Canadian Scientists Alarmingly Find That Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic and Wegovy Cause Heart Muscles to Shrink!

Medical News: A groundbreaking study conducted by Canadian researchers has raised serious concerns about the potential long-term health risks associated with popular weight-loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy. Scientists from the University of Alberta have found alarming evidence that these drugs may lead to the shrinkage of heart muscle in both mice and cultured human heart cells. This discovery underscores the need for caution in the use of such drugs, especially among individuals without preexisting health conditions that necessitate their use.


Canadian Scientists Alarmingly Find That Weight Loss Drugs Ozempic and Wegovy Cause
Heart Muscles to Shrink!

Weight Loss Drugs and Unintended Side Effects
The drugs, known medically as semaglutide, were originally developed to help patients with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar. However, they have rapidly gained popularity for their effectiveness in promoting weight loss. While shedding extra pounds might seem like a win for overall health, the study reveals that the drugs may be causing more harm than good in certain cases.
 
Dr Jason Dyck, lead author of the study and a pediatrics professor at the University of Alberta, emphasized, "If people have been prescribed these drugs, then the benefits should likely far exceed the risks. However, the growing number of people who are using these medications for weight loss alone - without meeting eligibility criteria or facing serious health risks - should be aware of these potential consequences."
 
This Medical News report delves into the findings of the study and explores what this means for the growing number of individuals turning to these medications as quick fixes for weight loss.
 
Alarming Discovery: Heart Muscle Shrinkage
Dr Dyck and his team set out to investigate a known side effect of Ozempic: loss of skeletal muscle. Using mice as their primary model, they discovered that the drug not only reduces skeletal muscle but also causes a significant reduction in heart muscle mass. This effect was consistent across obese and lean mice and was further validated in cultured human heart cells.
 
The research revealed that semaglutide-treated mice experienced a dramatic 30% reduction in body weight and a 65% reduction in fat mass. However, alongside these weight-loss benefits, there was a marked decrease in left ventricular (LV) mass, overall heart weight, and cardiomyocyte size. Surprisingly, this occurred without any observable decline in cardiac function, such as pumping efficiency or heart rate, under resting conditions.
 
Dr Dyck noted, "While no immediate functional deficits were seen in the hearts of these mice, the long-term implications of reduced cardiac mass are unknown. Under certain conditions, such as stress or aging, this reduction could potentially lead to detrimental health outcomes."
 
Muscle Loss Beyond the Heart
The study also sheds light on an even broader concern: up to 40% of the weight lost by individuals on these medications could come from muscle mass, as highlighted in a related commentary published in The Lancet by Carla Prado, a renowned nutrition researcher from the University of Alberta. Prado explained that muscle is not just essential for movement and strength but also plays a crucial role in overall health, including immune function, blood sugar regulation, and healing.
 
"Muscle loss at this rate is significantly higher than what is typically seen with calorie-restricted diets or even natural aging," said Prado. "This raises concerns about long-term health issues like reduced immunity, increased risk of infections, and poor wound healing."
 
Study Design and Findings in Detail
The researchers employed male mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose diet to induce obesity before switching them to a standard diet. They then administered semaglutide to assess its effects independently of diabetes or other cardiovascular conditions. Key findings include:
 
-Reduction in Heart Mass: Mice treated with semaglutide exhibited significant reductions in cardiac size, including LV mass and overall heart weight. Histological analysis revealed smaller cardiomyocytes, confirming that the drug has a direct impact on heart muscle cells.
 
-Impact on Lean Mice: Even in lean mice, where weight loss was minimal, semaglutide led to an 8.2% reduction in skeletal muscle mass over three weeks and a notable decrease in heart muscle size.
 
-Human Cell Validation: Experiments on cultured human cardiomyocytes mirrored these findings, with semaglutide-treated cells showing reduced size, suggesting the drug’s effect is not limited to whole organisms but extends to cellular function.
 
Implications for Long-Term Health
While semaglutide has shown promise in reducing cardiovascular risks in some patients, this new evidence highlights the potential downsides, especially for individuals without preexisting heart conditions. Dyck cautioned, "The growing use of these drugs for purely cosmetic or nonmedical reasons complicates the risk-reward equation."
 
Moreover, the reduction in cardiac mass could pose challenges for patients with existing cardiovascular diseases, where smaller heart muscle size might exacerbate problems rather than alleviate them. In healthy individuals, this unintended consequence could lead to reduced exercise tolerance and diminished overall quality of life.
 
Expert Recommendations for Muscle Preservation
Prado stressed the importance of mitigating muscle loss during weight loss treatments. She recommended combining these drugs with:
 
-Proper Nutrition: Ensuring a diet rich in high-quality protein, essential vitamins, and minerals to support muscle maintenance.
 
-Resistance Training: Incorporating exercises like weightlifting or resistance band workouts to help preserve and build muscle.
 
"This balanced approach can help individuals lose fat while minimizing muscle loss, ensuring they reap the full health benefits of their treatment," Prado added.
 
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale for Weight-Loss Medications
The findings from this study serve as a stark reminder that quick-fix solutions often come with hidden costs. While weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy offer hope to millions struggling with obesity, their widespread use - especially among individuals without significant health risks - could lead to unforeseen consequences, such as reduced heart and skeletal muscle mass.
 
As Dr Dyck aptly put it, "Weight loss is not just about the number on the scale. We need to consider the overall health implications, especially when it comes to muscle, which is critical for a healthy, functioning body."
 
For medical professionals, this research highlights the need for careful patient selection and monitoring when prescribing these drugs. For patients, it underscores the importance of approaching weight-loss treatments with a holistic perspective, combining medication with proper diet and exercise.
 
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: JACC: Basic to Translational Science.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452302X24002869
 
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