Life Sciences & Medicine Active Updated Jul 17, 2026
The GLP-1 drugs are turning out to change mood, behavior and the brain's relationship with food, not just body weight, as coverage expands to older adults.
Jul 17, 2026 Latest
A new study found GLP-1 receptor agonists reduced symptoms of binge eating, adding another behavioral effect to the drugs' expanding profile beyond weight loss.
Jul 15, 2026
A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 108 adults living with HIV, led by Michael Corley at UC San Diego, found weekly semaglutide slowed biological aging across several epigenetic clocks tied to inflammation and the health of the blood, brain, heart, kidneys, liver and metabolism, including a 9 percent slower pace of aging on the DunedinPACE clock. People with HIV tend to age faster biologically even when the virus is well controlled, and the researchers said a much larger trial is needed before extending the finding beyond this population.
Jul 8, 2026
A 52-week trial of 1,698 adults across six countries found orforglipron, a new daily pill, outperformed oral semaglutide on both weight loss and blood sugar control. Unlike oral semaglutide, orforglipron requires no refrigeration and no empty stomach before dosing, and it is cheaper to manufacture, which could significantly expand access in lower-income countries where injectable GLP-1 drugs remain out of reach.
Jul 7, 2026
Cleveland Clinic researchers analyzed records from 2,133 people with type 2 diabetes and peripheral artery disease and found those prescribed GLP-1 receptor agonists like semaglutide had a 48 percent lower risk of major amputation, a 37 percent lower risk of minor amputation, and a 36 percent lower risk of circulation-restoring procedures over five years, compared to a matched metformin group. They were also 26 percent less likely to die from any cause. Whether the benefit comes from weight loss, blood sugar control, or a direct effect on blood vessel walls remains unclear.
Jun 21, 2026
A review found the drugs work well for most people but not all, with a minority seeing little benefit.
Jun 17, 2026
Reporting described GLP-1 drugs quieting the constant mental chatter about food known as food noise, as Medicare coverage began for adults 65 and older.
Jun 14, 2026
Research found GLP-1 weight-loss drugs change bodies in unexpected ways, including measurable drops in daily step counts.
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GLP-1 drugs cut the risk of amputation and death in diabetics with peripheral artery disease, but whether the benefit comes from weight loss, blood sugar improvement, or a direct effect on blood vessel walls is unresolved and, the researchers say, deserves prospective trials.
Reporting in the Today Got Better brief
whether the benefit comes from weight loss, blood sugar improvement, or a direct effect on blood vessel walls is an open question the researchers say deserves prospective trials
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