Does Metformin For Weight Loss Works?

DOES METFORMIN WORK WHEN IT COMES TO WEIGHT LOSS?

Amongst the medical professionals and generally in the medical fraternity there is a raging debate as to whether it is prudent to begin a metformin therapy. The question that begs for an answer is whether the claims that there are benefits in starting a metformin therapy are they real? The type 2 diabetes is treated through the use of metformin. It is therefore of great importance that it should be established without a shadow of doubt whether metformin for weight loss works.  If it does work the use of metformin to help in weight loss could be a major medical breakthrough that would become like a double edged sword treating type 2 diabetes while at the same time assisting those who are overweight lose their weight without the risk of their bodies being harmed in the process.

SO WHAT IS METFORMIN?

Metformin can be defined as a medication that is oral by nature and hypoglycemic that is used in bringing down sugars amounts in the blood. It is suggested that Metformin should be introduced immediately as part of the early treatment for type 2 diabetes. Metformin is administered to patients in the form of tablets. Regarding the dose, it is administered in small doses at the onset and then slowly added until the highest dose required is achieved.

HOW DOES METFORMIN FUNCTION AND WHAT IS THE REASON BEHIND IT CAUSING WEIGHT LOSS?

The method through which Metformin functions may be the reason behind the claims that it can effectively help those that need to lose their weight to do that successfully.  Metformin can reduce the manufacturing of sugar by the liver. Although the liver can manufacture sugar from other elements, Metformin stops a particular enzyme’s pathway which in turn allows less sugar to be released into the blood stream. Extra sugar is stored in the muscles, and therefore, when Metformin deposits excess sugar into the muscles, the quantity of sugar in the blood is also brought down.  When the splitting of fats is hindered, then there are fewer amounts of fatty acids obtainable thus less sugar is produced.

ARE THERE ANY SIDE AFFECTS OF USING METFORMIN FOR WEIGHT LOSS

As was earlier mentioned if it were possible to use Metformin to assist those that need to lose their weight to do so then it would be a major medical breakthrough in the field of medicine, that would benefit many people more those that have excess weight. However, it is significant to mention that the use of Metformin for weight loss should be with the assurance that it shall cause no harm on the body whatsoever.  Besides those that are having heart, liver and kidney ailments Metformin are safe to use medication. Lactic acidosis which is a condition in which lactic acid builds up in the bloodstream more than it can be gotten rid of is another state in which the use of Metformin be halted and especially before some scans or operations using certain contrasts. In spite of the side effects of using Metformin and the major one being the loss of bowel motions that eventually eases off, with the utilization of the medication for a period. In most cases this drug can still be used for the purpose of assisting those that are overweight to reduce their weight, on condition that such claims that it can work are valid.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS METFORMIN?

The yardstick for measuring the success of Metformin in weight loss therapy is just one, and that is how effective it is in managing diabetes and more so the diabetes type 2. This can only be measured by making use of what is known as HbA1C, which can ascertain the sugar amounts over a period of three months. The HbA1C can show the use of Metformin over a period of three months drastically reduces the blood sugar levels by 1.5%. According to medics especially those that deal with diabetes a 1.5 average reduction in blood sugar levels can only be described as significant progress in managing diabetes. When it is finally confirmed that the claims about Metformin being able to help in weight loss are right, then that shall certainly put the drug on such a high pedestal in the world of medicine.

IS THERE ANY TRUTH IN THE CLAIMS THAT METFORMIN CAN HELP YOU LOSE WEIGHT?

The answer to this question is not easy to come by or find, but the only encouraging news is that no weight is gained when one is using Metformin to manage diabetes. Although the discussion revolves around Metformin for weight loss, the above point about the drug not causing weight gain is important because it is a fact that certain remedies for treatment and management of diabetes cause some increase in weight. When metformin does not cause weight gain when compared to other diabetes treatments, then it can only mean that its use can only result in a low body weight. Results of some studies have indicated that there is a significant amount of weight loss as a consequence of the use of Metformin which gives some credence to the claims that it brings about weight loss. However, these results do warrant the use of metformin on its own as weight loss medication, and no one is advised.

WRAPPING UP

The truth is that metformin has been quite a success in treating and managing type 2 diabetes and more so in controlling the levels of blood sugar in the body. Nevertheless, it is a different story when it comes to Metformin and weight loss, the studies that have been carried out this far, and the results they have yielded have not been helpful in drawing the conclusion that, Metformin can be used exclusively for weight loss. Thus, the conclusion is that for the treatment and management of diabetes it is okay to use Metformin but to use it only for the purpose of weight loss that for now is not recommended.