Metformin and anti-aging

[jules2929]

I have been reading about Metformin as a possible anti-cancer and anti-aging drug. Is anyone taking this medication with this in mind? If so, what has been your experience? How is it best used, if at all?

56 Female in pretty good health. Have a 13 year old, still have a lot a head of me.

Thx

[Activity2004 Administrator]

Hi jules2929 ,

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Thank you for introducing yourself.

Has your doctor suggested that you start taking Metformin?

[clivealive]

Hi jules2929 I'm on Metformin for Type 2 diabetes and the only thing I can say is that it can have an adverse effect on Vitamin B12 absorption

I am not a medically trained person and I wish you well

[Catmad10]

I’m taking Metformin and looking in the mirror I can categorically state that any anti ageing doesn’t work on me.

[Reykua]

Yes, you're right. I saw this report, read or heard about it fairly recently.

I have been on Metformin since 2011 and cannot say it's helped me to feel any younger.

However, I have it on good authority that many doctors in America and on the continent do Not prescribe Metformin as a first line drug for Diabetes 2 - can't recall the reasons why so will have to go back and check.

This led me to think that perhaps the report was a way to 'promote' the drug, not just to patients but to health professionals as well.

I'm also aware that some obese gestational mothers are prescribed the drug to enable them to 'keep their weight down'.

[JeffMett]

Hi jules, I've been taking it for about 10 years and I don't think I look any younger and I certainly don't feel it but I'm not a medical expert.

[drhanish]

I am a 62 year old doctor and a diabetic on Metformin for last 15 years. I have only good experience with metformin and can definitely say that majority of my patients benefit from its multifaceted effects on carbohydrate metabolism. It is a wonderful drug with very few side effects( a few get diarrhea after taking it, this usually settles down after a few weeks.) and economic at the same time. It is a life long medication for Type 2 Diabetes. It is also very useful for weight reduction and combating the metabolic syndrome and some other endocrine disturbances. Antiaging properties of metformin is related to its action on insulin resistance and effects on the metabolic syndrome.

It is also useful to remember that just taking metformin will not make you look any younger! Nutritional, psychological, genetic and environmental factors along with regular exercise and proper rest also play important roles in the aging process.

See this article for details:

sciencedirect.com/science/a...

Hope this helps!

Dr Hanish Babu, MD

[weee]

Indeed - I have read some reports which state that metformin may have anticancer and anti aging properties. I take it to keep on top of my type 2 and I tolerate it well. if it does indeed have these added effects its a bonus..

[Pigivi]

you can look younger by intermittent fasting and time restricted eating (i.e. eat in a 8 hours window, don't eat anything for 16 hours) - no need for meds if you're not diabetic (I'm T2 - revesed - diet controlled, no meds , regular intermittent fasting and low carbs, everyone I meet thinks I look 10 years younger than before starting IF...) )