Simply 9% of older adults age 65 and up say they’ve taken GLP-1 medicine like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro, in keeping with latest knowledge from KFF Health — and just one% stated they take the drugs only for weight-loss functions.
Some medical doctors are recommending that extra adults in these older age teams incorporate the medicine as a way of improved well being and longevity.
“As our our bodies age, we’ve an elevated chance of growing medical issues,” Dr. Jennie Stanford, an weight problems medication doctor in Pennsylvania and medical contributor for Drugwatch, advised Fox Information Digital.
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Widespread issues in sufferers age 65 and older embody diabetes mellitus, heart problems, metabolic syndrome, cancers and dementia, amongst others, in keeping with the physician.
Some medical doctors are recommending that extra adults in older age teams incorporate the medicine as a way of enhancing their well being and longevity. (iStock)
“GLP-1 receptor agonists (like Ozempic) have been proven to not solely be efficient in treating diabetes, decreasing heart problems danger and selling weight reduction, but in addition in probably decreasing the dangers of dementia and obesity-associated cancers,” Stanford stated.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity physician, refers to weight problems as a “gateway illness” — notably in older adults.
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“Weight problems can result in quite a few severe well being circumstances, together with most cancers, diabetes, coronary artery illness, and even neurodegenerative ailments like Alzheimer’s,” he advised Fox Information Digital.
“Managing weight isn’t just about look — it’s about considerably enhancing total well being and high quality of life by focusing on weight problems as a serious danger issue for age-related ailments, together with infections resembling COVID-19.”
Advantages of Ozempic for adults 65 and older
Ozempic and Wegovy supply “promising advantages” for weight administration throughout all age teams, Osborn stated.
For seniors, he stated, the advantages of GLP-1 drugs prolong far past simply shedding kilos.
Seniors taking these drugs ought to have interaction in energy coaching and enhance their protein consumption to help muscle well being, a health care provider beneficial. (iStock)
“Weight reduction can result in elevated mobility, higher steadiness and a decreased danger of falls, that are main issues as we age,” Osborn famous.
“By reducing weight, older adults can regain the power to maneuver extra freely, which might imply the distinction between strolling independently, needing a cane or wheelchair, or struggling a deadly head injury from a fall.”
As a trauma-dedicated neurosurgeon, Osborn stated that falls comprise the vast majority of the middle-of-the-night telephone calls he receives — a majority of them involving the senior inhabitants.
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“The newfound mobility [from losing weight] can enhance temper, improve social interactions and enhance total well being, probably saving lives,” he stated.
Simply 9% of older adults age 65 and older say they’ve taken GLP-1 medicine like Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro.
Lowering extra weight also can alleviate the pressure on joints, reducing ache and probably delaying and even avoiding the necessity for joint substitute surgical procedures, Osborn famous — “that are dangerous procedures for aged people, who typically have a number of medical circumstances.”
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Managing weight problems also can considerably decrease the danger of growing or worsening circumstances like sort 2 diabetes, coronary heart illness and Alzheimer’s, in keeping with the physician.
“These circumstances are sometimes intertwined, with weight problems serving as a serious danger issue,” he advised Fox Information Digital.
“By addressing weight problems early on — with GLP-1 agonists — we are able to take a proactive step in stopping these life-altering ailments.”
Limitations for seniors to entry Ozempic
Regardless of the clear advantages, it will possibly generally be tough for older adults to entry Ozempic and related drugs — in lots of circumstances as a result of value.
Ozempic and Wegovy supply “promising advantages” for weight administration throughout all age teams, a health care provider stated. (iStock)
“Medicare and related insurances typically don’t cowl them for the indication of weight reduction, so sufferers should have a prognosis of sort 2 diabetes mellitus to be eligible for insurance coverage protection for drugs like Ozempic,” Stanford advised Fox Information Digital.
This monetary barrier can forestall many seniors from beginning or persevering with therapy, particularly after they flip 65 and lose different types of insurance coverage protection, Osborn has skilled.
