Acarbose
Extensively researched for longevity, acarbose supports healthspan by flattening sugar spikes, boosting GLP-1, and strengthening gut health.
Slows carbohydrate digestion to blunt post-meal surges that fuel oxidative stress, fat storage, and accelerated aging.
Acarbose boosts natural GLP-1 production to improve insulin sensitivity and appetite control while supporting fat loss and glucose balance.
Nourishes beneficial microbes and short-chain fatty acids to lower inflammation and protect cardiovascular resilience.
Master the science of metabolic stability
Longevity Pathways
To affect longevity, we must understand its pathways
Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling
Acarbose inhibits gut enzymes that break down carbohydrates, reducing glucose absorption and insulin secretion. This decreases insulin/IGF-1 signaling, a pathway associated with lifespan extension when moderately inhibited.
Gut Microbiome Remodeling
Acarbose increases resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) linked to longevity. This remodels the microbiome to reduce inflammation and promote healthspan.
Glycemic Control
Acarbose maintains stable blood glucose by slowing carbohydrate digestion, reducing glycation damage where sugar molecules harm proteins and accelerate aging-related cellular damage.
AMPK Activation
By reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes, Acarbose maintains a metabolic state that promotes AMPK activation, supporting autophagy and other processes associated with health and longevity.
GLP-1 Secretion
Acarbose promotes GLP-1 secretion, which slows gastric emptying and stimulates insulin release. GLP-1 provides longevity benefits through improved glucose metabolism and other mechanisms.
Mitochondrial Function
Acarbose reduces postprandial glucose spikes, helping decrease chronic inflammation and potentially delaying onset of inflammation-related age-related diseases.
Weight Control
Acarbose slows digestion to help maintain healthy weight and reduce caloric intake, acting as a caloric restriction mimetic—the most reliable intervention for lifespan extension.
Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling
Acarbose inhibits gut enzymes that break down carbohydrates, reducing glucose absorption and insulin secretion. This decreases insulin/IGF-1 signaling, a pathway associated with lifespan extension when moderately inhibited.
Gut Microbiome Remodeling
Acarbose increases resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) linked to longevity. This remodels the microbiome to reduce inflammation and promote healthspan.
Glycemic Control
Acarbose maintains stable blood glucose by slowing carbohydrate digestion, reducing glycation damage where sugar molecules harm proteins and accelerate aging-related cellular damage.
AMPK Activation
By reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes, Acarbose maintains a metabolic state that promotes AMPK activation, supporting autophagy and other processes associated with health and longevity.
GLP-1 Secretion
Acarbose promotes GLP-1 secretion, which slows gastric emptying and stimulates insulin release. GLP-1 provides longevity benefits through improved glucose metabolism and other mechanisms.
Mitochondrial Function
Acarbose reduces postprandial glucose spikes, helping decrease chronic inflammation and potentially delaying onset of inflammation-related age-related diseases.
Weight Control
Acarbose slows digestion to help maintain healthy weight and reduce caloric intake, acting as a caloric restriction mimetic—the most reliable intervention for lifespan extension.
Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling
Acarbose inhibits gut enzymes that break down carbohydrates, reducing glucose absorption and insulin secretion. This decreases insulin/IGF-1 signaling, a pathway associated with lifespan extension when moderately inhibited.
Gut Microbiome Remodeling
Acarbose increases resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) linked to longevity. This remodels the microbiome to reduce inflammation and promote healthspan.
Glycemic Control
Acarbose maintains stable blood glucose by slowing carbohydrate digestion, reducing glycation damage where sugar molecules harm proteins and accelerate aging-related cellular damage.
AMPK Activation
By reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes, Acarbose maintains a metabolic state that promotes AMPK activation, supporting autophagy and other processes associated with health and longevity.
GLP-1 Secretion
Acarbose promotes GLP-1 secretion, which slows gastric emptying and stimulates insulin release. GLP-1 provides longevity benefits through improved glucose metabolism and other mechanisms.
Mitochondrial Function
Acarbose reduces postprandial glucose spikes, helping decrease chronic inflammation and potentially delaying onset of inflammation-related age-related diseases.
Weight Control
Acarbose slows digestion to help maintain healthy weight and reduce caloric intake, acting as a caloric restriction mimetic—the most reliable intervention for lifespan extension.
