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We’re still figuring out the side effects of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs

Jessica Hamzelou· 9 octobre 2026

This week my colleague Antonio Regalado had an interesting update on GLP-1 weight-loss drugs. According to research presented at an aging meeting in Boston, these drugs seem to affect at least some measures of biological age. Overweight and diabetic people who take GLP-1s have a biological age arou…

Résumé

GLP-1 drugs overview

GLP-1 drugs are medications designed to help with weight loss by reducing hunger.

They belong to a class called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which mimic a natural hormone in the body called glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

This hormone regulates appetite and blood sugar levels.

These drugs were initially approved to treat diabetes and obesity but are now also prescribed for chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risks.

In 2026, 11% of Americans reported taking a GLP-1 drug for weight loss, up from 3% in 2024, according to a Gallup poll.

The drugs are produced by companies like Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, which dominate the market.

Beyond weight loss, research suggests potential benefits for substance-use disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and even cancer, though these uses are still under investigation.

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