Ozempic and Wegovy may boost bone strength in patients with Type 2 diabetes, research indicates

Semaglutide May Strengthen Bones in Type 2 Diabetics

Individuals with type 2 diabetes who are using Ozempic and Wegovy might find an unexpected perk—stronger bones.

A recent study indicates that semaglutide, the primary component in these popular weight loss medications, may enhance bone strength while helping patients shed pounds.

Researchers observed that diabetes patients on semaglutide were 15% less likely to experience bone fractures compared to those utilizing other weight loss treatments. This finding is quite surprising, given that many health experts were concerned about the potential negative impact of rapid weight loss on bone health.

Led by Dr. Jairo Noreña, a former endocrinology fellow at Stanford University, the research team discovered that not only did participants on semaglutide lose weight, but they also had a reduced risk of fractures in comparison to those on different medications.

The team analyzed medical records from over 59,000 adults living with type 2 diabetes.

The results showed 794 fractures among the 26,324 semaglutide users, whereas the comparison group of 33,555 patients on alternative weight-loss drugs had a significantly higher number—1,045 fractures.

These findings were shared at ENDO 2026, the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society, which took place in Chicago from June 13 to 16. It attracted numerous experts in hormone-related sciences and medicine.

This research carries important implications, particularly for the millions of older adults using weight-loss drugs who may already face the risk of bone loss.

“Fractures can be painful, expensive, and severely affect one’s quality of life, particularly in older age,” Noreña remarked. “We hope our research encourages better monitoring of bone health in weight loss programs.”