alt Hacker NewsIndependent of weight loss, semaglutide (Ozempic) improves knee osteoarthritis by cartilage restoration, in both the mouse model and a small randomized clinical trial.
Old thinking was the benefit of GLP-1 drugs (like Ozempic) was solely from weight loss, however studies are showing there are other unique benefits. It's probably that semaglutide reduces inflammation allowing the body to repair and improves mitochondrial function in cartilage cells.
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Seems like a wonder drug to me. The benefits just keep piling up.
Where I live (Sweden), there's a perhaps surprisingly large portion of overweight/obesese people, especially in the countryside. Semaglutide could really do wonders here for quality of life and health.
Meanwhile, the newspapers keep pushing exceptional scare stories. The one that stuck with me from a few weeks ago went like 'I puked up my own poop.' Perhaps tellingly, the people they tend to feature in these stories typically aren't really overweight.
It is not yet generally subsidized, unless you have a diabetes type 2 diagnose. It really should be, above some BMI (sans body builders).
One thing I have noticed on Mounjaro is a (at least subjectively) significant decrease in impulse spending / buying random crap off Amazon. I have ADHD and that has been a real problem for quite a while - even with ADHD medication (Elvanse/Vyvanse in my case).
The part of Mounjaro that regulates the craving side of the weight loss equation (like reducing 'food noise' and the desire for sugary and fatty foods) seems to also affect other behaviors due to Mounjaro's effect on the brain's reward circuitry. I believe there are also early preliminary studies that indicate it can help with addictions like alcoholism.
Those drugs really are quite something. Shame they're so damn expensive. Insurance here in Germany is unfortunately legally prohibited from covering GLP-1 class drugs for weight loss unless you have a diabetes diagnosis.