Common pill taken by millions could ‘slash your risk of dementia and dying young'
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A CHEAP pill already taken by millions of patients could slash your risk of dementia and early death, scientists say.
This is none other than metformin, "the most widely prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes", according to researchers from Taipei Medical University in Taiwan.
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Diabetes pill metformin could lower the risk of dementia and death
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They found that people who were taking the treatment were less likely to develop memory-robbing dementia or die from any cause.
The results were based on a study of 452,777 adults who were either overweight or obese, published in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism.
Obesity and diabetes have both been shown to up the risk of dementia.
Some studies report that diabetics have a 70 per cent higher risk of getting the condition, compared to those without diabetes.
Meanwhile, being obese between the ages of 35-65 can increase dementia risk in later-life by about 30 per cent.
Metformin is the most common treatment for type 2 diabetes, which affects over 5 million Brits, according to Diabetes UK.
The drug is also used to help prevent type 2 diabetes in people at high risk of developing it.
It works by curbing the amount of sugar pumped around the body by the liver and helping the insulin you produce work better.
"Metformin has many advantages over other diabetic drugs. It has strong glucose-lowering effects, a reliable safety profile and is relatively cheap," researchers said.
"Metformin also reduces the likelihood of dementia in patients with diabetes."
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But some studies suggest the drug doesn't protect against dementia, as it can cause vitamin B12 deficiency, which has been linked to cognitive decline.
It could increase the risk of Alzheimer's, a type of dementia, research suggests.
"Whether metformin's beneficial effects in patients with dementia can be applied to the general population is unclear," the study authors noted.
The study included about 905,000 people in total, split evenly into two groups: metformin users and non-metformin users.
They were matched to be similar in age, health, and other factors for a fair comparison.
The metformin group had been prescribed the drug at least twice in their lives, for at least six months.
Researchers categorised study participants by their body mass index (BMI) as:
Overweight: BMI 25–29.9
Obese class I: BMI 30–34.9
Obese class II: BMI 35–39.9
Morbidly obese: BMI over 40
They followed patients for 10 years and found that those who took metformin had a lower risk of developing dementia, regardless of their BMI.
Class I and II obese patients saw the greatest reduction in risk - 8 and 4 per cent respectively, compared to people who didn't take metformin.
Ways to lower dementia risk with type 2 diabetes
Manage blood sugar levels Strictly follow a diabetes management plan, as prescribed by a healthcare professional. This includes medication, diet and exercise.
Regularly monitor blood sugar levels and manage insulin appropriately.
Adopt a healthy lifestyle Follow a balanced diet in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein, with limited saturated fat, sugar, and salt.
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and other conditions linked to dementia. Weight management through diet and exercise can help mitigate these risks.
Engage in activities that challenge your mind, such as puzzles, reading, learning new skills, or socialising.
Address other risk factors High blood pressure and cholesterol can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of both cardiovascular disease and dementia. Regular check-ups and appropriate treatment are essential.
Excessive alcohol consumption can negatively impact brain health. Moderate drinking or abstaining from alcohol can be beneficial.
Hearing loss can contribute to cognitive decline. Addressing hearing problems through hearing aids or other interventions can help maintain cognitive function.
Seek professional guidance Regular medical check-ups are important for monitoring overall health and identifying and addressing potential risk factors early on.
Work with your doctor, diabetes educator, or other healthcare professionals to develop a personalized plan for managing your diabetes and reducing your risk of dementia.
Researchers said the drug's ability to lower inflammation in obese patients may have something to do with this.
"Since central nervous system inflammation and neuroinflammation are crucial factors in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of metformin are especially beneficial in patients with obesity," they wrote.
"We observed that the protective effect of metformin against dementia was consistent across all BMI categories greater than 25."
Metformin-users also had a lower risk of early death, between 28 and 26 per cent.
"This study is strong because it included a large sample of metformin users and patients with obesity and dementia, using data from more than 184 million patients worldwide," researchers said.
"The use of real-world data allows for a better understanding of how treatments perform in a heterogeneous population because the data are captured from diverse, real-life settings.
"Therefore, the findings of this study can be readily generalised to whole populations."
But they acknowledge that their study had certain limitations too, including that the dataset only covered a 10 year period, restricting researchers' ability to evaluate the long-term effects of metformin.
They concluded: "Our study findings indicate that metformin may help reduce the risk of dementia in obese patients, which could further contribute to improving all-cause mortality.
"However, further research is required to explore the mechanisms by which metformin reduces the risk of dementia."
Experts have previously suggested that using metformin to help treat dementia could cut costs.
Dr Sara Imarisio, who used to be head of research at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: 'Repurposing an existing drug used for another health condition would be a cheaper and inexpensive way to bring about a new dementia treatment.
'Diabetes is a risk factor for dementia and there is a lot of interest in the links between the two conditions."
But recent research suggests that weight-loss jabs are better at curbing dementia risk in people with type 2 diabetes than metformin.
Metformin is generally the first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, while GLP-1 receptor agonists are often used as second-line or add-on therapy when metformin is not sufficient or tolerated.
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