
From the Desk of Dr. Z: AgelessRx Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sajad Zalzala offers his insightful perspective on topics related to longevity. With a wealth of experience and a deep-seated passion for disease prevention and extending healthy lifespans, Dr. Z is dedicated to sharing his knowledge on the secrets to longevity. Today, he shares his knowledge on Metformin and brain aging, as he discusses the latest research, which reinforces Metformin’s status as a geroprotective agent.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- The latest research on Metformin
- How Metformin could slow brain aging
- Why some scientists criticize Metformin
- How Metformin is a reliable longevity tool
Few drugs have garnered as much attention as Metformin. Originally developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes, Metformin has since been hailed for its potential to slow aging and promote a longer, healthier life.
However, the longevity community remains divided on its efficacy, especially after some studies failed to show significant lifespan extension. Despite the skepticism, a 2024 study in monkeys provides new hope for Metformin as a geroprotective drug. In fact, this latest research reinforces the growing body of evidence supporting Metformin and its potentially profound health benefits.
Can Metformin Slow Brain Aging?
A recent 2024 study offers some of the most compelling data yet on Metformin’s healthy aging effects. This study stands out for its test subjects: male cynomolgus monkeys, which are much closer to humans in evolutionary terms than the mice traditionally used in longevity research.
Over a period of 40 months, researchers observed that Metformin slowed the biological aging process in multiple tissues, particularly in the brain, where it may reduce neurodegeneration and improve cognitive health.
Using advanced multi-omics approaches—including DNA methylation, proteomics, and transcriptomics—the researchers developed innovative biological aging clocks for monkeys to track how Metformin influenced aging.The data revealed that Metformin-treated monkeys had slower biological aging in multiple tissues, including the lung, kidney, liver, and the brain.
The monkeys taking Metformin daily showed less cognitive decline, preserved brain structure, and even enhanced cognitive abilities, especially in the prefrontal cortex, an area essential for decision-making and memory. Compared to monkeys in the placebo group, treated monkeys showed neuronal activity that resembled that of a monkey about six years younger.
These findings suggest that Metformin could help protect against age-related neurodegenerative diseases, making it a promising candidate for improving healthspan—the period of life spent free from debilitating diseases.
Other Cognitive Benefits of Metformin
Though this study marks a compelling new high point for Metformin, other studies have also hinted at the wider cognitive benefits of Metformin.
A 2022 study showed that Metformin may reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia in people with type 2 diabetes. These results echoed a larger 2014 study that tested “nondemented, nondiabetic” patients aged 65 or older over a span of 5 years.
Though we need more studies to confirm these results in healthy humans, the evidence seems to strongly suggest that Metformin can slow brain aging and reduce our risk of cognitive decline.
In fact, Metformin may help improve multiple healthspan metrics in humans beyond cognitive benefits, including improved cardiovascular and immune function, healthy weight loss, and decreased frailty, among others.
Why the Doubts?
One of the biggest breakthroughs in Metformin research came when a 2014 UK study revealed that diabetics on Metformin lived longer than non-diabetics not taking the drug. This was a landmark finding, as healthcare experts typically associate diabetes with shorter lifespans.
However, this study faced criticism from longevity expert Peter Attia, who argued that the Metformin group was likely benefiting from additional medications commonly prescribed to diabetics.
While this is a valid critique, it also highlights something significant: Metformin may work synergistically with other medications, enhancing their protective effects. This possibility suggests that Metformin could be part of a broader strategy for reducing the burden of chronic diseases as we age.
Metformin also faces criticism for its mixed results in animal studies. For example, the Interventions Testing Program (ITP) showed no lifespan extension in mice, but other studies in worms have shown longevity benefits. As the recent monkey study suggests, however, Metformin’s benefits may be more about improving healthspan rather than simply extending lifespan.
Another reason for doubt is Metformin’s original status as a diabetes medication. Some researchers argue that it may not be as effective for people without metabolic conditions. Yet, the accumulating data—including the monkey study—suggests that Metformin may be doing more than just lowering blood sugar: Metformin seems to also affect multiple pathways associated with aging, such as inflammation, oxidative stress, and cellular senescence.
Metformin’s Place in the Longevity Toolkit
The ongoing debate around Metformin underscores a larger question in longevity research: should we prioritize interventions that extend lifespan or those that improve healthspan? Metformin may not add decades to your life, but the data increasingly suggests that it can help you stay healthier for longer—particularly by reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, arthritis, macular degeneration, and severe infections.
As researchers continue to learn more about Metformin’s effects, it’s clear that this drug still holds significant promise. While no single intervention can solve all the complexities of aging, Metformin remains a strong candidate for those seeking to enhance their healthspan and reduce the burden of age-related diseases. With further research in human clinical trials, we may uncover even more ways this humble diabetes drug can benefit longevity.
For those interested in exploring the latest breakthroughs in longevity science, stay tuned to AgelessRx for more updates. For more information on metformin and its potential role in longevity, subscribe to AgelessRx’s newsletter and stay updated on the latest research!
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.