Dangers or concerns for seniors
Sufferers who’re older than 65 may additionally be at the next danger of adversarial results of GLP-1 receptor agonists, Stanford identified.
“Kidney dysfunction, danger of hypoglycemia, medicine interactions and different negative effects could happen extra incessantly and require shut monitoring,” she stated.
Seniors also needs to remember that whereas GLP-1 drugs may also help scale back fats, they will additionally result in muscle loss or sarcopenia, Osborn famous.
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“Sustaining muscle mass is essential as we age, as a result of it helps forestall frailty and reduces the danger of falls and fractures,” he warned.
Seniors taking these drugs ought to have interaction in energy coaching and enhance their protein consumption to help muscle well being, Osborn beneficial.
The scenario will be extra advanced for older adults who’re on a number of drugs, which will increase the danger of drug interactions, medical doctors say. (iStock)
In some circumstances, hormone substitute remedy could also be useful in sustaining or bolstering muscle mass.
The scenario will be extra advanced for older adults who’re on a number of drugs, which will increase the danger of drug interactions, in keeping with Osborn.
“For instance, GLP-1s can lower urge for food, probably resulting in dehydration, particularly if the particular person is already taking diuretics for circumstances like hypertension,” he stated.
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“So, one needs to be extraordinarily cautious, as the vast majority of falls within the senior inhabitants are as a result of harmful mixture of over-medication and dehydration.”
To fight dehydration, Osborn recommends aiming for a gallon of electrolyte-laden water per day.
“Since GLP-1 agonists additionally mood thirst, sufferers should drink repeatedly all through the day — even after they’re not thirsty,” he added.
‘Holistic mindset’
At the moment, semaglutide (the medicine in Ozempic) is accredited just for sort 2 diabetes and weight problems therapy, though proof exhibits that it will possibly scale back the danger of coronary heart illness, Stanford famous.
“Further high-quality proof helps elevated research for a broader use of semaglutide and different GLP-1 receptor agonists, that are prone to information our use of those drugs within the coming years,” she stated.
“Combining GLP-1 drugs with life-style modifications, resembling common train and a balanced weight loss plan, can amplify the advantages.”
Osborn urges seniors to method weight reduction with a “holistic mindset.”
“Combining GLP-1 drugs with life-style modifications, resembling common train and a balanced weight loss plan, can amplify the advantages,” he stated.
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“Working intently with a well being care group, together with a dietitian and probably a bodily therapist, can be sure that weight reduction is achieved safely and sustainably.”
Whereas there are dangers concerned with any medicine, Osborn stated he believes they’re “far outweighed” by the potential advantages of GLP-1 agonists.
“Working intently with a well being care group, together with a dietitian and probably a bodily therapist, can be sure that weight reduction is achieved safely and sustainably,” a health care provider stated. (iStock)
The physician added, “They’re the ‘holy grail’ of modern-day medication and can possible show to have an analogous affect on world well being as the arrival of antibiotics.”
Novo Nordisk, the corporate that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, stated that it’s “critically vital” for the proper sufferers to get the proper therapy.
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“We imagine the best approach for seniors to have the ability to entry and afford weight problems care is to make sure that GLP-1 medicines are lined by authorities and business insurance coverage,” an organization spokesperson advised Fox Information Digital through e-mail.
“Collaboration throughout the well being care system is vital to educating and broadening protection of those medicines.”
Novo Nordisk, the corporate that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, stated that it’s “critically vital” for the proper sufferers to get the proper therapy. (REUTERS/Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen/File Photograph)
Federal workers have protection by means of their well being plans, and the VA and DOD additionally present protection, Novo Nordisk identified.
“Medicaid is increasing protection on a state-by-state foundation, however sadly, Medicare is the one outlier,” the spokesperson stated.
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“It’s time seniors are given the identical advantages as the chief department and legislative department workers who handle their program.”
The corporate has pledged to proceed its efforts to assist be sure that seniors residing with weight problems can entry protection.
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