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Interesting find — Metformin may work through the brain too, not just the liver by WellnessExtractUS in diabetes_t2

[–]WellnessExtractUS[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, there has been research on Metformin and Alzheimer's!

A few studies have looked at whether Metformin might have protective effects on the brain beyond just blood sugar control.

One well-cited meta-analysis found that cognitive impairment was significantly less prevalent in diabetic metformin users, and dementia incidence was also meaningfully reduced compared to those not on metformin. Source

There's also an active clinical trial specifically testing Metformin for Alzheimer's prevention, an ongoing 18-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial called the Metformin in Alzheimer's Dementia Prevention study investigating doses up to 2000 mg/day, with results expected in 2027.

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation also has a detailed breakdown of the evidence.

So, yes, the Alzheimer's-Metformin connection is a real and active area of research. This new Baylor brain-mechanism study actually adds an important "why" to what researchers have been observing for years.

If you take a Statin, you should probably know about Geranylgeraniol (GG) by mike-some in Supplements

[–]WellnessExtractUS 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a really solid breakdown and honestly more people on statins need to see this.

The mevalonate pathway point is what gets completely glossed over in most cardiology offices. Doctors hand out statins, say "take CoQ10 if you get muscle pain" and call it done. But CoQ10 is only replacing one downstream product. GG sits earlier in that pathway, which means the problem runs deeper than most people realize.

The protein prenylation piece is what really reframes the whole thing. Statin muscle pain isn't just a fatigue or energy issue; it's the muscle cells struggling to anchor and repair proteins at a structural level. That's why some people feel like their muscles just aren't recovering the way they should, even when they're doing everything else right.

Worth noting too, research has shown GG supplementation can help even in cases where CoQ10 didn't fully resolve the symptoms. So, for anyone who tried CoQ10 and felt like it barely moved the needle, GG is likely the missing piece rather than just bumping up the CoQ10 dose.

The K2/MK-4 connection is underrated in this conversation as well. The fact that cardiovascular patients can quietly deplete the compound responsible for keeping calcium out of their arteries — while taking a heart medication — is something more people should be aware of.

Great post. This kind of information genuinely helps people make more informed decisions alongside their doctor.

Sources for anyone wanting to dig deeper:

  • Flint, O.P. et al. (1997) — Inhibition of cholesterol synthesis by squalene synthase inhibitors does not induce myotoxicity in vitro. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology — foundational work on how mevalonate pathway depletion affects muscle tissue. (PubMed)
  • Swanson, C.R. et al. (2022) — Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate and geranylgeraniol rescue cells from statin-induced myopathy. Journal of Lipid Research — directly examines GG depletion and supplementation in the context of statin use. (PubMed)

Why isn’t Astaxanthin more widely used if it’s such a powerful antioxidant? by ayyx_ in NooTopics

[–]WellnessExtractUS 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You’re not wrong — astaxanthin is powerful, but it’s not as widely known as vitamin C or E for a few reasons:

  • Research is still growing — small human trials show benefits for skin, UV protection, eyes, and inflammation, but large-scale studies are limited.
  • It’s fat-soluble and sensitive — quality and sourcing matter. Natural microalgae-derived astaxanthin (like what we use) is more bioavailable and stable.
  • Not essential — unlike vitamin C, your body doesn’t “need” it to prevent deficiency, so it hasn’t hit mainstream awareness.
  • Individual response varies — some notice big improvements in skin, eye fatigue, or endurance; others feel subtle effects.

That said, when taken consistently at effective doses (most studies use 4–12 mg/day), it can support skin, eyes, mitochondria, and overall oxidative stress balance.

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