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Benefits of GLP-1s Beyond Weight Loss

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Editorial Team

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August 21, 2024

Woman engaging in a workout routine, demonstrating physical activity and vitality, which ties into the broader health benefits of GLP-1 medications beyond just weight loss

Medical Review by Jennie Stanford, MD, FAAFP, DipABOM

Summary

  • GLP-1 medications mimic a hormone called glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), which your body naturally releases after eating.
  • GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® help to lower your blood sugar levels and aid in weight loss.
  • GLP-1s have been found to reduce the risk of serious heart issues, including heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related deaths, as well as help lower blood pressure.
  • Recent research suggests that GLP-1s may offer kidney protection to those who are overweight or obese but haven’t yet developed diabetes, as well as those with diabetes.
  • Early evidence shows that GLP-1 medications may help in treating Parkinson’s disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and polycystic ovary syndrome, but additional research is required.

What are GLP-1 medications?

GLP-1 medications, or GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which your body naturally produces after eating. GLP-1 medications trigger the release of insulin, helping to move sugar from your bloodstream into your cells, where it can be used for energy.  They also work to slow gastric emptying so that you feel full longer, as well as work in the brain to decrease cravings and suppress appetite.

One popular GLP-1 medication is semaglutide, which has gained lots of attention for its effectiveness in managing type 2 diabetes and aiding weight loss in people who are overweight or obese. You may have heard of the well-known semaglutide medications, Ozempic® and Wegovy®. They’re among the most commonly prescribed.

Curious to learn more about GLP-1 medications? Check out our in-depth articles on Lemonaid Health:

  • The Ultimate Guide to Wegovy: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More
  • The Ultimate Guide to Ozempic: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More
  • Ozempic® vs. Wegovy®: What’s the Difference?

Recent studies have revealed even more benefits from using these medications. Let’s dive into these exciting findings below.

Heart health benefits of GLP-1 medications

GLP-1 medications are showing great promise in protecting heart health, so much so that the American Diabetes Association (ADA) now recommends these medications for patients with diabetes who are at high risk of heart disease.

Several large studies have highlighted the significant heart-protective benefits of GLP-1s. They’ve been found to reduce the risk of serious heart issues, like heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related deaths, particularly in people with pre-existing heart conditions. One study in people with diabetes revealed liraglutide reduced cardiovascular events by 13% compared to placebo. Semaglutide showed similar cardiovascular benefits in patients with diabetes. For patients without diabetes who had pre-existing heart disease, semaglutide reduced cardiovascular events by 20% compared to placebo.


These findings suggest that GLP-1 medications do more than just lower blood sugar levels-they also support heart health. This makes them a valuable option for anyone at risk of heart disease due to diabetes or obesity. 

Reduced blood pressure with GLP-1s

Another layer of cardiovascular protection from GLP-1s may come from lowered blood pressure, even for people without hypertension. A recent meta-analysis of six studies of people without diabetes showed clinically significant reductions in blood pressure when using semaglutide.

GLP-1 medications & kidney health

GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide are not only effective for managing blood sugar levels and protecting heart health, but they also have potential benefits for protecting kidney function. Exciting recent research suggests that semaglutide could benefit kidney health in people with diabetes, and it could also offer kidney protection to those who are overweight or obese without diabetes. Considering that over 35.5 million U.S. adults-about 1 in 7-are estimated to have chronic kidney disease, these findings are particularly promising for improving kidney health.

Emerging uses for GLP-1 medications

With ongoing research, new potential uses for GLP-1 medications are coming to light. Let’s take a look at some of the promising ways these medications may be utilized in the future.

Parkinson’s disease

A recent study that focused on individuals with early-stage Parkinson’s disease, investigated how a GLP-1 medication affects the progression of motor disability associated with the disease. After 12 months, those receiving the GLP-1 medication showed less progression of motor disability compared to the placebo group (indicating improvement in disease symptoms). These findings are particularly exciting because they suggest GLP-1s may have neuroprotective effects that may help improve the quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Obstructive sleep apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, often causing snoring and pauses in breathing. This not only has a significant impact on a person’s quality of sleep but is also associated with major cardiovascular complications and can cause weight gain or make it harder to lose weight. New research has shown that GLP-1 medications may offer significant benefits for managing OSA. GLP-1 medications were found to reduce the number of breathing interruptions by nearly 50% in patients not using airway treatments, and by 59% in patients using positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy. These results suggest that GLP-1 medications could benefit patients with OSA. 

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of infertility, and it affects an estimated 8-13% of women of reproductive age. Currently, there is no cure for PCOS, and there are no FDA-approved medications to specifically treat PCOS. Endocrinologists and researchers are exploring the effect of semaglutide in patients with PCOS and related reproductive issues. A large clinical trial is underway, focusing on how semaglutide influences ovulation, hormone changes, and weight loss in women with PCOS. This research holds promise for developing new potential treatments to manage PCOS and improve reproductive health.

Learn more about GLP-1 medications with Lemonaid Health

GLP-1 medications can have many exciting benefits for your health. If you are curious about what these medications might be able to do for you, talk to an expert at Lemonaid Health. Our US-based healthcare professionals can answer your questions about GLP-1 medications, and help you learn more about whether they are right for you.

Ozempic® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S. Wegovy® is a registered trademark of Novo Nordisk A/S

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By

Editorial Team

|

August 21, 2024

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.

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