Why Ozempic Might Hold the Key to Slowing Ageing (Hint: It's Not About Weight Loss)

For future generations, it’s quite plausible that their most important 50th birthday present will be an Ozempic prescription From their general practitioner, aimed at decelerating the aging process and extending their healthy lifespan.

That’s the bold assertion made by Gaetano Santulli, an Associate Professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York—a leading center for aging research worldwide. According to him, evidence is more and more indicating a part for medications that imitate gut hormones such as GLP-1 as strong anti-ageing solutions of tomorrow.

"The idea of employing gut hormones to slow down or stop age-related deterioration in healthy middle-aged individuals is both biologically plausible and becoming more achievable," according to Santulli. The i Paper .

His remarks come following yet another significant surge of evidence backing the long-term health advantages of GLP-1 based medications For instance, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro.

At the recent European Congress on Obesity, specialists revealed research indicating that these medications have significant anti-cancer properties, which are not related to weight reduction. Additional findings demonstrated that GLP-1 drugs can reduce fatalities due to heart attacks by half. may stop atrial fibrillation from coming back , a chronic condition characterised by an irregular heartbeat which is one of the common causes of strokes. Elsewhere, scientists have found taking a weight-loss drug can slow cognitive decline and reduce mental-health problems such as anxiety.

These discoveries raise the question: might these medications someday also be used by individuals who aren’t overweight to assist them in leading a healthier, longer life free from diseases?

When GLP-1 drugs When they first appeared on the stage half a decade ago, these medications were anticipated to combat chronic diseases by curbing hunger, leading to significant decreases in weight and body fat within just months or years. Given that obesity often underlies various chronic ailments, it was widely believed that this was the main factor behind the apparent efficacy of these treatments in addressing issues such as severe fatty liver disease and sleep disorders.

However, as Santulli explained, the growing excitement stems from emerging data both collected in clinical trials and in the lab, demonstrating that their positive impact on the body stretches far beyond weight loss. In fact, he says, it’s becoming increasingly clear that GLP-1 drugs can modulate some of the most fundamental biological processes behind ageing.

Firstly, these substances seem to bolster the immune system, improving its capability to eliminate cancer cells before they form tumors. Additionally, they reduce persistent inflammation that tends to increase as we age. This is believed to be one reason behind reports from individuals suffering from knee joint osteoarthritis who experienced less discomfort and better movement. taking the drugs .

This is a developing idea," explains Santulli. "Findings indicate that GLP-1 goes beyond being just a hunger-suppressing hormone. Such medications decrease overall body-wide inflammation and adjust natural immune responses. GLP-1 shields against the hardening of arteries associated with aging, changes how we use energy, and might also sharpen mechanisms that defend us from harm as we get older—much like physical activity does for cellular toughness.

Gut hormones and their connection to long life

Jens Juul Holst was part of a select group of male and female researchers instrumental in discovering GLP-1 and understanding its numerous functions within the body during the 1980s. Often referred to as 'one of the parents of Ozempic,' he not only contributed to fundamental scientific research but also brought attention to this work for Danish firm Novo Nordisk, which eventually developed the medication. Wegovy and Ozempic — focusing on GLP-1's impact on blood glucose levels and hunger, yet four decades earlier, he had minimal foresight that his research would eventually contribute to some of the quickest-selling medications ever.

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Even back then, what he understood was that there appeared to be some link between this gut hormone and lifespan, particularly for individuals undergoing bariatric surgery. consistently living longer than individuals receiving typical obesity treatment.

"We've learned from the hundreds of thousands of people who have undergone gastric bypass surgeries that these patients tend to live longer," said Holst, who remains an active researcher at the University of Copenhagen even at the age of 79. The i Paper The data shows strong consistency. So, can you explain how these processes function? They secrete GLP-1 and another hormone from the intestines known as PYY.

With this in mind, Holst is particularly intrigued by a new idea proposed by Santulli – giving GLP-1 drugs to over 65s, particularly those already in worsening health – perhaps highlighted by blood tests which indicate elevated levels of inflammatory proteins or signs that they are becoming frail and more vulnerable to falls – and seeing whether they can radically boost their health.

Of course, giving appetite-suppressing drugs to older people comes with risks. This age group is already vulnerable to a condition known as ‘anorexia of ageing,’ characterised by diminished appetite and malnutrition. However Santulli believes it could be solved through two means: giving them additional appetite boosting medicines, and treating these people with lower or ‘microdoses’ of GLP-1.

