A decades-old diabetes drug, metformin, may significantly increase the chances of women living to age 90 or beyond, according to new research published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences. The study analyzed data from a long-term US study of postmenopausal women, showing those on metformin had a 30% lower risk of death before reaching 90 than those treated with sulfonylurea, another common diabetes medication.
The Study’s Key Findings
Researchers from the US and Germany examined records from 438 women—219 taking metformin and 219 on sulfonylurea. While not definitive proof, the findings suggest metformin’s anti-aging effects may play a crucial role in extending exceptional longevity. This isn’t merely about diabetes management; metformin is increasingly seen as a gerotherapeutic – a drug that can actively slow down aging processes.
Why This Matters: The Science of Aging
The growing interest in metformin as an anti-aging treatment stems from its ability to target multiple biological pathways linked to aging. It has demonstrated the ability to reduce DNA damage, promote beneficial gene activity, and even mitigate the effects of long COVID and brain wear-and-tear. The broader context is that global populations are aging, and the search for ways to maintain health longer is intensifying. The geroscience hypothesis – the idea that aging is malleable and can be slowed – underpins this research.
Caveats and Future Research
The study, while promising, isn’t without limitations. It relied on existing treatment assignments (participants weren’t randomly given metformin or sulfonylurea), meaning it can’t definitively prove cause and effect like a randomized controlled trial (RCT) could. The sample size was also relatively small, and there was no placebo group.
However, the study’s 14- to 15-year follow-up period – far longer than most RCTs – provides valuable insight into the long-term effects of metformin. The researchers emphasize that further RCTs are needed to confirm these results. Despite this, the findings strengthen the case for exploring metformin as a potential tool for extending human lifespan and reducing age-related diseases.
Conclusion
This research reinforces the growing body of evidence suggesting that biological aging isn’t fixed. Metformin shows promise as an intervention that may not just treat diabetes, but also extend healthy longevity in women. As the world’s population ages, understanding interventions like this becomes increasingly vital.
