In a surprising discovery, it was found that weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro can have a positive impact on a whopping 175 diseases and conditions. Apart from weight loss and diabetes control, GLP-1 medications can have a range of benefits, some of which are unexpected including how these drugs can help with blood clotting and infections.
The study published in the journal Nature Medicine took into account the medical records of around 2.5 million patients. The researchers at the Department of Veterans Affairs found that the weight-loss drugs maybe helpful in 175 diseases and conditions, much more than what was previously thought.
Earlier studies found that GLP-1 medications could support treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and also help control alcohol addiction. However their surprising role in blood clotting and infections were discovered in this study. The findings also brought to light the effects of GLP-1 drugs in a reduced risk of psychotic disorders, seizures, and heart conditions like heart attack and stroke.
One drug, many solutions
While there are a few side effects of GLP-1 medications ranging from nausea to thyroid issues, the benefits seem promising.
“We tend to think of drugs as surgically designed to do only one thing. But the reality is almost never like this,” Ziyad Al-Aly, a co-author of the paper and chief of research for the VA St. Louis Health Care System, said.
The expert said that GLP-1 may have an “intricate web of various effects.”
Benefits for heart health, kidney health and liver health
GLP-1 is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular, kidney, and liver issues. While Ozempic is currently approved by FDA to treat Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and cardiac risk, the manufacturers of the drug are considering applying to update the drug’s label for supporting chronic kidney disease treatment.
The study has also found GLP-1 drugs' efficacy in treating blood clotting, respiration, and infection, something which was unexpected.
Mental health benefits
The study has also found Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs' effectiveness in boosting mental health and reducing suicide risk, a finding which contradicts earlier concerns about the potential of drugs like Ozempic to trigger suicidal ideation and self-harm in children and adults.
Side effects
However, GLP-1 medications aren't without side effects and its use is linked to acid reflux, headaches, pancreatitis, and an increased risk of arthritis.
Experts note that the VA population on which the research was done may be older, less diverse, and predominately male, so the study’s results may not truly reflect the US population as a whole. VA patients also tend to have multiple health issues and are being treated with multiple medications, which can affect results.
