by Although vigorous exercise and a healthy diet are proven ways to extend life expectancy, in recent years people have turned to prescription medications in hopes of living longer, healthier lives.
One such drug is rapamycin, a pill that is typically prescribed to patients before an organ transplant “to suppress the immune system,” according to Dr. Andrea Maier, a longevity expert and internal medicine specialist.
Popular anti-aging advocates like Dr. Peter Attia swear by rapamycin and its effects on longevity – he’s been on the pill for years.
But about using rapamycin off-label for longevity, Maier says: “[it] could have potential beneficial effects on the aging body of humans. However, we don’t have much knowledge yet. »
So how did the drug attract the attention of people like Attia in the first place?
A 2014 study showed that rapamycin extended the lifespan of mice by more than 20%. It has also been shown to extend the lifespan of fruit flies and worms, but it first attracted the attention of researchers by extending the lifespan of yeast.
Some users of the drug claim it has helped with weight loss, reduced body aches and caused the growth of dark hair that had already turned gray, according to the New York Times. But there isn’t much research to support its effectiveness or safety for long-term use in humans.
I think it is very unlikely that we will ever have a drug that everyone should take.
Dr Andrea Maier
Health and longevity expert
“My group is conducting trials with rapamycin to see if we can lower the biological age of middle-aged individuals to prevent age-related diseases later in life,” says Maier.
There are larger, more robust clinical trials examining the effects of rapamycin on human longevity by investigating whether the drug can affect certain diseases prevalent in aging adults, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
For people who are taking rapamycin for purposes other than those approved by the FDA and are not participating in a clinical trial, “I would be very cautious, because it is a very powerful drug.” [cause] many side effects. This greatly influences the immune system,” explains Maier.
Suppressing your immune system carries risks, such as making you more vulnerable to infections. Research also shows that rapamycin caused nausea and mouth sores in some people, as well as high cholesterol levels, the New York Times reported.
“We don’t have the medicine or the supplement yet [that] everyone should take. Absolutely not,” says Maier.
“I think it’s very unlikely that we will ever have a drug that everyone should take.”
Maier recommends adopting simple, safe practices for longevity, like brain tests to keep the mind sharp, prioritizing social fitness by spending quality time with loved ones, and eating a nutrient-rich diet .
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