Is the classical oral antidiabetic metformin the novel miracle drug to combat aging?

Metformin is first or second choice for oral treatment of type 2 diabetes and is licensed for its prevention. Numerous articles propagate metformin as a drug that combats diseases and lowers the risks that are associated with advanced chronological age, such as cancer, diabetes, frailty, coronary heart disease and, most recently, even COVID-19. However, no clinical studies yet exist which prove that metformin delays the onset of such age-related diseases in elderly healthy individuals. Metformin – contrary to expectations – interferes with the beneficial effects of endurance or resistance training, is suspected to rapidly lead to mild anaemia and proven to cause vitamin B12 deficiency.