New research has shown that Ozempic might also slow down the ageing process

Sophie Collins

Researchers believe that semaglutide, a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, might also slow down the ageing process.

Better known by its brand names, Ozempic and Wegovy, semaglutide “has far-reaching benefits beyond what we initially imagined,” says Professor Harlan Krumholz from Yale School of Medicine, following the release of several new studies.

These studies suggest that semaglutide could be used to treat a wide range of illnesses associated with ageing, like heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.

“It wouldn’t surprise me that improving people’s health this way actually slows down the ageing process,” Professor Krumholz said at the European Society of Cardiology Conference 2024.

Published in several medical journals, including the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), the studies are part of the select trial.

It tracked over 17,600 participants, aged 45 and older, for more than three years. The participants, who were obese or overweight and had cardiovascular disease but not diabetes, received either 2.4 mg of semaglutide or a placebo.

The findings showed that those taking semaglutide had a lower death rate from all causes, including cardiovascular issues and Covid-19.

Researchers also found that people taking semaglutide were just as likely to catch Covid-19 but were less likely to die from it, with 2.6% of those on the drug dying compared to 3.1% on the placebo.

While women experienced fewer major cardiovascular events, the drug consistently reduced cardiovascular risk regardless of sex.

It also improved heart failure symptoms and lowered body inflammation, whether or not the participants lost weight.

Dr. Benjamin Scirica, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Harvard Medical School and lead author of one of the studies, said that the findings “reinforce that overweight and obesity increase the risk of death due to many causes,” but this “can be modified with potent incretin-based therapies like semaglutide.”

Available by prescription, semaglutide works by mimicking the hormone GLP-1, which suppresses appetite and makes people feel fuller.

Experts warn that the drug is not a quick fix or substitute for a healthy lifestyle and should only be used under medical supervision due to possible side effects, including nausea, upset stomach, bloating, and gas.