Metformin Promises to Extend Life for a Nickel a Pill
Warning: metformin works by interfering with the mechanism cells use to, well, essentially request food. Whilst yes, chronically working on too little energy has been proven to extend lifespans, you will not like the side effects.<p>For one it makes you stupid. Obviously it interferes with everything requiring effort, from running to sex.<p>There are cell types in your body that will, when faced with an energy shortage simply consume themselves. Usually, this means trading a sudden death for permanent damage, for example heart muscle cells. This means that when faced with an energy shortage they will kill themselves. An overdose of Metformin can cause this to occur on a large scale and when that happens, your life is somewhere between over and very short.<p>Do not take any medication without being aware of the side effects and getting advice from a doctor (and let me spoil the surprise: your doctor will advise against both metformin and calorie restriction. He will be happy to prescribe you a placebo. You would be surprised how calming taking one can be)<p>There are other treatments that extend life, like taking aspirin daily, and other metabolism blockers, anti inflammatories and blood thinners. All come at a serious cost (DO NOT take aspirin daily unless you&#x27;re happy to bleed to death with any major injury) which makes a lot of sense if you think about it.