For anyone who's been following the meteoric rise of weight-loss injections like Ozempic and Wegovy, one thing is certain: these medications are effective but not for everyone. Now, a new, in-depth study might know why.

Appearing in the journal Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism, this new research has identified key determinants of who is most likely to thrive on GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), a drug class that includes semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy). Ranging from use duration to body composition, and from metabolic rate to diabetic status, the results yield a finer set of directions for individualized obesity treatment—and may potentially minimize the guesswork that too often vexes patients and clinicians alike.

GLP-1RAs are drugs initially made to treat type 2 diabetes but have produced miraculous outcomes for the treatment of obesity. They function by duplicating a hormone that occurs naturally in the body, which suppresses hunger and controls the blood sugar levels. Semaglutide, the drug behind Ozempic and Wegovy, has assisted individuals in losing an average of 15–21% of their body weight when combined with diet and lifestyle modifications.

Even with all the news-grabbing changes and social media hype, results are all over the place. Some patients lose weight rapidly, others plateau, and some develop side effects such as nausea that cause them to quit cold turkey. The new research, performed at Peking University People's Hospital, sheds some light on why.

Scientists monitored 679 overweight or obese patients who initiated GLP-1RA treatment between November 2022 and October 2024 at an obesity clinic in Beijing. For 12 months, they monitored a range of physical and metabolic factors to determine what characteristics were associated with improved outcomes.

Patients taking GLP-1RAs for extended periods, particularly semaglutide, had higher odds of significant weight loss. But more than how long the patient was on the drug, study authors determined that individual traits mattered substantially in effectiveness.

In particular, individuals who did not have diabetes, had a higher percentage of body fat, larger amounts of skeletal muscle, and a higher rate of basal metabolism were found to be more likely to succeed. Also, higher serum creatinine levels (a marker for muscle mass and kidney function) were associated with improved success.

Role of Muscle Mass and Metabolism

GLP-1s are effective devices, but they need to be combined with muscle-sparing measures. Most patients inadvertently lose lean muscle mass, which can lower metabolism and undermine long-term weight control.

That is, the scale may fall, but what you lose is important. Retaining muscle mass is essential to long-term health and success. Because of this, experts suggest a two-prong approach: savvy, high-protein eating and regular strength training to help maintain lean tissue throughout treatment.

5 Body Traits That Predict If You'll Actually Lose Weight on GLP-1 Drugs

New research is showing that not everyone responds the same way to GLP-1 receptor agonists—and your body’s makeup may be the key to understanding why. Here are five physical traits that strongly predict whether you’ll shed pounds successfully while on these weight-loss medications:

1. Higher Body Fat Percentage

Individuals with excess body fat at the beginning of treatment respond to GLP-1 drugs more favorably. Why? They attack hunger and fat storage, so people with more to lose are more likely to see faster and more dramatic results.

2. Increased Skeletal Muscle Mass

Muscle is not only for power—it burns calories even at rest. Individuals with greater skeletal muscle mass (particularly in the arms, legs, and abdomen) tend to have a quicker metabolism, which can strengthen the actions of weight-loss drugs.

3. Increased Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)

A greater BMR indicates that your body expends more energy on a daily basis. Individuals with naturally quicker metabolisms are more apt to experience efficient and long-lasting weight loss when taking GLP-1RAs such as semaglutide.

4. Greater Serum Creatinine Levels

This marker is most commonly associated with muscle mass and kidney function. Individuals with slightly elevated (but normal) levels of creatinine—usually an indicator of greater lean body mass—tended to respond more favorably to these drugs.

5. No Diagnosis of Diabetes

Against expectation, individuals with no diabetes experienced more success than those with diabetes. This could be explained by improved insulin sensitivity, reduced metabolic resistance, or fewer pre-existing complications that would interfere with weight reduction.

How Your Diabetes Status Is Important?

The research demonstrated that those without diabetes had considerably higher chances of being successful with weight loss compared to those with prediabetes or diabetes. This could be because of deep-rooted metabolic distinctions or that GLP-1RAs react differently in states of insulin resistance.

Lead researcher Dr. Linong Ji described, "This study highlights the value of metabolic state-matched strategies. Individuals with diabetes can benefit from a different or more combined regimen."

Consistency is key, patients who remained on the drug for a longer period were more likely to lose weight. Those who dropped out early because of side effects, lack of response, or lifestyle interference were far less successful.

This accords with demands from doctors for improved support for adherence. Greater follow-up frequencies, tailored coaching, and symptom control can avert early dropouts.

"Adherence to medication is neglected but equally important as the medicine itself," the authors stated. "Physicians must assist patients in staying on track, especially for the first months or so."

Side Effects of GLP-1 Drugs

Side effects, particularly gastrointestinal such as nausea, constipation, or vomiting, are still the number one reasons individuals drop out of GLP-1RAs. That's where tailoring treatment comes into play even more so.

Take, for instance, individuals who have less skeletal muscle mass. These individuals are likely to be more susceptible to fatigue and muscle wasting, enhancing dropout risk. Tweaking dose schedules, incorporating physical therapy, or emphasizing diet quality can all help mitigate these problems.

