The use of weight loss injections such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, when initiated around age 62, could potentially extend a woman's lifespan by approximately a decade, according to new research. The study, published in the journal Nature, suggests these drugs, which mimic the hormone GLP-1 to induce a feeling of fullness, may slow age-related bodily damage that contributes to mortality.
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, administered semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, to female mice that had reached 75% of their lifespan. This stage is considered roughly equivalent to a 62-year-old woman in human terms. Over a three-month period, these mice demonstrated improved muscle and brain function compared to a control group. They also exhibited reduced inflammation, better blood sugar control, and enhanced wound healing – all indicators of healthier aging.
Mice that continued to receive the treatment until the end of their lives lived approximately 100 days longer, an increase of about 11% in lifespan. For a British woman, this could translate to more than nine years of additional life.
To investigate whether these benefits were solely due to reduced calorie intake, researchers compared the semaglutide-treated mice with another group that consumed 24% fewer calories. While many effects overlapped, the mice receiving semaglutide showed specific improvements in memory and blood sugar regulation, which are crucial for preventing diabetes. This suggests that GLP-1 drugs might activate biological pathways independent of calorie restriction, according to Danica Chen, a professor at UC Berkeley and lead author of the study.
Experts not involved in the study commented on the potential implications. Rafael de Cabo, a senior investigator at the National Institutes of Health, noted that many chronic diseases are linked to the aging process, and if GLP-1 agonists slow aging, a wide range of clinical benefits would be expected. Naveed Sattar, professor of Cardiometabolic Medicine at the University of Glasgow, added that reduced food intake over time lessens the burden on organs like the heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys, potentially benefiting the brain and other tissues as well.
However, the researchers emphasized that these findings are preliminary and based on animal studies. Further trials are necessary to determine if these life-extending benefits translate to humans. Future research could explore whether these drugs benefit healthy older individuals, potentially expanding their use beyond obesity and diabetes treatment.
Dr. Laura Sinclair, a lecturer in healthcare at the University of Exeter, described the results as "interesting" but cautioned about potential risks for older women using semaglutide long-term. Professor Tara Spires-Jones of the UK Dementia Research Institute highlighted that the study was conducted on female mice only, and differences in physiology between mice and humans, as well as between sexes, mean that results may not directly apply to people. Further investigation into male mice and human trials will be necessary to confirm these findings.