Weight-loss medication like Ozempic and Mounjaro are so prevalent that 1 in 5 adults in the USA report taking these medication for weight problems.
This class of medication, often called glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1s, additionally contains Wegovy and Zepbound. GLP-1s had been developed to deal with diabetes, however they’ve develop into fashionable weight-loss medicines.
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With the usage of these medication spiking lately, a variety of analysis has checked out potential negative effects of GLP-1s. A examine revealed Monday within the journal Nature Drugs took a deeper dive into analyzing the general well being results of GLP-1s. Researchers confirmed that these medication are related to the next threat of pancreatitis and gastrointestinal points – as advised by a 2023 examine – however additionally they discovered GLP-1s could have behavioral well being and cognitive advantages.
Utilizing a U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs database, the researchers checked out well being data for greater than 2 million individuals taking diabetes medicines – together with 215,000 individuals taking GLP-1s – between 2017 and 2023. Then they examined 175 well being outcomes for individuals taking GLP-1 medication in comparison with individuals taking different diabetes treatment, similar to Jardiance.
Individuals taking GLP-1 medication confirmed a lowered threat of habit to alcohol, stimulants, opioids and hashish. Additionally they had decrease dangers of suicidal ideation, bulimia and psychotic problems. And so they had a lowered threat of seizures, dementia and Alzheimer’s illness.
Researchers additionally confirmed that GLP-1s decrease the chance for coronary heart illness.
GLP-1s “act on receptors which are expressed in mind areas concerned in impulse management, reward and habit — doubtlessly explaining their effectiveness in curbing urge for food and habit problems,” stated the examine’s lead writer, Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, the director of the Scientific Epidemiology Middle on the VA St. Louis Well being Care System.
The medication may scale back irritation within the mind that’s related to dementia and Alzheimer’s, Al-Aly stated.
The constructive well being advantages are modest, providing a few 10% to twenty% threat discount for these circumstances.
“Nonetheless, the modest impact doesn’t negate the potential worth of those medication, particularly for circumstances the place few efficient remedy choices exist, for instance, dementia,” Al-Aly stated. “This may occasionally additionally indicate that these medication are most helpful when used together with different interventions, similar to life-style adjustments or different medicines.”
