Diabetes Drugs Become Latest Anti-Aging Pursuit

Biohackers Turn to SGLT2 Inhibitors for Potential Healthspan Boost

A class of medications initially designed to manage Type 2 diabetes is gaining traction among those seeking to extend their healthy years, despite a lack of conclusive evidence supporting its use for longevity. The trend highlights a growing interest in proactive health optimization and the pursuit of increased healthspan.

Emerging Trend in Longevity Circles

Drugs like Jardiance and Farxiga, known as SGLT2 inhibitors, have been prescribed for over a decade to treat diabetes, heart failure, and kidney disease. Recently, however, they’ve become a popular topic in health podcasts and online forums frequented by longevity enthusiasts. These individuals are experimenting with the drugs, hoping to live healthier for longer—effectively increasing their healthspan.

SGLT2 inhibitors function by prompting the kidneys to eliminate excess glucose through urine, improving blood sugar control. While research hasn’t yet proven they extend lifespan in healthy individuals, mounting evidence suggests they offer protection against age-related illnesses and can lower mortality rates in patients with chronic conditions. Some scientists theorize they may even impact the fundamental processes of aging.

“This is probably the drug class of our era,”

—Timothy Gong, Section Physician Leader, Baylor University Medical Center

Gong acknowledges he might consider taking an SGLT2 inhibitor himself once further studies are completed, despite being free of heart problems and diabetes. However, he emphasizes it’s currently too early to recommend them for longevity benefits in otherwise healthy patients. I don’t think that the evidence is strong enough yet for us to be able to say that.

Biohacking and Off-Label Use

Currently, the use of SGLT2 inhibitors for potential anti-aging effects is largely confined to a growing community of biohackers—individuals who actively seek to optimize their health through experimentation with various methods, including medications and supplements. Because they are using these drugs off-label—for purposes not officially approved—insurance typically doesn’t cover the cost, which can reach hundreds of dollars monthly.

Dave Aiello, a 38-year-old chiropractor from Boston, began experimenting with empagliflozin after reviewing promising research conducted on mice. Disappointed with conventional medicine’s reactive approach to disease, he aimed to proactively safeguard his health. I’m trying to see if I can just stay as healthy as possible for as long as possible, he explains.

Aiello also takes rapamycin and previously used metformin—both also gaining attention as potential longevity boosters. He was particularly encouraged by research indicating SGLT2 inhibitors can improve the body’s blood sugar management, supporting cardiometabolic health. His hemoglobin A1C levels decreased from 5.1% to 4.6% between 2022 and 2024, according to his lab results.

While the drugs aren’t without potential side effects—including increased risk of urinary tract infections, dehydration, and, rarely, severe genital infections or diabetic ketoacidosis—Aiello accepts a degree of risk. He initially experienced dehydration, fatigue, and brain fog, but these subsided after adjusting his dosage and increasing electrolyte intake. I’m a little more willing to take some risks that could potentially affect me in the short term if I do think that there might be a benefit, he says.

Unlocking the Mechanisms of Aging

The precise mechanisms by which SGLT2 inhibitors might combat aging remain unclear, but research involving mice offers some insights. A 2020 study funded by the National Institute on Aging found that canagliflozin extended the lives of male mice by 14%.

One theory suggests the drugs slow aging by reducing blood sugar spikes. By lowering insulin levels, they may promote fat burning and create an anti-inflammatory effect similar to calorie restriction—a practice known to potentially slow the aging process. However, Richard A. Miller, who led the study and is director of the Glenn Center for Biology of Aging Research at the University of Michigan, cautions that many drugs that work in mice don’t work in humans.

Miller’s lab is currently analyzing changes in small molecules within the slow-aging mice to identify patterns. If similar metabolic shifts are observed in humans taking these drugs, it would strengthen the case for their potential anti-aging effects. We still have a lot of work to do to prove that the drugs do the same thing in people, he says. The hint here is that it’s actually slowing the aging rate.

Alan Vuong, a sales professional from Austin, Texas, began taking dapagliflozin this year after hearing Miller interviewed on a podcast. The 34-year-old, with a family history of Type 2 diabetes, aimed to optimize his fasting insulin levels. He spends approximately $150 monthly on his longevity regimen, which includes a dozen drugs and supplements, and has observed a decrease in his insulin levels since starting the medication. He reports only experiencing increased nighttime urination, a known side effect.

According to the CDC, approximately 37.3 million Americans, or 11.3% of the population, have diabetes. CDC Diabetes Statistics (2024) Vuong’s ultimate goal is to extend both his lifespan and healthspan. I’m willing to take that gamble.