Promise of weight-loss drugs to treat other ailments given a boost, B.C. specialists say

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeHealthDiet & FitnessNewsNational Promise of weight-loss drugs to treat other ailments given a boost, B.C. specialists say GLP-1 based drugs have been found to improve other health outcomes including for heart and liver disease, a new scientific statement says Author of the article: By Tiffany Crawford Published Sep 10, 2026 Last updated 10 hours ago 3 minute read Join the conversation File photo of Ozempic. Research shows that GLP1-based therapies can lower risk of heart and liver disease, and may also reduce risk of arthritis, dementia and substance use disorders. PHOTO BY JOEL SAGET /AFP via Getty Images Article content B.C. specialists have known for a few years that weight-loss drugs are “transformative” in treating conditions such as heart, kidney and liver diseases, sleep apnea and cancer, says a Vancouver endocrinologist. Article content But Dr. Tom Elliott, medical director of B.C. Diabetes, says a new scientific statement released Wednesday by the Endocrine Society provides a high-level endorsement of these drugs to treat conditions beyond weight loss at a time when some physicians are still skeptical about prescribing them. Article content Article content Article content “They are good for lowering sugar and lowering weight (and) they also reduce the risk for people who’ve got established heart or kidney disease,” said Elliott. “They reduce the risk of dying and help preserve kidney function. So they’re they’re dramatically effective drugs.” Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content GLP-1 is a natural hormone made in the body to help control blood sugar and appetite. GLP-1 agonists are medications, usually injectables, that lower glucose levels to manage a patient’s metabolism. Article content Generic, cheaper versions of the GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy came on the market in B.C. in May. Article content The Endocrine Society’s statement says that physicians prescribing GLP-1-based weight-loss drugs should consider how the treatments can improve their patients’ overall health and reduce the risk of life-threatening conditions, rather than just prescribing them for weight loss. Article content At a news…