Ok so Youtube and Google results are by no means evidence of efficacy of course, but it seems to me that there are more articles and popular discussion around Metformin re longevity boosting potential, than Acarbose. This is DESPITE the evidence that metformin increases lifespan being quite controversial/in some studies not supported (ITP trial), whereas I have not seen same uncertainty around acarbose from scientific literature (or perhaps since there is less discussion on acarbose generally, this leads to less controversy).
On YouTube for example, there are a plethora of discussions on Metformin alone for anti-ageing, whereas Acarbose is either paired with a rapamycin or-if mentioned solely-seemingly as part of this odd ChatGPT like presentation with an AI host.
Am I missing something here?
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Yes itās cultural, Acarbose is more popular in China and the East.
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Ah interesting. Did not know that thx
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As Maveric sort of suggested - Acarbose is much more popular in Asia because their diet fits better with the Acarbose side effect profile. In the āWestā many people eat predominantly wheat diets and the side effects of acarbose seem much worse on this type of diet ā¦ more flatulence and diarrhea. I think that because of this Acarbose has become dominant in Asia, and Metformin in the West (where the side effect profile is generally minimal).
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Maybe itās due to Acarboseās slightly higher possibility of liver damage which might also be more severe than Metforminās? Reference: Acarbose Acarbose - LiverTox - NCBI Bookshelf, Metformin: Metformin - LiverTox - NCBI Bookshelf Wikipedia says āliver enzymes should be checked before and during use of this medicineā, so I think the people like Bryan Johnson who have the condition to check liver enzymes regularly will be at lower risk when taking Acarbose.
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Metformin has been considered as an anti-aging drug for quite a while. Acarbose is the new kid on the block. It makes sense that Metformin has more press.
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True enough although it seems there is -at this point-more compelling evidence for acarbose so one would think there would be more commentary. As it is there is a literal dearth of it at least English languageā¦Y-Tube is a perfect example.
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Maybe they think the flatulence wonāt fly with people? Itās a LOT of extra gasā¦
My doctor had to look up acarbose, and then wouldnāt give it to me. She did begrudgingly give me a low dose of metformin.
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Why would she deny Acarbose? My pharmacist said it was an incredibly safe and easy drug with little to no side effects. If you discount the gas and intestinal bloating.
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She said it was an ancient drug that no one uses. If I told her about longevity she would have called the police.
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Yes, it is an ancient drug which is considered to have low efficacy for diabetes (which is what it is prescribed for). My dad just told his doctor that he wanted it for longevity purposes along with Rapamycin. His doctor wouldnāt give him Rapamycin but gave him Acarbose to placate him. 
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Beth
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Sorry to ask something that I am sure has been discussed to death on this forumā¦
I am not diabetic nor do I have pre diabetes, but Iām on metformin after discovering I get huge glucose spikes (my first reading was 230 after veggies/tofu/rice). The thought is to control those a bit so they donāt contribute to my heart disease.
Should I be considering acarbose as an alternative to metformin? Iāll keep reading and trying to find all the mentionsā¦
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Many people here use acarbose for that reason. It only works on certain carb types so you might also use a sglt2 inhibitor (I use Farxinga). I also rely heavily on berberine with my meals. It seems to be well regarded by people I interview for bone health, gut health, blood sugar, and cholesterol management.
Of course taking a walk after a meal makes a giant difference. And i always eat fat/protein / fiber before eating fast carbs to slow the absorption.
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Acarbose combined with rapamycin has shown the largest ITP lifespan effect ever, and Acarbose also showed a significant effect on its own.
Metformin also enhanced lifespan extension when combined with rapamycin but to a lesser degree, and did not have an ITP effect of its own.
So thatās why some here do Acarbose over metformin, at least why I do.
Metformin has been popularized by Sinclair and other health influencers much more than Acarbose. That explains why it is more well known.
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I agree that Acarbose is fantastic when combined with Rapamycin. I think Metformin is as well. Why not use both?
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While rapamycin may raise glucose and lipid levels, I find it easier to control my lipids than my glucose levels. Currently, I am taking berberine, metformin, and acarbose. I will be switching to extended-release metformin+dapaglafozin, (Dapaturn M 10 Tablet ER, Dapagliflozin (10mg) + Metformin (500mg), along with berberine, and acarbose.
My current hemoglobin A1c is 5.6. Before I started rapamycin it was 5.2. I would like to get back to this level
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I got my HbA1c to 5.2, then I started eating chocolatesā¦ sigh! Now it is creeping back towards 6.5ā¦ if I stop chocolates, it will drop. For some reason when I take calcium and magnesium it starts to come down pretty fast.
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I did a telehealth appointment for acarbose a while ago, doctor asked why I am using it, and because I didnt have diabetes, they claimed they will not prescribe acarbose as bodybuilders abuse it. (basically was accusing me of being a bodybuilder) I was like what lol, I can see maybe some bodybuilders abusing diabete meds to lower bodyfat (ozempic etc) but really, acarbose? lol , such an uncommon that medication here and doesnāt effect hunger that much.
found another doctor who has no problem prescribing it
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That is odd since most things I have looked at show that bodybuilders should stay away from it. That is why I only take it with high-carb meals.
āAcarbose treatment was associated with decreased muscle mass and strength.ā
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