Oklahoma Researchers Hoping To Create Pill That Would Slow Aging

Oklahoma researchers are looking to see if a pill could slow the aging process without the need for diet and exercise.

Physiologist Dr. Benjamin Miller and his team at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation are investigating the potential of metformin, the most-prescribed diabetes medication in the world, to see if it could slow the biological process of aging.

"We want people to not just live longer lives but healthier lives," Miller said. "We think that if you can have a drug that targets or slows the aging process, we can really combat the diseases that come along with aging such as cardiovascular disease [and] Alzheimer's disease."

OMRF said they are looking for volunteers between the ages of 40-75 without chronic disease to join in this study, and that the right candidate has higher than normal blood glucose levels and a body mass index over 30.

Miller said diet and exercise are an important component to living a long healthy life, but it's not always realistic for everyone.

"These people also shouldn't be engaging in any regular physical activity," Miller said. "Sometimes people aren't able to do that... exercise and diet take time and people may not be able to physically."

To participate or for more information, click here or contact Oklahoma Shared Clinical and Translational Resources at 405-271-3480 or osctr@ouhsc.edu.