GLP-1s and Aging: Risks, Benefits & Weight Loss After 60 | Mayo Clinic Aging Forward Podcast

Can GLP-1 medications help older adults lose weight safely? What are the risks of muscle loss, frailty and malnutrition as we age? In this episode of Aging Forward, Dr. Christina Chen sits down with Mayo Clinic obesity specialist Dr. Andres Acosta to discuss how GLP-1 medications like Ozempic® and Wegovy® affect older adults, appetite, metabolism and healthy aging. Topics discussed include: • How GLP-1 medications work • Weight loss after age 60 • Muscle loss and sarcopenia • Benefits for diabetes and heart health • Side effects and safety concerns • Nutrition, protein and exercise • Long-term use of GLP-1s • Healthy aging and longevity Listen to more Aging Forward episodes at https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/podcasts/aging-forward/ 0:00 Introducing GLP-1s and healthy aging 1:21 How GLP-1 medications work 3:06 Understanding postprandial satiety 4:04 Benefits beyond diabetes and weight loss 7:01 Hungry gut versus hungry brain 9:00 How aging changes metabolism 10:16 Weight loss risks in older adults 13:37 Sarcopenia and muscle loss concerns 17:09 GLP-1 use after age 85 19:53 BMI, nutrition and medical supervision 23:43 Building the right care team 26:31 Side effects and contraindications 27:30 Medication interactions and polypharmacy risks 29:19 How long to take GLP-1s 32:48 Who may not be a candidate 34:16 Future of GLP-1 treatments 37:12 Defining success with GLP-1 therapy 39:47 How Dr. Acosta ages well 40:42 Final thoughts and resources