Rapamycin extended lifespan across eight vertebrate groups, as effective as cutting calories or intermittent fasting (IF). It’s the most comprehensive study of rapamycin yet.

Anti-aging drug as good for cell health as dieting or fasting

A large meta-analysis has found that **the drug leading the charge in anti-aging science is just as effective in protecting cells and cognitive function as cutting calories or intermittent fasting (IF). It’s the most comprehensive study of rapamycin yet.**

In the largest study of its kind, researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the University of Glasgow looked at 167 studies conducted on lifespan-extending therapies on eight different vertebrates – including primates, rodents and fish – to see how rapamycin compared to traditional methods of healthy aging like cutting calories or fasting.

**In this latest study, the data showed that rapamycin extended lifespan across the eight vertebrate groups on par with eating less and/or fasting**. Meanwhile, another drug that’s been targeted for its potential healthy aging properties, metformin, wasn’t as effective. Metformin has shown early promise, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes, potentially lowering the risk of cancer and cognitive decline. It’s also the focus of a current study known as The Targeting Aging with Metformin (TAME) trial, a US-wide six-year clinical trial with more than 3,000 people aged 65-79 taking part. However, that’s ongoing (but certainly one to watch).

The UEA scientists found that “dietary restriction” – either through cutting calories or intermittent fasting – extended the lifespans of all eight vertebrates in the 167 studies. However, rapamycin was also consistent in doing this, while metformin wasn’t. What’s more, rapamycin’s healthy aging biomarkers were consistent across males and females.

Here’s the link to the peer reviewed journal article:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/acel.70131