Semaglutide & Tirzepatide Guide

Semaglutide and Tirzepatide are injectable peptide medications that have revolutionized the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, making them two of the most significant pharmaceutical developments in recent history for their impact on metabolic health and, by extension, biological age. They belong to a class of drugs known as incretin mimetics, which mimic the action of natural hormones released by the gut in response to food. **Semaglutide** (brand names Ozempic, Wegovy) is a GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist. It precisely mimics the natural GLP-1 hormone, which has a multi-pronged effect: it stimulates the pancreas to release insulin only when blood sugar is high, suppresses the liver's production of excess glucose, and significantly slows down how quickly the stomach empties. Most profoundly, it acts directly on appetite centers in the brain, powerfully reducing hunger, cravings, and overall caloric intake.

**Tirzepatide** (brand name Mounjaro) takes this a step further. It is a novel "twincretin" or dual agonist, targeting both the GLP-1 receptor and the GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor. GIP is another incretin hormone that also plays a role in glucose regulation and appetite. By activating both pathways simultaneously, Tirzepatide has demonstrated even more potent effects on both blood sugar control and weight loss than GLP-1 agonists alone in head-to-head clinical trials. From a longevity and biological age perspective, the impact of these medications is monumental. Obesity and metabolic dysfunction are two of the primary accelerators of aging, driving chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. By inducing substantial weight loss (often 15-20%+ of body weight) and dramatically improving key metabolic health markers, these drugs directly combat the root causes of many age-related diseases. Emerging research is also uncovering their potential direct benefits on cardiovascular health, kidney function, and inflammation, independent of their powerful weight loss effects.