Doctors prescribe metformin to both lower blood sugar in insulin-independent diabetics (type 2 diabetics) and to lose weight. But it is often taken by quite healthy people who want to remove a few kg of excess body weight.
The active substance of metformin
The substance is extracted from the French siren (goat's rue, galegi). By activating the AMPK enzyme, it lowers glucose synthesis, normalizes metabolic processes in skin cells.
The results after application are as follows:
- sugar is reduced by an average of 20%;
- body weight is normalized;
- cholesterol decreases;
- lipid metabolism returns to normal;
- blood clotting improves.
To reduce obesity, doctors often prescribe metformin for weight loss for obese people without diabetes. Sometimes being overweight is a harbinger of diabetes.
Metformin elements accelerate the oxidation of fatty substances. Those. they work as catalysts. The calories received by a person after eating are partially expended by him for active life. The rest of the body "saves" for the future for an extreme case.
Metformin substances block the formation of such fat stores and cause excess energy to be expended. These properties appeal to professional and amateur bodybuilders who are simply looking to normalize body weight.
Indications for use
Metformin, according to the instructions, is prescribed to patients with type 2 diabetes in the case when diet therapy has not yielded results. This is especially true for obese people.
The substance, entering the body, lowers the concentration of cholesterol in the presence of insulin in the patient's blood. Otherwise, its effect may not be. That is, the substance metformin reduces the absorption of glucose in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby turning off gluconeogenesis of the liver (synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate compounds in the liver).
This drug prevents the formation of new fat cells, reducing a person's dependence on food, suppressing appetite. These qualities have become very attractive to those who want to lose weight by any means. Metformin is also indicated for obesity (up to six months) and prediabetes.
This is a non-standard therapeutic treatment.
In gynecology, it is prescribed to women for the treatment of polycystic ovary disease.
However, in order to reduce body weight, it is inappropriate to use it in some cases. There are certain conditions that must be met. Contraindications are in the foreground.
Contraindications
The instructions for Metformin indicate a decent number of cases, who should not use it. In the variant when some use metformin for weight loss, before taking it, they should first of all analyze all contraindications.
You should not risk the following groups of people:
- pregnant and lactating mothers;
- elderly people 60 - 80 years old, during hard work;
- chronic alcoholics;
- people after major surgery or after injury;
- with a weakened liver;
- with impaired renal function (chrestinin clearance less than 60 ml / min);
- with acute diseases (with bronchopulmonary problems, pain in the kidneys, with severe infections, with gastrointestinal problems, with hypoxia);
- with ketoacidosis;
- conducted radioisotope, radiographic work on the background
- iodine-containing substance with a period of 2 days before and after;
- eating food with an energy consumption of 1200 kcal / day or less);
- sensitive to the apparatus;
- with lactose deficiency, lactose intolerance.
These are all official contraindications. With skin rashes, intoxication, an increase in body temperature, the dose of the drug is reduced or stopped.
Effects of metformin on the body
Metformin drugs have the following effect on the human body:
- suppress appetite, due to a decrease in the production of insulin in the blood;
- increase glucose uptake by muscles;
- significantly reduce the absorption of carbohydrates in the digestive tract;
- accelerate the oxidation of fatty acids;
- inhibits the formation of glycogen in the liver.
The drug lowers the production of insulin, accelerates the oxidation of fatty acids
As a result, the human body gets an energy deficit, as in a normal fast. This deficiency is overcome through the expenditure of existing fat accumulations. At the same time, the blood sugar level is maintained at the proper level.
In addition, women are prescribed it for polycystic ovary disease.
Does metformin help you lose weight?
Fat burning properties make it possible to use metformin for weight loss. How to take this drug so as not to harm the body - everyone decides this moment for himself, having carefully studied all the contraindications first and undergoing examination in a medical institution.
Weight loss was first noticed during the use of this substance back in 1922 by scientists James Bell and Emil Werner. Frenchman Jean Stern made a discovery in 1957 and applied it to diabetics. The industrial scale of its release began in 1958 in Great Britain, later (1972) in Canada, USA (1994).
This substance prevents the formation of fat cells in the body. Those. excess energy received with food begins to be spent and is not deposited anywhere in the tissues "in reserve". Due to this action, a gradual decrease in human weight occurs.
Is there any harm from metformin?
People are harming their health if they don't take breaks and use metformin systematically to lose weight. How to take it profitably to get the desired result?
The rules for taking the drug are as follows:
- be sure to carefully study the instructions for use and are more objective about their capabilities;
- if there are kidney problems, lactic acidosis may develop. This is because the drug is deposited in the salivary glands, muscles, kidneys and liver and is excreted only by the kidneys. If they do not work fully, then up to 90% of metformin do not undergo changes and remain in the human body.
With prolonged use of metformin for weight loss (more than 3 weeks), anorexia and vitamin B12 deficiency may develop. As a result - harm to the whole body with dangerous problems.
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The medical industry manufactures metformin in the form of oblong or round coated tablets. One tablet contains metformin hydrochloride, excipients (crospovidone, talc, povidone, magnesium stearate, corn starch) and a shell (talc, titanium dioxide, eudragit L100-55, methacrylic acid Macrogol 6000).
Metformin is produced in packs of 30, 60, 120 pcs. in tablets 500, 850, 1000 mg.
How to use metformin for weight loss
In order not to get side effects when using metformin for weight loss (such as diarrhea, vomiting and nausea) follow a certain sequence.
In the first week, the substance is consumed at 500 mg per day. The next 14 days are gradually brought to 850 - 1000 mg (2 doses).
