leafy greens
  • Fruits, including apples, apricots, berries, cherries, pears, and plums (Gorgojo-Martínez 2022)
• Adequate hydration to prevent dehydration by eating fruits and vegetables with high-water content and drinking 1.5–2 L of water daily. (Boilesen 2017)(Mozaffarian 2025)

For diarrhea, recommend: 

• Avoiding large or high-fat meals
• Temporarily reducing intake of high-fiber foods in favor of a diet consisting of chicken broth, rice, carrots, and ripe fruit until diarrhea resolves
• Limiting intake of coffee, alcohol, and products containing sugar alcohols (e.g., sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol) (Gorgojo-Martínez 2022)(Mozaffarian 2025)

For gas and bloating, recommend:

• Eating foods and drinking teas with carminative properties to help coordinate intestinal muscle contractions and assist in the removal of gas from the digestive tract. Examples include:
  • Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
  • Ginger (Zingiber officinale) (Nikkhah Bodagh 2018)
  • Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)
  • Peppermint (Mentha x piperita) (Vejdani 2006)(Aguilar 2024)

Physical Activity

• A focused meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials found that about 30% of weight loss with GLP-1RA therapy is lean mass. (Beavers 2025) Resistance training is necessary to preserve muscle mass during GLP-1RA therapy. (Locatelli 2024)
• Regular physical activity (20–30 minutes at least five days per week) is associated with a significantly lower risk of constipation. (Yang 2025) RCTs demonstrate that aerobic exercise interventions improve constipation symptoms even when dietary habits remain unchanged. (De Schryver 2005)(Gao 2019)  
• Counsel patients to implement a structured exercise program, aiming for strength training at least three times weekly and at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise weekly. (Mozaffarian 2025)
• Tailor exercise recommendations to the patient’s physical capacity, with gradual progression in frequency, duration, and intensity to avoid fatigue—a frequently reported side effect of GLP-1s. (Arillotta 2023)

Stress Management

Stress-induced alterations in gut motility, barrier function, immune activity, and microbiota composition contribute to GI symptoms like nausea, heartburn, alterations in bowel movements, and abdominal pain. (Mönnikes 2001)(Bhatia 2005)(Zhang 2023) Therefore, stress management is an important component of treatment, and clinicians may consider recommending these stress-reduction techniques to help alleviate GI symptoms.

• Transcutaneous auricular electrical nerve stimulation (taVNS): In an RCT of patients with constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), taVNS for four weeks significantly increased complete spontaneous bowel movements, reduced abdominal pain, and improved quality of life compared to sham stimulation. (Shi 2021)
• Acupressure: A Cochrane review of 26 RCTs found that acupressure at the P6 acupuncture point on the inner wrist effectively reduces the risk of nausea. (Lee 2004)
• Deep breathing: Studies have linked slow, deep breathing to improvements in stool consistency, bowel movement frequency, and nausea. Instruct patients to inhale for four seconds and exhale for six seconds, continuing this pattern for a 30-minute session. (Aybar 2020)(Liu 2022)