Continuing Education
Credits Newsletter
Registered dietitians and dietetic technicians, certified dietary managers and certified food protection professionals may receive continuing education (CE) credits by reading the newsletter and taking and passing a test. The Soy Connection newsletter is approved for 0.5 to 1.0 hour per issue.
The Soy Connection for Health Professionals
In This Issue:
The spring issue of Soy Connection's health & nutrition newsletter highlights GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), a groundbreaking obesity treatment that delivers double-digit weight loss percentages, while tackling the ongoing challenge of sustaining that weight loss for patients' and clients' long-term health benefits. Historically used to treat type 2 diabetes, GLP-1 RAs have recently surged in popularity due to their ability to mimic the naturally occurring hormone Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates appetite, blood sugar, and digestion. Although GLP-1 RAs provide substantial advantages like weight loss, enhanced metabolic markers, and a lower risk of chronic diseases, the current challenge lies in maintaining that weight loss for sustainable long-term health benefits beyond the scale. In this issue, experts examine current GLP-1 RA research and share insightful weight maintenance nutrition strategies to support patients and clients in sustaining their progress.
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By James O. Hill, PhD and Holly R. Wyatt, MD
What you need to know:
- GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) have long treated type 2 diabetes but have recently become popular to support weight loss. GLP-1 RAs mimic the naturally occurring hormone GLP-1, which regulates appetite, blood sugar, and digestion.
- GLP-1 RAs are revolutionizing weight loss by leveraging the body’s natural biology to promote significant weight reduction (often 15%-20% of body weight) while also improving metabolic health and reducing chronic disease risks.
- Long-term success depends on medication, strength training, nutrition, and personalized lifestyle strategies developed and provided by health professionals to their patients and clients for sustainable weight management.
By Mark Messina, PhD, MS
What you need to know:
- GLP-1 RAs are an exciting era in weight management, but maintaining muscle mass is crucial, as users may lose 25–40% of muscle during weight loss. Higher protein intake, especially from nutrient-dense sources like soy, can help counteract this effect.
- Soy foods offer key advantages for GLP-1 RA users, providing high quality protein, heart health benefits, and essential nutrients like calcium, with options suited for both constipation and diarrhea-related side effects.
- Long-term weight maintenance remains a challenge, with GLP-1 RA discontinuation rates in the range of 50% to 75% at 12 months. Encouraging soy food consumption during treatment can support sustained health benefits beyond medication use.
By Michelle Cardel, PhD, MS, RD, FTOS
What you need to know:
- Sustainable lifestyle habits are key to weight maintenance, including physical activity, nutrient-dense foods, hydration, sleep, and stress management.
- Soy foods can support weight maintenance by providing high quality protein, fiber, and essential nutrients while being lower in calories and saturated fat than some animal-based alternatives.
- Soy products offer versatile options such as fortified soymilk to support patients’ calcium and protein needs, edamame for fiber and protein, and soybean oil for heart healthy unsaturated fats, making them easy to incorporate into daily meals.
