GLP-1s: Implications for Nutritional Status and Metabolic Health Outcomes

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Topic Description

Post Date: April 24, 2026

Expiration Date: April 24, 2027

Background
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1) have expanded rapidly in use; it is estimated that about 1 in 8 U.S. adults have taken a GLP-1. Users often receive higher doses, which may increase gastrointestinal side effects and alter dietary intake, digestion, and nutrient absorption. As use grows, concerns about users’ nutritional status and the role of nutrient-containing dietary supplements in addressing potential nutrition gaps are increasingly important. At the same time, the rise of “GLP-1-mimicking” dietary supplements, often containing understudied ingredients and lacking evidence of safety or efficacy raise significant public health and regulatory considerations. 

Purpose
This topic encourages research on the interaction of GLP-1s and nutrient metabolism and status, and population health . Research is also encouraged on roles of dietary supplements in addressing nutrient gaps that may arise with GLP-1 use, as well as on the composition, safety, and usage patterns, and biological mechanisms of supplements marketed to mimic GLP-1 activity.

Areas of research interest include but are not limited to:

  • Nutrition indicators to inform clinical decision-making on initiation and discontinuation of GLP-1 therapies
    • Identifying priority baseline biomarkers of metabolic health, biomarkers of nutrient status, and body measures (e.g., lean mass) to inform initiation of GLP-1 therapies, and characterizing dose–response relationships between GLP-1 therapy and these measures across diverse populations.
  • Evidence on mechanisms influencing weight loss and long-term outcomes
    • Investigating biological and behavioral mechanisms associated with GLP-1 use, including appetite regulation, dietary intake and satiety signaling, taste and reward pathways, gastrointestinal motility and gastric emptying, digestion and nutrient absorption, nutritional status and nutrient gaps, energy balance and gut microbiome alterations.
  • Evaluating nutrition-related outcomes across the treatment lifecycle
    • Evaluating real-world, longitudinal nutrition-related outcomes, including cumulative nutritional status, metabolic risk, and weight-related trajectories during GLP-1 treatment and following discontinuation, across life stages, chronic disease profiles, and underlying nutritional vulnerabilities, and assessing how these outcomes are influenced by treatment duration and adherence.
  • Advancing formulating and bioavailability science for weight loss dietary supplements
    • Investigating use, product content, dissolution and disintegration, as well as safety and effectiveness of dietary supplements marketed as “GLP-1 mimetics”, including their potential interactions with prescribed GLP-1 medications.

Central Scientific Contact:
Edwina Wambogo
[email protected]

Participating ICOs

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)
IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Edwina Wambogo, Ph.D.
[email protected]

National Cancer Institute (NCI)

NCI’s research interests focus on interventions for cancer prevention, control, and survivorship, particularly studies that:

  • Evaluate mechanisms driving disease benefit or harm, including weight-loss independent effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists.
  • Utilize real-world data linking clinical and nutritional information pre- and post-administration of GLP-1RA and GLP-1-mimicking supplements to characterize use patterns and examine predictors of cancer-relevant chronic disease reduction including weight loss, maintenance, metabolic changes, biomarkers, and behavioral factors.
  • Evaluate GLP-1-supported lifestyle interventions incorporating diet and physical activity that preserve lean muscle mass while promoting weight loss and sustained maintenance.
  • Examine multilevel factors influencing adherence, affordability, and environmental sustainability of GLP-1 therapy for weight management, considering social, economic, and system-level barriers.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Tanya Agurs-Collins, Ph.D.
[email protected]

Edward Sauter, MD, PhD
[email protected]

National Eye Institute (NEI)

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is interested in projects aiming to understand the roles of nutrition, metabolic status, and/or GLP-1 medication related to various ocular pathologies. Novel genetic, multi-omic, AI, and/or statistical modeling approaches are encouraged.

Areas of interest related to GLP-1 medication use, nutrition, and/or metabolic status include, but are not limited to: 

  • Mechanistic or associative factors influencing resilience or sensitivity to ocular disease onset or progression
  • Biological, metabolomic, or ocular imaging biomarkers related to the treatment, diagnosis, or prevention of eye diseases
  • Impacts on cell therapy or tissue transplantation outcomes for ocular diseases
  • Factors contributing to retinal and optic nerve health
  • Factors contributing to ocular surface health or conditions such as dry eye disease
ICO Scientific Contact:
Ashley Fortress, PhD
[email protected]

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

GLP-1 topics of interest include: 

  • Sustainability of GLP-1 treatment outcomes and improvements in heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) conditions  
  • Use of GLP-1 drugs for risk reduction, prevention, or treatment of cardiovascular disease, sleep apnea, heart failure, or other HLBS conditions  
  • Mechanisms of action of GLP-1 drugs on HLBS conditions (e.g., reduced inflammation) 
  • Use of implementation science approaches to improve adoption and sustainment of lifestyle interventions that support GLP-1 treatment   
  • Impact of food groups and/or dietary patterns on treatment outcomes  
  • Use of GLP-1 drugs across the lifespan and/or in high-risk populations 

 Cross-cutting priority themes include: 

  • Lifestyle behaviors (e.g., diet, physical activity, sleep, meal timing, etc.) 
  • Heterogeneity of treatment response and side effects 
  • Sex differences 
ICO Scientific Contact:
Laurie Friedman Donze, Ph.D.
[email protected]

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

NIA supports research on the effects of GLP-1–based therapies across the aging spectrum, safety, efficacy, physiological, cognitive, and societal impacts. 

