National Seniors Australia
THE search for a longer, healthier life may have taken an unexpected turn, with popular weight-loss medications emerging as potential weapons against the biological processes associated with ageing.
Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy, already attracting worldwide attention for their effectiveness in treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, are now being investigated for benefits that could extend well beyond the bathroom scales.
Emerging research suggests some patients taking the medications may experience improvements in biological-age measurements equivalent to turning back the clock by two to three years.
While scientists are far from declaring the discovery a breakthrough in reversing ageing, the findings have sparked considerable interest.
The medications belong to a class known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which help regulate blood sugar, reduce appetite and support weight management.
Research presented by pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly found that some people receiving GLP-1 treatments recorded improvements in biological-age markers compared with those given a placebo.
Scientists examine indicators including DNA changes and protein levels to estimate whether the body is ageing faster or slower than expected.
