Weight Loss Medications Show Promise in Extending Lifespan for Older Females
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Weight Loss Medications Show Promise in Extending Lifespan for Older Females
- A recent study in mice, published on September 2, 2026, suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs, like semaglutide, may extend lifespan by approximately 11-12% in older female mice.
- The research, led by Danica Chen at the University of California, Berkeley, indicates these drugs may mimic the anti-aging benefits of calorie restriction.
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New research published on September 2, 2026, in the journal *Nature* suggests that popular weight loss medications, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, could have anti-aging effects. The study, conducted on older female mice, found that treatment with semaglutide, the active ingredient in drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, extended their lifespan by about 11-12%. This increase in lifespan was observed in mice equivalent in age to 60-year-old women.
The researchers, led by Danica Chen, an aging biologist at the University of California, Berkeley, investigated whether GLP-1 medicines, known for reducing food intake, could act as “calorie-restriction mimetics” to slow aging. Calorie restriction is a dietary intervention known to extend lifespan and alleviate age-related diseases in various species. The study revealed that semaglutide treatment in mice not only reduced food intake and body weight but also improved physiological function, attenuated hallmarks of aging, and modulated nutrient sensors and genetic regulators of aging.
Beyond weight management, GLP-1 drugs have already shown other benefits, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular events, kidney disease progression, and easing sleep apnea. Emerging evidence also links these medications to lower risks of major age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and stroke. While the mouse study is promising, experts emphasize that more research is needed to determine if these age-slowing benefits translate to humans. Doctors currently prescribe GLP-1 medications for type 2 diabetes and obesity, not specifically for longevity.