DNA decides how well weight loss drugs work

 DNA decides how well weight loss drugs work

An article published by Nature explains how well drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide work. These medications are very popular and are used by many people for weight loss. The study looked at about 27,885 people and focused on the GLP-1 receptor. Researchers found that some people experienced significant weight loss, while others saw little to no results. This shows that genetic differences can affect how effective these drugs are.

The study also found that genetics can influence side effects, such as nausea and vomiting. However, genetics is not the only factor, like age, sex, and the type of medication can also affect how well the drug works. This research is important because it shows that not every medication works the same for everyone. In the future, this could help doctors decide which medications are best for each person. The study shows that genes not only affect how we look, but also how our bodies respond to medications.

Links 

Su, Q. J., Ashenhurst, J. R., Xu, W., Tran, V., Ryanne Wu, R., Weldon, C. H., Shi, J., Hicks, B., Bell, R. K., Bond, K. K., Cochinwala, Z., Das, S., de Brito, K., Dhamija, D., Dibaeinia, P., DelloRusso, E., Eijsbouts, C., Elson, S. L., Fuller, S., & German, C. (2026). Genetic predictors of GLP1 receptor agonist weight loss and side effects. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10330-z

Youmshajekian, L. (2026, April 8). How well GLP-1 weight loss drugs work may depend on your genetics. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-well-glp-1-weight-loss-drugs-work-may-depend-on-your-genetics/