(NewsNation) — A widely prescribed GLP-1 drug may do more than improve metabolic health, according to new research.

Semaglutide — sold under brand names such as Ozempic and Wegovy — has already been linked to reduced risks for several health conditions. Now, researchers say it may also slow biological aging.

The study involved 108 adults with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, a condition marked by abnormal fat buildup around the abdomen. Over 32 weeks, participants received either weekly semaglutide injections or a placebo.

Rather than focusing on weight or blood sugar, researchers used tools known as epigenetic clocks, which estimate the body’s biological aging by analyzing DNA methylation patterns.

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According to UC San Diego’s School of Medicine, people living with HIV often experience accelerated aging due to chronic inflammation and persistent immune system activation.

Lead author Dr. Michael Corley said semaglutide appeared to counter those effects.

Participants who received semaglutide showed slower aging patterns across several epigenetic clocks tied to inflammation and major organ systems, including the heart, brain, kidneys, liver and metabolic system.

The pace of biological aging slowed by about 9% based on the DunedinPACE epigenetic clock. Measurements from the PCGrimAge clock also showed reductions in processes linked to age-related disease and overall mortality risk.

Although the study focused on people with HIV-associated lipohypertrophy, researchers said the findings could have broader implications for the general population.

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