Barbara Hannah Grufferman recently welcomed, Dr. Margaret Nachtigall, to talk about metformin: what it is, what it does, and how it might help you age better. on her Gruff Talk podcast.

Some things you will learn about metformin during the discussion include:

What is metformin?  

Metformin is an oral medication commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by decreasing the amount of glucose (sugar) produced by the liver and also helps the body to respond better to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels.

What are some of the most common ‘off label’ uses for metformin?

Although metformin is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes, it has also been found to be effective in treating several other medical conditions. These uses are considered “off-label” because they are not approved by regulatory agencies such as the FDA for these specific conditions. Some of the most common off-label uses for metformin include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): Metformin can help regulate menstrual cycles and improve insulin resistance, which can reduce symptoms associated with PCOS, such as irregular periods, acne, and excessive hair growth.

Obesity: Metformin can help with weight loss by reducing appetite, increasing feelings of fullness, and reducing the absorption of carbohydrates in the gut.

Metabolic syndrome: Metformin can help improve insulin resistance, lower blood sugar levels, and reduce high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels associated with metabolic syndrome.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD): Metformin can improve liver function and reduce inflammation associated with NAFLD.

Cancer prevention and treatment: Some studies suggest that metformin may have anti-cancer properties and can help reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer.

Why are longevity researchers promoting metformin?

Longevity researchers are interested in metformin because of its potential to extend lifespan and improve healthspan, which is the length of time an individual remains healthy and free from chronic diseases. Metformin has been shown to activate a pathway called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a key role in regulating cellular metabolism and energy homeostasis. AMPK activation leads to a variety of effects that are beneficial for aging and age-related diseases, including improved insulin sensitivity, reduced inflammation, and increased autophagy, which is the process by which cells remove damaged proteins and organelles.

While more research is needed to fully understand the effects of metformin on lifespan and healthspan in humans, some longevity researchers are promoting metformin as a potential anti-aging drug. However, it’s important to note that metformin should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare provider and that more research is needed to determine its long-term safety and efficacy for anti-aging purposes.

Does metformin help reduce the severity of long covid?

There is some evidence to suggest that metformin may be helpful in reducing the severity of long COVID, although more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits. In fact, a new study, just released, showed that early treatment with metformin reduced the risk of long COVID among outpatients.

Metformin has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, and it may also have antiviral properties. Based on these effects, some researchers have proposed that metformin may be helpful in reducing the severity of long COVID symptoms.

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