WASHINGTON (7News) — We’ve heard a lot about Ozempic, “the weight loss drug.” 7News’ Adrianna Hopkins has highlighted the spike in teenage girls using it to help them reach a healthy weight. But the latest headlines about Ozempic might surprise you.
A new study ties Ozempic use in people with Type 2 diabetes to a lower Alzheimer’s risk.
Researchers gleaned from the study published last month:
These drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy treat diabetes and Alzheimer’s and diabetes have insulin resistance and inflammation in common.
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The main ingredient in those drugs, semaglutide may also help remove amyloid plaque from the brain, which is a cause of dementia and Alzheimer’s.
7News’ Adrianna Hopkins spoke with Dr. Jennifer Pauldurai, who said this study tells her that if we can control some of our lifestyle risk factors—what we eat and how active we are—then we can lower our risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s.
“We know that 60 to 80% of cases of Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented by these small lifestyle changes,” she explained. “I don’t know that semaglutide has enough data right now to say there is a direct link between that medication and then the development and prevention of Alzheimer’s disease, but I know there is one key part of the picture, and I think it’s addressing it the same way that blueberries and fruits and vegetables would.”
She said that’s key because not everyone can walk into a doctor’s office and ask for an Ozempic prescription and get one.
What should you put on your grocery list? The Alzheimer’s Association identifies three diets with beneficial ingredients here.