All credit to my bro Jay Campbell when it comes to espousing the merits of Metformin.
He has been preaching the benefits of metformin for some time now, and he is the one that introduced me to the concept of “anti-aging” medicine as a philosophy.
A philosophy which builds and strengthens the metabolism of the body, while also fighting off the supposed effects of time.
Lately, Ive been seeing more literature and hype articles talking about Metformin, and its potential anti-aging effects.
This is a great example of application being ahead of the research.
It will likely be another decade before Metformin gets formally approved for anything other than treating Type 2 Diabetes.
Until that time, its going to be used as a very potent life extension drug by those in the know.
What is Metformin?
I should probably answer this first.
Metformin is an oral medication that is used to control blood sugar.
Specifically, it lowers glucose levels in the blood by lowering the glucose production of the liver. It also makes the bodies tissues more sensitive to insulin.
Metformin is used to treat type 2 (adult onset) diabetes.
To give a quick run through, diabetes type 2 is the result of
–overeating, and gaining weight
-overeating carbs, and causing constant insulin release
-overeating leads to chronic high blood sugar
-overeating leads to chronically elevated insulin release
End game, you are overweight, insulin resistant, and your blood sugar is constantly high. This is terribly BAD for your health.
Metformin inhibits your liver from producing so much glucose, which lowers your blood sugar.
It also increases your peripheral insulin sensitivity (your muscles basically), it inhibits the absorption of glucose in your gastrointestinal tract (its almost like a carb blocker, to make it understandable), AND it also makes your body more likely to BURN body fat (constant insulin release inhibits body fat oxidation).
On top of that, chronically elevated insulin is very pro-inflammatory.
Inflammation is what leads to ALL OF THE DISEASES OF AGING.
Yes you heard that right. Diabetes, heart disease, alzheimers, dementia, cancer, you name it.
It is our belief, one day all disease will be proven metabolic in nature.
For now, lowering your bodies inflammatory markers thru the usage of metformin while also practicing an insulin controlled lifestyle will massively improve your health.
Metformin does a lot of really cool stuff.
And if you could imagine you were a healthy person taking metformin, it could quite literally change your body to be able to
-build more muscle
-burn more fat
-partition nutrients better from improved insulin sensitivity
-lower overall systemic inflammation from lower insulin levels
The specific mechanisms of how Metformin works are a bit complicated (organic chemistry), but that is basic rundown.
In Jay’s forthcoming book coming out this fall (The TRT MANual Advanced Strategies Edition), he goes into more detail on how to use Metformin.
If you are wondering “How Can I get some???”
Unfortunately, we live in the US of A.
Meaning Metformin is via Doctor’s prescription only.  Unless you have a very understanding and pro anti aging doctor, it is probably going to be difficult.
If by chance though you DONT live in the United States and are in a country where Metform is OTC, then in an entirely hypothetical scenario for entertainment purposes only, you could go to your local pharmacy and perhaps purchase Metformin over the counter.
You could also buy it at the many various online pharmacies that sell it for literally pennies per pill.
It is highly recommended if you want to read more on Metformin, check out Jay’s supremely in depth articles he’s written over the years.
Longer Life in a Bottle Metformin and Life Extension: What You Should Know Is Metformin a Miracle Drug for All Population Groups Don’t Be So Sensitive
Gentleman, Jay has been using this medication at nearly 2 grams per day for close to 15 years.
For those of you who constantly ask “what about the long term risks”?
At 46 years old, I don’t think he or his wife are worried about any of them.
 Metformin does decrease B-12, IGF-1 and transiently Testosterone.
Because of this, it’s wise to supplement with a B-Spectrum vitamin and to also be hormonally optimized. Studies are inconclusive how much the reduction of IGF-1 effects it’s receptors ‘negatively’ in the human body.