For many, the allure of weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro is clear: they promise to help shed pounds quickly and effectively. However, these medications, commonly prescribed for Type 2 diabetes and obesity, are now being explored for other, perhaps unexpected, benefits that go beyond weight loss. From improving heart and kidney health to reducing alcohol cravings, GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic may offer surprising benefits, transforming not just bodies but lives.
Dr. Armando E. Castro-Tié, System Vice Chair of Surgery at Northwell Health, explains that while these drugs can help manage multiple conditions, many of the improvements are still linked to weight loss itself. “Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea—those conditions improve because of the weight loss, not necessarily the drugs,” Castro-Tié shares. But the evidence for additional benefits from these medications continues to grow, offering patients hope for better health in more ways than one.
Let’s dive into how these GLP-1 medications—which include Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro—are impacting more than just weight loss.
Heart Disease: A Key Beneficiary of Ozempic and Similar Drugs
Among the most promising results of GLP-1 medications are their effects on heart health. For people already struggling with obesity, heart disease is often a lurking concern. Ozempic (semaglutide), one of the most popular GLP-1 drugs, has recently been approved for coverage by Medicare to help manage heart disease, even for people who aren’t obese.
Recent clinical trials have shown that semaglutide reduces the risk of heart problems by 20%. This includes lower rates of heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular death for patients with Type 2 diabetes and those at high risk for heart disease. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine also confirmed that semaglutide helped reduce heart failure hospitalization in people with Type 2 diabetes.
“The common channel here is weight loss, and weight loss leads to improvements in these conditions,” Dr. Castro-Tié notes. When patients lose weight, their hearts don’t have to work as hard—and for many, this can be life-saving.
Kidney Health: A Surprising Benefit
Kidney disease is another condition that can be exacerbated by obesity. Research shows that semaglutide can be beneficial for patients with kidney disease as well. In a study, participants taking semaglutide had a 24% lower chance of experiencing major kidney events, such as kidney failure or the need for dialysis. This finding adds to the growing list of reasons why weight loss medications may offer broader health benefits beyond the obvious.
Dr. Castro-Tié explains the connection: “When patients lose weight, their kidneys don’t have to work overtime. It reduces the strain and improves overall kidney function,” he says. Given the rising rates of kidney disease related to obesity, this is an encouraging step toward better health for many patients.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Early Signs of Improvement
One of the most exciting areas of exploration is the potential for GLP-1 drugs to help reduce the risks of Alzheimer’s disease. In recent studies, semaglutide has shown promise in lowering risks of Alzheimer’s in people with Type 2 diabetes. While it’s too early to definitively say that Ozempic or other GLP-1 medications can prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, the early results are encouraging.
“We need randomized control studies to confirm whether GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic can directly impact Alzheimer’s. But the early findings are certainly worth exploring,” Dr. Castro-Tié acknowledges.
For patients who are at risk of cognitive decline, this offers a glimmer of hope that managing obesity and weight-related conditions could also benefit brain health in the long term.
Fertility: A New Hope for Women Trying to Conceive
Fertility is another area where Ozempic and similar drugs might be making an unexpected impact. For women struggling with obesity, infertility is a well-known concern. In fact, weight loss can have a profound impact on fertility. As Dr. Iman Saleh, an obstetrician and gynecologist, points out, “Even a small amount of weight loss can help women resume ovulation and become pregnant.”
Some women have even found success in conceiving while taking Ozempic. “These so-called ‘Ozempic babies’ are a testament to the drug’s positive impact on fertility,” Saleh says. While the medication itself is not directly responsible for the pregnancies, the weight loss it facilitates plays a significant role in improving fertility.
Additionally, Mounjaro (tirzepatide) has been shown to alleviate symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), another condition linked to obesity and infertility. For women with PCOS, insulin resistance is a major problem, and medications like Mounjaro help regulate insulin levels, offering significant relief from the hormonal disruptions that hinder ovulation and fertility.
Alcohol and Drug Addiction: A Surprising Side Effect
Perhaps one of the most unexpected benefits of Ozempic and similar medications is their ability to reduce cravings for substances like alcohol and drugs. GLP-1 drugs have been shown to decrease food cravings, but new studies suggest they may also reduce cravings for alcohol and even drugs like opioids.
In a recent study published in the journal Addiction, individuals who were given Ozempic or similar medications experienced a 50% reduction in alcohol cravings compared to those who did not take the medication. Similarly, individuals with opioid use disorder saw a 40% decrease in the likelihood of an overdose while on these medications.
“Some patients report that they have less desire to drink alcohol or take opioids when they’re on GLP-1 medications. This could open the door for new treatment options for addiction,” says Dr. Ania Jastreboff, an obesity medicine physician scientist at Yale University.
However, not all effects are positive in this regard. “We’ve also seen some cases where patients turn to other substances as a way to compensate for the lack of food. So it’s important to provide holistic care for these patients, including mental health and addiction support,” warns Dr. Castro-Tié.
The Future of GLP-1 Medications
As research on GLP-1 medications continues to expand, more and more potential benefits are emerging. From heart health to fertility, to the reduction of addictive cravings, these medications offer hope for individuals suffering from obesity and related conditions. However, Dr. Castro-Tié emphasizes the importance of looking at the big picture. “While the medications themselves can help with weight loss and other conditions, the real key is the lifestyle changes that come along with it,” he says.
Patients who combine medications like Ozempic with exercise, healthy eating, and mental health support are more likely to see lasting changes in their health.
In the meantime, GLP-1 drugs are proving to be an exciting tool for those seeking not only weight loss but a way to improve multiple aspects of their health. “We’re just beginning to scratch the surface of what these medications can do,” Dr. Castro-Tié concludes.
For those considering Ozempic or similar drugs, it’s important to discuss the potential risks and benefits with a healthcare professional, ensuring that they’re part of a holistic approach to health and well-being. Whether it’s shedding pounds, improving heart function, or tackling addiction, GLP-1 medications are showing promise as a multifaceted solution to some of today’s most pressing health concerns.
