In recent years, there has been an increasing amount of recommendations for various affordable miraculous solutions: one yuan to treat blackheads, a few yuan to get rid of acne. Recently, there has even been a new method that claims to help lose weight for just a few yuan. According to a blogger, without the need for dieting or exercise, you can buy pills for a few yuan that can make you lose weight. These pills are actually metformin, the most commonly heard of drug for diabetes.
Even when we search for “metformin” on a certain platform, there are people sharing specific weight-loss tutorials:
So the question arises – what exactly is metformin, and does it really have miraculous weight loss effects?
1. What is metformin exactly?
When it comes to metformin, it’s not unfamiliar to friends with diabetes. As a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes, it helps in controlling blood sugar without causing strong gastrointestinal reactions, which is very minimal.
Initially, while controlling blood sugar and helping lower blood sugar, metformin doesn’t affect normal blood sugar levels in the body. There’s no need to worry about a series of hypoglycemic reactions or even life-threatening outcomes due to dosage issues.
However, it cannot be conclusively proved that metformin is a miraculous drug. In the continuous application process, scientists have marvelously discovered its impressive performance in anti-aging, cardiovascular protection, tumor prevention, and other aspects.
Simultaneously, in the 1960s, some doctors found in diabetic patients that metformin actually aids in weight loss for those with type 2 diabetes.
2. Is metformin truly a miraculous weight-loss drug?
Since doctors have proven its efficacy, why not use it directly for weight loss? Indeed, metformin can help in weight loss but only for diabetic patients who exhibit obesity symptoms. Studies show that prolonged use of metformin by diabetic patients triggers appetite-suppressing hormones, thereby achieving appetite control and weight loss.
Additionally, the weight loss effect of metformin on diabetic patients varies based on the individual’s initial weight. For those with a higher baseline weight, the weight loss effect is more evident, whereas for others, it’s not so pronounced.
Moreover, the effectiveness of metformin in weight loss depends on the dosage, adherence to scheduled intake, and timing of medication.
3. Can normal individuals also use metformin for weight loss?
This is our main focus of discussion now. If metformin can help diabetic patients lose weight, can it be effective for non-diabetic individuals as well?
The answer is a definite no. Firstly, in the metformin product information, there’s no direct mention of any weight loss effects. No studies indicate that healthy individuals without diabetes can directly take metformin.
Furthermore, the weight loss effect of metformin on diabetic patients requires prolonged usage. For healthy individuals seeking short-term weight loss, it’s not practical.
Currently, various rumors circulating about the miraculous effects of metformin are considered “off-label use,” meaning even scientists are unsure whether healthy individuals can use metformin for weight loss. There are countless ways to lose weight; it’s better not to play with your health lightly.
Every year, various weight-loss miracle drugs are exposed. Apart from the affordable weight-loss miracle drugs we discussed today, there are more surprising weight-loss remedies that border on absurdity: the “keto diet,” which involves solely eating meat and avoiding carbohydrates, if overly adhered to, can cause brain damage; the widely known “vomiting-induced weight loss” can lead to acid reflux, burning the esophagus, corroding teeth, and even result in anorexia. The “enzyme weight loss” promoted for health maintenance could lead to cholestatic liver disease in the long run.
These weight loss methods cloaked in different forms not only fail to achieve weight loss but also repeatedly harm health on the edge. Letting weight loss ruin your health, deplete your finances, and ultimately engulf all the infinite possibilities of your life.
