Acarbose

Acarbose is often discussed in the context of its impact on lifespan and healthspan enhancement. In a conversation with Peter Attia on the Tim Ferriss Show, acarbose was mentioned as a drug that prevents the absorption of starch, thereby reducing the calorie intake when consuming foods like pizza. This property makes it a candidate for pharmacological interventions aimed at extending lifespan or healthspan. Attia notes that while acarbose did produce a life-extending effect in studies, it didn't necessarily reduce body weight or average glucose levels in the study subjects. Instead, it primarily worked by lowering glucose spikes 1 2.

Attia also compared acarbose to other drugs like metformin, suggesting that while both are of interest, metformin might still be a more intriguing agent due to its broader array of effects and mysteries surrounding its mechanism 2.