Rapamycin, Not Metformin, May Extend Lifespan Like Dieting

Introduction

Eating less can help animals live longer, but people find it hard to keep up. Scientists are looking for drugs that mimic this effect. This study compared two drugs, rapamycin and metformin, to see if they extend lifespan like dietary restriction.

What the study did

This was a meta-analysis, a study that combines results from many earlier studies. The researchers looked at 911 effect sizes from 167 papers covering eight vertebrate species, including humans. They compared lifespan extension from dietary restriction, rapamycin, and metformin, and checked if effects differed by sex.

What it found

• Dietary restriction consistently extended lifespan across all species.
• Rapamycin also significantly extended lifespan, similar to dietary restriction.
• Metformin did not show a significant lifespan extension.
• Sex did not consistently affect the results.
• The type of dietary restriction method did not change the effect.

How much to trust it

This is a Strong tier study because it is a meta-analysis, which pools many studies for stronger evidence. However, there was high variation and possible publication bias, and results depended on how lifespan was measured. Still, the overall pattern was consistent.

Your action plan

• Focus on a healthy, balanced diet that you can maintain long-term, similar to the dietary restriction approach.
• Consider intermittent fasting or calorie reduction only under professional guidance.
• Do not take rapamycin or metformin for lifespan extension; these are prescription drugs and should be discussed with a doctor.
• Stay physically active and manage stress, as these are general healthy lifestyle habits.

This summary is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a qualified professional before changing anything about your health.

Source

Rapamycin, Not Metformin, Mirrors Dietary Restriction-Driven Lifespan Extension in Vertebrates: A Meta-Analysis.. Aging cell. 2025 PubMed