# Diabetes drug may slow aging **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 6, 2023, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647 "2023-05-06T00:22:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/21 "2023-05-06T04:57:30Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Although it’s been decades since I saw _Fame_, I never quite understood what all the fuss was about. Though people say it aged fairly well… Ironically, and sadly, [Irene Cara did not](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irene_Cara). ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/22 "2023-05-06T05:00:56Z")
I guess you’d have had to have seen the movie to know why. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/23 "2023-05-06T05:24:31Z")
Well that article was more about impaired response to aerobic exercise on cardiorespiratory fitness, mitochondrial adaptations, and whole body insulin sensitivity, (not mitochondrial protein synthesis or telomere length) but indeed Metformin also blunts muscle response to exercise in terms of both strength and hypertrophy. > **[Metformin Voids Benefits of Resistance Training](https://www.nad.com/news/muscle-fats-not-muscle-size-predict-physical-performance-gains-older-adults#)** > > Clinical study shows that older adults with more muscle fats respond better to resistance exercise, but this is negated by the anti-aging candidate metformin To be sure, most people are not availing themselves of that best and well documented set of longevity and healthspan interventions, and for those who do not Metformin _may_ be an alternative that brings other benefits than glucose control alone. Agreed that the definitive answer is years away. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/24 "2023-05-06T12:02:59Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > Metformin messes your stomach up for a good while when you start to take it, and they are huge horse pills. I take 4 of em a day. Ya just gotta be strong and have a will to survive to take it in the first place 😏 I take one 500mg extended release Metformin caplet twice per day and have for over a decade. I had exactly zero GI reaction to starting them. The caplets are the same size as the standard multivitamin + mineral supplement I take, and they’re _much_ smaller than the glucosamine/chondroitin supplement I also take twice daily which really is a “horse pill”. When I take my Metformin I generally eat a second similar sized capsule of something else in the same bite/swallow. Not so the glucosamine; that thing is eaten solo and with deliberate attention paid since it’s big enough to get jammed in my throat. I’m not disputing your experience. I am suggesting it may not be as universal as your post made me think you think it is. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/25 "2023-05-06T14:04:22Z")
Just to get a sense of the numbers that get significant gastrointestinal distress - 53 total in that first linked study, 27 in the Metformin group: > [@](#): > > All participants were metformin naïve. The dose was decreased from 2,000 to 1,500 mg/day in 11 participants who reported gastrointestinal discomfort (placebo _n_ = 3; metformin _n_ = 8) 8 out of 27 compared to 3 out of 26 in placebo. A significant minority and significantly more than placebo, but most tolerate it fine. That said diarrhea officially happens more than half. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/26 "2023-05-06T14:50:27Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m not disputing your experience. I am suggesting it may not be as universal as your post made me think you think it is. Thank you for the correction of my joke you are an exceptional human and I hope to learn more from you. 👍 ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/27 "2023-05-06T15:27:21Z")
Yes. If you are doing exercise with the potential to build muscle, such as weightlifting using over 50% of your maximal capability, it is helpful to eat 30-50 grams of sugar (preferably just glucose or maltodextrin) just before or during the workout to raise insulin levels and build more muscle. I try to save my sugar cravings for these times. Standard Gatorade bottles contains 35 grams.or so, but there are tastier things. It should be noted being big in itself and very high levels of strength training are _not_ correlated with longevity. Since metformin is usually taken twice daily, if taking a small dose for potential anti-aging benefit one might want to take it well before exercising or on days off. However, this is not an approved use and cannot be recommended at this time without more research. And not everyone should be taking metformin, which requires healthy fairly kidneys and testing to confirm this… ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/28 "2023-05-06T19:40:49Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > If you are doing exercise with the potential to build muscle, such as weightlifting using over 50% of your maximal capability, it is helpful to eat 30-50 grams of sugar (preferably just glucose or maltodextrin) just before or during the workout to raise insulin levels and build more muscle. I don’t want to hijack this thread, but do you have any studies that support the contention that raising