The medications Wegovy and Ozempic are primarily used as weight loss aids, but new studies suggest they may offer even more benefits.
These medications help combat obesity and type 2 diabetes. Weight loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy are hailed as new miracle solutions for obesity. However, new studies indicate that this might not be the full extent of their benefits. According to several British media reports, Semaglutide, the main ingredient in these medications, might also slow down the biological aging process.
“The drug has ‘far-reaching benefits that go beyond what we originally envisioned,'” said Professor Harlan Krumholz of Yale School of Medicine after the release of several new studies at the world’s largest cardiology conference, ESC, in London.
The studies suggest that the medication could be used to treat a variety of diseases linked to heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. “It wouldn’t surprise me if improving people’s health in this way actually slows down the aging process,” said Krumholz. The medications are on the verge of revolutionizing cardiovascular care.
Semaglutide reduces mortality risk from COVID-19
The new data has been published in a series of medical journals, including the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology.” For the studies, over 17,600 people aged 45 and older were treated with either Semaglutide or a placebo for three years. The participants were obese or overweight and had cardiovascular diseases but did not have diabetes.
Those who took the medication were less likely to die from any cause, including cardiovascular diseases and COVID-19, according to the researchers. People who took the drug for weight loss contracted COVID-19 at the same rate but were less likely to die from it.
Help with heart failure
Regardless of gender, the medication reduced the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, such as high blood pressure and arrhythmias. This effect was disproportionately observed in women. It also improved the symptoms of heart failure and reduced inflammation levels in the body, whether or not participants lost weight.
Dr. Benjamin Scirica, the lead author of one of the studies and a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Harvard Medical School, said the results “confirm that being overweight and obese increases the risk of death for many reasons.” However, treatment with Semaglutide could change that.
Weight loss injections are not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle
The prescription drug suppresses appetite and is available under the brand names Wegovy for obesity and Ozempic for diabetes. It is administered via injection and mimics the hormone GLP-1, making people feel fuller and less hungry.
Experts have previously warned that the drug is not a quick fix or a substitute for healthy eating and exercise and should only be taken under medical supervision. Like any medication, it can have side effects and risks – the most common being nausea, upset stomach, and bloating.
