Research: Weight loss drugs can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's
Recently, a large-scale study on popular weight loss drugs showed that patients using GLP-1 class medications (such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, Eli Lilly's Mounjaro) had a 12% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but there was an increased risk of arthritis, kidney, and pancreatic diseases
Weight loss drugs may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease but increase other health risks.
Recently, a large-scale study on popular weight loss drugs showed that patients using GLP-1 medications (such as Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy, and Eli Lilly's Mounjaro) had a 12% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, but an increased risk of arthritis, kidney, and pancreatic diseases.
The study lasted for 6 years and involved 215,000 American veteran diabetes patients using GLP-1 medications, with results published in Nature Medicine. The following are the findings of the study:
Positive effects of using GLP-1 medications:
- Reduced risk of 42 health issues, including Alzheimer's disease;
- General benefits in cognitive and behavioral health;
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases and bacterial infections;
- Helps suppress addictive diseases;
Potential risks of using GLP-1 medications:
- Increased risk of 19 diseases;
- 11% increase in arthritis risk;
- Adverse effects on the pancreas and kidneys are most significant.
However, Professor Stephen O'Rahilly of Cambridge University’s Clinical Biochemistry cautioned that this study is based on observational data rather than clinical trials, and the sample mainly consisted of older white males, so consumers and healthcare professionals need to interpret the findings with caution