What are the potential health benefits of GLP-1 medications beyond weight loss?

Key points:

1. Many areas of the body are stimulated by the GLP-1 hormone. So current research suggests GLP-1 medications may help treat many medical conditions.
2. GLP-1s may reduce inflammatory protein production in specific organs. They may also stimulate receptors in the gut and brain to reduce chronic inflammation. Both are exciting possibilities! 
3. GLP-1 treatments are only approved for weight loss, diabetes and related conditions. But providers can legally prescribe them for other purposes (off-label). To stay safe, always take a GLP-1 with a prescription and under the care of a licensed provider!

GLP-1 receptor agonist medications have helped countless patients lose weight and lower their blood glucose levels. But patients and providers are reporting secondary benefits. Some have noticed they’ve lost an overall inflammation puff or pain. Others feel their brain fog has cleared. And some find they are not called to substances they once fiercely struggled to avoid.

Why might this be happening?

Here, we’ll explore the potential of GLP-1 treatment on other chronic conditions.

While GLP-s have been studied on diabetes patients for decades, they’ve not been studied on non-diabetic patients longterm. And current potential treatments are not confirmed in copious clinical studies. Keep that in mind when reading, trusting that we point this out as we go and continue to track new evidence!

And if you're curious about trying a GLP-1 weight loss drug? Check out Shed It, Dr. B's holistic prescription weight loss program! We offer quality online care and affordable medication options for those with or without insurance coverage!

But first, how do GLP-1s affect the body?

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a hormone secreted in the gut as we eat.

Semaglutide is a synthetic form of GLP-1. It’s the active ingredient in Wegovy*® and Ozempic*®. Tirzepatide is a synthetic form of GLP-1 and GIP (a similar gut hormone). It’s the active ingredient in Zepbound*® and Mounjaro*®.

These medications are called GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic the GLP-1 hormone. They also raise GLP-1 levels and keep them elevated longer than natural GLP-1 can do alone.

GLP-1 encourages insulin production, which lowers blood sugar levels. So GLP-1 medications can reduce the risk of diabetes/treat people with type 2 diabetes.

GLP-1 also slows down *gastric emptying—*meaning food leaves the stomach slower, so we feel full longer. The full feeling encourages us to eat less, lowering daily calorie count and supporting weight loss.

Some brain areas involved in our experience of hunger have GLP-1 receptors—meaning GLP-1 can affect these areas. So GLP-1 medications can alter our experience with hunger, reducing our emotional or psychological desire to eat.

Tirzepatide and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)

Obstructive sleep apnea happens when the tongue and the throat muscles relax and block air passages, disrupting sleep. OSA can happen to anyone. However, it is most common in those with high BMI because of increased tongue fat and throat tissue.

In clinical studies, Tirzepatide reduced restricted breathing in participants by 63%. They also had around 30 fewer interrupted sleep events per night than participants given a placebo. This is most likely because weight loss reduces tongue fat and soft tissue volume and improves lung ability. So in 2024, Tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro) became the medication approved to treat OSA for those with overweight/obesity.

GLP-1s and alcohol use disorder (AUD)

Carbohydrates trigger metabolic and neurological processes that can turn into craveable, addictive behaviors. Alcohol contains carbs. So just like GLP-1s can lower our desire for craveable foods, studies and anecdotal evidence suggest they may also reduce our desire for alcohol.

In one study, 50% of self-reported drinkers decreased their consumption shortly after starting Wegovy or Zepbound treatment. The heaviest drinkers were 19 times more likely to cut back than the lightest drinkers. Another study found that Semaglutide patients had a 50% lower risk of alcohol use disorder after one year of treatment compared to those not taking Semaglutide.

GLP-1’s lower our desire for food products—rather than have us rely on willpower or other avoidance strategies. So health experts are exploring their potential for AUD treatment.

GLP-1s and drug use disorder

Neurons throughout our central nervous system are constantly analyzing sensations and information. The central nervous system includes our brain. So, like a computer, the brain computes this information and decides if we feel stress, desire, reward or satiation (fullness) as a result.

Some drugs interrupt or overload this communication system, increasing stress and desire and lowering reward and satiation. The imbalance can encourage excessive drug use and lead to use disorder (addiction).

As many neurons throughout the central nervous system are receptive to GLP-1 stimulation, health experts hope GLP-1 treatment may “lower the dial” on drug cravings as they do food cravings. They also may strengthen cognitive processing (decision-making) and lower stress. Altogether, these can help reduce drug use.

Many patients already report this effect. Studies on rodents show GLP-1s reduce cocaine and opioid (heroin, fentanyl and morphine) consumption. And preclinical studies are focusing on this correlation in humans.

GLP-1s and chronic inflammation

Excess visceral fat constantly produces low levels of inflammation, which can contribute to conditions like heart disease and diabetes. GLP-1 receptor agonists reduce body fat in those with high BMI, essentially reducing inflammation production and heart disease and diabetes risk.

But new studies suggest GLP-1s may have anti-inflammatory benefits beyond weight loss—and for those without high BMI.

The kidneys, liver, lungs, blood vessels, brain and other organs are receptive to GLP-1 stimulation. So some studies suggest that increasing GLP-1 levels may reduce the production of signaling proteins (cytokines) that cause organ inflammation in such organs.

Remember that central nervous system communication? Because so many neurons in the brain and gut are receptive to GLP-1, treatment may target immune cells in those areas and affect brain microorganisms, reducing whole-body inflammation! Reducing chronic inflammation would be revolutionary for patients with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

GLP-1s and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that can cause small cysts to develop along the outer edges of the ovaries. It can involve excess androgen hormones, delay or extend periods, and affect fertility. It can also encourage male-patterned hair growth and acne.

Chronic low-grade inflammation, elevated testosterone and low blood levels of the sex hormone binding globulin protein (SHBG) are potential causes of PCOS. And around 50% of people with PCOS have a BMI above 30, while 50-80% have insulin resistance.

As we learned above, GLP-1s may reduce chronic low-level inflammation for those with or without high BMI. Additionally, one small study showed that GLP-1s reduced total testosterone levels for PCOS patients.

GLP-1s and liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) happens when excess fat builds up in the liver. If left untreated, it can evolve into severe liver disease with inflammation, scarring, and permanent liver damage.

Increased risk factors for NAFLD include obesity and type 2 diabetes. As GLP-1 treatment can help reduce weight loss and insulin sensitivity, studies are showing they can help prevent and reverse some cases of NAFLD. Additionally, patient studies show GLP-1s reduce C-reactive-protein (CRP) levels, which mark inflammation!

GLP-1s and neurocognitive diseases

Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s involve chronic inflammation and protein folding—proteins morph into an abnormal shape, causing functional impairment. Researchers believe GLP-1s can cross the blood-brain barrier (the protective layer around the brain) to reach receptors that may help reduce this chronic inflammation and protein disruption.

Evolving studies on whether or not GLP-1s halt this neurodegenerative effect are currently limited and provide mixed results. But some evidence suggests that GLP-1s may reduce protein altercation and oxidative stress in the brain that lead to Alzheimer’s.

Dopamine disruption may cause tremors, muscle rigidity and other Parkinson’s symptoms. Limited studies suggest GLP-1s target and bind to 12 neuron receptors involved in dopamine transmission. Researchers hope this could protect the neurons against degeneration and oxidative stress, reducing inflammation and halting symptom progression.

*Wegovy®, Ozempic®, Zepbound® and Mounjaro® are registered trademarks of their respective owners. Our use of these names is for informational purposes only and does not imply any affiliation, endorsement or approval by the trademark holders.

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