From the Desk of Dr. Z: AgelessRx Co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Sajad Zalzala, offers his expert insights on longevity therapies. With years of experience and a deep commitment to disease prevention and extending healthy lifespans, Dr. Z provides advice on Metformin as a longevity therapy. In this post, he guides you through next steps if you’re not seeing immediate results with Metformin.
Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- How to assess Metformin tolerability
- When to consider alternative longevity therapies
- The long-term benefits of Metformin
- Exploring emerging research on Metformin’s effects
Metformin is widely recognized for its potential to support longevity, with promising research linking it to lower risks of age-related diseases like diabetes, certain cancers, and cognitive decline. However, the benefits of Metformin as a longevity therapy are subtle and may not produce immediately visible results.
If you’re using Metformin to support healthy aging, but aren’t noticing direct effects, it’s natural to question whether to continue. In this article, we’ll outline your next steps, including how to assess tolerability, explore alternatives, and understand the long-term benefits of Metformin.
Evaluate How Well You’re Tolerating Metformin
For a therapy that doesn’t yield immediate, visible effects, tolerability becomes a key factor. Since Metformin is designed to be a long-term therapy, its tolerability is crucial. If you tolerate Metformin well, it can be a valuable investment in your long-term health.
Most people experience minimal side effects, if they experience side effects at all. If you’re experiencing discomfort or other concerns, it’s important to address these so you can better notice benefits.
Some patients report mild gastrointestinal effects, which can often be minimized by taking Metformin with food. At higher doses, Metformin side effects may take longer to go away, or return if you increase your dose, but you can still minimize Metformin side effects with the right approach.
When to Consider Other Longevity Therapies
Not everyone tolerates Metformin well, and if you’re experiencing persistent side effects, it might be time to consider alternative therapies.
Discontinuing Metformin could open the door for other longevity treatments, such as Rapamycin or SGLT2 inhibitors like Canagliflozin.
- Rapamycin
Rapamycin is an emerging longevity therapy with potentially more pronounced anti-aging effects, working at the cellular level to support healthspan and resilience against age-related diseases. If Metformin doesn’t fit, Rapamycin may offer similar or even enhanced longevity benefits. - Canagliflozin
SGLT2 inhibitors like Canagliflozin are showing promise in supporting metabolic health and longevity. These therapies could offer additional options for those seeking alternatives to Metformin.
Commit to Learning More About Metformin’s Many Benefits
Metformin is one of the most studied medications, with robust evidence supporting its safety and long-term benefits. Metformin’s long-term impact on reducing age-related disease risks—such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and even cognitive decline—makes it worth continued use, even if you don’t notice immediate benefits.
Longevity therapies work subtly over time. Embracing a long-term approach can give you peace of mind that, even without daily “felt” benefits, Metformin is contributing positively to your overall health.
Besides its longevity benefits, Metformin has shown protective effects against viral illnesses, including COVID-19. Studies suggest it may reduce severity and even lower the risk of long COVID, offering valuable benefits for those focused on both long-term wellness and disease prevention.
Next Steps to Consider with Metformin for Longevity
- Evaluate Your Tolerability
Reflect on your own experience with Metformin. If it’s well-tolerated with few or no side effects, it could be beneficial to continue as a long-term strategy for healthy aging. - If Not Tolerated, Consider Alternatives
If you’re not tolerating Metformin, talk to your AgelessRx prescriber. It may be best to discontinue and consider alternatives like Rapamycin or SGLT2 inhibitors like Canagliflozin. - If Well Tolerated, Dive Deeper into Metformin’s Benefits
Familiarize yourself with the body of research on Metformin’s protective effects against age-related disease and its unique benefits for metabolic health and disease resilience, such as preventing age-related weight gain and offering protection against viral illnesses like COVID-19.
By taking these steps, you can make an informed choice on whether Metformin remains a good fit for your longevity goals. Remember, AgelessRx is here to guide you through each phase of your journey and help answer any questions about longevity therapy options.
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.