Scott D. Bluebond’s Post

A widely used diabetes drug is being studied for its potential to slow down biological aging. As part of NPR's series "How To Thrive As You Age," reporter Allison Aubrey dives into a fascinating study that aims to determine whether an inexpensive, generic drug can help protect against a range of age-related conditions from cancer to heart disease to dementia. Could this be a breakthrough in the quest to extend healthspan and improve quality of life as we age? We'll be keeping a close eye on this research! Read the full story here: #longevityresearch #longevitytechnology

Very nice overview - incredible to see such active developments for almost 1 billion patients suffering from obesity across the world. Let's also make sure that: 🤒 - obesity will be recognized as a stand-alone chronic disease that requires chronic care 🏥 - the whole eco-system will adapt & specialize (like it happened in oncology), including the definition of an efficient patient journey (probably including a dedicated specialization of medicine) 🥗 - early prevention and continuous education will be increased 🌍 - the look on obesity will change drastically among the general population - this is not only about food and physical exercise

Metformin, a commonly used drug for diabetes management, shows potential beyond its blood sugar-lowering effects, indicating its protection against age-related conditions such as cognitive decline, heart disease and cancer. The TAME Trial aims to assess whether metformin can prevent such diseases and enhance healthspan in older adults. Researchers are gaining a deeper understanding of the mechanisms by which metformin works and how it can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, which may slow biological aging.   https://lnkd.in/gTUuapa2 I #Metformin #AlzheimersDisease #BrainHealth #CognitiveDecline #EarlyIntervention NPR

A short article I wrote last week on the potential impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs) on #longevity. Most discussions within the industry have focused primarily on what this means for the obesity pandemic. However, some #actuaries may be interested to learn that there is a growing body of evidence suggesting benefits across a wide range of Age-Related Diseases, including #dementia and #cardiovasculardisease. 1-pager: https://lnkd.in/dpnhgUyN Full Article: https://lnkd.in/dG7Xbk-H

Why aren't weight-loss medications the magic bullet to end obesity? Yes, they're a medical breakthrough. Yes, they reduce the risk of a range of weight-related medical problems such as diabetes, MSK, heart attacks, strokes, cancer, and osteoarthritis - just to name a few. But they're not enough on their own - and we should recognize their limitations. Not only are these newer medications extremely costly, but they don't provide necessary lifestyle skills people need for long-term health. To learn more on how Wondr Health's program Wondr Advanced program pairs personalized medicine with a world-class behavior-change program for long-term weight loss, visit https://lnkd.in/eD28Y5Gy.

"A new paper surveying advances in #diabetes pathogenesis and treatment explores the complex factors contributing to the onset and progression of the disease, suggesting that an understanding of these dynamics is key to developing targeted interventions to reduce the risk of developing diabetes and managing its complications." "...some recent discoveries represent significant strides toward managing and perhaps even reversing the disease. For instance, a 2019 study found that a 14-day course of the antibody teplizumab delayed the progression of #type1diabetes from stage 1 to stage 3 by 24 months. A follow-up analysis in 2021 showed that the delay could be up to 32.5 months." Recent insights and advances in treatment and management show promise in stemming the growing prevalence of diabetes https://lnkd.in/gj87iyT4 #T1D #ScientificResearch #HCP #physicians #STOPT1D

A cure for ageing and death? Not yet, but a step in that direction. After our last post on the mechanisms of ageing (Amati Global Investors), which showed there are two distinct periods of accelerated ageing, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a solution that might lessen the effects as I approach the first of these periods. What caught my eye was the wide reporting of the anti-aging effects of GLP1 therapies. GLP1 is a naturally occurring hormone, an incretin, now used to treat obesity. The headlines reported in the media were based on comments made at the European Society of Cardiology Congress at the end of August. Anyone interested in more detail should view the special obesity collection on the JACC website, https://lnkd.in/evrnzp5Y. Staggeringly, analysis showed that treatment with a GLP1 agonist leads to a reduction of 19% in death from all causes. This is a composite measure of cardiovascular causes (heart attack, stroke etc) and non-cardiovascular causes (infections, malignant tumours etc). On the face of it this was slightly more than I was hoping for, being an anti-death solution rather than anti-ageing. If you dig into the GLP1 agonist literature further (https://lnkd.in/eKZUW8XT), it is clear that they have multiple effects across the body. One key mechanism appears to be reduction in systemic inflammation, acting through cells in the gut and central nervous system to influence immune cells. In our Global Innovation Fund we hold Eli Lilly, a large US pharma company. Its Mounjaro and Zepbound drugs are co-agonists of GLP1 and GIPR, two distinct yet complementary biochemical pathways. Lilly’s drugs demonstrated leading levels of weight loss and blood sugar control in clinical trials. Lilly and others are investigating the impact of their incretin drugs on many other chronic diseases: not just diabetes and obesity but kidney disease, cardiovascular disease, sleep apnoea as well as neurodegeneration, effectively diseases of older age. These recent findings regarding broad-based beneficial effects of this class of medicines are very encouraging. While there is no prophylactic "anti-ageing" option yet, as we age incretins could become a treatment option to stave off the more severe elements of chronic diseases. #antiageing #innovation

Exciting news in diabetes research: a groundbreaking study suggests psilocybin, the compound found in magic mushrooms, could protect insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Led by Professor Igor Kovalchuk, researchers discovered psilocybin's potential in safeguarding pancreatic β-cells from stress and damage characteristic of diabetes. This promising finding opens new avenues for therapeutic approaches in combating the global rise of diabetes. While further research is needed to fully understand psilocybin's efficacy, these initial results offer hope for innovative solutions in the fight against diabetes. Together, let's push the boundaries of science and explore nature's remedies for a brighter, healthier future. #DiabetesResearch #Psilocybin #HealthInnovation

Fascinating insight: Can certain drugs pave the way to a healthier, longer life? 🤔 Insights: - GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists could be potential longevity pills 💊 - They may combat various chronic diseases and age-related issues 🩺 - Research suggests they could have neuroprotective and anti-cancer properties 🧠🦠 - These medications show promise in managing addiction and preventing Alzheimer's disease 🍎 - As obesity rates rise, more individuals might benefit from these drugs - Experts emphasize the need for further extensive studies before broad prescription use ⚠️ Your thoughts: Considering the potential of these drugs to impact aging and disease prevention opens doors to intriguing possibilities. While the research is promising, thorough examination is crucial before widespread adoption. How do you envision the future of preventive medicine evolving in light of these findings? #LongevityResearch #ChronicDiseasePrevention https://lnkd.in/eXr6P44W

Live now: A letter to the editor in The Obesity Society’s Obesity Research Journal I had the privilege of authoring with Dr. Angela Fitch MD, FACP, FOMA, Dipl. ABOM. Our response focuses on the conclusions of “Early- and later-stage persistence with antiobesity medications: a retrospective cohort study.” We express concerns on the study methodology and how it may have inadvertently introduced bias. Read here: https://lnkd.in/e_VBRJSp Two publishing moments in one week! Use your voice and experience to help change the way we think about complex topics! World Obesity Federation, Obesity Action Coalition