Recent findings from major pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk suggest that popular weight-loss medications may do more than just aid in weight reduction; they could potentially slow biological aging. Both companies have reported that patients utilizing their GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide—commonly marketed as Ozempic and Wegovy—exhibit a decrease in biological age. This conclusion stems from data gathered using molecular aging clocks that evaluate changes in DNA and protein levels over time, indicating that overweight or diabetic patients on these medications showed a reduction in biological age compared to those on a placebo. The extent of this age reduction varied, but on average, it was estimated to be around two to three years.
Nikolaj Roed, a global project leader at Novo Nordisk, noted that the evidence of improved biological age was consistent across various trials and different tissues. Experts, including Steve Horvath from UCLA—who developed the aging clocks—have indicated that these GLP-1 drugs might function as geroprotectors, potentially slowing or reversing biological aging. Presenting their findings at the Aging Research & Drug Discovery conference, the companies highlighted the broader health benefits of these medications, which include improved kidney function and reduced blood pressure, alongside their primary function of appetite suppression. Alejandro Aguayo-Orozco from Novo remarked that the question now is whether these drugs can influence molecular measures of biological aging, which current evidence suggests they can.
In parallel research, Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide demonstrated similar results through epigenetic clocks that assess age by measuring DNA changes. Both studies collectively strengthen the case for aging clocks as reliable biomarkers, revealing a consistent narrative of reduced biological age among users of these medications. The financial impact of these drugs is significant, with Lilly’s tirzepatide and Novo’s semaglutide generating billions in revenue last year. As the field of longevity medicine evolves, discussions about the implications of these findings are becoming increasingly pertinent. While the prospect of mass-market anti-aging treatments raises questions about their broader applications, experts caution that potential side effects, such as muscle loss, warrant careful consideration before individuals turn to these medications for longevity purposes.
Source: Weight-loss drugs show signs of slowing biological aging, say drugmakers via MIT Technology Review