Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota? • Hacker News Board

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#21

Post by IAmGraydon » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 1:12 PM UTC

Always be wary of headlines structured like this:

“Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Effect on the Gut Microbiota?”

It presents something as fact (Acarbose has longevity benefits) in the form of a question. This sort of structure implies that it’s already been widely accepted as fact that this is true without overtly saying it and it’s commonly used in marketing to slip things by the brain’s natural BS filter. You can also commonly see this in agenda-driven media headlines.

The truth is that Acarbose hasn’t been shown to have longevity benefits in anything but mice, and even that research is questionable at best.

If you need further proof that this is marketing, notice the “products” button on the upper right, where the website that published this article happens to sell…you guessed it…Acarbose. The guy who wrote the article, Daniel Tawfik, is the founder of Zenpatient, the online pharmacy used to sell this and other medications.

We’re being marketed to. I’m flagging this post. It’s spam.

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#22

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 1:35 PM UTC

IAmGraydon wrote: post #21

Always be wary of headlines structured like this: “Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Effect on the Gut Microbiota?” It presents something as fact (Acarbose has longevity benefits) in the form of a question. This sort of structure implies that it’s already been widely accepted as fact that this is true without overtly saying it and it’s commonly used in marketing to slip things by the brain’s natura…

[deleted]

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#23

Post by prepend » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 1:47 PM UTC

keenmaster wrote: post #18

bjornsing wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The relatively short US life expectancy at birth is mostly due to drug related and violent early deaths. Those middle aged US-Americans that are browsing the web for longevity drugs can expect to live as long as similar demographics in Europe and elsewhere, even without the drugs.

I’m sure diet also plays a role. I want a tool where I can ask “if an American man is not obese, doesn’t smoke/do drugs/drink alcohol, and is not predisposed to violent early death, what is the average lifespan for people with his characteristics?”

Would this be any different than “if a British man is not obese…” or “if a German man is not obese…”

I don’t think the interest in living longer is unique to Americans or something.

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#24

Post by prepend » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 1:49 PM UTC

legulere wrote: post #14

[flagged]

These aren’t exclusive searches.

Magical chemicals are used in addition to diet and exercise (the most well-known life extension intervention).

I don’t think anyone is “obsessed with miracle drugs” so much as they are just interested in useful info to live longer.

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#25

Post by formvoltron » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 1:59 PM UTC

isn't it due to lowering blood sugar spikes? If so, I noticed that my blood sugar does not spike after a meal if I just walk casually on a treadmill for maybe 15 minutes after eating.

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#26

Post by keenmaster » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 2:40 PM UTC

prepend wrote: post #23

keenmaster wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I’m sure diet also plays a role. I want a tool where I can ask “if an American man is not obese, doesn’t smoke/do drugs/drink alcohol, and is not predisposed to violent early death, what is the average lifespan for people with his characteristics?”

Would this be any different than “if a British man is not obese…” or “if a German man is not obese…” I don’t think the interest in living longer is unique to Americans or something.

Totally agreed, “American” is interchangeable here

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#27

Post by trollied » Sun, Sep 17, 2023, 4:05 PM UTC

IAmGraydon wrote: post #21

Always be wary of headlines structured like this: “Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Effect on the Gut Microbiota?” It presents something as fact (Acarbose has longevity benefits) in the form of a question. This sort of structure implies that it’s already been widely accepted as fact that this is true without overtly saying it and it’s commonly used in marketing to slip things by the brain’s natura…

I think it is. I'm lactose intolerant, and somebody posted in one of the LI forums this morning asking about acarbose. I had never heard of it until today, and now it has also appeared on HN.

Re: Are the Longevity Benefits of Acarbose Rooted in Its Role on the Gut Microbiota?

#28

Post by turbo_time » Mon, Sep 18, 2023, 3:13 PM UTC

JumpCrisscross wrote: post #3

> acarbose was one of five molecules shown to increase lifespan Rapacmycin, acarbose, glycine, canagliflozin and 17-a-estradiol [1]. Acarbose’s side effects include “flatulence (78% of patients) and diarrhea (14% of patients)” [2]. (It also appears to be hard on the liver.) [1] https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dab/interventions-testing-p... [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acarbose

It would be interesting to see acarbose's lifespan effects compared to inulin in mice. Inulin has similar side effects in some people, hence why sunchokes/Jerusalem artichokes are also called "fartichokes".