Can Insulin help with Langlebigkeit?

Whether insulin can help with longevity is a nuanced question. Insulin is a vital hormone for glucose regulation. Deficiency (type 1 diabetes) or severe resistance (type 2 diabetes) clearly shorten lifespan and increase age-related disease risk. Thus, proper insulin function is necessary for health and longevity. However, directly taking insulin as an anti-aging intervention in non-diabetic individuals is not only ineffective but dangerous (risk of hypoglycemia, weight gain). Longevity research often focuses on the insulin/IGF-1 signaling pathway, which in model organisms (worms, flies, mice) is linked to caloric restriction and extended lifespan. In humans, the picture is more complex: reduced insulin/IGF-1 signaling (e.g., via certain genetic variants) is associated with longevity, but complete blockade is harmful. Therefore, insulin itself does not promote longevity; rather, maintaining insulin sensitivity through diet, exercise, and healthy weight is key. Supplementing insulin without medical indication is not advised. Evidence level: mechanistic/animal studies; human evidence is mostly observational.