Anorexia poses a significant issue; however, possible remedies might involve administering reduced amounts of GLP-1s. These smaller doses can offer anti-inflammatory effects and influence aging processes without impacting hunger centers in the brain," he proposes. "Additionally, combining well-known appetite-stabilizing medications such as anamorelin could help. Proactive monitoring of patients' muscle mass and food consumption should also occur to ensure these factors remain stable.

This is a daring proposal, and should such research show favorable results, Santulli believes it might open doors for broader availability of GLP-1 medications. This opportunity could allow numerous people who aren’t obese—those mainly in their 40s, 50s, and 60s—to enjoy improved overall health from these treatments.

However, for this to turn into reality, several hurdles remain that must be addressed.

A extended lifespan – but one with diminished joy?

According to David D'Alessio, a professor of endocrinology and metabolism at Duke University, the primary obstacle to widely offering GLP-1 medications to middle-aged individuals is financial. He explains that these drugs can cost between $1000 and $1500 each month in the United States. "If you multiply those costs by all the people hoping not to age," he adds, "you're looking at nearly unfathomable sums."

There are two potential factors that could alter this situation: firstly, the gradual expiration of patents that grant pharmaceutical companies monopolies over pricing these medications, a process that has already started. For instance, last year saw Novo Nordisk lose its patent rights for liraglutide—an older medication. GLP-1 drug marketed as Saxenda – have expired, and from 2026 to 2033, the company’s multiple patents for Ozempic and Wegovy, along with those owned by American pharmaceutical corporation Eli Lilly for their product Mounjaro, will come to an end.

This will subsequently enable rivals to introduce generic versions of these medicines, thereby reducing prices. "The expiry of patents is essential for these drugs to potentially affect a wider population," states D'Alessio.

Secondly, although GLP-1 medications are presently delivered via injections that are costlier to make and less enjoyable for patients, firms have started solving the challenge of formulating these as oral tablets. "This has proven extremely challenging, yet Eli Lilly has managed to create one called Orforglipron, which shows promise," explains Holst. "Manufacturing it will be considerably simpler, leading to lower costs over time."

Additionally, we must consider the side effects, such as severe nausea and digestive problems that some individuals encounter when using this medication. Wegovy or Mounjaro for obesity, and also the loss of pleasure from eating and drinking, which seems to make GLP-1 drugs highly effective at combating addictions ranging from alcohol to opioids.

Holst says that this even raises an important philosophical question – would people actually want to live longer, if the trade-off was taking a drug which limited some of the enjoyment of life?

The pharmaceutical firms seldom discuss this," he notes. "However, it's widely recognized that these medications influence the reward system, which implies they can take away some of the joy, particularly for those who appreciate eating, drinking alcohol, and all life’s delights. Therefore, that presents a significant issue — if everybody were put on a GLP-1 medication, people could easily lose interest.

However, similar to Santulli’s suggested research on the elderly, microdosing could offer a solution.

Is microdosing the answer?

Due to the substantial expenses associated with GLP-1 medications, numerous accounts have surfaced in the United States illustrating individuals buying vials of these drugs. Wegovy and Mounjaro And intentionally taking it in measured amounts, much lower than what is suggested.

In addition to safeguarding their stock and cutting costs, this form of microdosing has proven to be a successful method for steering clear of persistent side effects. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals who have achieved their target weight and now aim to sustain it over extended periods.

Holst finds this trend interesting and suggests that microdosing ought to be explored further through extensive clinical trials. This approach could potentially lead to wider availability of GLP-1 medications without significantly reducing pleasurable sensations in the brain.

At present, he doesn’t think there’s enough proof for using these medications as preventive measures in individuals who are already very healthy. However, he envisions them becoming more significant in the case of young folks without obesity issues who deal with autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes or have certain metabolic syndromes—like insulin resistance or high blood pressure.

In numerous nations, approximately one-fourth of adults suffer from metabolic syndrome, significantly raising their chances of heart disease and early mortality," he explains. "This affects a vast number of individuals, and we understand that GLP-1 medications have the potential to address this issue. Therefore, I believe there is both a tremendous chance – and nearly a duty – for government bodies to leverage these treatments in order to lower such risks.

Moving forward, Holst anticipates that someday individuals might visit their general practitioner for a blood test. If indicators of suboptimal metabolic health appear, patients could receive a prescription. a GLP-1 medication To assist in making those symptoms more commonplace before they escalate into something more severe.

You would have a blood sample collected, examine your blood lipids, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and similar factors," he explains. "This will function similarly to statins.