DIABETIC DRUG METFORMIN SLOWS AGING.
Diabetic Drug Metformin Slows Aging: Study
Tuesday, 03 Jun 2014
By Nick Tate
•
The world's most widely used anti-diabetic drug, metformin, has been shown to slow aging and increase lifespan.
In a new study reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Belgian researchers determined the drug boosts oxygen levels in cells, which in turn increases their vitality and longevity.
The findings, by Belgian doctoral researcher Wouter De Haes, are based on laboratory studies involving roundworms, but investigators believe the mechanisms may be the same for human cells.
"As they age, the worms get smaller, wrinkle up, and become less mobile. But worms treated with metformin show very limited size loss and no wrinkling. They not only age slower, but they also stay healthier longer," said De Haes. "While we should be careful not to over-extrapolate our findings to humans, the study is promising as a foundation for future research."
Other studies involving human patients have shown that metformin suppresses some cancers and heart disease.
De Haes explained that mitochondria — the tiny energy factories in cells — provide the body's cells with energy. Highly reactive oxygen molecules are produced as a byproduct of this process. While high levels of these molecules can damage proteins and DNA, a small dose can actually do the cell good, the new study shows.
"As long as the amount of harmful oxygen molecules released in the cell remains small, it has a positive long-term effect on the cell. Cells use the reactive oxygen particles to their advantage before they can do any damage," said De Haes.
"We found that this makes cells stronger and extends their healthy lifespan." more
Tuesday, 03 Jun 2014
By Nick Tate
•
The world's most widely used anti-diabetic drug, metformin, has been shown to slow aging and increase lifespan.
In a new study reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Belgian researchers determined the drug boosts oxygen levels in cells, which in turn increases their vitality and longevity.
The findings, by Belgian doctoral researcher Wouter De Haes, are based on laboratory studies involving roundworms, but investigators believe the mechanisms may be the same for human cells.
"As they age, the worms get smaller, wrinkle up, and become less mobile. But worms treated with metformin show very limited size loss and no wrinkling. They not only age slower, but they also stay healthier longer," said De Haes. "While we should be careful not to over-extrapolate our findings to humans, the study is promising as a foundation for future research."
Other studies involving human patients have shown that metformin suppresses some cancers and heart disease.
De Haes explained that mitochondria — the tiny energy factories in cells — provide the body's cells with energy. Highly reactive oxygen molecules are produced as a byproduct of this process. While high levels of these molecules can damage proteins and DNA, a small dose can actually do the cell good, the new study shows.
"As long as the amount of harmful oxygen molecules released in the cell remains small, it has a positive long-term effect on the cell. Cells use the reactive oxygen particles to their advantage before they can do any damage," said De Haes.
"We found that this makes cells stronger and extends their healthy lifespan." more
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The result of breathing elevated partial pressures of oxygen is hyperoxia, an excess of oxygen in body tissues. The body is affected in different ways depending on the type of exposure. Central nervous system toxicity is caused by short exposure to high partial pressures of oxygen at greater than atmospheric pressure. Pulmonary and ocular toxicity result from longer exposure to elevated oxygen levels at normal pressure. Symptoms may include disorientation, breathing problems, and vision changes such as myopia. Prolonged exposure to above-normal oxygen partial pressures, or shorter exposures to very high partial pressures, can cause oxidative damage to cell membranes, the collapse of the alveoli in the lungs, retinal detachment, and seizures. more
Jun 07
Thank you for sharing- I liked the excerpts from the study- made me think about oxygen and its benefits if taken in limited quantities. If anyone here can point me to a link on harmful oxygen I would be very grateful. I sense that I should not overdo even deep breathing exercises- but the response of traditional deep breathers is very dismissive. And that is why I am writing on this group where so many self educating people seem to be vocal, instead of traditional specialists. more
Jun 07
