Tailoring GLP-1 therapy to your body's specific needs
Obesity rates in the U.S. are falling as the use of GLP-1s is increasing. More than one in 10 folks report taking one of the medications currently available (tirzepatide, semaglutide, liraglutide, dulaglutide, exenatide, orforglipron, lixisenatide). Today, 36.4% of adults are obese; in 2022, it was 39.9%. (This confirms what I said about my patients' experiences with these meds on MichaelFRoizenMD.substack back in 2023.)
But these medications do more than lead to weight loss. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania found that different GLP-1s and doses have different effects on heart and metabolic issues, such as blood sugar, systolic blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and waist circumference.
Their meta-study, published in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism, showed that across all therapies, higher doses generally lead to greater improvements in cardiovascular health. They also showed that semaglutide injections of 7.2 milligrams were most effective for weight loss. Plus, they found that orforglipron had a stronger positive impact on blood sugar control and systolic blood pressure, while semaglutide showed larger effects on total body weight, waist circumference and LDL cholesterol (These findings do need to be confirmed). Also, importantly, oral GLP-1 therapies were virtually as effective as injectable ones.
If you're taking or thinking about starting a GLP-1, discuss all this with your doctor so you select the medication and dose most likely to provide the health boost you want. (This is why you shouldn't buy them blind online.) For even more insights into maximizing your heart and metabolic health, check out my book, "The Great Age Reboot."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at drmikerealage@gmail.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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