I received an interesting email from a well-known medical publication asking for my opinion: Should Medicare cover GLP-1 drugs for obesity? Hmmmm. I’ve never been a big fan of weight loss medications, so I thought I’d do a little research!

There are several products on the market for weight loss, including injectable options. Semaglutide is probably the most popular. Did you know that Semaglutide has been found to reduce the risk of significant kidney issues and cardiovascular-related deaths in individuals with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease? That’s a compelling finding, considering the widespread impact of these conditions, Notable Articles of 2024.

I continued my mini research study and looked up Tirzepatide, another weight loss drug. This medication works by decreasing appetite and slowing the movement of food from the stomach into the small intestine. But did you know it is also being used for moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea in adults with obesity? Researchers have also assessed its effectiveness in people with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and moderate to severe fibrosis. Tirzepatide was more effective than a placebo in resolving MASH without worsening fibrosis, though larger and longer trials are needed to confirm its long-term impact.

Who knew? Take a moment to think about these underrecognized researchers who spend years finding new ways to improve our quality of life. At the end of the day, should Medicare cover these medications? The jury is out, but if a medication with few known side effects can positively impact cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease, it might be worth a closer look!

Stay well and stay informed!