From getting a better night’s sleep, to reducing the risk of heart failure, read on below to find out the potential benefits of Mounjaro beyond the scales.
Three key takeaways
Alongside weight loss, Mounjaro can be used to manage type 2 diabetes.
Positive side effects of losing weight on Mounjaro can include better sleep, lower blood pressure, and help regulating your menstrual cycle.
Mounjaro may help reduce the risk of colon cancer and Alzheimer’s, but more research is needed.
10 health benefits of Mounjaro
"The weight loss achievable on Mounjaro, when combined positive lifestyle changes like increased movement and a healthier diet, can have a transformative effect on your overall health.
“In many cases trials are still ongoing to assess the full benefits of Mounjaro outside weight loss. However, early results suggest that, thanks to the way the treatment works, it may help manage and reduce the risks associated with a wide range of conditions, from heart failure to colon cancer.”
Before it was approved as a weight loss treatment, Mounjaro was used to regulate blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
Mounjaro helps by increasing insulin production when needed, reducing insulin resistance, and slowing glucose release from the liver. It also delays your stomach emptying, leading to steadier blood sugar levels and a reduced appetite.
Sleep apnoea
Can weight loss injections improve sleep? Obesity and sleep apnoea are closely connected, so losing weight can significantly help. Weight loss injections like Mounjaro are showing promising results as a new treatment option.
A recent study tested whether Mounjaro could help people with moderate to severe sleep apnoea sleep better by reducing how often they wake up at night.
While research is ongoing, multiple trials have shown the benefits being on Mounjaro has on heart health and heart failure. For instance, in the SUMMIT trial, Mounjaro reduced the risk of worsening heart failure events by 38% when compared to a placebo.
Mounjaro improves blood sugar control, which is important for reducing damage to blood vessels caused by high glucose levels. It also helps patients to lose a significant amount of weight, helping to lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels and strain on the heart.
By addressing obesity and type 2 diabetes—some of the main risk factors for kidney disease—these medications can reduce stress on the kidneys.
Improved blood sugar control, weight loss and lowered inflammation may improve kidney health. However, there isn’t conclusive evidence that these medications improve kidney function just yet.
Liver health
Researchers have found promising results for using tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Mounjaro, to treat MASH, a serious liver disease where fat builds up and causes inflammation and scarring.
A trial found that 62% of people on the highest 15mg dose of Mounjaro saw their liver inflammation disappear with no worsening fibrosis after 52 weeks of treatment.
Like many additional benefits of Mounjaro, the use of the treatment for MASH and other liver issues is still being investigated.
Similarly, a study involving 215,000 military veterans with diabetes who were treated with GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) found a 12% reduction in Alzheimer's risk compared to those on other diabetes treatments.
The mechanisms behind these results are not yet fully understood. However, it's thought that GLP-1 drugs may reduce brain inflammation, improve insulin resistance, and aid in clearing protein accumulations associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
While neither Mounjaro nor Wegovy are designed to treat alcohol abuse, there is some emerging evidence suggesting that they might influence behaviours related to addiction.
These medications work on the brain's GLP-1 receptors, which also involve reward and impulse control. Some studies indicate that GLP-1 receptor agonists could reduce cravings or consumption of substances like alcohol, but this research is still in its early stages.
Although these findings are promising, weight loss injections aren’t approved for reducing alcohol abuse. If you're concerned about your alcohol use, it’s important to seek guidance from a healthcare provider for appropriate treatment options.
Stopping smoking
GLP-1s may help with quitting smoking by affecting the brain's reward system, particularly the part that drives addiction. They make nicotine feel less rewarding, which can reduce cravings.
While these results are promising, more research is needed to confirm their effects in humans.
Colon cancer
Recent research indicates that GLP-1 receptor agonists like Mounjaro may be associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer.
A study published in JAMA Oncology analysed the health records of over 1.2 million individuals with type 2 diabetes and found that those treated with GLP-1 medications had a lower incidence of colorectal cancer compared to those on other antidiabetic treatments.
However, further clinical trials are necessary to establish a clear relationship between GLP-1 use and decreased colorectal cancer risk.
PCOS
GLP-1 medications may help women to manage PCOS, a hormonal condition that causes symptoms such as acne, excessive hair growth and weight and fertility issues.
GLP-1s make weight loss easier and improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate menstrual cycles. The babies born during this rise in pregnancies among those who have used GLP-1s have been referred to as ‘Ozempic babies’.
Since many women with PCOS struggle with insulin resistance and irregular ovulation, these effects can indirectly support fertility. However, GLP-1s are not a direct treatment for PCOS and shouldn’t be used while trying to conceive due to the risks posed to the developing baby.
Benefits of Mounjaro vs Wegovy
Mounarjo and Wegovy share many of the same non-weight loss benefits, including the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and the potential future use in managing colon cancer, Alzheimer’s, addiction and PCOS.
Frequently asked questions about Mounjaro benefits
Does Mounjaro help lose belly fat?
Yes, when combined with other lifestyle changes, Mounjaro can help you lose belly fat.
Can Mounjaro give you more energy?
By helping you lose weight, while stabilising your blood sugar, Mounjaro can indirectly give you more energy. However, when you first start on Mounjaro 2.5mg, you may initially experience some fatigue, as your body gets used to the treatment.
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