Semaglutide, found in popular weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, demonstrates significant long-term benefits for weight reduction and heart health, as revealed by two recent studies.
In a four-year study involving overweight and obese adults, participants experienced an average weight loss of 10% of their body weight and a reduction of nearly three inches in waist circumference while taking semaglutide. Notably, over half of the individuals treated with semaglutide transitioned to a lower BMI category after two years, with 12% achieving a healthy BMI of 25 or less.
Lead researcher Dr. Donna Ryan from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center highlighted the potential public health impact of such significant weight loss across diverse populations. The study, part of the largest and longest clinical trial of semaglutide, involved over 17,600 participants across 41 countries.
Semaglutide functions by regulating hormone levels, aiding in post-meal blood sugar control, and promoting satiety. Results from the trial showed sustained weight loss across genders, races, ages, and body types, with women tending to lose more weight than men, and Asian individuals experiencing slightly less weight loss compared to other racial groups.
Another key finding was that semaglutide conferred heart health benefits irrespective of initial weight or the amount of weight lost. This suggests that even individuals with mild obesity or minimal weight reduction can derive cardiovascular advantages from semaglutide treatment.
Presented at the European Congress of Obesity in Venice, Italy, these findings underscore the multifaceted benefits of semaglutide beyond weight loss alone. The studies provide insights into its potential mechanisms, including impacts on blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation, and direct effects on cardiac and vascular health.
-
-
-
-
