Find out how a diabetes drug can help you lose fat permanently. Hypoglycemic medications are at the same time an effective means of reducing body weight, and therefore the use of Metformin for weight loss is widespread among athletes. Doctors also confirm the effectiveness of this drug in the fight against obesity, but warn of possible side effects. This suggests that you need to be careful if you decide to start taking Metformin for weight loss and you should first consult with a specialist and conduct a complete medical examination.
Pharmacological properties of Metformin
If you have decided that you need to use Metformin for weight loss, then get acquainted with the pharmacological properties of this medication:
- Slows down the reaction of glucose production from non-carbohydrate elements (this process is called glucogenesis and takes place in the liver).
- Slows down the absorption of glucose by the intestinal tract.
- Optimizes the processes of peripheral glucose breakdown.
- It promotes the activation of special receptors and thereby increases the insulin sensitivity of tissues, however, it does not affect the pancreas and cannot cause a hypoglycemic reaction in a healthy person.
- Reduces the concentration of "bad" cholesterol and triglycerides in blood plasma.
- Normalizes or reduces body weight.
- Strengthens the processes of resorption of blood clots and reduces the risk of blood clots.
- Accelerates fat oxidation processes.
- Reduces the concentration of thyroid-stimulating hormone.
What is Metformin used for?
Although now the use of Metformin for weight loss is being practiced more and more often, the drug is primarily intended for solving other problems. This primarily concerns the treatment of diabetes:
- Non-insulin dependent diabetes (type 2) with normal kidney function.
- Prediabetic condition.
- Type 2 diabetes, accompanied by obesity, and the most effective drug may be if diet and exercise do not help you lose weight.
- In type 1 diabetes, Metformin is used in combination with insulin.
Rules for the use of Metformin for weight loss
More recently, the use of Metformin for weight loss has become extremely popular among athletes and ordinary people. Today you can find a lot of reviews about this use of the drug, which prove the effectiveness of this step. It should be noted that the use of Metformin for weight loss is quite simple and the drug practically does not produce a negative effect on the body.
The most interesting results of the Metformin studies (it was they who, as a result, gave many answers to the question about the work of Metformin) is an experiment conducted several years ago in the United States. The study involved volunteers who were divided into three groups. As a result, significant positive effects were noted.
However, you must remember that the use of Metformin for weight loss can give maximum results only in combination with physical activity, which should not be excessively intense. This fact is due to the fact that strong physical activity leads to the active production of lactic acid, which is a metabolite of energy processes.
Metformin works much worse at high acidity. Thus, you should not give up sports while using this drug, but you need to select the required intensity of exercise. The bioavailability index of Metformin ranges from 50 to 65 percent, and the maximum concentration of the active ingredient in the blood is reached two and a half hours after administration.
Effects of Metformin on weight loss
Let's look at the effects of using Metformin for weight loss:
- The absorption of carbohydrates in the intestinal tract slows down, and the rate of carbohydrate processing also decreases.
- The rate of insulin production does not change, but excess energy cannot be converted into adipose tissue by this hormone.
- Hunger is suppressed, which allows the concentration of insulin to be reduced.
- Since the drug cannot suppress the production of insulin in a healthy person, the drug does not affect the sugar concentration.
The use of Metformin for weight loss: scheme
Now we will tell you what should be the use of Metformin for weight loss by healthy people and those suffering from diabetes. If a person is diagnosed with diabetes, but he does not need insulin, then Metformin must be taken in accordance with the following scheme:
- From the 1st to the 3rd days - three times a day, 0.5 grams.
- From the 4th to the 14th days - three times a day, 1 gram.
Further increase in dosages must be agreed with a specialist. You may need to use the drug for prophylactic purposes at a daily dosage of one to three grams. It must also be said that the maximum daily dosage is three grams.
If a person suffers from diabetes and is forced to take insulin, then the scheme for using Metformin to combat excess weight will be slightly different. However, this statement is true for a situation where the required dosage of insulin does not exceed 40 units per day. Otherwise, you can use the scheme described above. If you take more than 40 units of insulin throughout the day, then the dosage of Metformin should be agreed with your doctor.
Let's find out what should be the correct use of Metformin for weight loss by athletes and healthy people. Throughout the day, you need to take the drug in an amount of 0.45 to 0.5 grams at the same time with food. We do not recommend increasing the indicated dose, as Metformin is a medication and has certain side effects. The duration of such a course is three months, and then it is imperative to pause.
It should be warned that the use of dosages of 2 to 3 grams with the simultaneous use of insulin can be hazardous to health. Insulin not only reduces the fat burning properties of Metformin, but can also cause side effects. Let us remind you that Metformin must be consumed simultaneously with food or immediately after taking it.
In addition, there is one more rule that must be followed by everyone who thinks about the use of Metformin for weight loss - during the day you need to drink water at the rate of 30 milliliters per kilo of body weight. Like other medications, Metformin cannot be combined with alcohol and used against the background of a "hungry" dietary nutrition program.
What side effects are possible when using Metformin?
The drug has a number of side effects that you should be aware of. Moreover, they can be directed to various systems of the body. If we talk about the digestive, then this is nausea, pain in the abdomen, lack of appetite, diarrhea, increased gas formation. As well as the appearance of a metallic taste in the mouth.
All these side effects can appear at the beginning of the course, but during a short time period, they most often disappear on their own. If this does not happen, then you should start taking antacid medications, as well as antispasmodics. In addition, allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the active ingredients of Metformin are possible.
Some of the side effects may be directed to metabolism. First of all, it is lactic acidosis, which can cause lactic acid coma. This side effect is most often seen in people with kidney problems. The main symptoms of the onset of lactic acidosis are a decrease in body temperature, rapid breathing, shortness of breath and even loss of consciousness. As soon as you notice these symptoms. You should immediately consult a doctor. In addition, the use of Metformin for weight loss can cause a decrease in the body's ability to process vitamin B12, which will lead to disruption of the hematopoietic system.
Nutrition and exercise while using Metformin
You should eliminate all fast carbohydrates from your diet. It is very important to introduce dairy products, lean meats, vegetables, vegetables containing a minimum of glucose, and whole grain bread into the diet. The last meal should be no later than 6 pm. It is very important to eat at least four times a day and drink enough water.
On the Metformin Slimming course, you can do any kind of sports. The only requirement for the training process is a moderate intensity of training. We strongly recommend that you first seek the advice of a specialist. Since this medication regulates energy metabolism in the body, its uncontrolled use can lead to serious consequences.
You should always remember that any medication should be taken only after consultation with your doctor. Self-medication is often the cause of serious disruptions in the functioning of important organs and systems. All endocrinologists are unanimous in the opinion that the use of Metformin for weight loss can bring excellent results, but this is possible only with the correct use of this drug. Remember that any medication can be harmful if misused.
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