Aging could be slowed
(Mirror Daily, United States) – Living to 120 years old may not be just a fantasy, as a diabetes drug was found to have anti-aging effects, which could effectively prolong lifespan. It’s perhaps not as spectacular as find ‘The Fountain of Youth’, but it could be an unbelievable achievement. It will not only prolong the lives of humans, but also make certain diseases disappear.
Metformin is an oral medicine that is commonly prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes. It’s successfully used to control their blood sugar. However, it may also have helpful effects that could be very sought-after for most people. According to a previous study performed by researchers at Cardiff University, patients taking metformin lived longer than those who didn’t even have diabetes. In fact, they lived 8 years longer than estimated.
This has led to Belgian scientists to perform trials on roundworms. The results proved to be very encouraging, as the worms were able to live longer and stay healthier through time. Taking the drug prolonged their life by 40%. It prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve a trial on humans of metformin, studying its effects against aging. If it turns out successful, it could be a groundbreaking revelation after decades studying the process.
The breakthrough could making living up to 100 years old easy, as it’s expected to stretch the lifetime of an average human to 120 years old. It could lead to life-threatening conditions, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to become a thing of the past. By slowing down the aging process, these diseases could be slowed down as well. It would allow for a longer and healthier life.
According to Gordon Lithgow from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, 25 years ago, the thought of slowing down the aging process was inconceivable. Now, it’s possible, and it’s actually approved for human trials. Even more, it was found to become likely through a diabetes pill that costs less than $1. There is every reason this could be possible, as stated by Lithgow.
Human trials will officially begin at some point in 2016, where patients will be taking metformin to test its effects on the process of aging. Scientists from various institutions will be collecting funds and looking for 3,000 participants. They will have to be between 70 to 80 years old, who have cancer, are at the risk of cancer, heart disease or dementia.
As claimed by Lithgow, the future means taking what they’ve developed and applying it to humans. Perhaps it’s only a matter of time before a vaccine will be given to young people which will prolong their life.
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