Rilmenidine is a medicine that many doctors prescribe to help lower high blood pressure. But new research shows this drug may have a surprising extra benefit—it could help people live longer and stay healthier as they age.
A study published in the journal Aging Cell looked into rilmenidine and found some exciting results. The best part? This drug is already in use and has very few side effects, making it a great candidate for further research.
The study was led by Professor João Pedro Magalhães, who started this work at the University of Liverpool and now works at the University of Birmingham. His team used tiny roundworms called C. elegans to test how rilmenidine affects aging. Scientists often use these worms in aging studies because they are simple and age quickly.
The results were impressive. Worms given rilmenidine not only lived longer, but they also stayed healthier during aging. Their results were similar to what scientists see when animals eat less food—a method known as calorie restriction, which is known to extend life in many species.
The researchers also discovered that rilmenidine works by targeting a specific receptor in the body called the I1-imidazoline receptor nish-1. This seems to be the “switch” that helps the drug do its job.
Why is this important? For many years, scientists have believed that eating less can help animals live longer. But when it comes to humans, cutting calories doesn’t always work the same way and can cause unwanted side effects.
That’s why this new finding is exciting—it suggests that rilmenidine might offer a safer and easier way to enjoy the same anti-aging benefits without having to make extreme diet changes.
Even better, because rilmenidine is already widely used and considered safe, scientists may be able to move more quickly into testing its effects in humans.
With people living longer than ever, finding ways to stay healthy into old age is more important than ever. Professor Magalhães explains that even small improvements in aging can lead to huge benefits for the global population.
The next step is to explore whether rilmenidine has other positive effects beyond lowering blood pressure. If future studies confirm the benefits in humans, we might have a new and simple way to improve both lifespan and quality of life.
This study opens the door to exciting new possibilities. A medicine you may already know might one day help people live not just longer—but better.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and natural coconut sugar could help reduce blood pressure and artery stiffness.
For more health information, please see recent studies about added sugar in your diet linked to higher blood pressure, and results showing vitamin D could improve blood pressure in people with diabetes.
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