Known as the ‘skinny shot’ in some circles, Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications have revolutionized the weight-loss industry, sparking very diverse reactions. While some hail them as life-saving tools in the fight against obesity, others criticize them as quick fixes. Regardless of where you stand on the pendulum of public opinion, these drugs have demonstrated other added benefits that go beyond weight. Here are some of the notable added benefits reported by users that are being studied.
Featured Experts
- Dr. Beverly Tchang is a board-certified endocrinologist and obesity medicine advisor for RO based in New York
- Dr. Johnny Franco is a board-certified plastic surgeon, based in Austin, TX
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Improved Cardiovascular Health
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), as well as Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepitide), have demonstrated significant benefits for heart health. New York endocrinologist Beverly Tchang, MD, an obesity medicine advisor for RO, highlights, “Two large-scale clinical trials, each spanning approximately four years, revealed that semaglutide provides protection against heart attacks and strokes among individuals with pre-existing heart disease, in addition to obesity or diabetes.”
These findings prompted the FDA to approve Wegovy, the weight-loss formulation of semaglutide, for reducing the risks of cardiovascular death, heart attack, and stroke in overweight or obese adults with cardiovascular disease.
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Fighting Fatty Liver Disease
GLP-1s also show promise in improving liver health. Dr. Tchang explains, “Semaglutide and liraglutide reduce fibrosis in some patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, a more severe form of fatty liver disease.” This reduction in liver fat and inflammation have users seeing a profound impact on their liver health in general.
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Guarding Kidney Function
GLP-1s have also been shown to improve kidney health. “A recent study called the FLOW trial found semaglutide to protect against severe kidney disease or the progression of it in people with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes,” notes Dr. Tchang. This can be crucial for patients with or at risk for chronic kidney issues.
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Helping with Addiction
There is emerging evidence that GLP-1 medications can help reduce cravings for substances. Dr. Tchang highlights that “the peptide GLP-1 works in multiple areas of the brain, including the ‘dopamine reward system,’ which is responsible for cravings.” New research suggests that semaglutide and tirzepatide are associated with reduced alcohol consumption, offering a potential new tool in addiction treatment.
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Enhancing Fertility
As many users are finding out on Reddit threads and chat rooms across the world, GLP-1 medications can also improve reproductive health, particularly for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A lot of women on the drug have reported successful pregnancies after struggling to conceive for years. “Weight loss, whether by lifestyle changes or medication, can increase fertility and reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy,” says Dr. Tchang.
“The reproductive health benefits are directly related to weight loss,” explains Austin, TX plastic surgeon Johnny Franco, MD. “As patients achieve better health, their reproductive situation improves significantly. Reducing BMI decreases risk during pregnancy and helps improve hormonal balance. A healthier BMI also enhances overall cardiac and renal health, which further reduces risks during pregnancy.”
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Lowering Systemic Inflammation
Inflammation is a common underlying factor in many chronic conditions. One of the benefits of these drugs are their ability to reduce inflammation in the body. Dr. Tchang says, “Markers of inflammation decrease with weight loss, including weight loss supported by GLP-1 medications.”
Dr. Franco adds, “An article published in Nature showed an overall decrease in brain inflammation in a study evaluating GLP-1 medications.” Decreased inflammatory markers throughout the body could indirectly benefit conditions like acne and chronic pain.
