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 language…Y-Tube is a perfect example.
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Maybe they think the flatulence won’t fly with people? It’s a LOT of extra gas…
My doctor had to look up acarbose, and then wouldn’t 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 wouldn’t give him Rapamycin but gave him Acarbose to placate him. 
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Beth
#13
Sorry to ask something that I am sure has been discussed to death on this forum…
I am not diabetic nor do I have pre diabetes, but I’m 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 don’t contribute to my heart disease.
Should I be considering acarbose as an alternative to metformin? I’ll keep reading and trying to find all the mentions…
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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 that’s 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 chocolates… sigh! Now it is creeping back towards 6.5… 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 doesn’t 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.
“Acarbose treatment was associated with decreased muscle mass and strength.”
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Beth
#21
@DeStrider That is a good question! I am only learning about now but am composing a list of questions for my doc!
And thank you @matthost
@desertshores that is quite a list !
@约瑟夫_拉维尔 Someone mentioned sglt2 to me yesterday. I haven’t heard about this before and need to ask my doc. Thx
Group reply so i don’t clog up the thread 
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Beth
#22
Is there a reason you take metformin AND berberine (well, I know there is a reason, but am curious as to what it is
I was under the impression is they are very similar… just learning incase it’s ever something I want to consider
Beth
#23
Is it the sugar, i assume? It’s not as good, but I’ve been having chocolate with allulose which is good enough to satisfy my cravings… but not so good that i eat a million of them.
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I take berberine instead of increasing my metformin dose. Berberine has no subjective side effects for me. Too high of a dose of metformin caused me to have some acid reflux. I have tried various doses over the years and 500 mg/day is all I can tolerate.
Also: “Some studies suggest that taking berberine with exercise can help build muscle more than exercise alone.”
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Interesting read, I should of linked this study to the doctor who accused me of being a bodybuilder abusing diabetic drugs 
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You can read up on SLGT2 inhibitors / Canagliflozin here: Canagliflozin - 另一种顶级抗衰老药物
But - it didn’t have the lifespan benefits in females (mice) in the ITP studies.
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