Individuals aged 65 and older are at a higher risk of developing or worsening conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and dementia. Another major health concern of this population is obesity.
These two factors, along with the fact that only 9% of older adults aged 65 and older state they have taken GLP-1 drugs, like Ozempic, are swaying doctors to now recommend these drugs to this group of people as a means of improving their overall health and longevity.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity doctor, stated that “managing weight is not just about appearance - it’s about significantly improving overall health and quality of life…”The correlation between managing obesity and one’s risk of developing or worsening any of the conditions above is directly related to one another - meaning if an individual can lose weight then their risk of developing or worsening conditions goes down as well.
With this age group in particular, losing weight can lead to “increased mobility, better balance, and a reduced risk of falls…” Dr. Osborn said to Fox News.
The increase in mobility as a result of the weight loss he said can “boost mood, enhance social interactions and improve overall health, potentially save lives.”
Dr. Osborn specified in his interview that “reducing excess weight can also alleviate the strain on joints…potentially delaying or even avoiding the need for joint replacement surgeries” which are risky procedures for this population of individuals.
Lastly, this newfound ability to move freely and without pain diminishes the fear behind navigating independently which then lowers the amount of falls that occur within this group of individuals as well.
While there are many benefits to taking this drug, individuals who choose to take it must also be aware of the disadvantages. Two of which are muscle loss and dehydration.
That is why Dr. Osborn recommends that individuals who take this drug regularly participate in some form of strength training.
In addition, he also recommends these individuals increase their protein intake to support muscle health and growth as well as aim for consuming a gallon of electrolyte-laden water per day.
Dr. Osborn believes that GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are the “holy grail” of modern-day medicine.
He also believes that with thorough conversation and careful consideration between the individual and their physician about potential adverse effects of the drug, addressing obesity early on using GLP-1 agonists can allow elderly individuals to take a proactive step in preventing life-altering diseases from developing or worsening in the future.
The full version of this article was published on Fox News by Melissa Rudy on August 22, 2024
