AG1 Supports University of Arkansas Research on GLP-1 Medications, Nutrition, and Metabolic Health

As GLP-1 medications continue to reshape conversations around weight management and metabolic health, new questions are emerging about their broader impact on the body, particularly when it comes to nutrition, muscle health, and long-term outcomes.

To help support research in this area, AG1 has provided support to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to advance work being conducted by the Center for Translational Research in Aging and Longevity at the Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging.

This support is part of AG1’s broader commitment to advancing scientific research—alongside support for work at institutions including Penn State and UC Davis—focused on nutrient gaps and whole-body health.

A Team at the Forefront of Metabolic Resiliency

AG1’s funding supports research being conducted by Dr. Arny A. Ferrando. Dr. Ferrando serves as a Professor in the Center and holds the Wes Smith Distinguished Chair in Geriatrics for Longevity, Health Promotion and Frailty Prevention.

His work is centered on metabolic resiliency—how the body adapts to stress, aging, and physiological change—with a particular focus on how nutrition and exercise influence proteostasis, the body’s ability to metabolize and utilize protein. This process plays a critical role in maintaining muscle mass, strength, and overall function.

The lab takes a rigorous, translational approach, using a range of methods across nutrition, exercise, and pharmacology to study both acute and chronic interventions. A hallmark of the group’s work is the use of stable isotope tracer techniques, which enable precise measurement of metabolic function in response to nutrition and exercise.

Nutrient Gaps and Muscle Health in GLP-1 Users

With support from AG1, the UAMS team is expanding ongoing research to better understand the real-world effects of GLP-1 medications. The research is investigating:

• Nutrient gaps among people using GLP-1 medications
• Changes in nutrient status associated with GLP-1 use
• Changes in muscle mass associated with GLP-1 use
• Changes in the gut microbiome associated with GLP-1 use

While GLP-1 medications have demonstrated effectiveness for weight loss, there is growing interest in how they may also affect lean body mass, nutrient intake, and overall nutritional status, particularly in real-world settings.

This work is among the first large-scale studies to examine changes in nutrient status among GLP-1 users in a real-world context.

Looking ahead

The study is currently underway and recruiting participants.

Together with support for research at Penn State and UC Davis—alongside an academic summit on GLP-1s hosted in partnership with UC Davis and the Innovation Institute for Food and Health—this work contributes to a growing body of research focused on the intersection of nutrition, metabolism, and long-term health outcomes.