A recent study suggests that metformin, a widely used medication for type 2 diabetes, may also have anti-aging effects and increase the chances of older women living to be 90 or older.
Researchers analyzed data from a long-term US study involving 438 postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Half the participants took metformin, while the other half received a different diabetes medication called sulfonylurea. The study found that women taking metformin had a 30% lower risk of dying before age 90 compared to those taking sulfonylurea.
Metformin has been shown to target multiple pathways of aging and has been proposed as a potential drug to extend human longevity. Previous studies have demonstrated its ability to slow down aging processes in the body, such as limiting DNA damage and promoting gene activity associated with long life.
However, this study’s limitations mean that it cannot prove cause and effect. The participants were not randomly assigned to treatment groups, and there was no placebo group. The sample size was also relatively small.
Despite these limitations, the study’s 14-15 year follow-up period was a significant advantage. The researchers plan for future studies to build upon their findings using randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
The study’s results align with the “geroscience hypothesis,” which posits that biological aging is malleable and can be slowed or prevented through therapeutic interventions. Further research in this area could lead to novel treatments and preventive measures, ultimately reducing damage caused by aging and increasing healthy lifespan.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/common-diabetes-drug-linked-to-exceptional-longevity-in-women