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evidence · mechanism · dose
Supplements/Compound

Metformin (Rx, reference)

Diabetes drug studied for longevity (TAME trial) via AMPK activation.

Longevity PathwaysInsulin SensitivityHealthy Aging (alias)

Overview

Diabetes drug studied for longevity (TAME trial) via AMPK activation.

Natural sources
    Common forms

      Mechanism of action

      Inhibits mitochondrial complex I → AMPK activation; reduces hepatic gluconeogenesis.

      Pathways

        Effects on the body

        Organ system effects

        Evidence-based benefits

        Lowers all-cause mortality in T2D

        Strong evidence

        Longevity benefit in non-diabetics unproven (TAME)

        Limited evidence

        Potential side effects

        Common
        • · GI upset
        • · B12 depletion
        Rare
          Serious
          • · Lactic acidosis (renal)

          Drug interactions

          No notable interactions reported.

          Safety & non-supplemental interactions

          Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

          Avoid with these conditions
          • ·Hypoglycemia tendency
          Avoid / monitor with these medications
          • ·Insulin, metformin, sulfonylureas (additive hypoglycemia)

          Supplement interactions

          Pairs well with
          • Vitamin B12
            Long-term metformin depletes B12.
          Avoid combining with

          No specific avoidances listed.

          Dosing & bioavailability

          Typical dose
          500 mg → 2000 mg/d (Rx)
          With food?
          With food

          Where to buy

          Affiliate-style search links to reputable retailers. We don't endorse specific brands — verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

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          Amazon
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          iHerb
          Global delivery · curated brands
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          Thorne
          Practitioner-grade · NSF tested

          Scientific evidence (9)

          Systematic reviewCell Metab · 2016

          Metformin and aging: the TAME trial rationale

          Barzilai N, et al.

          Review of metformin's geroprotective evidence.

          Key findings

          Associated with reduced age-related disease in observational data.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — Lowers all-cause mortality in T2D

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) Lowers all-cause mortality in T2D" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "Lowers all-cause mortality in T2D". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — Longevity benefit in non-diabetics unproven

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) Longevity benefit in non-diabetics unproven" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "Longevity benefit in non-diabetics unproven". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — randomized controlled trial

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — meta-analysis

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — pharmacokinetics

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — safety adverse events

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

          PubMed: Metformin (Rx, reference) — dose response

          Live PubMed search

          Live results for "Metformin (Rx, reference) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

          Key findings

          Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Metformin (Rx, reference) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

          Open study
          Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

          Google Scholar: Metformin (Rx, reference) — clinical evidence

          Live Scholar search

          Cross-database citation index for Metformin (Rx, reference) as it relates to "clinical evidence".

          Key findings

          Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

          Open study
          Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.