A common diabetes drug, metformin, may help older women live to the age of 90, according to new research.
The study, published in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, analyzed data from postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Researchers found that those taking metformin had a 30% lower risk of dying before age 90 compared to those taking sulfonylurea.
Metformin, used for decades, is considered a gerotherapeutic-a drug that may slow aging processes. It has been shown to limit DNA damage and promote gene activity linked to longevity.
However, the study cannot prove cause and effect. It lacked a placebo group and a randomized controlled trial design. The results are specific to postmenopausal women 60 and older, so applicability to men and younger populations is unknown.
Strengths include a long follow-up period of 14 to 15 years, offering valuable insights into lifespan impacts.