GLP-1 and Health: beyond Weight Loss in the Ozempic Era

This week, the White House announced a deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to lower the cost of their GLP-1 weight loss drugs, Wegovy and Zepbound. The move could significantly expand access to these treatments for people with diabetes and obesity. GLP-1 receptor agonists (RA), such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, were initially designed to help manage blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Now, they are reshaping the landscape of obesity treatment and metabolic health with impacts that go far beyond the scale. "About 1 in 8 adult Americans has already used GLP-1 drugs. That is 41 million Americans," said Kim Fisher, director of programs at The UC Davis Innovation Institute for Food and Health (IIFH). Recently, the IIFH brought together leading scientists, industry innovators and health care experts to examine how GLP-1-based therapies are transforming obesity and diabetes care. They also discussed what this means for the future of health, food and nutrition. Research is still unraveling how GLP-1 drugs influence the body, from the gut and cardiovascular system to muscular and brain function.



What are GLP-1 drugs? GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone naturally produced in the gut after eating. It helps regulate blood sugar by stimulating insulin, suppressing glucagon, and slowing digestion. Pharmaceutical versions amplify these effects, reducing appetite and promoting satiety, or a feeling of fullness. For many, this means dramatic weight loss - often 15-20% of body weight - as well as improved blood sugar control. "GLP-1s are ushering in a transformational moment, changing how consumers worldwide eat and live," Justin Siegel, the faculty director of IIFH. GLP-1 has a substantial impact on the gastrointestinal (GI) system. It slows gastric emptying, which helps control blood sugar and prolongs satiety. But the gut is also home to trillions of microbes that influence metabolism.