Weight-loss drugs show signs of slowing biological aging, say drugmakers

(technologyreview.com)

17 points | by xnx 5 hours ago ago

10 comments

  • overtone1000 5 minutes ago ago

    Half of the article discusses the whole concept of "biological age", and that discussion describes how that term may not be as refined and specific a scientific idea as a layperson might assume. That part of the article might be served by the title, "Weight loss drugs may help scientists to assess potential surrogates for biological age."

  • zug_zug 2 hours ago ago

    It's well known that eating less "caloric restriction" slows down your metabolim and thus extends lifespan in mice. This would be my default hypothesis.

  • pfj1 3 hours ago ago

    How can they separate this from the effects of losing weight?

    • fallingbananna an hour ago ago

      After reading the article, I think they didn't.

      >"Both companies found that overweight or diabetic patients taking the drugs, called GLP-1s, had reduced biological age compared to those taking a placebo"

      >“In an unhealthy population, I do think it’s an anti-aging drug, but in a healthy population, no one knows.”

      • mathgeek 23 minutes ago ago

        Sounds like it's the already known "being overweight raises your biological age" and they're just acknowledging the inverse.

  • cyanydeez 3 hours ago ago

    ...convienent.

    • Varelion 3 hours ago ago

      For who?

      • nielsbot 3 hours ago ago

        the users of said drugs and the drugmakers. but inconvenient to mortal enemies of people who are now (purportedly) living longer.

        • celticninja 2 hours ago ago

          Now you can take longer in the planning stage without the pressure of nature breathing down your neck.

  • paimapi 3 hours ago ago

    [dead]