Metabolic
Approved for other uses
GLP-1 receptor agonists
Obesity and diabetes drugs with proven heart benefits and an open question on aging.
How it works
GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide reduce appetite, body weight and blood glucose. Researchers are studying whether their metabolic and anti-inflammatory effects slow biological aging more broadly.
Hallmarks of aging targeted
Deregulated nutrient sensing · Chronic inflammation
What the evidence says
Honest about what is proven, and what is not.
In SELECT (17,604 adults with cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity, no diabetes), semaglutide 2.4 mg reduced major cardiovascular events by 20% versus placebo. In contrast, the phase 3 evoke and evoke+ trials found oral semaglutide did not slow early Alzheimer’s disease (2025). A post hoc analysis of a small randomized trial found semaglutide slowed several epigenetic clocks (Nat Commun 2026), but no trial has shown these drugs extend healthy lifespan in people.
Key reference
Lincoff AM, Brown-Frandsen K, Colhoun HM, et al. N Engl J Med. 2023;389(24):2221-2232 (SELECT)
Considering this for yourself?
Many longevity therapies are experimental, off-label or not FDA-approved for aging. A physician-guided evaluation weighs your labs, history and goals before anything is started.
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Foundations
Exercise and resistance training
The best-evidenced healthspan intervention we have: aerobic fitness plus strength.
Foundations
Sleep, nutrition and caloric restriction
Daily inputs that shape metabolic aging; the strongest data are for caloric restriction.
Metabolic
GLP-1 receptor agonists
Obesity and diabetes drugs with proven heart benefits and an open question on aging.