Researchers are actively studying the impact of GLP-1 drugs on key biological processes – including chronic inflammation, cellular energy, heart health and brain function – all of which are major factors that determine both how long you live, called lifespan, and how healthy you are during those years, called lifespan.
“In cellular studies we see reduction in chronic inflammation, improvement in mitochondrial function [cell energy]better vascular function [blood flow]reduces oxidative stress,” says Dr. Kumar. “All of these things are cellular evidence that GLP-1 may be helpful.”
According to Reshmi Srinath, MD, director of the Weight and Metabolism Management Program at Mount Sinai in New York, research is underway to determine whether GLP-1 may have an even greater impact on factors related to aging.
“Pharmaceutical companies are currently investigating the role of GLP-1 in aging and immune function, and they are being studied in autoimmune diseases and neurological disorders,” she says.
Inflammation and aging
One of the reasons GLP-1 is linked to longevity is its effect on oxidative stress, which is an imbalance of harmful molecules called free radicals that damage cells and trigger chronic inflammation. Sometimes called “inflammatory,” chronic inflammation is a major contributor to age-related decline.
“GLP-1 reduces inflammation in the body,” says Kumar. “This type of inflammation leads not only to cardiovascular disease, but also to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s) and arthritis.”
Protection of the heart and organs
Protecting the heart – the organ most associated with early death – is another area of scientific interest.
“The SELECT trial found that people taking GLP-1 had a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, and death, even when they didn’t lose a lot of weight,” says Kumar. “This shows that the benefits go beyond just weight or blood sugar.” Beyond the heart, GLP-1 may help protect the kidneys and liver from damage caused by metabolic diseases, a group of conditions that includes hypertension and abdominal obesity.
Cancer and metabolic health
Researchers are also studying GLP-1 for the prevention of obesity-related cancers, which account for nearly 40% of cancer diagnoses in the United States. There are 13 types of cancers linked to obesity, including breast, colon, rectum, liver and pancreatic cancer.
“For patients who do not need to lose weight or treat their diabetes, there is growing interest in using GLP to prevent chronic diseases like cancer,” says Kumar. “The benefits appear to come from both direct effects and improvements in blood sugar and body fat. »
Cellular aging
Cellular aging is the gradual decline in a cell’s ability to function properly. Research indicates that GLP-1 can improve the function of mitochondria — structures within cells that produce almost all the energy your body needs — and reduce cellular stress, says Kumar.
“We could hypothesize or extrapolate that this would also have a benefit on cellular aging,” she says.
Brain health and neuroprotection
Science suggests that GLP-1 may also have a protective effect on the brain. Early studies suggest that semaglutide may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in people with type 2 diabetes by reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar levels and protecting brain cells. However, research in otherwise healthy adults is still limited, and GLP-1s are not yet approved to prevent dementia.
Kumar describes a patient with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s disease who asked to try a GLP-1 to prevent dementia. “She was in very good shape and was optimizing her lifestyle, her diet, her sleep and her stress management,” she says. “We tried it, but she didn’t tolerate it: she got nauseous and lost weight she didn’t need.”
In this case, the risk outweighed the potential benefits, raising the question of whether GLP-1s provide the same longevity benefits to people without a medical indication for their use.
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