Belonging to a family of medications called biguanides. Metformin is the generic name of the drug.

It is the first choice of medication prescribed by doctors for type 2 diabetes and

pre-diabetes, risk factors for developing heart disease, stroke, and other serious medical conditions.

It has been in use since the late 1950’s and is considered to be a very safe drug with little in the way of side effects.

Currently there is a major ongoing clinical trial known as The Targeting Ageing with Metformin (TAME) Trial. This is a six-year clinical trial involving over 3,000 individuals.

It is also widely regarded as a ‘wonder drug’ because of its many modes of action:

It improves insulin sensitivity and metabolism and helps with weight maintenance.

It appears to have strong senomorphic properties making senescent cells less aggressive.

It improves the gut microbiome and therefore helps the immune system.

It decreases inflammatory markers.

It improves bone mineralisation, a modest 7% increase in tissue mineral density is associated with a three-fold increase in bone stiffness and a doubling in breaking strength.

Benefits:

Reduction of osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

Reduction of coronary heart disease.

Potential effect in reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Reduces fatty liver disease.

Risks:

Some people may get mild gastrointestinal upset.

Very rare accumulation of lactic acid in people with underlying kidney or liver disease.

To find out more about our Anti-Ageing treatments and Preventative Health Assessments, you can book a preliminary consultation with one of our practitioners here or alternatively call 020 7935 4357.

The post The Science (not Fiction) around Ageing:  Metformin appeared first on Dr Sophia Khalique.