What metformin is
Metformin is a first-line, low-cost medication for type 2 diabetes that lowers blood glucose mainly by reducing the liver's glucose output and improving insulin sensitivity. It has decades of safety data.
Why it matters for longevity
Observational data once suggested some diabetics on metformin outlived non-diabetics, sparking interest in it as a “geroprotector” that influences nutrient-sensing pathways related to mTOR and AMPK. The proposed TAME (Targeting Aging with Metformin) trial is designed to test whether it delays age-related disease.
What the evidence shows
For diabetes the benefit is established. For *longevity in healthy people* the evidence is Emerging and contested — some studies even suggest it may blunt the gains from exercise. No completed trial shows metformin extends healthy human lifespan.
What to ask a clinic
Off-label metformin for longevity is a medical decision: discuss your metabolic profile, vitamin B12 monitoring, GI side-effects, and the (currently unproven) rationale with a clinician.