Fortune Well’s senior health and wellness reporter, Alexa Mikhail, specializes in covering topics such as longevity, aging, caregiving, workplace wellness, and mental health.
According to Dr. Nir Barzilai, the director of the Institute for Aging Research at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, it may take a few decades to develop impactful gerotherapeutics—medications that combat the aging process—for the general population. The crucial factor is finding safe and efficient drugs that target the mechanisms responsible for aging.
To be successful, gerotherapy must address the key aspects of aging, prolong health span by decreasing the risk of diseases, undergo testing for safety and efficacy on hundreds or thousands of individuals in clinical trials, and impact overall mortality rates.
While geroscience still has a long way to go, there are four FDA-approved drugs that show promise in “targeting the aging process.” Even though these drugs are not anti-aging treatments, they rank high on a gerotherapeutic scale.
GLP-1s
Popular for treating diabetes and obesity, GLP-1s (Ozempic, Wegovy) have evidence supporting their ability to reduce the risks of heart disease, kidney disease, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. They effectively target mechanisms related to aging.
GLP-1s work by suppressing appetite, improving blood sugar levels, and potentially mitigating chronic diseases through the reduction of inflammation.
SGLT2 inhibitors
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SGLT2 inhibitors, medications that lower blood sugar levels, have shown potential in reducing age-related diseases, kidney issues, oxidative stress, inflammation, and enhancing heart health and cognition.
Studies suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors may lower the risk of dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes after prolonged use.
Bisphosphonates
Observational studies indicate that Bisphosphonates effectively treat osteoporosis by reducing bone density loss and overall mortality rates.
Bisphosphonates are a class of drugs that help to prevent bone loss and strengthen bones. They work by inhibiting the cells that break down bone, leading to an increase in bone density over time. In addition to treating osteoporosis, bisphosphonates are also used to treat other conditions such as Paget’s disease and bone metastases.
Metformin
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Metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes, targets aging hallmarks by protecting DNA, reducing inflammation, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.
Although these drugs focus on aging mechanisms, they are not specifically approved for anti-aging purposes and are typically recommended for individuals with existing conditions.
At the age of 67, Dr. Nir Barzilai maintains a healthy lifestyle to combat aging. By using metformin off-label, he showcases lower rates of cancer, delayed cognitive decline, and reduced mortality.
Metformin not only treats diabetes and delays chronic illnesses but also extends health span, showing potential in slowing down, halting, or even reversing the aging process.
What is aging
As we grow older, our bodies undergo processes that make us more susceptible to diseases associated with old age. Scientists are striving to target these processes with medications to delay, prevent, or potentially reverse aging.
Some common age-related processes that contribute to aging include cellular damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress. These processes can lead to the development of various age-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer.
Research has shown that certain lifestyle choices, such as maintaining a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management, can help slow down the aging process and reduce the risk of age-related diseases. Additionally, ongoing studies on anti-aging interventions, such as calorie restriction and genetic manipulation, show promising results in extending lifespan and improving overall health in animal models.
Targeting undead cells
Senolytics, like Dasatinib (Sprycel), can eliminate old, dysfunctional cells, leaving behind only healthy ones. Researchers believe that senolytics could have broader anti-aging effects beyond treating diseases.