Benefits Of Metformin: Weight Loss, Diabetes Prevention, etc.

It’s rare that a pharmacutical can combine both the benefits of weight loss and some medical health solutions, but Metformin weight loss is just one of the uses for the drug, Metformin. Because of its effectiveness on insulin resistance, the oral medication Metformin is often used to treat a variety of weight-related problems.

What is Metformin?

A popular anti-diabetes treatment, Metformin is used to treat insulin sensitivity which leads to Type 2 diabetes. Although many doctors will first recommend low-carb diets for their patients with early signs of diabetes, Metformin is a very popular drug found to be effective on a variety of the symptoms that typically come with early signs of Type 2 diabetes like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and concentrated belly fat. By decreasing the patient’s insulin sensitivity, Metformin can also provide frequently sought after weight loss. It is an especially attractive option for patients who need to achieve real results quickly–like a jump start stage of most diet programs. Metformin can start providing blood count results quicker than typical low-carb diets.

What Other Illnesses Can Metformin Treat?

In addition to diabetes prevention and treatment, Metformin is perscribed to:

• treat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• treat Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X)
• encourage weight loss
• reduce triglyceride levels
• lower LDL cholesterol levels

What are the Possible Side Effects of Metformin? 

Another reason for Metformin’s popularity is its limited side effects for the general population. While very effective with diabetes-related symptoms, there has been some intestinal discomfort associated with the drug reported by users. So patients with existing IBS issues or Crones disease should discuss those conditions with their physician before requesting the drug, and they may even consider dietary intervention first.  

Metformin has also been associated with a rare, but real, condition known as drug-induced lactic acidosis. If you are elderly, recently have had surgery, have significant renal and hepatic disease, alcoholism or a condition associated with hypoxia like cardiac and pulmonary disease, Metformin should not be used. Other possible risk factors for metformin-induced lactic acidosis are sepsis, dehydration, and extreme high dosages of the drug. 

How Does Metformin Benefit People Suffering From PCOS and Metabolic Syndrome?

PCOS benefits: Woman with PCOS have a hormone imbalance that causes their bodies to produce harmful levels of male androgen hormones. Left unchecked, this puts them at a higher risk for uterine cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and infertility. Typically these women also experience some Endrometriosis, weight gain, and irregular hair growth patterns (thinning or growth in abnormal areas).  Metformin works to lower insulin resistance that in turn lowers the androgen levels that put them at risk.

Metabolic Syndrome benefits: Much like PCOS suffers, patients with metabolic syndrome typically have obesity issues where the excess weight is concentrated in the belly and insulin resistance that can lead to Type 2 diabetes. By lowering their insulin sensitivity, the Metformin can help metabolic syndrome suffers lose weight, lower their triglyceride levels, and lower LDL cholesterol–all risk factors for heart disease and stroke.

Original Link: http://www.3fatchicks.com/benefits-of-metformin-weight-loss-diabetes-prevention-etc/