To prevent serious disorders of the body's metabolic processes, after 3 weeks, the course of its intake is completed. It is worth remembering that prolonged use of the drug can lead to anemia.
The drug in the early days allows you to reduce a certain amount of glucose in the blood. This can lead to headaches and weakness. If these symptoms persist after 2-3 days, the daily dose is reduced or the drug is discontinued.
Admission rules
The tablets are taken with or after meals, 1-2 times a day. Drink with clean water. During the course, it is worth remembering that they drink water during the day at least 30 g per kg of their own weight. This greatly facilitates the work of the kidneys and speeds up metabolic processes.
There is one more condition: use it in order to lose extra pounds for only 3 weeks (500 mg with meals up to 3 times). After 20 days, the effect of its application decreases. Take a break. The obtained result in weight is supported by physical activity in the fitness room. Resume taking metformin for weight loss after 1-2 months.
Side effects and overdose
The instructions for use indicate very specifically the side effects that may occur if the indicated dosage instructions and the frequency of taking the drug are not followed.
They seriously affect almost all human systems:
- digestive organs;
- metabolism;
- organs of hematopoiesis;
- endocrine system.
An allergic reaction in the form of rashes and itching is not excluded. The digestive organs can react with abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and a metallic taste in the mouth. There may also be a lack of appetite. Such manifestations usually disappear after 3-4 days on their own.
The use of antacids or antispasmodics will help alleviate the unpleasant conditions of the body at this moment.
From the side of metabolism, the absorption of vitamin B12 (hypovitaminosis) and, in exceptional cases, lactic acidosis may be disturbed. In this case, lactic acidosis develops very quickly. At the manifestation of its first signs (muscle pain, discomfort behind the sternum, apathy, drowsiness, rapid breathing), it is required to stop taking it.
The hematopoietic organs due to vitamin B12 deficiency can, in rare cases, suffer from megaloblastic anemia. The endocrine system can be affected by hypoglycemia.
Interaction with other drugs
In order not to harm the kidneys, this drug is not taken with diuretics and laxatives. This can disrupt the blood pH and lead to hypoglycemia (especially in insulin-dependent diabetics). Cimetidine slows down the excretion of the substance by the kidneys and therefore it is not used together with it.
Reduce the effectiveness of taking metformin and other drugs:
- theroid hormones;
- thyroid hormones;
- estrogens;
- corticosteroids;
- diuretics;
- analogs of samostatin;
- glucagon;
- a nicotinic acid;
- isoniazids.
Diet while taking metformin
Taking the drug, be sure to follow a diet, otherwise you can get unpleasant side effects. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other troubles weaken health. The essence of the diet is to exclude sugar-containing and starch-containing foods from the diet.
These products include:
- oatmeal;
- rice;
- flour (especially rich) products;
- potatoes;
- beets with carrots;
- grapes (this is pure glucose);
- bananas;
- alcoholic drinks (beer in particular).
It is very important to eat right while taking Metformin
Meat, cereals, vegetables are recommended by doctors. It is compulsory to drink clean water - at least 30 ml per kg of body weight per day. The good news is that salt is not ruled out, as with many diets.
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The results of losing weight when taking this substance are varied. Not everyone knows that physical activity and low-carbon foods are required to get good results.
Bodybuilders know these conditions, and with the help of metformin, they achieve a good effect in muscle building.Physical activity perfectly accelerates the process of converting a layer of fat into muscle.
Metformin's analogs
In Russian pharmacies, metformin is sold under the following trade names:
- metformin-Richter;
- metformin-Teva;
- siofor;
- glucophage;
- glyphorin-Prolong;
- glucophage long;
- diformin;
- diaformin;
- formin pliva;
- metformin MV-Teva et al.
The most common analogues of Metformin
Most of all in Europe and in the countries of the former CIS, such analogues of Metformin, like Glucophage, Siofor, Glucophage Long, Metformin-Richter.
The opinion of doctors and reviews of those who are losing weight
Metformin helps to burn fat, but it also implies certain restrictions on food. According to doctors, metformin for weight loss can and should be used, but not as a “fabulous” pill. It serves as a great help when combined with a low-carbon diet and exercise in order to dull hunger.
On the Internet there are many, both positive and negative results of losing weight for people who have used the drug, since the effectiveness of the effect of a substance on the body is purely individual.
The opinions of doctors affect only the use of metformin for its direct prescription - for patients with diabetes. Malysheva in her program referred to him as a means of normalizing carbohydrate metabolism. She did not deny the possibility of its use for weight loss, but only for violations of insulin production.
Video about the drug Metformin for weight loss and the rules for taking
What does Elena Malysheva say about Metformin and its benefits for the body:
What forms of Metformin exist and how to take weight loss pills:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksDIEEc1Hiw
I used metformin for weight loss for 2 weeks after I saw a good result from my husband. He lost 2 kg of "not coming off" weight on his stomach, although he was actively engaged in the fitness room before taking it. He had no side effects (he did not like sweets initially), he reduced the portions of food due to lack of appetite.
I myself had to suffer from side effects (diarrhea and nausea), because I allowed a little sweet and rich. I thought that a small piece would not hurt. After 2 weeks of taking it, I lost 1.5 kg. The conclusion is this: the drug is excellent, but for its direct use (for type 2 diabetics).
She frankly admitted that without a diet and at least some small physical activity, metformin will not work. Or it will work for a short time. I would not recommend it.
Is it just that sport isn't rolling anymore?