insulin at the time of workout builds more muscle? My understanding is that the period of weight training and immediately afterwards is mostly the body dealing with muscle breakdown from the activity and that the synthesis, the growth, occurs over multiple hours later. If correct then an insulin spike that minute will be at best irrelevant, and possibly counterproductive - as it will trigger counterregulatory responses and have less insulin around when that synthesis actually needs it. Plus maltodextin is a hyperprocessed product, associated with negative gut microbiome impacts. That said I get that the sugar high may translate into better and more intense performance … > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > It should be noted being big in itself and very high levels of strength training are _not_ correlated with longevity. As we have discussed in your weight training thread, _modest_ amounts of strength training, such as an hour a week, especially added to aerobic exercise as a base, is of major benefit, but much beyond that benefits reduce and even become negative, likely at the levels associated with significantly “big in itself”, and “very high levels of strength”. But pertinent to the use of metformin as a possible means to increase longevity and healthspan - the cellular changes of adapting to the progressive demands of that modest amount of strength training (and aerobic conditioning) that are likely the basis of their great efficacy in promoting both longevity and healthspan, may be blunted by metformin. > [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Since metformin is usually taken twice daily, if taking a small dose for potential anti-aging benefit one might want to take it well before exercising or on days off. However, this is not an approved use and cannot be recommended at this time without more research. Not sure how much good that would do? Again, the work of cellular responses, the adaptations, to exercise happen not just the following few hours but the next 24 to 36 hours. Meanwhile the [pharmacokinetics of metformin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin#Pharmacokinetics) is complex - with distribution into various tissue stores: > [@](#): > > The average [elimination half-life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_half-life) in plasma is 6.2 hours.[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin#cite_note-Glucophage_PI-7) Metformin is distributed to (and appears to accumulate in) [red blood cells](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_blood_cell), with a much longer elimination half-life: 17.6 hours[[7]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin#cite_note-Glucophage_PI-7) (reported as ranging from 18.5 to 31.5 hours in a single-dose study of nondiabetics).[[125]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin#cite_note-Robert-125) > > Some evidence indicates that liver concentrations of metformin in humans may be two to three times higher than plasma concentrations, due to [portal vein](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal_vein) absorption and first-pass uptake by the liver in oral administration.[[115]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metformin#cite_note-:12-115) Not sure when would be best to dose to avoid it overlapping significantly with the period of time when the greatest cellular adaptations are occurring. Seriously, those looking for the most effective fountain of youth are best looking at exercise (aerobic and strength training both) and a healthy pattern of nutrition that eschews hyperprocessed foods and includes lots of plants, legumes inclusive. If one drinks from that fountain then metformin _may_ interfere with the magic. If one is not drinking from there _then_ it is possible that metformin _may_ gain some of the benefit for you. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/29 "2023-05-06T21:30:23Z")
I don’t think enough is known about metformin to recommend it for longevity. As for periworkout nutrition, recommending both glucose and protein, some evidence is here, with a second link in plainer language. > **[Protein timing and its effects on muscular hypertrophy and strength in...](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3529694/)** > > The purpose of this review was to determine whether past research provides conclusive evidence about the effects of type and timing of ingestion of specific sources of protein by those engaged in resistance weight training. Two essential,... > **[Why Protein Alone Isn't Enough: The Need for Glucose When Working Out |...](https://www.livestrong.com/article/434913-the-benefits-of-glucose-when-working-out/)** > > Glucose is a simple sugar that provides you with energy. Glucose helps fuel your workouts and works with protein to build muscle. For a workout energy boost, consume glucose 30 to 60 minutes before exercising. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2023, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/30 "2023-05-06T23:37:50Z")
Ah. Not the place to go into the timing and type of protein morass (leave it that I read good reviews come to different conclusions from each other), but I will note that the few sentences in that review about glucose with protein are given citations to articles about milk? ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/31 "2023-05-07T00:25:01Z")
