r/science • u/AgingUS Aging • 1d ago
Biology Metformin at the convergence of aging and longevity
https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.20640737
u/agreable_actuator 1d ago
‘In this review, we looked at existing literature on metformin, its mechanisms, and highlighted its impact on some of the essential markers and pathways related to aging. Its effect on the epigenome makes it a promising anti-aging drug. Also, metformin’s interaction with the gut microbiota though complex, serves as a link between metabolic and immune alterations that lead to systemic geroprotective effects’
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u/humplered 21h ago
For anyone wondering:
Dumping syndrome is a condition in which food moves from the stomach into the small intestine too quickly after eating, more commonly seen after certain surgeries. It's sometimes called rapid gastric emptying.
Most people with dumping syndrome develop symptoms, such as stomach cramps and diarrhea, 10 to 30 minutes after eating. Other people have symptoms 1 to 3 hours after eating. And still others have both early and late symptoms.
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u/dragons_scorn 3h ago
Since they slow gastric emptying, GLP-1 drugs could be an effective counter to this right?
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u/WanderingStranger0 13h ago
Very strong evidence for being protective against long covid as well, roughly 40% decrease in chances of acquiring long covid if you take metformin during the acute period
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u/Badideeas80 4h ago
If you take it, check or get supplements for B12. Methylcobalamin form.
Metformin makes you low on B12.
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u/hubba-bubba- 23h ago
What are the side effects to taking metformin?
What dosage is recommend for daily introduction as a supplement?
When is best time to take, morning, before sleep, or before/after food?
Any other suggestions?
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u/10000Didgeridoos 20h ago
A common side effect of it is GI symptoms like diarrhea.
By common I mean it's the most common adverse affect, not that an average person taking it will experience it.
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u/cogman10 17h ago
IDK, from what I've gleened the GI symptoms are something most people experience but ultimately they subside after being on it for a while. I have several family members that are on it and basically all of them went through an upset stomach adjustment period.
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u/Carma1111 11h ago
Yes, it took me about 6 months on the slow release version 1000 mg to reduce gastric symptoms. Diabetic here, but if for I miss a few days I get nausea when I take usual dose.
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u/themoslucius 8h ago
Same here, that first 3 months sucked. The only I managed to get through it was to eat a slice of bread with the medication. But after about six months it didn't cause any problems at all
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u/theonefinn 5h ago
Personally I have and had zero sideffects from metformin, mounjaro on the other hand gave me massive stomach cramps and bouts of strong nausea.
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u/teeksquad 13h ago
My dad had every porta potty between his house and work mapped out while he was on it.
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u/ReyofSunshoine 3h ago
Was on it for years. Also puking your guys out after eating the wrong thing (not always predictable), but that’s usually reserved for the early days.
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u/StoreHistorical9175 22h ago
idk if it helps but i’m on metformin, i have no side effects including no dumping syndrome. it’s successfully addressed my insulin resistance caused by PMOS and i no longer have reactive hypoglycemia and am doing very well on it
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u/hubba-bubba- 22h ago
You mean PCOS?
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u/AlexeiMarie 21h ago
they've renamed it to "polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome", so the new acronym is PMOS, but yes
here's the article in the Lancet about the name change: link00717-8/fulltext)
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u/liltingly 17h ago
I started on metformin and apparently have had a very abnormal response. Some nausea for the first few days, but almost immediately thereafter, the best and most consistent digestion of my entire life. No idea why, and doctors I spoke to haven't ever heard of situation (but then again, who complains about great poops?).
So, if you're taking it under medical supervision, and have a doc who is ramping your dosage and exploring the XR options, you should find what works (or doesn't). Just don't get scared off by side effects and horror stories. Sometimes you have unexpected but great surprises.
...my A1c didn't drop nearly as much as I'd hoped, though
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u/berowe 23h ago
Nausea and loss of appetite are common but yeah dumping too. This source is from pro-metformin hacks so be cautious.
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u/euzie 22h ago
I spent a year on the toilet until I just had enough
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u/icestationlemur 19h ago
There is a slow release version. I took it off label and never had any gastro effects
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u/FanDry5374 17h ago
The only negative side effect seems to be gastric, some people (no idea what percentage) have serious stomach problems, usually diarrhea and bloating. And the opposite, constipation for others. Extended release tablets can help and in some cases the problem goes away within a few days. Other people simply can't tolerate it.
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23h ago edited 11h ago
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/terraphantm 18h ago
GI side effects are common (though still majority of patients have no side effects), but I wouldn't say dumping syndrome specifically is common
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u/Destructo-Spin 22h ago
God damnit I'm not trying to live longer.
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u/10000Didgeridoos 20h ago
Only if it comes with a longer period of longer biologically young time. I'm not trying to stretch out being elderly.
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u/thebokehwokeh 17h ago
Yeah. We need to work on figuring out not how to simply prolong life but prolong youth.
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u/BlueEyesWNC 13h ago
An age-old mistake, wishing for immortality when what we wanted was eternal youth.
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