Metformin's monkey miracle?
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Did you hear about those monkeys that took metformin and de-aged their brains by 6 years?!
A September 2024 study published in Cell has the longevity community going bananas! Metformin, an inexpensive, generic diabetes drug, has been discussed within the longevity community for years due to its potential anti-aging benefits. This recent study in primates, our closest animal relatives, adds one more notch to metformin’s metaphorical belt.
In a rigorous 40-month study, researchers gave adult monkeys daily doses of metformin to evaluate the drug’s effects on aging. Here’s what they found.
Key findings
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Brain age reversal. The study showed a significant slowing of aging indicators, with an astonishing 6-year regression in brain aging. They saw preserved brain structure and enhanced cognitive function in the metformin-treated group.
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Multi-organ effects. Metformin slowed the aging rate in multiple organs, including the kidneys, lungs, and skin, by as much as 4.9 years.
- Cellular defense. Metformin activated Nrf2, a protein known for its anti-oxidative properties. This activation is the key to the drug’s neuroprotective effects.
Why this matters
We're inching closer to potential human applications for combating age-related decline by demonstrating metformin's effectiveness in primates.
Berberine: A natural alternative
While metformin's results are exciting, it's worth noting that berberine, a natural compound, has shown similar promise in longevity research. Although not directly studied in this Cell paper, berberine is known to:
- Activate Nrf2, the anti-oxidative protein responsible for metformin’s brain effects
- Improve insulin sensitivity and glucose levels
- Possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
Many of these mechanisms mirror metformin's actions, making berberine (or HOP Box’s better tolerated, more bioavailable dihydroberberine) an intriguing natural alternative for those interested in longevity.
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