Micronutrients & recovery
Second-generation incretin-based therapies (semaglutide, tirzepatide) increase the risk of micronutrient deficiencies and related complications, primarily through reduced dietary intake and altered food selection, with real-world data showing a 22.4% incidence of recorded nutritional deficiencies at 12 months.
If you are taking semaglutide or tirzepatide, your reduced food intake may lead to micronutrient gaps. Prioritize nutrient-dense foods (vegetables, lean proteins, dairy) and consider discussing baseline testing (Vitamin D, B12, Iron) with your doctor, especially if you experience GI side effects or rapid weight loss.
By using diagnostic codes at 6 and 12 months after treatment initiation, this study identified nutritional deficiencies and deficiency-related complications in 12.7% of patients at 6 months and 22.4% at 12 months [29].
Why this rating
Evidence is largely observational, real-world claims data, and pharmacovigilance; RCTs specifically for micronutrients are lacking.
Source
Micronutrient Deficiencies in the Era of Second-Generation Incretin-Based Therapies for Obesity
Andrijana Koceva et al. · Nutrients · 2026
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