New discoveries changing your health

Q: Dr. Roizen, I bought your book “The Realage Makeover” in 2005. What would you change in that book? Any major new findings? — Gene G., Cleveland

A: There have been so many amazing discoveries about health and aging in the past 17 years. They include insights into how the immune system functions and malfunctions; an understanding of genetics — and epigenetics — that lets researchers manipulate genes to alter disease risk or repair worn-out body parts; further knowledge about supplement choices; the impact of diet and physical activity on disease prevention; and much more.

The Great Age Reboot (my latest book due out in the fall and at www.greatagereboot.com) explores these and many other life-altering insights. For example, did you know that CRISPR/CAS9 gene editing — a technology that turns on or off parts of genes to control their impact on your body — has been used to reverse heart damage in some folks with heart failure? Or that you may soon be able to turn white fat that causes inflammation into brown fat that makes you thinner.

Q: Much has been made of the anti-aging, life-extending effects of the diabetes drug metformin. Should we all be taking that medication? — Sonny A., Washington, D.C.

A: Worldwide, metformin is the first-line oral treatment for Type 2 diabetes. It’s also used to help control prediabetes, so it doesn’t progress to full-blown Type 2 and to lower glucose levels in women who develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. It’s sometimes prescribed to help people counter the weight-gaining impact of antipsychotic drugs.

However, lately there has been a lot of conversation about its wider-ranging effects that seem to prevent disease and prolong a healthy life.

■ A study in Primary Care Diabetes found that it may lower the risk of breast, prostate and colon cancer in folks with Type 2.

■ Another in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that it protected against cognitive decline and was associated with a lower rate of dementia in those with diabetes.

■ A 2013 study found that it lowers the risk for stroke in people with diabetes and their death rates due to cardiovascular disease.

■ And preliminary studies show it increases what the researchers call your “healthspan,” because it improves the body’s response to insulin, helps fight inflammation and improves the health of your blood vessels.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare.com.