👴 Ozempic shown to reverse biological aging

• A study showed that Ozempic treatment for 32 weeks reduced biological age by an average of 3.1 years.
• The strongest effects were seen in the immune system and brain, where aging was delayed by almost 5 years.
• Researchers believe the drug's ability to improve fat distribution and reduce inflammation underlies the anti-aging effects.

First clinical evidence of anti-aging effects

Ozempic has shown notable anti-aging effects in the first clinical study that directly measured its impact on biological aging. Participants became an average of 3.1 years biologically younger after 32 weeks of treatment.

Ozempic is a medication containing semaglutide and is primarily used for treating type 2 diabetes and weight loss. It belongs to a group of drugs called GLP-1 agonists and is given as a weekly injection.

A researcher from diagnostics company TruDiagnostic in Lexington, Kentucky, led a randomized controlled trial with 108 people with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy. This condition is characterized by excess fat accumulation and accelerated cellular aging. Half the participants received weekly Ozempic injections for 32 weeks, while the other half received placebo.

The researchers used epigenetic clocks to assess biological aging. These sophisticated tools identify patterns of DNA methylation, chemical tags that affect gene activity and change predictably with age. These patterns can be accelerated or slowed by lifestyle factors, meaning biological age can differ significantly from chronological age.

Those who received semaglutide became an average of 3.1 years biologically younger by the end of the study. The placebo group showed no significant change in biological age over the same period.

Organ-specific benefits

The anti-aging effects were not uniform across all body systems. The research team found that semaglutide slowed biological aging in several organs and systems. The most dramatic improvements occurred in the immune system and brain, where the drug appeared to delay biological aging by almost 5 years. Significant benefits were also observed in the heart and kidneys.

Semaglutide may not only slow the aging process but in some individuals partially reverse it, the researchers noted. This shows the drug's potential to actually turn back the biological clock rather than simply slow its progression.

Mechanisms behind the effects

Researchers believe semaglutide's anti-aging properties stem from its effects on fat distribution and metabolic health. Excess fat around organs triggers the release of pro-aging molecules that alter DNA methylation in key aging-related genes. By reducing this harmful fat accumulation and preventing low-grade inflammation, semaglutide creates a more youthful biological environment. Both fat accumulation and inflammation are major drivers of epigenetic aging.

A researcher expressed little surprise at the findings. The researcher explained that the drugs reduce the metabolic burden on a wide range of cells and lower inflammation. Both are major drivers of aging in many different types of cells. However, the researcher believes much of the benefit stems not from semaglutide's direct cellular effects, but from broader improvements to overall health.

Broader implications

While the study focused specifically on people with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, the biological pathways affected by semaglutide are not unique to this condition. Therefore, it is plausible that similar effects on epigenetic aging could be observed in other populations, the researchers explained. This suggests the anti-aging benefits could extend to the general population.

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