Fat jabs and diabetes drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro could also ‘slash risk of UK’s biggest killer’
FAT jabs may lower the risk of the UK’s biggest killer, according to a study of almost 400,000 adults with type 2 diabetes.
The research, published in JAMA Neurology, examined two types of drugs among the over-50-year-olds.
These were GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), which include popular weight-loss medications like Wegovy and Monjaro, and SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2is).
Findings, published in JAMA Neurology, showed that people taking GLP-1RAs had a 33 per cent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, while SGLT2i users had a 43 per cent lower risk compared to those on other diabetes drugs.
However, there was found to be no significant difference in effectiveness between the two drug types.
Alzheimer’s disease is the main type of dementia – a memory-robbing disease that affects almost one million people in the UK.
The team, led by researchers at the University of Florida, found that among the GLP-1RAs, “semaglutide seems to be promising in reducing the risk of ADRD (Alzheimer disease and related dementias)”.
Semaglutide is one type of GLP-1RA drug approved in the UK for diabetes management (Ozempic) and weight loss (Wegovy).
“This finding is particularly intriguing given the existing research on semaglutide’s neuroprotective properties,” researchers added.
Dr Leah Mursaleen, head of clinical research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This study adds to growing evidence that GLP-1RAs and SGLT2 inhibitors may reduce dementia risk.
“We don’t know yet why these medicines may be offering a protective effect, and will need more research to understand how they are affecting the brain.”
“Clinical trials are already looking at the use of these types of drugs, including the EVOKE study, which is testing semaglutide (Ozempic) as a potential treatment for people with early Alzheimer’s.
“While the findings of this study are interesting, it’s important to consider whether any other factors might be influencing the results such as the severity of type 2 diabetes, health, income, and education.”
GLP-1RA drugs mimic the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1, which is naturally released after eating.
While they are well-known for controlling appetite and blood sugar, emerging research suggests they may offer additional benefits.
Evidence suggests they may also help with Parkinson’s, heart disease, fatty liver disease, and chronic kidney disease, while curbing alcohol and smoking addictions.
It comes as another study, also published in Jama Neurology today, suggested that GLP-1RAs are “associated with a statistically significant reduction in dementia”.
The study analysed 26 clinical trials involving almost 165,000 patients.
It was also looking at whether drugs like SGLT2is and GLP-1RAs, as well as diabetes medications metformin and pioglitazone, led to a reduction in risk of dementia or cognitive impairment.
It found most drugs “were not associated with an overall reduction in all-cause dementia” although “GLP-1RAs was associated with a statistically significant reduction in all-cause dementia”.
It is important to note that these drugs do have side effects and that they are not guaranteed to prevent dementia.
Prof Tara Spires-Jones
Dr Richard Oakley, director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Whilst both of these studies found a link between GLP-1RAs and reduced dementia risk, only one found SGLT2is, another class of diabetes drug, were also associated with a reduced risk.
“More research is needed to properly understand how diabetes treatments may lower the risk of dementia, by tracking people for longer, especially as they get older.”
Prof Tara Spires-Jones said the data is “encouraging” for the “potential of using GLP-1Ras to lower dementia risk in people with diabetes”.
“But even within these two strong studies, there are slightly conflicting results over SGLT2is,” said Prof Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences at the University of Edinburgh, group leader in the UK Dementia Research Institute, and president of the British Neuroscience Association.
“It is important to note that these drugs do have side effects and that they are not guaranteed to prevent dementia.”
“The studies had important limitations including a relatively short follow up time.”
Masud Husain, a professor of neurology and cognitive neuroscience at the University of Oxford, said: “The wider question of whether such drugs might also be protective against dementia in people who don’t have diabetes is a really intriguing one, and the focus of several ongoing clinical trials.”
Lifestyle tips to reduce risk of biggest killers in every decade of life
CANCER, dementia and heart disease are among the biggest killers in the UK.
Around 167,000 people a year die from cancer, 160,000 from heart disease and 74,000 from dementia.
Around 167,000 people a year die from cancer, 160,000 from heart disease and 74,000 from dementia.
Prevention is better than the cure and simple lifestyle tweaks can help reduce your risk of these conditions.
Eating better, exercising, wearing sunscreen and seeing friends can each play a part in warding off disease.
Here Dr Tom Matthew, from mbewellness.com, tells us how to protect yourself – no matter your age.
IN YOUR 20s
- Stop smoking: lighting up is linked to 15 types of cancer, heart disease, heart attack, stroke and dementia
- Get HPV vaccine: can stop six different types of cancer
- Turn down the volume: protect your hearing for the sake of your brain
IN YOUR 30s
- Join a gym: exercise can increase the risk of cancer, heart disease and dementia
- Stop sunbathing: getting sunburned just once can triple your risk of skin cancer, which can kill
IN YOUR 40s
- Reduce alcohol: boozing is linked to seven types of cancer, heart disease and dementia.
- NHS MOT: it’s free and checks for lots of health issues
- Watch weight: obesity can lead to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes and can cause 13 different types of cancer
IN YOUR 50s
- See friends: socialising is believed to reduce risk of cancer and dementia
- Screening for cancer: The NHS offers free HPV, bowel and breast cancer checks
- Reduce stress: studies have linked stress to heart disease, potentially as a result of higher blood pressure
IN YOUR 60s & 70s
- Take asprin: It can reduce inflammation in the body which is associated with cancer
- Vital check in men: go to your free NHS abdominal aortic aneurysm screening (you’ll be invited when your 64/65)
- Back to school: Keep learning and socialing to ward of dementia
- Go Mediterranean: it’s full of fibre which can ward off bowel disease