Five Toning Supplements to Watch, as Weight Loss Drugs Increase Concern Around Muscle Loss

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Toning is the name of the game.

With the spotlight on weight loss, thanks to drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, consumers, whether they be on these medications or not, have become increasingly concerned about muscle mass. According to clinical trials of the major weight loss drugs on the market, users who lose significant weight often lose some muscle mass. To counteract that, dieters can increase protein in their diet, up their strength-training exercises and, perhaps most conveniently, take supplements. Therefore, a number of brands are quickly following up with solutions infused with ingredients that support muscle, like creatine, protein and collagen.

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“There’s huge opportunity for the [benefits in the] muscle [category] and that’s why you’re seeing the resurgence of protein and of creatine, because it doesn’t have this bulky, male-dominated ethos anymore,” said Mark Lacy, an investment banking director at Raymond James who specializes in healthy living. “Now it’s much more unisex and there’s use cases for men at the gym, but there’s also use cases for lifestyle and women.”

Amino acid creatine, which is present in muscles and the brain, has recently seen an uptick in the supplement category. While historically an ingredient loved by body builders, creatine has gained broader interest thanks to its many benefits.

“Creatine can also help support enhanced strength and promote lean body mass, which has many benefits including stronger bones and a metabolism boost,” said Dr. Laura Kunces, PhD and vice president of medical strategy at Thorne.

Meanwhile, protein has always been a staple when it comes to supporting muscles and energy, but brands are innovating in the category with new formats and multifunctional products.

“When you eat protein, it’s broken down into amino acids that go straight to work throughout your body, contributing to many inner workings including the strength and elasticity of skeletal muscle, hair, nails, immune function, serotonin and melatonin,” Kunces said.

Meanwhile, collagen, often touted for its beauty benefits, can also support healthy muscles because when it breaks down in the body it adds “nutrient support for muscles and joints, which also helps promote the growth of lean muscle mass,” according to Kunces. Collagen is an increasingly popular ingredient for GLP-1 users as it also supports skin elasticity, which can be an issue when losing weight.

For Lemme, Perelel and Arrae, the focus is specifically on women, a consumer who historically wasn’t targeted when it came to muscle-building.

“Women wanting to gain strength and prioritizing things like weight training in the gym is something we’ve been seeing more of in recent years,” said Kunces. “Women are always looking for ways to age as gracefully as possible, and by having strong muscles, you’re also strengthening your bones and joints, boosting metabolism and supporting your immune system.”

Here, five muscle-boosting supplements.

Lemme Tone

$30 at lemmelive.com and Target

Lemme Tone

Kourtney Kardashian Barker’s Lemme Tone is an apple- and watermelon-flavored gummy that uses Chromax chromium picolinate, methylated B12 and apple cider vinegar to boost the metabolism while also supporting healthy muscle mass. The brand did not share sales projections but said the stock keeping unit is one of the top five supplements in the beauty category at Target since its launch in December. Industry sources said it could reach $5 million in sales its first year.

Bio.me GLP-1 Support Powder

$50 at bio.me

Bio.me GLP-1 Support

Bio.me’s GLP-1 Support Powder combines protein, fiber, collagen peptides, B vitamins and digestive enzymes to address the main side effects of weight loss drugs, including muscle loss. The brand did not comment on sales figures, but industry sources say it could reach $1 million its first year.

Arrae Tone

$55 at arrae.com

Arrae Tone

Arrae is betting big on creatine, which is one of the most researched ingredients that provides cognitive benefits, supports muscle mass and boosts recovery post-workout. Industry sources said the product could reach $30 million in sales its first year.

Elysium Health Cofactor Collagen

$75 at elysiumhealth.com

Elysium Health Cofactor

In its latest launch Elysium Health has opted for collagen, a type of protein known to support muscle and joint function. However, for additional beauty benefits and boosted cellular health, the brand’s unflavored powder also includes vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and nicotinamide riboside, a precursor to longevity coenzyme NAD+. The brand did not comment on sales figures, but did say that it expects subscriptions to Cofactor, starting at $603 for an annual subscription, to reach in the double-digit thousands in the first year.

Perelel Triple-Support Protein

$55 at perelelhealth.com

Perelel Triple-Support Protein

Perelel’s latest launch is a muscle-supporting triple threat, combining protein and creatine to support muscle mass, and fiber, a nutrient most are lacking in that supports a healthy digestive system. Industry sources estimate it could reach $5 million in sales its first year.