Metformin is an oral prescription drug commonly used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes. Recent studies have revealed potential health benefits of the drug, including fighting cancer and obesity, and improving the health of people with liver, kidney, and cardiovascular diseases. Some experts suggest that metformin may increase healthy life years and even extend lifespan. This Special Feature explores how metformin might boost the health span and considers its potential as an anti-aging treatment. Type 2 diabetes affects millions of people globally, leading to life-threatening health complications if not properly managed.
Approved by the FDA in 1994, metformin is used to treat raised blood glucose in individuals with type 2 diabetes when combined with diet and exercise. It helps control blood sugar levels and is available in immediate release and extended release forms. Metformin belongs to a class of drugs called biguanides that have been used for over 70 years to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by helping the body respond to insulin and decreasing sugar production in the liver. Metformin is also used to manage polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), another hormonal disorder affecting women.
Studies have suggested that metformin has various health benefits beyond glycemic control. It has been associated with anti-cancer properties, obesity management, cardiovascular and nervous system protection, and even potential anti-aging effects. The Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) trial aims to enroll more than 3,000 individuals aged 65-79 to investigate whether metformin delays the development or progression of age-related chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and dementia. As health spans have not increased with lifespans due to multiple chronic diseases in older adults, metformin’s potential as an anti-aging intervention is of significant interest.
Metformin has shown promise in increasing lifespan in animal studies involving nematode worms and mice, where it increased healthspan and delayed age-related diseases. In people with type 2 diabetes, metformin has been found to improve age-related conditions, further supporting its potential anti-aging effects. The drug activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and autophagy, processes that may explain its anti-aging properties. Metformin helps reduce oxidative stress by controlling blood sugar levels, preventing the production of excess free radicals that can lead to various age-related conditions.
The TAME trial aims to evaluate metformin’s effects on overall aging and explore the possibility of gaining FDA approval for the drug as an anti-aging treatment. While metformin may have side effects, such as stomach upset and diarrhea, the potential benefits of promoting healthy aging and reducing age-related disease burden are significant. If trials like TAME demonstrate positive outcomes, metformin could become a groundbreaking intervention for healthy aging. Under the supervision of a prescribing doctor, metformin could potentially help older individuals remain healthy for longer at a lower cost. Further studies and trials are needed to fully understand metformin’s effects on aging and its potential as an anti-aging intervention.