Millions of Britons currently using GLP-1 medications could significantly enhance their heart health by adopting a set of six healthy lifestyle habits, according to a recent study from the School of Public Health at Harvard University, Boston. The comprehensive study analyzed years of data from 100,000 former US military veterans who had been prescribed GLP-1 class medicines between 2011 and 2023. These FDA-approved drugs included semaglutide and liraglutide, widely recognized by their brand names like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda, which are also increasingly prescribed for weight loss.

The primary objective of the researchers was to investigate whether the combination of GLP-1 drug use and adherence to healthy lifestyle practices could effectively reduce the risk of experiencing a Major Adverse Cardiovascular Event (MACE). MACE was specifically defined as a heart attack, stroke, or death due to heart disease. The eight healthy lifestyle habits evaluated in the study encompassed a healthy diet, regular exercise, not smoking, ensuring restful sleep, minimal alcohol intake, effective stress management, fostering social connection and support, and the absence of opioid use disorder.

The study yielded compelling results, demonstrating that GLP-1 users could slash their risk of a major heart event by more than 40 percent simply by incorporating just six positive changes into their lifestyle. Furthermore, while using a GLP-1 medication without any lifestyle modifications still lowered the risk of MACE by 16 percent, adhering to all eight healthy habits alongside medication reduced the risk by an impressive 60 percent. Frank Hu, Fredrick J. Stare Professor of Nutrition and Epidemiology and chair of the Department of Nutrition, emphasized the findings, stating, "Our findings underscore that, even in the era of highly effective GLP-1 pharmacotherapy, lifestyle habits remain central to diabetes management and cardiovascular risk reduction and can substantially amplify the benefits of modern medications."

However, the study acknowledged certain limitations, primarily that its conclusions were drawn from observational data, and the cohort predominantly consisted of white men. Despite these limitations, the advent of GLP-1 drugs has revolutionized obesity treatment, offering significant weight loss previously unattainable through diet and exercise alone. While concerns exist regarding potential side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and rare cases of pancreatitis, experts generally agree that the therapeutic benefits for most patients far outweigh the associated risks.

In the UK, approximately 2.5 million people are currently estimated to be using GLP-1 drugs as a weight loss aid. GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1, is a natural gut hormone that regulates blood sugar and appetite after meals by signaling the pancreas to release insulin when blood sugar levels rise and by slowing gastric emptying, which promotes a feeling of fullness. Modern GLP-1 medications are designed to amplify these inherent physiological effects, leading to improved blood sugar control and notable weight loss for many individuals.

The broader public health context highlights the critical need for effective obesity interventions. Two out of three Britons are now classified as overweight or obese, and NHS data indicates that adults weigh approximately a stone more than they did three decades ago, a trend with an estimated economic cost of £100 billion annually. Current NHS guidelines restrict GLP-1 prescription to patients with a BMI over 35 and a weight-related health condition, or those with a BMI between 30 and 34.9 who are referred to specialist services. Obesity is a significant health concern, linked to at least 13 types of cancer—making it the second leading cause of the disease in the UK—and has contributed to a 39 percent rise in type 2 diabetes among individuals under 40, with 168,000 young Britons now living with the condition.