Researchers from UNSW Sydney have uncovered a potential benefit of metformin, a widely used drug for managing type 2 diabetes.
According to their study, people with type 2 diabetes taking metformin experienced slower cognitive decline and had lower rates of dementia compared to those not on the medication.
This finding, published in the journal Diabetes Care, offers new hope in the fight against dementia, especially among the nearly 47 million people worldwide living with type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness that impairs the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels effectively. Over time, this can lead to various health complications, including cognitive decline.
Metformin, the first choice of treatment for most type 2 diabetes cases, has been prescribed to millions of people globally for over 60 years.
It works by reducing the amount of glucose the liver releases into the bloodstream and helps the body’s cells respond better to blood sugar.
In this study, the team analyzed data from 123 people with type 2 diabetes, 67 of whom were receiving metformin.
They discovered that those taking metformin had a significantly slower rate of cognitive decline and a reduced risk of developing dementia.
Metformin is not just a diabetes drug; it has shown potential benefits in other health areas over the last decade, including cancer, heart disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, and weight management.
The research team suggests that metformin’s positive impact on cognitive health might extend beyond diabetes patients to those generally at risk of cognitive decline.
This research is particularly relevant for people with type 2 diabetes, as it suggests a dual benefit of metformin in both blood sugar regulation and cognitive health preservation.
For those worried about diabetes or cognitive health, this study emphasizes the importance of effective diabetes management and its potential broader health benefits.
It also points towards the need for further research to explore metformin’s role in preventing cognitive decline among a wider population.
If you care about dementia, please read studies that walking patterns may help identify specific types of dementia, and common high blood pressure drugs may help lower your dementia risk.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about tooth disease linked to dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
Copyright © 2023 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
