This is the question many scientists are asking about the controversial drug, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1). Some studies suggest that the drug may help with human aging by reducing chronic disease. The same is true for glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide receptor agonists (GIPs), such as Zepbound and Maunjaro, which some experts are beginning to see as potential longevity drugs and how to safely prescribe these drugs to more people in the future, especially as obesity rates continue to rise.
“The most effective and consistent way to extend lifespan in animals is calorie restriction,” says Dr. Douglas Vaughan, professor at Northwestern University School of Medicine and director of the Potoksnak Longevity Institute. “It’s been demonstrated to work in everything from earthworms to flies to mice to monkeys. It’s reasonable to think that if we can find a way to chronically reduce calorie intake in people, it might have an effect on aging. It’s probably not that simple, and unexpected effects of these agents could negate or prevent the anti-aging effects, but it’s a nice hypothesis that needs to be rigorously tested.”
What are GLP-1 and GIP?
Originally, semaglutide and similar drugs were developed primarily for managing type 2 diabetes. These drugs work by activating GLP-1 receptors, which increase insulin levels in the body and lower blood sugar. GLP-1 receptors are found in the digestive system, which helps suppress appetite and weight loss. Studies have shown that these drugs slow down intestinal motility, slowing the rate at which food is digested and suppressing hunger and appetite.
However, GLP-1 receptors are also present in organ systems throughout the body, including the kidneys, heart, blood vessels, and of course the brain. This may be why GLP-1 receptors have proven effective in managing or preventing several other chronic diseases and reducing systemic inflammation, although more research is undoubtedly needed to understand the mechanism of action.
What does research so far tell us about its benefits?
Various studies on GLP-1 and GIPs receptor agonists have shown that they are effective in treating the following chronic and age-related diseases: Heart disease, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Kidney disease, Sleep apnea and Polycystic ovary syndromeSome preliminary studies have shown that semaglutide, a type of GLP-1 therapy, Restoring anti-cancer cell function NK cells in obese people may lower the risk of certain types of cancer.
These drugs also appear to have neuroprotective effects. Published in April A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that lixisenatide (another GLP-1 receptor agonist similar to Wegovy and Ozempic) slows the progression of early symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and some researchers are also investigating whether these drugs can prevent Alzheimer’s.
What’s more, compelling preliminary research has found that these drugs may benefit people undergoing treatment for addiction. Animal experimentation, Small human studies Anecdotal reports also suggest that these drugs may reduce alcohol intake by suppressing alcohol cravings, another lifestyle behavior strongly associated with reduced lifespan and healthspan.
Most experts agree that before these drugs can be safely prescribed outside their FDA-approved uses (currently diabetes, diabetes-related heart disease, and obesity), each potential indication needs to be studied more extensively.
From a purely statistical standpoint, the number of people taking GLP-1 receptor agonists and related drugs is likely to continue to increase. By 2030, nearly half of American adults You’ll likely be classified as obese, and with that comes an increase in chronic disease: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly four in 10 American adults are currently living with two or more chronic diseases.
Dr. Nir Barzilai, director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has been studying the possibility of repurposing some already FDA-approved drugs to promote longevity, and recently published an analysis in the journal Neurology. Medical Research Archives Several drugs reviewed for existing research include: 12 Signs of Aging Candidates for treatment include mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular aging, and telomere shortening. GLP-1 receptor agonists were selected as candidates, following metformin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, and bisphosphonates, an osteoporosis treatment.
Dr Barzilai envisions a future where semaglutide and other drugs are part of a long-term plan for disease prevention, much like taking over-the-counter supplements. He points out that it’s common practice for healthy people to take vitamins and supplements, particularly antioxidants, that are said to slow ageing, but their effectiveness is still not fully understood, with studies showing no significant impact on health.
The risks of viewing these drugs as magic bullets
But Dr. Barzilai cautions that GLP-1 receptor agonists are not a panacea: “I’m not here asking doctors to prescribe these drugs to anyone, I’m just cautioning them to look at the general therapeutic effects of these drugs, and then to prevent not one disease, but two or three diseases, and to reduce mortality, because they can and should be considered.”
Doctors like Kinga Kisko, PhD, assistant professor of geriatrics and palliative medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, warn that these drugs aren’t right for everyone, especially older adults. “We often see new drugs for diabetes, but more often than not, they cause harm, and sometimes that’s just the result of polypharmacy,” she says. Kisko would like to see more well-designed studies done to measure the impact of these treatments on older patients. “There’s a lot of diversity in the older adult population, and some people definitely don’t want to lose weight,” she says.
Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado-Andrade, an assistant professor of medicine and endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, already prescribes semaglutide as a way to prevent the cascading health effects of weight gain, which often lead to early death. While clinicians are recommended to use the drug on patients with a BMI of 27 or higher, she also prescribes it to patients whose health is a concern. They may not currently meet the criteria for being overweight or obese, she says, but on average, they are gaining 10 pounds per year. Delaying starting the drug by a year could have negative health effects, increasing the risk of multiple chronic diseases and early death.
“I use my clinical judgment and sometimes I don’t follow the guidelines and consider other aspects. There are women who don’t meet the criteria for starting these medications with their BMI, but I still start them because I want to prevent disease and I don’t want them to,” says Andrade, who is also a collaborator in the Mayo Obesity Precision Medicine Program. “In my opinion, it’s always case-by-case. I consider the individual medical history, family history of the risks of using these medications, and then I discuss all these aspects with my patients and my patients ultimately make an informed decision.”
