Metformin
metformin
A biguanide with metabolic effects and a hypothesised geroprotective action.
Grade
B
Moderate
- Class
- Glucose metabolism
- Primary use
- Insulin sensitivity / metabolism
- Evidence strength
- medium
- Last reviewed
- 2025-09-01
The claim
A biguanide with metabolic effects and a hypothesised geroprotective action.
What the evidence says
Solid in diabetes; the 'anti-aging' hypothesis in non-diabetics is the subject of the TAME trial, not yet concluded. Geroprotective evidence in humans is not demonstrated.
Key studies
- [1]
Mechanism
AMPK activation, reduced hepatic gluconeogenesis; hypotheses on mTOR and inflammation.
Safety
Prescription drug, known profile; common GI upset, rare lactic acidosis.
Dosage context
Clinical dosing for diabetes; no validated longevity protocol.
From the field
We wait for TAME before moving the grade: today the human geroprotective proof isn't there.