  • Optimization of GLP-1 therapy in older adults including management of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, malnutrition risk, and characterization of GLP-1 mimetics with respect to drug–drug interactions, and age-related differences in response
  • Examining effects of GLP-1 therapies on aging, aging-related biomarkers, and physiological effects including microbiome changes to inform clinical decision-making
  • Evaluating neurological and cognitive outcomes of GLP-1 interventions, including Alzheimer's disease and related dementias risk, and underlying neurologic mechanisms, with attention to age, sex, treatment timing, and patient characteristics
  • Investigating behavioral, psychological, economic, population health, and social effects of GLP-1 use, including health system implications and scientifically justified subgroup differences
ICO Scientific Contact:
Maggie J. Nellissery, M.D.
[email protected]

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)

NIAMS is particularly interested in clinical studies that investigate the therapeutic effects of GLP-1 on rheumatic, musculoskeletal (MSK), and skin diseases including the impact of GLP-1 therapies on: 

  • Rheumatic (e.g., OA, RA, and lupus) and skin diseases (e.g., psoriasis); elucidating underlying mechanisms that influence disease progression and/or outcomes. 
  • The risk of osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and fracture. 
  • On bone geometry, architecture, and strength. 

NIAMS is also interested in basic science studies that investigate GLP-1 as a direct MSK modulator beyond weight loss, including the impact on: 

  • GLP-1R expression in MSK tissues, including cartilage, synovium, subchondral bone, skeletal muscle, and tendon; and investigating cell-specific signaling (e.g., chondrocytes vs osteoblasts vs myocytes). 
  • Systemic and tissue specific effects of GLP-1 as an immunometabolic regulator in MSK disease.
  • Osteoblast/osteoclast coupling, bone remodeling and subchondral bone changes. 
     




 

ICO Scientific Contact:
Kamil Barbour, PhD
[email protected]

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

NIDCR is interested in research related to dental, oral and craniofacial health changes in relation to GLP-1 weight loss treatment, including but not limited to:

  • Behavioral, nutritional or dental changes secondary to xerostomia or gastrointestinal reflux.
  • Integration of oral health records with GLP-1 treatment for weight loss, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular risk, and other systemic health related indications.  
  • Changes in oral microbiome composition and function. 
  • Changes in the development or progression of oral lesions, as well as oral surgical healing. 
  • Inflammatory responses within the oral cavity and temporomandibular joint.  
  • Effects on craniofacial structures, including facial wasting and muscle atrophy.  
  • Evaluation of the combined impact of oral and systemic biologic factors on cognitive, emotional, and social functioning, including their influence on oral health behaviors, and treatment adherence.
IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Margaret Grisius, DDS
[email protected]

Lorena Baccaglini, DDS
[email protected]

Tamara McNealy, PhD
[email protected]

William Elwood, PhD
[email protected]

Preethi Chander, PhD
[email protected]

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

NIDDK supports basic and clinical research on GLP-1–based therapies for weight loss and treatment of diabetes and its complications, and metabolic, digestive, liver, urologic and kidney diseases in children, adolescents, and adults.  Of interest: 

  • ​Research to optimize lifestyle including diet, exercise and nutritional support for patients with diabetes or obesity on GLP-1 therapies, to achieve healthy weight loss and support long-term weight maintenance after weight loss.  
  • Research into mechanisms of GLP-1 based therapies, particularly those associated with hunger, satiety, eating behavior, energy expenditure, or the impact on diseases or conditions of interest to NIDDK such as hormone secretion, insulin resistance, or adipose, liver, and kidney inflammation. 
  • Approaches to prevent or treat common side effects, including gastrointestinal complications, nutritional deficiencies, and adverse alterations in body composition.
IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Maren Laughlin, Ph.D.
[email protected]

National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR)

The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) supports science informing practice to support healthy nutrition and prevent diet-related chronic disease in individuals, families, and populations. NINR emphasizes research addressing conditions of daily life that influence health and that is informed by and developed with communities. Areas of interest for this Highlighted Topic include but are not limited to:

  • Research that examines how the food environment and other conditions of daily life influence short- and longer-term health outcomes associated with GLP-1 use.
  • Community partnered interventions seeking to improve access to and outcomes of GLP-1 use among populations with known disparities in GLP-1 use, nutrition and diet-related chronic disease.
IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Dionne Godette, PhD
[email protected]

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR)

OBSSR is interested in behavioral and social science aspects of the interaction of GLP-1s and nutrient metabolism and status, and population health to generate for clinical practice policy.

IC may dedicate funds available to support applications in this Topic area depending upon the availability of funds, the number of meritorious applications, and competing ICO priorities.
This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
Office of Disease Prevention (ODP)

ODP is interested in research on the role of GLP-1 therapies, particularly combined with lifestyle interventions, in preventing chronic disease and health conditions across diverse populations. 

IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Bramaramba Kowtha MS, RDN, LDN
[email protected]

Office of Nutrition Research (ONR)

Research objectives for the Office of Nutrition Research include but are not limited to:

  • Improving the rigor and reproducibility of biomedical research to advance the fundamental understanding of the biology of nutrition and its functional role in critical systems involved in health and disease
  • Enhancing the precision of nutrition science
  • Advancing the understanding of sustainable nutrition in a changing environment
IC may give special consideration to support meritorious applications in this topic area.
This office does not award grants. Applications must be relevant to the objectives of at least one of the participating Institutes or Centers listed in this topic.
ICO Scientific Contact:
Nicholas Jury, PhD
[email protected]

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