- The usage of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 agonists) for weight reduction has been vastly rising.
- Previous research present there are optimistic and damaging unwanted effects from GLP-1 drugs.
- A brand new research experiences that GLP-1 drugs could present advantages to cognitive and behavioral well being, together with lowered dependancy threat.
- Scientists additionally confirmed that using these drugs could enhance an individual’s threat of pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues, in addition to kidney points.
Now, a brand new research just lately revealed within the journal Nature Drugs experiences that taking GLP-1 drugs could present advantages to cognitive and behavioral well being, together with lowered dementia and dependancy dangers.
Scientists additionally confirmed that using these drugs could enhance an individual’s threat of pancreatitis and gastrointestinal issues, in addition to kidney points.
For this research, researchers analyzed medical data from greater than 2 million folks taking diabetes drugs, together with over 215,000 who took GLP-1 drugs, from October 2017 by December 2023 through a database maintained by the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs.
Scientists in contrast 175 completely different well being outcomes between those that took GLP-1 medication to those that took conventional diabetes drugs reminiscent of Jardiance.
“We noticed skyrocketing utilization of GLP-1s, and we noticed a number of experiences investigating one end result or one other,” Ziyad Al-Aly, MD, scientific epidemiologist, Washington College in St. Louis, chief of analysis on the VA St. Louis Well being Care System, and senior writer of this research advised Medical Information At the moment. “We realized that nobody had comprehensively investigated (the) effectiveness and dangers of GLP-1RA throughout all attainable well being outcomes. So we determined to do that complete research taking a look at all 175 attainable well being outcomes, leaving no stone unturned.”
“GLP1s symbolize a brand new panorama; we merely needed to comprehensively perceive this new panorama. We needed to construct an atlas mapping the associations with all well being outcomes,” Al-Aly stated.
Upon evaluation, researchers discovered that contributors who took GLP-1 drugs skilled vital neurological and behavioral well being advantages, together with a lowered threat of substance dependancy to alcohol, hashish, opioids, and stimulants, in comparison with these taking conventional diabetes drugs.
Moreover, Al-Aly and his workforce reconfirmed a possible dementia-protecting profit once they discovered contributors taking GLP-1 medication had a decreased threat of neurocognitive circumstances reminiscent of dementia and Alzheimer’s illness.
“GLP-1 reduces neuroinflammation and likewise impacts facilities within the mind which are chargeable for impulse management and reward signaling — there are a lot of research displaying that we certainly have GLP-1 receptors in our mind. These are doubtless mechanisms by which GLP-1 could affect neuropsychiatric circumstances.”
— Ziyad Al-Aly, MD
“I feel there’s clearly (an) additional benefit for a number of circumstances. For instance, an individual with weight problems who additionally needs to give up smoking — getting GLP-1 could assist that particular person hit two birds (with) one stone — concurrently addressing weight problems and likewise assist them give up smoking. Clearly, the added advantages are welcome information,” he defined.
On the reverse facet, researchers discovered GLP-1 use was related to an elevated threat of gastrointestinal issues, together with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and, in uncommon circumstances, paralysis of the abdomen.
“We predict that is vital — folks taking GLP-1s and docs prescribing them ought to be looking out for these unwanted effects. Some could be fairly critical and land folks within the hospital,” Al-Aly stated.
MNT had the chance to talk with Babak Firoozi, MD, a board licensed gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Middle in Fountain Valley, CA, about this research.
“I used to be shocked and inspired about all of the optimistic affect the treatment has on sufferers, particularly in decreasing threat of cognitive decline. It’s changing into clear that the advantages of those drugs transcend weight reduction and diabetes management. And, in fact, security is vital as an increasing number of indications to make use of this group of medicines come up. The damaging results appear minimal.”
— Babak Firoozi, MD
MNT additionally spoke with Seth Kipnis, MD, FACS, FASMBS, medical director of Bariatric and Robotic Surgical procedure at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore College Medical Middle in New Jersey, about this analysis.
“This research confirms what we’re seeing clinically. Individuals with actual weight reduction are happier total. They really feel empowered that they’ll lastly management their weight. Decreased weight problems has lengthy been linked with much less irritation in each physique system. GI issues and renal issues will at all times be seen if individuals are not consuming appropriately and sustaining hydration. In the event you take these drugs with out dietary schooling, they are often dangerous,” Kipnis stated.
“These medication will solely develop into extra widespread and can enhance in use. They’re very efficient at inflicting weight reduction and enhancing well being. Now we have been prescribing many long-term medication for hypertension, coronary heart illness, excessive ldl cholesterol, diabetes, arthritis, reflux, and plenty of different ailments with out hesitation. Individuals are on all of those different medication for years. This new class of drug, because it lowers weight problems, has the potential to decrease using each different drug that’s used to deal with obesity-related circumstances,” he added.
