How common diabetes medications can help improve our health and longevity

Metformin belongs to a class of drugs called. biguanidehas been used for over 70 years to treat type 2 diabetes.

it works By helping your body respond to insulin and reducing the amount of sugar your liver produces and your intestines and stomach absorb.but exact mechanism It is still unclear why it produces these effects.

Metformin is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it is also used to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal disorder that affects up to 20% of women. Metformin in PCOS lower high insulin levels Regulates reproductive hormones and reduces symptoms.

the study This suggests that metformin has other health benefits. These may include anti-cancer properties, fighting obesity, protecting the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and even anti-aging effects.

These anti-aging effects prompted increased interest and led to the initiation of trials by the American Federation for Research on Aging.

The Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) trial will enroll more than 3,000 individuals ages 65 to 79 in a series of national, six-year clinical trials conducted at 14 major research institutions across the United States.

The trial will test whether metformin slows the onset and progression of age-related chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia.

As populations around the world continue to age, age-related diseases are becoming one of the greatest challenges and costs facing healthcare.

Although lifespans are increasing, Healthy life expectancy is not increasing, Many older people have multiple chronic diseases. Therefore, if we can extend healthy lifespans and minimize the time people spend with chronic diseases, both individuals and health systems will benefit.

Although some factors are beyond our control, such as genetics, National Institute on Aging Here are some tips to help you stay healthy as you age:

• Stay active — Regular exercise not only helps you live longer, but also helps slow the progression of chronic diseases in later life
• Eat a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein, such as the Mediterranean diet.
• Get enough sleep by aiming for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night
• If you are a smoker please stop smoking
• avoid or limit alcohol intake
• Get regular health checkups.

But should taking metformin be added to that list?

Some studies in animals suggest that metformin may extend lifespan.

In nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegansMetformin administered at concentrations of , 25, 50, and 100 millimolar (mM) increased life expectancy by 18%, 36%, and 3%.

With a mouse, Dietary intake of metformin at 0.1% of wet weight after middle age extended both lifespan and healthspan, but higher doses (1% of wet weight) were toxic. The effect seen in this study was calorie restriction.

in another study, metformin increased the average lifespan of female mice by 14% when started at 3 months. The effect was much smaller when metformin treatment was started later, with a 6% increase in lifespan starting at 9 months, but no increase in lifespan at 15 months. The drug also increased reproductive function and slowed the development of tumors.

however, another studyIn Drosophila, Drosophila melanogasterresearchers found that metformin did not extend the lifespan of male or female flies and was toxic at high doses.

Among the people the study Metformin has been shown to improve age-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. cognitive problemswhich can lead to longer lifespans.

David Merrill, M.D., a geriatric psychiatrist and director of the Pacific Brain Health Center at the Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, explained: . Today’s medical news:

“Metformin does reduce the complications of type 2 diabetes, especially when combined with a healthy carbohydrate-controlled diet and regular exercise. will help you achieve that.”

“Metformin improves insulin sensitivity, promotes cell repair, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. All of these properties contribute to its anti-aging effects,” Merrill said.

people research Patients with type 2 diabetes have shown that metformin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). It also activates autophagy, a process of cell recycling. Both of these may explain some of its anti-aging properties.

Sebnem Ann Ruisler, chief longevity officer and genetic engineer at the Regenerative Institute in London, UK, explained:[m]Potential mechanisms of etformin’s anti-aging effects include its ability to influence important processes associated with aging. ”

“These include regulating nutrient sensing and maintaining nutritional status. proteostasisimprove mitochondrial function, regulate intercellular communication, maintain telomere length, stabilize genome, influence epigenetic Modification, alleviation of stem cell depletion, and reduction cellular aging,” she added.

oxidative stress It has been implicated in several age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative diseasescancer, sarcopenia (muscle loss) and frailty.

And oxidative stress is direct result Poor blood sugar control, resulting in excessive blood sugar levels Free radicals — An unstable and reactive molecule that damages cells and DNA.

Therefore, metformin prevents the production of excess free radicals by controlling blood sugar. Reducing oxidative stress and the age-related symptoms it may cause.

“By targeting these pathways, metformin may slow the onset or progression of age-related chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia. These mechanisms extend beyond glycemic control. may contribute to the observed benefits of metformin,” explained Ann Ruisler.

Tunku Tiryaki, a board-certified plastic surgeon, founder of the Tiriyaki Clinic in Istanbul, and consultant plastic surgeon at the Cadogan Clinic in London, suggested that metformin may have other beneficial effects. .

“Metformin, which is widely used in the management of type 2 diabetes, shows promising potential beyond blood sugar control and possibly even aging of facial bones and skin. Stimulation of bone formation and “Mechanisms of metformin, such as reduced resorption, offer the potential to preserve facial bone density,” he told us.

“Facial bones support the structure of the skin, so this could lead to improved facial contours and reduced signs of aging,” he added.

“However, further research is needed to fully elucidate the specific effects of metformin on facial bone health and its potential as an anti-aging intervention,” Dr. Tiryaki cautioned.

The TAME trial hopes to investigate whether metformin is effective by targeting aging as a whole, rather than treating age-related diseases individually. If the trial shows anti-aging effects, organizers hope to get FDA approval for the drug as an “indication” for aging.

This means that metformin may be prescribed not only for indicated conditions such as type 2 diabetes and PCOS, but also to treat aging in people without type 2 diabetes.

However, Merrill warned that its use could have undesirable effects. “[N]o The drug has no potential side effects,” he said.

Side effects associated with metformin use include “upset stomach, nausea, and diarrhea,” Merrill said.

Nevertheless, Anne Reusler welcomed the trial, saying:[i]If TAME and similar trials show positive results, metformin could be a breakthrough intervention to promote healthy aging and reduce the burden of age-related diseases . ”

And, Merrill added, when used under the supervision of a prescribing physician, “metformin could be a low-cost way to help older adults stay healthy for longer.” This is an important quality of life question and is worth investigating. ”