A new study has found that GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic result in long-term weight loss and slimmer waistlines, with about half of participants significantly reducing their body mass index scores and experiencing better overall cardiovascular health. Semaglutide, found in medications like Ozempic, Rybelsus, and Wegovy, has dramatic benefits for people with obesity and weight management issues. In a study involving 17,000 adults without diabetes who were overweight or obese, taking semaglutide-based medication led to an average weight loss of 10% of body weight and a reduction in waistline measurements of over 7 centimeters in a four-year period.
The study, led by Dr. Donna Ryan of the Pennington Biomedical Research Center, also found that more than half of participants moved down at least one BMI category after two years of taking semaglutide, and 12% reached a healthy BMI. This sustained weight loss of significant magnitude is rarely seen in other weight-loss interventions, according to experts not involved in the study. Antoni Adamrovich, the chief of medicine and co-founder of weight-loss program Tb2.health, noted that GLP-1 drugs like semaglutide are significantly more effective than other popular weight-loss medications, such as phentermine or naltrexone/bupropion.
A companion study from University College London also reported that GLP-1 drugs, used for type 2 diabetes and weight loss, benefit the cardiovascular system regardless of weight loss or starting weight. Positive outcomes were seen among all genders, races, ages, regions, and body sizes compared to placebo effects, indicating that semaglutide can sustain clinically relevant weight loss over four years in a diverse population, potentially impacting various obesity-related illnesses and improving public health. Side effects of semaglutide treatment may include gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea and diarrhea, along with a higher risk of gallbladder stones, although negative symptoms were lower in semaglutide recipients compared to the placebo group.
The findings were presented at the May 2024 European Congress on Obesity and sourced from the ongoing Semaglutide and Cardiovascular Outcomes (SELECT) research trial launched in 2018. Previous studies based on SELECT trial data found that taking semaglutide for over three years reduced the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death from cardiovascular disease by 20%. More research is needed to assess the impact of GLP-1 treatment beyond four years and to study the long-term sustainability of weight loss and cardiovascular benefits. Conducting follow-up studies focusing on heart-healthy diets and moderate-intensity exercise in combination with semaglutide or tirzepatide use could provide further insights into the potential benefits of these medications for weight management and cardiovascular health.
