The use of metformin by non-diabetics stems from some evidence that metformin can decrease inflammation, protect against cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment, minimize cancer risk and progression, and prolong life.
Metformin may also have health benefits for people who don't have diabetes. Doctors have long prescribed it off-label — that is, to treat conditions outside its approved use, including: Prediabetes. People with prediabetes have elevated blood sugar that isn't yet high enough to qualify as diabetes.
Is metformin safe? Recent research has also demonstrated that a low dose of metformin (1000-1500mg/day) can promote weight loss in non-diabetic individuals. ¹¹ If you experience any side effects, you should consult your healthcare professional to discuss whether metformin is right for you.
Taking medication
Taking diabetes medication when you are a non-diabetic can cause significant changes to your body's glucose levels. You should never consume any medication that is not intended for you. Hypoglycaemia can also be a side effect of several antibiotics, pneumonia, and malaria medications.
Can you take metformin for weight loss? This is an excellent question, and the short answer is yes. Sood explains that metformin has been used off-label, or outside its intended purpose as approved by the FDA, for weight management in people without type 2 diabetes.
Most adults and children aged 10 years and older can take metformin.
Metformin may also reduce weight by decreasing the amount of visceral fat in the liver and muscle tissue. Visceral fat is stored within the abdominal cavity, which contains several internal organs, including the liver, stomach, and intestines.
Metformin lowers your blood sugar levels by improving the way your body handles insulin. It's usually prescribed for diabetes when diet and exercise alone have not been enough to control your blood sugar levels.
Metformin has two advantages over other diabetes drugs: There's less risk of your blood sugar level falling too low. It doesn't cause weight gain.
The average weight loss in the group that received metformin was 5.8 kg (12.8 lbs) ±7 kg (± 15 lbs). Untreated controls gained 0.8 kg (1.8 lbs) ± 3.5 kg (± 7.7 lbs) on average. Patients with severe insulin resistance lost significantly more weight as compared to insulin sensitive patients.
Current evidence suggests that the weight change associated with metformin is more likely to be due to decreased caloric intake versus increases in energy expenditure. Metformin appears to impact appetite regulation both directly and indirectly due to its gastrointestinal side effects.
All told, the research suggests a potential 5- to 15-pound average weight loss with metformin.
Metformin has been referred to as a miracle drug due to its relatively low cost, minimal risks, and ability to ward off diabetes and potentially some effects of ageing. It is most commonly used to help lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, but it has also been found to offer them cardiovascular benefits.
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.
What does Metformin do for PCOS? Metformin prevents the liver from making glucose and decreases intestinal absorption of glucose. This leads to lower blood sugar levels, which can improve the body's response to insulin. As a result, metformin may promote hormone balance, weight loss, and improved metabolic health.
Metformin may have an adverse effect on renal function in patients with type 2 DM and moderate CKD.
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.
Commonly reported side effects of metformin include: lactic acidosis, diarrhea, nausea, nausea and vomiting, vomiting, and flatulence. Other side effects include: asthenia, and decreased vitamin b12 serum concentrate. Continue reading for a comprehensive list of adverse effects.
Numerous research groups have reported that metformin has beneficial effects on a variety of inflammatory skin disorders including psoriasis, acanthosis nigricans, acne, hidradenitis suppurativa, and allergic contact dermatitis.
In line with the results of energy metabolism, animal studies showed that the administration of metformin led to a reduction of body fat independent of its anorexigenic effects.
Your doctor will probably tell you not to take metformin. Also, tell your doctor if you are over 65 years old and if you have ever had a heart attack; stroke; diabetic ketoacidosis (blood sugar that is high enough to cause severe symptoms and requires emergency medical treatment); a coma; or heart or liver disease.
“Because the metformin helps your cells absorb sugar like they should, I've noticed an increase in energy and the ability to actually feel satisfied and not want to snack so much because my body's utilizing sugar like it should,” Steve says.
Metformin should be taken with meals to help reduce stomach or bowel side effects that may occur during the first few weeks of treatment.
Is Metformin an Effective Weight Loss Pill? No. The amount of weight you're likely to lose is low. In one diabetes prevention study, 29% of people lost 5% or more of their body weight and just 8% lost around 10%.