5 Surprising GLP-1 Health Benefits (Outside of Weight Loss) Doctors Want Women to Know
Research shows drugs like Ozempic offer surprising health boosts for those 50+
These days, everyone has heard about GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro—mostly in connection with weight loss and celebrity transformations. But here’s what doctors and researchers are discovering: These medications do so much more for your health than slim your waistline. In fact, emerging science suggests GLP-1s may support heart health, improve sleep quality and even help with addiction recovery. We talked to medical experts to break down the surprising GLP-1 health benefits that rarely make headlines. Ready to learn what you’ve been missing?
What GLP-1 drugs and how do they work?
“GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, are a class of medications that mimic the action of the satiety hormones that naturally occur in our body,” says Carolyn Jasik, MD, a board-certified physician in pediatrics and adolescent medicine. “They stimulate the pancreas to release insulin when glucose levels are high. This slows the rate at which the stomach empties and then signals to the brain to reduce appetite.”
While GLP-1s like Ozempic are FDA-approved to treat type 2 diabetes and manage high blood sugar levels, doctors often prescribe them for “off-label” use—one of the most common being for weight loss. In fact, some GLP-1 drugs, such as Wegovy, are FDA-approved specifically to manage obesity.
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“The FDA has approved GLP-1 medications for two main indications: type 2 diabetes treatment and obesity management,” adds Bronwyn Holmes, MD, a board-certified physician with Eden.
But GLP-1s have long been an integral part of diabetes care. “They were used in diabetes care for 10+ years before being adapted as weight loss medications,” reveals Dr. Jasik.
Who is a good candidate for GLP-1 medications?
Ultimately, your doctor is the only person who can help determine whether these medications are appropriate for your specific health needs. “The assessment process for determining GLP-1 therapy eligibility needs to be individualized,” says Dr. Holmes. “The response to GLP-1 medications varies between patients because some people experience significant benefits while others do not respond at all.”
Here’s what doctors may look for to determine you’re a good candidate. “Anyone who has a BMI greater than 30 or a BMI greater than 27 with at least one weight-related complication, such as hypertension, is a great candidate for a GLP-1 medication,” says Jennifer Brown, MD, a dual board-certified physician in family medicine and obesity medicine.
Tell your doctor if you have a history of certain conditions—they’ll help you determine if GLP-1s are still the right fit. “People who have a family or personal history of medullary thyroid cancer or multiple endocrine neoplasia disorder should not take GLP-1s,” says Dr. Brown. “Those with a history of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, gastroparesis (slowing of stomach emptying) and kidney or liver disease should be cautious with GLP-1s.”
5 GLP-1 benefits beyond weight loss and diabetes management
While GLP-1 drugs have been gamechangers when it comes to keeping glucose levels steady and supporting weight loss, that’s not all they can do. Exciting new research is emerging every day on the health benefits of GLP-1s, and here are what some of the perks the latest studies have found:
Lower Alzheimer’s disease risk
At the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, researchers shared early study results showing that people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease who took to the GLP-1 drug liraglutide daily for a year lost almost 50 percent less brain volume in key areas tied to memory and thinking, including the frontal and temporal lobes. They also had an 18 percent slower decline on cognitive tests.
“GLP-1s are thought to reduce inflammation and protect brain cells from injury, thereby preserving brain volume,” says Dr. Brown. “They may also improve blood flow to the brain, further supporting healthy brain function.”
A reduced risk of heart attacks
These medications appear to lower your chance of life-threatening heart-health events. “GLP-1s have proven effective in lowering the chances of heart attacks, strokes and other major cardiovascular events,” says Dr. Holmes. “The medications provide direct cardiovascular protection, which extends beyond weight loss benefits. Research indicates that GLP-1 medications help people with metabolic syndrome and chronic cardiometabolic diseases.”
How do they deliver this protective benefit? Lowering your blood sugar and shedding extra pounds reduces your risk of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, both of which contribute to heart disease and its related complications.
Fewer sleep apnea episodes
If you struggle with sleep apnea, extra weight might be the culprit—and GLP-1s could help. (Learn how to tell if you have sleep apnea.) “Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is directly related to weight; therefore, as patients with OSA lose weight with the use of GLP-1, their OSA symptoms improve,” says Dr. Brown.
The ability to quit smoking
The desire to smoke can linger even after you feel like you have reached a point where you want to stop, and that is where GLP-1 medications may offer support. Dr. Holmes early research shows GLP-1 medications can reduce how much people want to use nicotine. They may also help prevent the weight gain that often happens after quitting, which can create a cyclical pattern where some people end up smoking again in order to slim down.
Addiction support
A new review published in the Journal of the Endocrine Society of animal studies found that GLP-1s reduce alcohol, nicotine and opioid use. And early but promising findings from small human studies suggests GLP-1 drugs may one day help support addiction treatment.
“The initial clinical studies indicate semaglutide helps people decrease their weekly alcohol cravings and their alcohol consumption patterns,” says Dr. Holmes. “Research indicates that GLP-1 medication users with alcohol use disorder showed 50 percent fewer instances of alcohol intoxication than non-users of these medications.”
Taking medication to reduce substance use? It may sound counterintuitive, but the research backs it up.
“Research indicates that people with opioid use disorder who take GLP-1 medications experience a 40 percent decrease in their risk of opioid overdose,” says Dr. Holmes. “The medication provides dual protection against overdose events and craving management which enables patients to start their recovery journey.”
Can you be prescribed GLP-1s for other health conditions?
Dr. Brown says GLP-1s are currently FDA-approved for the treatment of:
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Fatty liver disease (metabolic-associated steatohepatitis or MASH)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Chronic kidney disease in patients with diabetes
“Any other use is off-label at this point,” says Dr. Brown. “There are ongoing GLP-1 studies regarding Alzheimer’s disease and addiction, which look promising. Many physicians already prescribe GLP-1s for these off-label uses, but patients are stuck paying out of pocket. There’s no way to get insurance plans to cover GLP-1s for off-label uses.”
The good news is that paying out of pocket for a GLP-1 may be getting easier. “Until recently, GLP-1s have been cost-prohibitive for most patients, but their prices have dropped sharply over the past few months and should continue to decline as more options become available,” says Dr. Brown. (Learn how women are cutting the costs of their GLP-1s.)
The bottom line on the benefits of GLP-1s
The choice to use GLP-1s is deeply personal and should be made with your doctor’s guidance. While access and cost can be real considerations, the science is clear: For the right person, GLP-1s offer a toolkit of health benefits that extend far beyond the scale.
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