Weight-loss drugs may fight 7 serious health problems before the pounds even come off

GLP-1 medications may provide health benefits that extend beyond weight loss, according to a growing body of research.

From reducing cardiovascular risks to potentially easing joint pain and inflammation, studies suggest these drugs may affect multiple systems throughout the body.

Here are seven potential benefits beyond shedding pounds .

POPULAR WEIGHT-LOSS STRATEGY SHOWS SURPRISING POTENTIAL FOR CHRONIC PAIN RELIEF Research suggests semaglutide — the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy — may provide cardiovascular benefits beyond those associated with weight loss.

A major study published in The Lancet found that semaglutide reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes and cardiovascular death among people with existing cardiovascular disease and overweight or obesity.

The benefits were observed across different body weights and were not fully explained by weight loss.

GLP-1 medications have been linked to reduced joint pain, although researchers are still investigating how much of the benefit comes from weight loss versus other effects.

TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ The STEP 9 clinical trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that semaglutide significantly reduced knee osteoarthritis pain and improved physical function among adults with obesity.

GLP-1 medications may help protect kidney function through several mechanisms, including improvements in blood sugar, blood pressure and inflammation.

GLP-1 BOOM COULD RESHAPE RESTAURANT BARS AS DINERS CUT BACK ON ALCOHOL In the landmark FLOW trial, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, semaglutide reduced the risk of major kidney-related complications and cardiovascular death by 24% among patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

MASH, or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, is a more severe form of fatty liver disease involving inflammation and liver cell damage.

Research suggests GLP-1 medications may help improve liver health, although the extent to which these benefits occur independently of weight loss remains under investigation.

A clinical trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that semaglutide improved liver tissue findings among patients with MASH, including reductions in inflammation and liver scarring.

Researchers found that 62.9% of semaglutide recipients experienced resolution of MASH without worsening liver fibrosis, compared with 34.3% receiving placebo.