Watan-A recent study has revealed that weight-loss treatments can reduce the risk of developing 42 medical conditions, paving the way for these medications to be used in treating a range of health issues.
According to the British newspaper The Guardian, the study was conducted on more than two million people with diabetes, using data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs databases. The research explored the effects of using GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1Ras), found in medications like Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, on 175 health conditions.
Some participants received these medications alongside standard care, including other blood sugar-lowering drugs, while others received standard care alone. The participants were monitored for approximately 3.5 years.
Key Findings
The study demonstrated that diabetes and weight-loss medications such as Ozempic, Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro contributed to reducing the risk of 42 health conditions, including clotting disorders, heart problems, and chronic kidney disease.
Specifically, the findings showed:
- A 13% reduction in the risk of opioid use disorders.
- A 19% reduction in the risk of bulimia.
- An 18% reduction in the risk of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
- A 10% reduction in the risk of suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts, or intentional self-harm.
- A 12% reduction in the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
- A 12% reduction in bacterial infections.
Dr. Ziyad Al-Aly, one of the study authors from Washington University in St. Louis, stated:
“Our study included participants with diabetes, but there is no biological or clinical reason to believe the results would differ in non-diabetic individuals using these injections solely for weight loss.”
Potential Risks
However, the study also found that GLP-1Ras inhibitors were associated with a higher risk of 19 conditions compared to standard care, including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, low blood pressure, and kidney stones.
While the researchers expected weight loss to reduce arthritis due to less strain on weight-bearing joints, the study found that those using GLP-1Ras inhibitors had an increased risk of arthritis. Dr. Al-Aly suggested this might be related to muscle mass loss or other deterioration occurring with rapid weight loss, noting that further research is needed.
Broader Implications
Recent studies have highlighted the health impacts of Ozempic in particular, showing its contributions to treating several diseases, including kidney and heart conditions, cancer, and pancreatitis.
However, other studies have warned about side effects associated with these medications, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and an increased risk of suicidal tendencies.
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