Rapamycin May Match Dietary Restrictions in Extending Lifespan, Study Shows

Recent research from the University of East Anglia and the University of Glasgow highlights that rapamycin, an immunosuppressant drug, can extend lifespan in vertebrates similarly to dietary restriction methods such as calorie reduction or intermittent fasting. While dietary restriction has long been the gold standard for lifespan extension across species, maintaining these restrictive diets can be challenging for many individuals. The study, published in Aging Cell, analyzed data from 167 studies involving eight vertebrate species, including fish, mice, rats, and primates. It found that rapamycin consistently increased lifespan near the levels achieved through dietary restriction, whereas metformin, a drug commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, did not demonstrate significant longevity benefits. These findings suggest that rapamycin could serve as a promising alternative to caloric restriction, potentially offering similar health and lifespan benefits without the difficulty of maintaining strict diets.

The research revealed key insights: dietary restriction universally extends lifespan across all examined vertebrates; rapamycin's effects on longevity closely mirror those of dietary restriction; metformin's impact on lifespan remains inconclusive; and benefits are consistent across sexes and dietary types. Co‐lead researcher Dr. Edward Ivimey-Cook notes that while rapamycin shouldn't be immediately encouraged for widespread use, these results emphasize the importance of further aging research and drug repurposing strategies. Safety concerns, particularly regarding immune system effects, warrant more studies, though low-dose rapamycin appears to have minimal adverse effects in healthy individuals. Both rapamycin and metformin are currently under human trials, with findings pending. Overall, this study underscores rapamycin's potential as a tool to promote healthy aging, balancing efficacy with the convenience of less restrictive regimes.