Recent research from the University of California, Berkeley, indicates that GLP-1 drugs may extend life span, in addition to treating obesity and type 2 diabetes. The study, published in Nature on September 2, found that semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, prolonged the life span of female mice by tempering the harmful impacts of aging.
Danica Chen, the study author and a professor of metabolic biology, nutritional sciences, and toxicology, shared with Newsweek that GLP-1 medicines could potentially apply to healthy aging individuals to slow aging and extend life span.
GLP-1 drugs, known as Ozempic and Wegovy, reduce appetite and balance blood sugar. They achieve this by mimicking a hormone that promotes fullness and slows digestion, effectively reducing food cravings. These drugs have been popular for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity, with one in eight Americans using them as of March 2026, per Statista.
Study Findings
Researchers administered semaglutide daily to 20-month-old female mice and observed an increased median life span from 742 to 834 days. Mice treated with semaglutide experienced a 24% reduction in appetite, as well as reduced body and tissue weight. Chen noted that GLP-1 treatment enhanced physiological function, attenuated hallmarks of aging, and modulated nutrient sensors.
Despite the promising results, experts cautioned that they are not entirely surprising. Richard DiMarchi, a professor at Indiana University, stated the findings align with expectations, noting the need for validated clinical observations.
Randy Seeley, an expert from the University of Michigan, remarked on data from trials indicating these drugs reduce all-cause mortality, potentially extending life span. However, the translation to humans is complex due to mice’s inbred nature, and safety is critical for widespread use.
Potential for Human Use
Chen suggested semaglutide might extend life span partly by reducing calorie intake but noted other contributing factors require further study. Seeley mentioned possible impacts on cardiovascular health, with reduced cardiovascular risk seen across different patient populations using GLP-1 agonists.
There is also research suggesting GLP-1s may have anti-inflammatory effects, though the mechanism remains unclear. Researchers are investigating whether the drugs act directly on immune cells, shift metabolic fuel utilization, or alter brain regulation of immune function.
Reference: Feng, Y., Barthez, M., Wang, Y. et al. (2026) Late-life semaglutide treatment slows aging and extends life span in female mice. Nature. Study Link
For further information, contact Newsweek editors Kara Dolman and James Debens.
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