A Common Diabetes Drug Has a Surprising Side Gig: Muscle Protector
A Common Diabetes Drug Has a Surprising Side Gig: Muscle Protector
You might not think of diabetes when you think of muscle function. But a common diabetes drug that regulates blood sugar can also prevent muscle atrophy and muscular fibrosis—which can help the elderly bounce back faster from injury or illness.
SYAC: It's metformin.
Metformin has a strange history. There was evidence in animal studies as early as the 1920’s that it could lower blood sugar, but wasn’t approved as a diabetic treatment until the 50’s. The US didn’t approve it until the 90’s.
It’s still not clear how it works. There continue to be articles like this hinting that it could have other beneficial effects, including a lower incidence of cancer and longer life, which again no one can explain how. All the research pointing at other effects besides blood sugar are observational and longitudinal in nature.
Lest someone think it’s a wonder drug, all these effects are relatively subtle, and side effects for many include things like explosive diarrhea.
The good thing is that if you can detect an effect from a medication and determine its mechanism, there's the possibility you may be able to synthesise something with a stronger effect and more manageable side effects.