It’s not an academic journal, but John Berardi is an expert with a PhD in sports nutrition, has consulted with thousands of athletes and trainers and written decent textbooks. He is a power lifter. Here’s his detailed take from his company. > **[Workout nutrition explained. What to eat before, during, and after exercise....](https://www.precisionnutrition.com/workout-nutrition-explained)** > > We all know that what you eat is important. But what about when you eat? In this article, we'll review the evidence on workout nutrition and give you practical recommendations for what to eat before, during, and after exercise. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/32 "2023-05-07T00:33:03Z")
I knew my bad habits would bear fruit some day! ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/33 "2023-05-07T00:34:14Z")
" \* if you’re exercising for general health and fitness; - if your goals are more modest; and/or - you don’t have unique physiological needs… …then **you _probably don’t need any particular workout nutrition strategies_.**" All I need to know. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/34 "2023-05-07T01:36:43Z")
He’s honest about it. And he was the guy who popularized the idea of nutrient timing. But it is an advanced strategy. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/35 "2023-05-07T04:40:25Z")
And interestingly his take is > [@](#): > > Contrary to popular belief, it’s unnecessary to stuff yourself with refined carbohydrates and sugars to “spike” insulin and theoretically restore muscle and liver glycogen as rapidly as possible after your workout. > > In fact, a blend of minimally processed whole food carbohydrates, along with some fruit (to better restore or maintain liver glycogen) is actually a better choice ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/36 "2023-05-07T04:49:52Z")
True, but this is dependent on eating a balanced meal 1-2 hours before exercise, which may not be possible depending on when ones work or preferred exercise time. Also, one might prioritize recovery. And goals may include trying to maximize muscle. But it is true there are alternatives to sports drinks and glucose supplementation. However, if you are going to take some glucose anyway, time it for when it can be used to build muscle and not get stored as fat. Anyway, as stated: _But what about sports drinks? They don’t offer much benefit for events less than two hours long. Especially if you ate a good pre-exercise meal._ _There are some exceptions, though._ 1. If you’re exercising **in the heat and sweating a lot** , sports drinks may be useful since they have electrolytes that help speed hydration and recovery. 2. Also, if you’re going to be **competing or training again in less than eight hours** , sports drinks may jumpstart recovery before the next session. 3. If you’re **trying to gain maximum muscle** , then including a protein and carbohydrate drink or some EAAs during training could provide a small advantage. 4. Finally, **at the highest end of sport or competition** , while it may not help, it certainly won’t hurt to sip on a sports drink during competition to ensure maximal hydration and energy supply. **Exercise lasting more than two hours** For training that is longer than two hours, sports drinks can be a huge help. Every hour you’ll want to consume: - 15 grams protein - 30-45 grams carbs ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/37 "2023-05-07T12:40:29Z")
Anyway, metformin’s potential impact on diseases of aging overall is definitely interesting and worth following. It may end being of some benefit to some _and_ it may be of negative impact to some others. The story will be many more years in the telling. Meanwhile, again, healthy nutritional patterns and exercise work. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/38 "2023-05-07T14:38:09Z")
I agree. As an aside, CNN had this article suggesting milk, juice, soda and tea are all more hydrating than sports drinks and water. > **[Which drink is best for hydration? Hint: It isn't water | CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/25/health/best-drinks-for-hydration-wellness/index.html)** > > When you're thirsty and in need of a drink, which beverages are best at keeping you hydrated? Find out. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/39 "2023-05-07T19:52:37Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I take one 500mg extended release Metformin caplet twice per day and have for over a decade. There is a non-extended release version of metformin that is notorious for causing nasty GI problems, so other people have had different experiences with it. I’m not sure why doctors even still prescribe it. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647/40 "2023-05-07T21:20:54Z")
> [@MagicEyes](#): > > I’m not sure why doctors even still prescribe it. because it’s cheap and very effective and most patients stop having the gi side effects after a bit. the long acting formula is often not covered by a lot of insurance plans, sadly. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/diabetes-drug-may-slow-aging/983647.md?page=3)