What is the Longevity Pill? Does it mean something for aging?

 

A pill that makes your life longer has always seemed hypothetical and fictional. But do you know, something called the Longevity Pill exists for real? This 4-minute read throws light on how effectively such substances can slow aging and the associated challenges. Also read the signs you could live past 100.

What's with this slow-aging pill?

The Longevity Pill

An anti-aging researcher, Dr. Nir Barzilai, has been working on solidifying the concept of the Longevity pill. He works at the Albert Einstein College (US), apart from the Human Aging Research Center in Israel. 

After exhaustive research of the last three decades, he researched Metformin, a drug. It's for the treatment of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. However, later what Barzilai discovered turned out to be phenomenal. 

Metformin and health:

He noticed that patients who took Metformin as a treatment for diabetes experienced a longer and healthier life. In addition, their likelihood of suffering from disorders reduced significantly.

Dr. Barzilai is planning to conduct a nationwide study on 3000 healthy seniors. He believes that Metformin delays and prevents age-related diseases like cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. 

Why focus on anti-aging?

In an interview, he said that the target of anti-aging studies is ultimately to prevent ailments. These diseases emerge as we age, and if there is a Longevity Pill indeed, it can dramatically help. 

The TAME Trial:

TAME stands for Targeting Aging with Metformin. This trial is a series of six-year clinical trials conducted nationwide. Fourteen leading research institutions across the US. Three thousand volunteers from the ages of 65-79 are ready for the TAME trial.

What is the aim?

This test aims at testing whether taking Metformin delays the progression or development of age-related ailments. The diseases include chronic ones like dementia, cancers, and heart disorders. Dr. Barzilai is managing these experiments. 

Why Metformin?

It is an FDA-approved drug that has been successfully treating Type 2 diabetes for sixty years. Animal trials of Metformin have shown a significant delay in aging. Since fundamental aging factors lead to diseases in human bodies, this drug influences them. 

While there are other anti-aging drugs in the queue, TAME's focus is on Metformin. It's because the Geroscience Network (NIH-funded) has recommended it as a potential longevity pill. Further, it's believed to cut health care costs dramatically and is safe. 

Proving Aging is Treatable:

Like other diseases are treated, one can control aging as well. The TAME trial aims at establishing a clinical trial. It will provide proof of the concept. Everyone would want to age healthily. And this longevity pill hopes to do that. 

How can the Longevity Pill help?

Studies show that Metformin may even influence cellular and metabolic processes. As a result, it may prevent all the conditions that develop in our bodies as we age. In short, drugs like Metformin supposedly delay the onset of major ailments in humans too.

The story of Metformin:

According to an expert of the Louisiana State University, the story of this longevity pill is getting bigger. He stated it in an interview with Endocrine Today. 

The effects of Metformin over the past five years have extended beyond glucose-lowering. Its effects on oxidative stress and inflammation tell a new tale altogether. But first, let's time-travel to its origin.

History:

In the 1600s, the roots of a French Lilac plant began to be used as a medicine. Diabetes didn't receive a name back in the day, but the plant was used for similar ailments. 

The plant is also called Goat's rue. Later, scientists researched these roots and termed them Metformin. Over time, they were converted into pills for public use. 

Benefits of the Longevity Pill:

Apart from all the other perks of this medicine, there's one- diabetes. The sugar your body absorbs from food goes down significantly with these pills of Metformin.

If the chronic damage caused due to inflammation is reduced, you can prevent aging and diseases like cancer. Animal and small cell studies have shown bright results about delaying aging with Metformin. There's a neuroprotective role of this pill as it controls age-related diseases. 

Barzilai's take on Metformin:

Dr. Barzilai has repeatedly mentioned that his interest is not to use Metformin as a substance to delay aging. Neither does he want to prove that. In an interview, he said that one could target aging with many other drugs. The life span of mice extends by 24% with Rapamycin. It's not the story of a longer life span. It is that of a healthier one. 

Can there be any side effects?

As much as Metformin is capable of slowing down aging, there are cons associated. Some of the probable side effects of this longevity pill may include muscle pain, dizziness, gas, bloating, constipation, weight loss, and diarrhea. But, these are yet to be studied better.You may also refer to this article by Aging Healthy Today on long term side effects of Melatonin.

Conclusion:

Even though the Metformin research is geared towards the long haul, there's support. Google and Amazon CEOs have invested in the study, and that's a good sign for the US. Best of all, Metformin costs just five cents per pill. So, if the tests turn successful, the Longevity Pill would radically improve the health of millions eventually.