Medical Minutes for April 2025

Weight Loss Drugs and Longevity

Taking the drug Ozempic and other drugs in this class may help you live longer. With GLP-1 drugs dominating headlines for their impact on weight loss and metabolic health, new discussions around their potential role in extending healthy lifespan are emerging. Dr. Christoph Westphal, Co-founder and General Partner of Longwood Fund, said the biotech industry is partnering with physicians and the result is rather remarkable. 

"Within three or four or five years, if we can prove that with GLP-1s you can extend a healthy lifespan, it will actually be the first healthy lifespan-increasing drug available. So it’s going to totally change the world." said Dr. Christoph Westphal.

There is now an entire that is called longevity biotech. Dr. Jarod Rutledge, who is with the Amaranth Foundation, said there is a great deal of enthusiasm in longevity biotech. “I think at the early stage, we're definitely seeing more. I went to a few lifespan extension and healthspan extension-specific events, and they were always really packed with a lot more builders and also more investment than we've seen in the past," said Dr. Jarod Rutledge.

AI Changing the Management of Diabetes

Despite advancements in medical technology, diabetes management faces persistent challenges, including a shortage of specialists, uneven distribution of healthcare resources, and low patient adherence. All of these factors contribute to suboptimal glycemic control. Now, new Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms are changing the playing field. Currently, AI programs are being deployed to improve accuracy, reduce healthcare costs, and address critical gaps in diagnosis, treatment, and daily management.

“AI isn’t just a tool. It's a partner in care,” said the principal investigator of the study Dr. Ling Gao at the Central Laboratory at Shandong Provincial Hospital in China. “For example, AI can detect early signs of eye damage from diabetes in retinal images as accurately as specialists, which is critical for preventing blindness.”

He and his colleagues have just unveiled research highlighting several important advances that will greatly improve the management of diabetes. AI can predict risks like kidney disease and heart issues by spotting patterns humans might miss. AI also allows for personalized treatment. Smart systems adjust insulin doses in real-time, cutting dangerous blood sugar swings.

AI can help with diet and exercise guidance. Phone Apps can analyze meals via photos and suggest recipes, while AI coaches recommend workouts based on location and health data. AI even outperformed traditional methods in some areas. “For instance, CT scans analyzed by AI could screen for osteoporosis in diabetes patients as effectively as specialized bone density tests,” said Dr. Gao. “Wearable devices like smart glucose monitors and socks that detect foot infections further showcase AI’s potential to keep patients healthy at home.” The incredible advances occurring through collaboration between tech developers and doctors are making improved care for older adults more accessible. “AI is a powerful ally in diabetes care, but human oversight remains essential,” said Dr. Gao. “While AI won’t replace human clinicians, it empowers them to make faster, smarter decisions, transforming diabetes from a one-size-fits-all disease into a condition managed with precision and foresight.”

New Technology Improving the Lives of Older Adults

Adults age 50 and older now have new technology available to them to prevent falls and breaking a hip. Researchers at University of California San Diego have revealed promising results from a study evaluating the university’s “Strong Foundations” program. The program is a digitally delivered fall prevention initiative for older adults. The program is simple and highly effective in improving posture, balance and strength. These are key factors in reducing fall risk.

“This study showcases the potential of accessible, online exercise programs to significantly enhance physical function for older adults,” said Dr. Ryan Moran, an associate clinical professor at UC San Diego School of Medicine. “Online delivery of exercise interventions offers some exciting and enticing prospects, as not only can this platform eliminate barriers related to difficulty with transportation and concerns about participating in conventional gym environments, it can also bring highly qualified experts to individuals who are most in need, and do so safely.”

Falls are the leading cause of accidental death and mobility-related disability among older adults, with 1 in 4 individuals over age 65 experiencing a fall annually. The Strong Foundations program addresses these challenges by providing a safe, structured exercise regimen accessible from participants’ homes. The once weekly (60 minute), 12-week online program combines postural alignment, balance exercises and strength training.

One of the novel features of the program is the delivery of semi-individualized instruction in real-time within a small group setting. Semi-individualized instruction is attention given to an individual within the group course designed to correct exercise form.

The new study included 92 participants (aged 60 and older), who were stratified by fall risk level using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths and Injuries (STEADI) questionnaire. A total of 55 low-risk and 37 moderate-risk adults were recruited. Both low-risk and moderate-risk groups showed improvements in posture (up to 36%), physical strength as indicated by the Chair Stand (the movement of sitting down on a chair and then standing back up), and other metrics. Older adults at moderate fall risk experienced the greatest gains, particularly in posture and physical strength.

“The improvements in posture alone are particularly noteworthy, given their strong correlation with fall risk and overall mobility,” said Dr. Moran. This program demonstrated the potential to deliver an effective fall prevention program for older adults through a “technological interface.”

John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com