Metformin is the most commonly prescribed treatment for type 2 diabetes and has consistently shown anti-cancer benefits in research studies.
According to the literature, the anti-carcinoma effects of metformin are often results of the following mechanisms: 1) activating LKB1 and AMPK and inhibiting mTOR activity; 2) inhibiting protein synthesis; 3) stopping the cell cycle; 4) triggering apoptosis and autophagy by p53 and p21; 5) decreasing blood insulin ...
Metformin-induced AMPK activation has also been shown to reduce cancer cell proliferation through several other mechanisms, including activation of cMYC, HIF-1α and DICER1 [11].
Overall, cancer incidence and mortality were decreased by approximately 10% to 40% in diabetic patients who used metformin at doses of 1,500–2,250 mg per day [9].
For People With Diabetes, Metformin Lowers the Risk of Death
Research in humans suggests that metformin can impact mortality. A meta-analysis published in 2017 that included 53 different studies concluded that metformin reduces all-cause mortality and diseases of aging, independent of its effect on diabetes.
How long to take it for. Treatment for diabetes is usually for life. But if your kidneys are not working properly, your doctor will tell you to stop taking metformin and switch you to a different medicine. Do not stop taking metformin without talking to your doctor.
Chemotherapy not only kills fast-growing cancer cells, but also kills or slows the growth of healthy cells that grow and divide quickly.
Anti angiogenic drugs are treatments that stop tumours from growing their own blood vessels. This might slow the growth of the cancer or sometimes shrink it. There are different types of anti angiogenic drugs.
The well-known advantages of this agent include its glucose-lowering efficacy, low risk of hypoglycemia, modest body weight reduction, easy combination with almost any other glucose-lowering agent, and its low cost (2). Moreover, metformin is generally well tolerated, with diarrhea being the most common side effect.
South Korea Bans Several Metformin Medications
In May 2020, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea—the equivalent of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the U.S.—reported that 31 metformin drugs tested contained levels of NDMA that exceeded the permissible level.
The United Kingdom Prospective Diabetic Study (UKPDS) has shown metformin to improve mortality rates in diabetes patients, and recent studies suggest metformin has additional effects in treating cancer, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and metabolic syndrome.
Long-term side effects
Taking metformin can cause vitamin B12 deficiency if you take it for a long time. This can make you feel very tired, breathless and faint, so your doctor may check the vitamin B12 level in your blood. If your vitamin B12 levels become too low, vitamin B12 supplements will help.
Metformin hydrochloride is a widely-used type II diabetes drug that may also stop cancer cells from dividing.
Certain fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, oats, whole grains, spices and teas provide unique benefits not found in other foods. These benefits help reduce the risks of certain cancers and can even slow tumor growth and recurrence. Most of these plant-based foods provide plenty of other health benefits too.
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) are the cells that recognize and destroy cancer cells, and they're first activated in tumor-draining lymph nodes.
Radiation therapy (also called radiotherapy) is a cancer treatment that uses high doses of radiation to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. At low doses, radiation is used in x-rays to see inside your body, as with x-rays of your teeth or broken bones.
"Cancer-fighting foods"
The list is usually topped with berries, broccoli, tomatoes, walnuts, grapes and other vegetables, fruits and nuts. "If you look at the typical foods that reduce cancer risk, it's pretty much all plant foods that contain phytochemicals," says Wohlford.
Of these, red and processed meats raise the most concern in terms of cancer risk. Red meat includes pork, beef, veal, and lamb. Processed meat includes bacon, ham, lunch meats, meat jerky, hot dogs, salami, and other cured meat products.
As much as possible, avoid white bread, white rice, white pasta, candy, soda, desserts, and snacks like chips or crackers. Eating foods that can spike your blood sugar will not necessarily make the metformin not work, however, it will increase the burden it has to work against.
An effective substitute for Metformin is a compound known as berberine or berberine hydrochloride, which is obtained from many plant species, including goldenseal, barberry, Oregon grape, and turmeric.