Metformin causes small amount of weight loss in diabetics, but considerably reduces risk of death

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Tuesday, January 10, 2006 12:03 am Email this article
Glucophage (metformin) causes a small amount of weight loss on the order of a couple of pounds when given to patients with diabetes. However, it appears to considerably reduce the risk of diabetes related diseases and death compare to other diabetes treatments according to a new review. RECOMMENDED FOR LIFE EXTENSION PATIENTS

Dr. Ward Dean recommends to his life extension patients over 40

Dr. Ward Dean, MD, who I have a great deal of respect for, recommends Glucophage (metformin) to all of his life extension patients over the age of 40.

Dr. Ward Dean recommends 500 mg twice a day

He recommends that patients take 500 mg twice a day.

Take with food

Comment: In my experience, it is best taken with food.

 

MOST POTENT LIFE EXTENSION DRUG?

Metformin’s stronger cousin most potent life extension drug available

Dr. Dean has said that Vladamir Dilman, a famous Russian gerentologist, believed that phenformin, metformin’s stronger cousin which was removed from the market due to serious adverse effects in a small number of patients, was the most effective life-extending drug known.

 

REDUCES DEATH AND DISEASE

Metformin reduced risk of death and disease

The current review paper found that Glucophage (metformin) considerably reduced the risk of disease and death in patients compared to other treatments.

The amount of reduction seen in patients given Glucophage (metformin) compared to those given other forms of treatment including sulphonylureas or insulin is as follows:

• 22% reduction of any diabetes-related outcome
• 24% reduction in the risk of diabetes-related death, however, the difference did not reach statistical significance
• 27% reduction in the risk of death by any cause
• 22% reduction in the risk of having a heart attack, however, the difference did not reach statistical significance
• 44% reduction in the risk of having a stroke
• 39% increase in the risk of peripheral vascular disease, that is damage to or blockage in the veins that carry blood from your arms and legs back to your heart, however, the difference was not statistical significance
• 10% reduction in the risk of microvascular disease, that is damage to small blood vessels that sometimes occurs when a person has had diabetes for a long time, however, the difference was not statistical significance

REFERENCE

Saenz A, Fernandez-Esteban I, Mataix A, Ausejo M, Roque M, Moher D. Metformin monotherapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005, (3):CD002966.

AUTHOR’S CONTACT INFORMATION

Centro de Salud Pozuelo 1
INSALUD - Madrid, Spain

Emisora s/n
Pozuelo de Alarcon
Madrid, Spain, 28224

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• Glucophage (metformin)