From: cleoabram
Metformin is a widely used and affordable medication [00:00:27] that has been effectively utilized by individuals with diabetes for decades [00:00:22]. Its primary purpose is to help control blood sugar levels [00:00:26].
Mechanism of Action in Diabetes
When food and drink are consumed, blood transports sugars to cells for use as fuel [00:03:43]. In individuals with diabetes, blood sugar levels can become excessively high [00:03:47]. Metformin works to help control these elevated blood sugar levels [00:03:50]. Extensive research on how metformin operates in people with diabetes dates back decades, even before the drug’s initial approval [00:03:52].
Impact on Mortality in Diabetic Patients
A significant UK study, involving approximately 180,000 individuals, examined the mortality rates across different groups [00:02:28]:
- People with diabetes taking metformin [00:02:36].
- People with diabetes taking other non-metformin drugs [00:02:40].
- People without diabetes who were not on any diabetes medication [00:02:44].
The study revealed that people with diabetes who were not taking metformin had double the mortality rate compared to those without diabetes [00:02:47].
Remarkably, individuals with diabetes who were on metformin, despite being more obese and sicker to begin with, exhibited less mortality than people without diabetes [00:02:54]. Dr. Nir Barzilai highlighted this finding as “HUGE,” noting that people with diabetes taking metformin died less than people without diabetes [00:03:08].
However, it is crucial to note that this was a retrospective study, meaning it looked back at past events and could not definitively prove that metformin caused the reduced mortality, only that there was a correlation [00:03:19].
Side Effects for Diabetic Patients
While the article primarily focuses on metformin as an anti-aging drug, it also touches upon potential side effects and considerations of metformin use that would apply to diabetic patients as well. Common side effects during the first week of use can include feeling full quickly (early satiety), an upset stomach, and diarrhea [00:06:07]. Metformin can also influence how the body responds to exercise, specifically affecting muscle growth; while exercise capacity will still increase, the muscle itself might not become as big [00:06:20].
Contrast with Anti-Aging Research
While Metformin is gaining popularity for its potential anti-aging benefits, particularly among wealthy individuals [00:00:31], it is important to distinguish this from its established use in diabetes. The research on metformin as an anti-aging drug is less understood in people without diabetes [00:03:56], and requires further study, such as the upcoming TAME study [00:04:36].