The global rise of drugs like Wegovy isn’t just hype. These medications are proving to be some of the most effective tools we’ve ever had in the fight against obesity, a condition affecting over 650 million people worldwide but what this new study makes clear is that weight loss is not one-size-fits-all, even with powerful drugs. Body composition, muscle mass, metabolic health, and individual biology all play a role.

For doctors, that equates to taking a precision medicine approach—tailoring treatments based on an individual's profile, instead of simply dosing all patients the same.

And for patients? It's a reminder that medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy can be remarkably powerful but only as part of an integrated, personalized plan that values the complexity of your body.

GLP-1 medications are revolutionizing weight control, but as this study reveals, success is not arbitrary success is individual. Understanding what influences results can enable more individuals to achieve potential through progress.

When you think of endometriosis, the image that typically comes to mind is a woman doubled over in pain, battling fatigue or struggling with infertility. But for a significant portion of women, this chronic condition creeps in silently, without a single symptom to give it away. Known as asymptomatic or silent endometriosis, this elusive form can cause severe and irreversible damage before it is ever detected.

Endometriosis is commonly linked with menstrual pain, tiredness, and fertility problems. But asymptomatic or silent endometriosis is a type of condition that is much more insidious. It does not come with the familiar warning signals, so it becomes more difficult to identify and, worse, more likely to lead to long-term damage.

No Pain, But Plenty of Harm

"Since there is no pain or any apparent symptoms, the disease tends to silently grow, spreading outside the reproductive system," explains Dr. Smeet Patel, endometriosis specialist at Mayflower Women’s Hospital, Ahmedabad.

In its advanced stages, silent endometriosis does not stop at the ovaries or uterus. It can, over time, infiltrate major organs like the colon, bladder, and even deep pelvic tissues. "In a few advanced conditions, it can migrate up to the parametrium, internal vessels, or S2–S3 segment of the spine, invading the sciatic nerve and generating extreme complications," he says.

First Clue: Infertility

"What is especially dangerous about silent endometriosis is that its very first symptom is usually infertility," warns Dr. Smeet Patel. "By the time a woman presents to us with a fertility evaluation, the disease has already begun to deplete her ovarian reserve, reduce egg quality, or occlude her fallopian tubes—all without so much as a twinge or an early warning sign."

The disease progresses with no outward signs, which makes it incredibly deceptive. It is worth mentioning that nobody actually knows why certain people are experiencing severe pain and others experience nothing at all. However, the expert says if a patient is going for IVF or there is a family history of endometriosis, they always keep in mind the possibility of having a hidden case.

Difficult to Detect

"It is difficult to diagnose," Dr. Smeet Patel admits. "Laparoscopy is still the gold standard, but high-resolution MRIs and transvaginal ultrasounds sometimes can catch indicators."

He explains that treatment is highly individualised. "The treatment is customised based on the goals of the patient—whether that is pain management, fertility, or prevention of complications down the line. For women not attempting to get pregnant, we might observe the condition closely instead of performing surgery at once. However, if fertility is an issue, early treatment—hormonal treatment, laparoscopic surgery, or assisted reproduction methods—can be a game-changer in results."

What Dr. Smeet Patel always tells his patients is this: silence does not mean peace. Just because your body is not shouting does not mean it is not sending signals. "The more aware we become of silent endometriosis, the better we can protect reproductive health and improve quality of life before irreversible damage occurs," he says.

A Hidden 25%

Dr. Sanjay Patel, endometriosis surgeon, points out the hidden nature of this condition. He explains that while most cases present with pain and discomfort, silent endometriosis does not. Patients can appear and feel perfectly healthy as the disease advances within. "About 20–25 per cent of endometriosis patients are asymptomatic. These individuals are often found accidentally during operations for other conditions or upon seeking treatment for infertility," he says.

The Danger of Delay

The actual risk is with the delay. "When we do find it, it might already have affected fertility, caused adhesions, or invaded important organs. Rarely, it can invade the bowel or bladder with dangerous consequences," Dr. Sanjay Patel warns.

He also touches on the psychological toll. "Psychologically, it is confusing to patients—being told you have a disease you never had can be difficult to accept."

And for those who think they are in the clear because they feel fine, Dr. Sanjay Patel offers a word of caution: "If there is a family history, trouble getting pregnant, or unexpected cysts on routine imaging, we must explore further. Just because it does not hurt does not mean it is not bad."

Losing a spouse is one of the most difficult things that a person can go through. It is a thing that many people go through as they age. Many people who lose their partners often find comfort in their close ones, their children as well as their friends. However, can the void left by a deceased spouse be healed by your loved ones?

A new study suggests that adult children likely won't fill the emotional void left when a parent loses their spouse. While becoming a widow or widower might make the bond with their children stronger, this deeper connection doesn't seem to make up for the loneliness of losing a life partner. These surprising findings were published on July 14 in Aging & Mental Health.

