Interventions to Slow Aging in Humans: Are We Ready?
An article with that title was written 7 years ago. That piece had 30 authors. These academic leaders agreed the same interventions that promise to slow aging also delay the progress of chronic diseases. “There was consensus that there is sufficient evidence that aging interventions will delay and prevent disease onset for many chronic conditions of adult and old age….(These include)(i) dietary interventions mimicking chronic dietary restriction (periodic fasting mimicking diets, protein restriction, etc.); (ii) drugs that inhibit the growth hormone/IGF-I axis; (iii) drugs that inhibit the mTOR–S6K pathway; or (iv) drugs that activate AMPK or specific sirtuins.” The content on this platform is completely in line with their observations More importantly, proof exists today that optimal medical therapy (OMT) that brings together these interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes prolongs life and delays major cardiovascular events by 8 years compared with usual care.
This information has very practical implications for treatment today. Yesterday I wrote about the fact that insulin switches on mTOR and swithces off AMPK to accelerate aging and chronic illness development. Sulfonylureas for type 2 diabetes increase insulin levels. Metformin switches off mTOR and switches on AMPK. It lowers insulin levels in insulin-resistant conditions. If you compare patients who started a sulfonylurea first vs. those who went on metformin for type 2 diabetes, Fourteen patients per 1000 patient years died on metformin. 51 patients per thousand patient years died on sulfonylurea treatment. Patients on metformin with diabetes lived 15% longer than non-diabetics and 38% longer than patients with diabetes on sulfonylureas. Best practices have never been more important. We can enjoy a healthier, longer life now. Let’s get started. whbester@gmail.com 423-782-0372