Recent findings indicate that metformin, a staple medication for type 2 diabetes, significantly reduces the risk of long COVID by 40% to 60% when taken during acute infection. New research also reveals it acts directly on the brain’s hypothalamus to control hunger and blood sugar, potentially slows aging, and may counteract weight gain from antipsychotics.
Metformin, a very popular biguanide class of oral medication approved by the US-FDA as a first-line drug in the management of type 2 diabetes. It lowers blood sugar levels, improves insulin resistance, reduces glucose production in the liver, and helps in weight loss. Metformin is also used “off-label” for polycystic ovary syndrome; it regulates the menstrual cycle and improves fertility. Metformin is linked to boosting longevity by “improving metabolic health, reducing inflammation, and activating pathways that mimic caloric restriction.”
Recent studies at Stanford revealed the following new data about amazing Metformin:
- “Long COVID Prevention: Multiple studies, including the COVID-OUT trial, show that metformin reduces the risk of long COVID by 40-60% if administered early in the infection. It is believed to have antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
- Brain Mechanism Revealed: Contrary to long-held beliefs that it only works in the gut/liver, studies show metformin crosses the blood-brain barrier, affecting the hypothalamus, reducing hunger, and helping regulate blood sugar.
- Anti-Aging Properties: Research suggests metformin may be neuroprotective, reducing amyloid-β accumulation and TAU protein, which could delay Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. Another study indicated that older women on metformin had a 30% lower risk of mortality before age 90.
- Weight Management: The drug is effective in treating weight gain associated with second-generation antipsychotics in youth.
- Long-Term Side Effects: Long-term use of metformin is associated with a deficiency in vitamins, requiring monitoring.
- Interaction with Exercise: Emerging, yet debated, evidence suggests that while metformin helps with glucose control, it may blunt some of the fitness and cardiovascular improvements usually gained from exercise.” – SD+2
P-Cancer: 10 triggers
Pancreatic cancer, a most deadly disease, is one of the most difficult to diagnose because of the location of the pancreas, way deep behind other organs, hard to palpate, even if enlarged. By the time itis clinically obvious, it is usually in an advanced state. Worldwide, there are about half a million cases a year, in the United States, about 67,000, and in the Philippines, about 3,100. The 5-year survival is about 10 percent, and deaths usually occur within 4-6 months from the time of diagnosis.
Here are ten triggers for pancreatic cancer: smoking, alcohol, obesity, diabetes, soft drinks, high-heat grilled meats with burnt edges, red meat in general, history pf pancreatitis, age (60-80), family history, genetic predisposition, premalignant lesions (like pancreatic cyst).
Common symptoms of pancreatic cancer, many of them subtle: unexplained weight loss, upper abdominal or back pains, jaundice (yellowish skin discoloration), loss of appetite, pale, floating stools, and new onset of diabetes.
Abstaining from smoking, alcohol, and red meat, eating a plant-based diet with enough protein, a liberal amount of cold-pressed olive oil, and a healthy lifestyle as a whole, with exercise and stress management, will reduce one’s risk of pancreatic and other cancers and metabolic diseases.
Night lights
Studies show that nearly 56 percent of Filipinos in the Philippines sleep less than the recommended 7-8 hours per night, making the country the most sleep-deprived in Asia. Nearly 6 out of 10 Filipinos struggle with sleep, compared to about 30 of Americans in the United States. Good health requires enough restful sleep and satisfying rest. One of the various reasons for impairment of sleep is the presence of light, especially blue light from our electronic devices, cellphones, computers, etc.
“Separate research has linked nighttime light exposure to, yes, sleep disruption, but also negative effects on cardiac, metabolic, cognitive, and mental health. It’s also linked to higher cancer risk.”
“One of the things that we’ve started to understand more is that our circadian rhythms are closely linked to our overall health,” according to Jennifer Martin, PhD, sleep researcher and professor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Our digestion has a circadian rhythm. Even our cells dividing have a circadian rhythm.”
The best ambiance for sleep hygiene is a totally dark room (some use sleep-mask), quiet, comfortable temperature, with loose clothing, and no less than 4 hours after a meal, and no television watching before bedtime.
Sleep is vital to health and longevity.
AI in medicine
Artificial Intelligence is a boon to humanity and to the world. Like any wonderful tool, AI technology could pose an extreme danger to society in the wrong hands. Strict government and community safeguards around the world are prudent to harness the best in AI and protect the public as well.
In medicine, AI enhances medical treatment by accelerating diagnostics, personalizing care plans, and optimizing the operational workforce. It analyzes vast datasets to detect diseases like cancer earlier, assists in precision medicine by tailoring treatments to genetic profiles, powers robotic surgery for greater accuracy, and reduces administrative burden.”
While cold AI can provide powerful and efficient technological modalities, healthcare providers will comfort the patients with warmth, understanding, and compassion. Nothing can beat the human touch.
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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, medical missionary, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He is a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, presented by then Indiana Governor, US senator, and later a presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry S. Truman, President George HW Bush, Astronaut Gus Grissom, pugilist Muhammad Ali, distinguished educators, renowned scientists, etc. (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com. On Amazon.com, search for “Where is My America?” Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