Insulin/IGF-1 Signaling
Acarbose inhibits gut enzymes that break down carbohydrates, reducing glucose absorption and insulin secretion. This decreases insulin/IGF-1 signaling, a pathway associated with lifespan extension when moderately inhibited.
Gut Microbiome Remodeling
Acarbose increases resistant starch that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, producing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) linked to longevity. This remodels the microbiome to reduce inflammation and promote healthspan.
Glycemic Control
Acarbose maintains stable blood glucose by slowing carbohydrate digestion, reducing glycation damage where sugar molecules harm proteins and accelerate aging-related cellular damage.
AMPK Activation
By reducing post-meal blood sugar spikes, Acarbose maintains a metabolic state that promotes AMPK activation, supporting autophagy and other processes associated with health and longevity.
GLP-1 Secretion
Acarbose promotes GLP-1 secretion, which slows gastric emptying and stimulates insulin release. GLP-1 provides longevity benefits through improved glucose metabolism and other mechanisms.
Mitochondrial Function
Acarbose reduces postprandial glucose spikes, helping decrease chronic inflammation and potentially delaying onset of inflammation-related age-related diseases.
Weight Control
Acarbose slows digestion to help maintain healthy weight and reduce caloric intake, acting as a caloric restriction mimetic—the most reliable intervention for lifespan extension.
Included with Acarbose
Healthspan personalized treatment protocols include professional clinical support on an ongoing basis. With MySpan, you can track your progress in real time—upload photos, record changes, and monitor how your protocol responds to treatment, all in one place.
Healthspan personalized treatment protocols include professional clinical support on an ongoing basis. With MySpan, you can track your progress in real time—upload photos, record changes, and monitor how your protocol responds to treatment, all in one place.
Hear from our patients
Happy with my protocol
I have been taking acarbose and rapamycin and have had no issues at all. I can tell you that my endurance in my running is way better and my sleep has improved 100%. I am happy with my protocol!
Mariam Watson
Great experience with Healthspan
I had a great call reviewing my initial labs with Brandon Fell who was extremely knowledgeable and courteous. I’ve started the Rapamycin and Acarbose protocol, and I’m looking forward to seeing what my updated labs will show in a couple months!
Anthony Badillo
Labs, progress, and care. All dialed in.
Healthspan provides great care when prescribing Rapamycin alongside frequent lab tests and detailed progress monitoring
Jspflorida
Reviews
126 reviews
Frequently asked questions
Acarbose inhibits alpha-glucosidase enzymes, slowing digestion of carbohydrates. This helps manage blood sugar and reduces inflammation via gut microbiome modulation.
Take with the first bite of a carb-rich meal. Tablets can be swallowed or chewed. Your clinician will guide specific timing and dose.
By stabilizing glucose, enhancing GLP-1, remodeling the microbiome, and reducing inflammation, Acarbose mimics calorie restriction—a known longevity pathway.
Yes. Acarbose moderates glucose spikes and reduces cravings, supporting better appetite control and weight regulation over time.
Temporary GI symptoms like bloating, gas, or mild cramping. These often improve with continued use and proper dose titration.
Yes. Acarbose is most effective when taken before meals containing complex carbohydrates.
Yes. Acarbose is often used off-label in longevity protocols to improve metabolic and gut health, even in non-diabetics.
Yes. Acarbose works well alongside Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and Rapamycin under clinical supervision.
Acarbose inhibits alpha-glucosidase enzymes, slowing digestion of carbohydrates. This helps manage blood sugar and reduces inflammation via gut microbiome modulation.
Take with the first bite of a carb-rich meal. Tablets can be swallowed or chewed. Your clinician will guide specific timing and dose.
By stabilizing glucose, enhancing GLP-1, remodeling the microbiome, and reducing inflammation, Acarbose mimics calorie restriction—a known longevity pathway.
Yes. Acarbose moderates glucose spikes and reduces cravings, supporting better appetite control and weight regulation over time.
Temporary GI symptoms like bloating, gas, or mild cramping. These often improve with continued use and proper dose titration.
Yes. Acarbose is most effective when taken before meals containing complex carbohydrates.
Yes. Acarbose is often used off-label in longevity protocols to improve metabolic and gut health, even in non-diabetics.
Yes. Acarbose works well alongside Metformin, SGLT2 inhibitors, and Rapamycin under clinical supervision.