This diabetes drug may help you live longer

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Metformin is a common medicine used to treat type 2 diabetes. It helps control blood sugar levels and has been used safely for many years.

But now, scientists are discovering that this drug may do more than just manage diabetes. New research shows that metformin might lower the risk of a serious condition called delirium and help people live longer.

Delirium is a sudden change in the brain that causes confusion and difficulty paying attention. It can happen quickly and is especially common in hospitals, particularly among older adults. It’s a serious condition that can lead to worse health problems or even death. That’s why finding a medicine that could reduce the risk of delirium is important.

Metformin has already been linked to other health benefits besides diabetes. In the past, studies have shown it may help prevent age-related problems like dementia. Some research has even suggested that metformin can reduce the risk of dying from various causes.

To learn more about these benefits, researchers recently studied data from 1,404 people who had taken part in an earlier health study. Some of these people had type 2 diabetes and were taking metformin, while others with diabetes were not using the drug.

The results were very interesting. People who had been using metformin were less likely to develop delirium. They also had better chances of living longer than those who did not use the drug. This finding suggests that metformin may protect the brain and improve overall health, even beyond its use for blood sugar control.

Even though these results are promising, it’s important for people with diabetes to follow a treatment plan that suits their individual needs. This usually includes lifestyle changes, medications like metformin, or both. Working closely with a doctor is the best way to stay healthy.

Living with type 2 diabetes can be challenging, but there are many ways to reduce its impact. Keeping a healthy body weight, eating a balanced diet, being active, sleeping well, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and regularly checking blood sugar levels can all help manage the condition.

The new research about metformin shows how important it is to keep learning about how different treatments work. It helps doctors and patients make better choices for health care. Metformin might become part of a bigger plan not only to manage diabetes but to protect against brain-related conditions like delirium.

People who want to stay healthy can benefit from looking at all parts of their lifestyle. This includes thinking about what they eat—such as trying a ketogenic diet or adding healthy foods like blueberries—as well as understanding how medicines like metformin work in the body.

As research continues, we can expect more ways to combine diet, exercise, and medication to help people live healthier lives. The more we learn, the better we can care for ourselves and others.

If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.

For more information about health, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.

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