Going Against Common Ideas About Loneliness and Loss

This study's findings actually challenge a common belief. Many people think that widowed individuals who have children feel less lonely compared to those who don't. However, this research tells a different story.

The loss of a spouse causes loneliness that sticks around for a long time. Interestingly, it also makes the family ties between parents and their children stronger, especially for mothers, who often take the lead in keeping families connected. But even with these stronger family bonds, the study found that the increase in loneliness – both social (feeling disconnected from others) and emotional (missing a deep, personal connection) – doesn't go away.

How the Research Was Carried Out

The study involved talking to over 5,600 married people who had grown-up children. These individuals were part of a larger study about aging in Germany. Among them, nearly 500 had experienced the death of their spouse.

Losing a spouse is known to be one of life's most difficult and stressful events. It can lead to various health problems, including heart issues, and mental health challenges like depression or chronic loneliness.

Participants in the study answered a series of questions. These questions were designed to understand their emotional and mental well-being, as well as how connected they felt to their adult children.

Long-Lasting Impact of Loneliness

The results clearly showed that loneliness significantly increases after a spouse passes away and stays at a high level for a long time. This was true even when adult children kept in regular touch with their widowed parent.

The most difficult period for loneliness seemed to be the first three years after the loss. However, the study found that loneliness continued to be a factor for as long as seven years after their spouse's death.

These findings were quite surprising to the researchers because previous studies had shown that older parents' happiness and well-being are greatly influenced by how good their relationships with their adult children are. It appears that the sadness and impact of losing a spouse are so profound that even strong emotional and social support from one's children can't fully lessen it.

More Research Needed

It's important to note that this study didn't look at how relationships with other people might affect a person's loneliness. This includes close friends or even just people they know casually.

The researchers pointed out that interactions with people who aren't family members might have a bigger impact on feelings of social loneliness than interactions with one's own children.

In what could be a gamechanger for emergency healthcare, drones are proving faster and in some cases, more reliable than ambulances when it comes to delivering life-saving medical supplies like blood. A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) highlights how this technology is stepping in when every second counts.

A 15-Minute Lifeline Over 35 km

In a pilot experiment conducted in 2023, a drone carried blood bags from GIMS Hospital in Greater Noida to Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi’s Connaught Place. It was a 35-kilometre journey completed in just 15 minutes. For comparison, a regular ambulance would have taken over an hour.

Though the experiment was carried out last year, ICMR published its detailed findings in June 2024 in a report titled, Adopting Drone Technology for Blood Delivery: A Feasibility Study to Evaluate Its Efficiency and Sustainability.

The conclusion? Drones are not just fast, but they’re also safe and efficient for delivering blood in emergencies.

Why Blood Delivery by Drone Is So Complex

Using drones for healthcare is not a new idea, vaccines and other supplies have been flown into remote areas before. But transporting blood is much more sensitive.

Blood components like red blood cells, plasma, and platelets need strict temperature control and careful handling to maintain their quality. Unlike organs, which are transported in rare cases, blood has to be moved more frequently and reliably.

The ICMR study showed that with proper temperature-controlled packaging and special gel packs, blood can be transported without damage.

Drones used in the trial carried 4 to 6 blood bags and followed India's aviation safety guidelines. Importantly, no significant damage, like hemolysis was found in the blood after the flight. The quality of the transported blood remained safe, and any minor changes were similar to those seen in van transport.

Drones vs. Ambulances: Why It Matters

This isn't the first time drones have proven their worth. A few months earlier, a drone in Haryana slashed delivery time for eye tissues by 70%, flying 38 km from Sonipat to Jhajjar in just 40 minutes, a road trip that usually takes over two hours.

In cities like Delhi, drones have also been used to control mosquito-borne diseases. It’s clear that drones are quickly expanding their role from novelty to necessity.

But the ICMR also notes: more scientific evidence is needed before drones can be widely adopted for medical deliveries. The idea may be promising, but it’s not without its hurdles.

What Are The Challenges Ahead

Even though the results are encouraging, many challenges remain. Regulatory restrictions, weather conditions, battery limitations, safety concerns, and costs are big roadblocks. Drones must also be seamlessly integrated into existing healthcare and air traffic systems.

Blood transport, in particular, requires vibration validation, consistent temperature control, and real-time monitoring; any lapse could lead to damage or contamination.

A pan-India regulatory framework is essential for scaling up. India’s vast and varied landscape, from mountains to dense urban centres presents its own set of complications. As a 2025 Journal of Transport and Public Health study pointed out, poor rural blood bank infrastructure and high costs could limit scalability.

A Global Trend

India isn’t alone in this journey. Rwanda was the first to adopt a national drone medical delivery system back in 2016. The UK also plans to launch nationwide drone medical deliveries by 2026 after successful NHS trials.

India has already taken steps in this direction. Under the i-DRONE initiative launched in 2021, ICMR carried out successful drone-based deliveries of vaccines and medical kits in the Northeast. Now, the focus is shifting to more critical and sensitive deliveries like blood.