Let’s take it back to basics and explain what a GLP-1 actually is, what it does, and who can use it. Heads-up: All data and info in this section comes from Noom’s report, Benefits Beyond Weight Loss: The Expanding Impact of GLP-1s in Modern Healthcare.

Let’s get science-y.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are considered one of the most significant pharmaceutical developments of the 21st century. This discovery was implemented in 2005 as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, which has since gained widespread attention for its ability to produce substantial weight loss. GLP-1s have now cemented their rep in the public eye for providing fast-working and effective results (including for weight loss) and have become a core component of obesity care. 

Demand for these medications is—unsurprisingly—high, putting pressure on employers and payors to offer affordable coverage as part of their benefits strategy. But we’ll get to that in the Noom Med + GLP-1 section.

As research advances, new information has become available about the expanding impact of GLP-1s on cardiometabolic health. In addition to their ability to regulate blood sugar, GLP-1s have shown promise in reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and improving blood lipid disorders.*

Their emerging role in preventative care is particularly noteworthy, with studies suggesting that GLP-1s can lower the risk of major health events like heart attacks and strokes among individuals with cardiovascular disease.**

Now, for usage: GLP-1s are anti-obesity medications that mimic a naturally occurring hormone in the human body called glucagon-like-peptide-1. This hormone is released within the intestinal tract as a natural response to eating. It triggers the pancreas to discharge insulin, which helps move glucose from the bloodstream to cells where it can be used for energy.¹ GLP-1 medications produce the same effect. They not only regulate blood sugar but also reduce hunger signals from the brain and slow the emptying of the stomach, which leads to feeling full.

The result? GLP-1s have demonstrated positive effects on cardiovascular metrics for those diagnosed with obesity and heart disease, including:

• 20% lower risk of fatal and nonfatal heart attacks²

• decrease in systolic blood pressure by 1.84 to 4.60 mm Hg³,⁴

• reduction in total cholesterol levels by 5.09 to 7.94 percentage points⁵ 

A recent study of Noom Med users showed significant reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides over about a six-month period.⁶ 

People who struggle with obesity and related medical conditions (like cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or type 2 diabetes, for example) are likely to qualify as candidates for GLP-1 usage.