GLP-1 medications, widely prescribed for weight loss and diabetes management, may offer unexpected health benefits, according to a study published on January 20 in Nature Medicine. These drugs—popularly known by brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound—are showing promise in reducing risks for a variety of conditions, including substance abuse, psychosis, infections, and even dementia.

Researchers reviewed data from nearly 2 million patients treated by the Veterans Health Administration, including over 216,000 individuals prescribed GLP-1 medications. The results were striking: GLP-1 users had a 24 per cent lower risk of liver failure and a 22 per cent reduced likelihood of cardiac arrest compared to those on other diabetes treatments. Additionally, the study highlighted lower risks for 42 different health outcomes, including lung failure, aspiration pneumonia, shock, and severe infections like sepsis.

These findings align with broader public health trends, including a decline in U.S. obesity rates for the first time in over a decade, as reported in 2023. GLP-1 drugs appear to play a key role in this shift.

However, the medications are not without drawbacks. Researchers found that GLP-1 users faced higher risks for 19 adverse health outcomes, primarily related to digestive issues such as nausea, heartburn, vomiting, stomach pain, and gastroparesis (a condition that paralyzes stomach muscles). They were also more prone to musculoskeletal problems like arthritis and tendinitis compared to users of other diabetes drugs.

Beyond physical health, GLP-1 medications demonstrated notable benefits for brain health. The study found a 12 per cent lower risk of dementia and reduced rates of psychosis and schizophrenia among GLP-1 users. These unexpected findings suggest that drugs could influence cognitive and mental health in ways not previously understood.

“It’s hard to make a blanket recommendation because the side effects are real,” said study lead author Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, chief of research and development at the VA St. Louis Health Care System. “People should have a conversation with their healthcare provider and conduct an individualized risk-benefit analysis.”

The research analyzed medical records from October 2017 to December 2023 to create a comprehensive “atlas of association,” mapping the drugs’ effects across various organ systems. Despite the promising findings, experts urge caution. Most study participants were older white men with diabetes, which could limit how applicable the results are to broader populations.

“This paper extends our current knowledge of the effectiveness of this class of medications,” said Dr Scott Butsch, director of obesity medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. “It’s a very interesting study and offers a helpful big-picture perspective.”

While GLP-1 drugs continue to gain popularity, their full range of benefits and risks highlights the importance of informed decision-making for patients and healthcare providers alike.

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