His team investigated whether adding ketone ester supplements could help protect muscle during semaglutide-related weight loss. In mouse studies, the results were striking: ketone esters helped preserve both heart and skeletal muscle mass, maintained strength, and prevented the molecular changes linked to muscle weakening—without reducing the benefits of fat loss. “These findings are exciting because ketone therapy is simple, accessible, and has real potential to translate into human clinical care,” says Dr. Dyck.

That translational mindset is at the core of his work. With support from the U of A’s Transformational Medical Research Grant competition—funded by The River Philip Foundation—and the Alberta Diabetes Institute, Dr. Dyck and a team of collaborators are now preparing a clinical trial (referred to as GLIMMER GLP1-induced Loss and Impairment of Muscle Mass—Evaluation and Retention) to explore this intervention’s potential in people. For Dr. Dyck, these types of projects are most rewarding: “There’s something special about discovering something new—knowing only a handful of people in the world share that knowledge. But it’s even more meaningful when that discovery has the potential to rapidly advance to new treatment options for many people around the world.”

And there’s more on the horizon. Dr. Dyck’s team is finalizing a manuscript that delves deeper into how semaglutide affects skeletal muscle at the molecular level—and importantly, how a simple intervention could prevent these effects and be quickly tested in humans. As his research program continues to grow, one theme remains constant: a commitment to science that not only advances knowledge but also directly supports healthier lives.