Metformin is a drug used for years in the treatments against type 2 diabetes, however, depending on the cases, it has also become a fantastic option to lose weight. But it should not be taken lightly, like any medicine, it requires medical monitoring and guidelines for use.
In order for you to learn a little more about what the metformin treatment for weight loss consists of, in the following oneHOWTO article we will explain everything you need to know about this drug; what it is, what it is used for, its risks and contraindications, and how to take metformin to lose weight.
What is metformin and what is it for
Metformin is a drug that can be used alone or together with other medications such as insulin, which serves as part of the treatment for type 2 diabetes. This medical condition prevents the body from using insulin normally, making it unable to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Metformin is classified within the family of medications called binguanides, and specifically it is used to control glucose in the blood. This is achieved through different mechanisms; on the one hand, the amount absorbed by the body from food decreases, but on the other hand, the amount created in the liver also decreases. In addition, the body’s response to insulin, the substance with which our body regulates the amount of glucose present in the blood, also improves.
It has been precisely this ability to regulate sugar levels that has made it prove as method to lose weight. The fact that it can regulate insulin can prevent sudden binges and hunger pangs, leaving the person who is trying to lose but feel more satiated. Here we explain the benefits of metformin to lose weight.
Metformin for weight loss: benefits
The basic function of metformin, and why it is used to treat diabetes, is that this medicine helps to reduce glucose secretion by the liver. Apart from this, it makes the muscular tissues use this sugar much more efficiently and reverses the effects caused by insulin.
In addition to serving as a treatment for diabetes, it has been discovered that among the benefits of this drug, there are some that can be used to treat other conditions such as lower cholesterol levels or to help lose weight.
A scientific study showed that taking metformin for 15 days, a group of people managed to lose body weight and lower the percentage of fat at a level much higher than the placebo.
It should be noted that this is not suitable for everyone, only for those people who are overweight and this is caused by a excessively high insulin secretion. When fat is stored in the abdomen, the little insulin secretion can cause the appetite to not be regulated properly and to continue eating and gaining weight.
If too many carbohydrates are eaten, blood glucose levels rise, consequently, the levels of insulin secreted by the pancreas also rise. This insulin sends signals to our brain that tell it that we are still hungry and in turn tells the liver to continue producing fat. Metformin can help these patients but, as we will see below, it is not suitable for everyone.
Metformin for weight loss: risks, side effects and contraindications
As you have read, metformin is a drug used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, so its use cannot be taken lightly. First of all, you should know that in Spain and other countries you need a prescription for metformin, so its use can only be accompanied by an exhaustive medical control by a qualified health professional. Beyond a doctor evaluating your particular case and deciding if you can use metformin to lose weight, there are a number of groups that cannot take this drug. The metformin is contraindicated for:
- People with kidney problems and disorders.
- People with heart problems and disorders.
- People with any medical problem that can cause acidosis.
Nor can athletes take metformin. This drug causes blood glucose levels to drop, so if we add it to the drop caused by intense exercise, you could suffer hypoglycemia.
On the other hand, the consumption of metformin can trigger different side effects. In case of suffering any of these alterations you should consult your doctor and finish the treatment. The side effects of metformin are:
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting and nausea
- Fever
- Lumbar pain
- Tiredness and lack of energy
- Muscle pains
How to take metformin to lose weight
There are a series of guidelines that you should take into account before starting to take metformin to lose weight, here are the most important ones:
- Before you start using this drug you should consult a doctor to see if you qualify for it to be effective and not cause side effects. Its use should be limited to those with problems in the processing of glucose, otherwise it will not work for you.
- Metformin it should be taken during breakfast. If you want to lose weight, this meal should be the most abundant of the day, so that the metabolism accelerates from the first hours. Since metformin causes satiety, if you take it at night you can get up without hunger, on the contrary, if you take it in the morning you will cause the anxiety to eat in the afternoon.
- You must be clear that if after following this treatment you continue with the same lifestyle and diet that you had before and that has caused you to be overweight, it is inevitable to ensure that the metformin for weight loss will have a rebound effect.
This article is merely informative, at oneHOWTO we do not have the power to prescribe any medical treatment or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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