The question “Can ageing be delayed with medicines?” has gained significant attention as new research suggests that certain drugs, initially designed to treat other health conditions, may slow down the ageing process. One of the most promising developments comes from studies on semaglutide, a drug used for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity. Researchers believe that semaglutide, better known by its commercial names Ozempic and Wegovy, could offer far-reaching benefits that extend beyond weight loss and diabetes control.
These findings have ignited hope that medicines like semaglutide might not only improve overall health but also delay some of the effects associated with ageing.
Semaglutide’s Unexpected Benefits
Semaglutide, a medication that mimics the GLP-1 hormone, is known for its role in suppressing appetite, making people feel fuller for longer periods. However, recent studies presented at the 2024 European Society of Cardiology Conference suggest that the drug could slow down ageing by improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, and potentially lowering the risk of age-related diseases such as heart failure, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer.
According to Professor Harlan Krumholz of Yale School of Medicine, one of the lead researchers, “It wouldn’t surprise me that improving people’s health this way actually slows down the ageing process.” His comments followed the publication of groundbreaking studies that tracked over 17,600 participants, all aged 45 or older. These participants were either obese or overweight, had cardiovascular disease, but were not diabetic.
Reduced Mortality and Health Improvements
In these studies, participants were either given 2.4 mg of semaglutide or a placebo over a period of more than three years. The results showed that those who took semaglutide experienced lower death rates from all causes, including cardiovascular diseases and even COVID-19. Specifically, the studies found that 2.6% of participants on semaglutide died from various causes, compared to 3.1% of those on the placebo.
One of the most striking aspects of the research is how semaglutide affected cardiovascular health. Even though the participants had existing cardiovascular conditions, the drug consistently reduced the risk of adverse cardiovascular events regardless of sex, age, or weight loss. This indicates that semaglutide could be playing a broader role in promoting better overall health, which in turn could contribute to slowing down the ageing process.
Delaying Ageing Through Better Health
The potential for medicines like semaglutide to delay ageing is grounded in the idea that many diseases typically associated with ageing—such as heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s—are often exacerbated by poor health or chronic conditions. By improving cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation, semaglutide could delay the onset of these age-related diseases, potentially allowing people to live longer, healthier lives.
Dr. Benjamin Scirica, a professor of cardiovascular medicine at Harvard Medical School, who led one of the studies, pointed out that the findings “reinforce that overweight and obesity increases the risk of death due to many etiologies.” He added that this risk “can be modified with potent incretin-based therapies like semaglutide,” suggesting that the drug’s benefits may extend beyond weight loss and directly impact factors that accelerate ageing.
Limitations and Risks
While the studies offer promising insights, experts caution that semaglutide is not a miracle solution or a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. The drug is a prescription medication, available through the NHS under the brand names Wegovy for obesity treatment and Ozempic for diabetes management. It is not a replacement for proper diet and exercise and should only be used under medical supervision.
Like any medication, semaglutide carries risks and potential side effects. The most common side effects include nausea, upset stomach, bloating, and gas. Long-term use and broader implications of semaglutide as an anti-ageing drug still require more research, especially to determine whether the benefits extend to younger, healthier populations or if they are primarily effective for those with existing health conditions.
The Future of Anti-Ageing Medicine
The idea that ageing can be delayed with medicines is not new, but semaglutide and other incretin-based therapies are adding exciting possibilities to this field. As research progresses, we may see more drugs that target not only specific conditions like diabetes or heart disease but also address the broader aspects of ageing itself.
Google’s Calico Labs and other research initiatives are already exploring how science can intervene in the biological processes of ageing. While semaglutide may not be a definitive answer to halting the ageing process, it opens the door to new approaches in extending health spans—enabling people to live longer, healthier, and potentially younger lives.
As the research evolves, the question “Can ageing be delayed with medicines?” is gaining a more optimistic outlook. With more data and studies underway, we may be closer to understanding how to harness these medicines to delay the inevitable effects of ageing and improve the quality of life in the later years.
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