Some simple and refined carbohydrates Metformin helps limit blood glucose levels. Simple and refined carbs boost those blood sugar levels, which can increase weight gain and cause metformin not to work as well as it should.
Simple and refined carbs: Metformin helps the body reduce blood sugar, but it doesn't work effectively if you eat a lot of foods that make blood glucose levels spike. Refined or processed carbs have little fiber and can rapidly increase blood sugar levels. So can foods high in sugar.
If you eat a lot of sugar while taking Metformin, your body will have to work harder to keep your blood sugar levels within a healthy range, and the Metformin will not be as effective for weight loss. However, if it happens infrequently, you should not suffer too many negative side effects. The key is moderation.
Hyperglycemia. Consuming simple carbs can cause blood glucose levels to rise quickly in those with diabetes. According to the ADA, eating more than planned or exercising less than planned can result in hyperglycemia. Left untreated, hyperglycemia, or high blood glucose, can cause a serious condition called ketoacidosis ...
Additionally, metformin gets rid of excess glucose via the intestines. The presence of this extra glucose in the intestines can trigger diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems.
Simple and refined carbs raise a person's blood glucose levels. Carbs such as candy, soda, and desserts must be avoided. Avoid refined carbs including pasta, white bread, or white rice.
Metformin is the most prescribed antidiabetic medication. One suggested mechanism of action is by decreasing carbohydrate absorption. It is usually recommended to take metformin during the meal to decrease gastrointestinal side effects.
Although eating too many carbs can lead to high blood sugar levels, people with diabetes are taught to count their carbohydrates rather than sugar. Here's why!
How Much Bread Can You Eat with Diabetes? "People with diabetes can eat bread as long as it fits either their meal plan or within their carbohydrate counting allowance," says Kitty Broihier, M.S., RD, LD. "In general, that means choosing a slice that has 15 grams of carbohydrates for sandwiches."
Following a low-carb diet is usually recommended to people with type 2 diabetes, where carb consumption is limited to 26% of your daily calorie intake. This means consuming less than 130 grams of carbs per day if you typically eat 2,000 calories.
Chronic diarrhea associated with metformin has been described as watery, often explosive, and frequently causing fecal incontinence. These features are similar to those of diabetic diarrhea, except that the drug-induced disorder may be much more likely in the patient with type 2 diabetes.
Metformin. Individuals with type 2 diabetes can can safely take metformin on a low-carb diet. There is a very low risk of low blood sugar from taking metformin.
Taking metformin with or after a meal can curb side effects
Metformin can be taken with or without food. However, if you're prone to its side effects, such as nausea, upset stomach, diarrhea, or vomiting, it is best to take metformin with or after a meal.
How to take it. It's best to take metformin tablets with, or just after, your evening meal to reduce the chance of getting side effects. Swallow your metformin tablets whole with a drink of water.
GOOD FOR DIABETICS: People who have diabetes should eat toasted bread rather than plain bread.
If you have type 2 diabetes breakfast cereals made with wholegrains can help to manage blood glucose levels, they release glucose more slowly as they are low GI. Weetabix, Oatibix and Shredded Wheat can make for good choices.
Can people with diabetes eat sourdough bread? People with diabetes can eat sourdough bread or any other bread that fits into their dietary plan. That said, because sourdough has a lower glycemic index than other bread varieties, it can be a particularly good choice if you're watching your blood sugar levels.
THE WORST: Refined or processed carbohydrates
These are carbohydrates like white bread, white sugar, white flour pasta, and white rice that have been stripped of their blood-sugar-buffering fiber, as well as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, things both your body and hair are big fans of.
When you don't get enough carbohydrates, the level of sugar in your blood may drop to below the normal range (70-99 mg/dL), causing hypoglycemia. Your body then starts to burn fat for energy, leading to ketosis.
While fasting blood glucose could still be in the normal range, it is taking increasing amounts of insulin to keep it there. As insulin resistance develops, and insulin becomes increasingly ineffective to bring blood sugars down, blood sugars will eventually rise too high.
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.
It could be that you are not following dietary guidelines, have stopped exercising, or have gained excessive weight. Or, it could be that you're not taking the drug as prescribed. Whatever the reason, the very first indication that metformin is not working is when your blood glucose levels are high.