'GOLDEN AGE' OF OBESITY FIGHTING DRUGS ON WAY

NHS bosses have been urged to speed up the rollout of weight-loss drugs to "many millions" in a "golden age" of antiobesity treatments.

- Hanna Geissler

New studies show that patients shedding pounds may also live longer. Top cardiologist Prof John Deanfield said that the "remarkable" drugs can slash the risk of many "diseases of ageing" including heart, liver and kidney problems as well as cancer. Europe's biggest obesity conference heard of the many benefits of the fat-fighting drugs.

Prof Deanfield, of University College London, added: "What we're learning with all of the studies is there is a potential benefit for many, many millions of people with these drugs. Not just for the weight loss that they can clearly achieve, but for the increasing number of additional benefits." He did not want to "medicalise the whole population" but said there was "a golden opportunity to change society and...the way in which we think about longevity".

Weight-loss jabs, known as GLP-1 medications, were developed to treat diabetes but there is growing evidence they have wideranging effects that cannot be explained by weight loss alone. Experts believe their ability to calm inflammation is also key.