Popular diabetes drug metformin can slow aging, study finds

BOSTON – A new study shows that metformin, a popular diabetes drug taken by millions of Americans, may slow aging.

Metformin is taken orally and is often the first medication used to control blood sugar in type 2 diabetes.

Previous studies on “lower order” species have shown that it can delay the onset of age-related diseases.

A new study conducted on primates now confirms that the drug can slow down organ aging, including brain aging.

Researchers in China studied middle-aged male monkeys and found that those given a daily dose of metformin for three years slowed aging of the kidneys, lungs and skin by up to five years and slowed aging of the brain by up to six years.

They hope to eventually conduct human trials to see if the drug can slow the aging process.