Metformin has always been a magic drug in clinical applications, mainly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, it has many other effects. Friends have found that after taking metformin, weight loss is evident. Therefore, some friends who are in good health choose to take metformin for weight loss. Is this reliable? Today, let’s chat about this topic.
Aside from treating diabetes, what other magical effects does metformin have?
Metformin has been used clinically for over 70 years. Although it is not considered a classic drug like aspirin, Ativan, and penicillin, due to its many unexpected effects, it is referred to as a “magic drug” by many friends.
In addition to lowering blood sugar, metformin has many miraculous effects. Friends also use it to quit smoking, lose weight, treat hair loss, and some doctors believe it has effects in lowering blood fat, protecting the vascular intima, and anti-inflammatory effects.
Many of the effects of metformin have not been discovered by people, so friends have always regarded it as a miraculous existence. Dr. Zhang himself once took it for a period to quit smoking, and it did have a certain therapeutic effect. Since long-term use of the drug can lead to weight loss, many healthy friends take metformin for weight loss. Is it reasonable to do so?
Is metformin really effective for weight loss?
Dr. Zhang also has many friends around him who, although not diabetic, have been taking metformin for a long time. They believe it can help with weight loss, and metformin does have this effect. The primary reasons metformin can aid in weight loss include:
Metformin suppresses one’s appetite: Prolonged use affects appetite, leading to reduced food intake and subsequent weight loss. Reducing sugar absorption: Metformin inhibits sugar absorption in the intestines, reducing the conversion of excess sugar into body fat, which, when decreased, leads to weight loss. Some friends experience diarrhea after taking metformin, and it is known that weight loss occurs easily during diarrhea. Metformin also inhibits gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis, reduces hepatic glycogen output to lower blood sugar, enhances peripheral tissue glucose utilization, promotes glucose uptake and utilization, and reduces the conversion of glucose into fat.
The weight loss effects of metformin vary from person to person, and not everyone can achieve their weight loss goals. Statistics show that weight loss of approximately 6 kg can be achieved after 4 months of metformin use. Thus, the weight loss effects of metformin are not as remarkable as imagined.
Generally, the more obese a person is, the more pronounced the effects. For friends who are only slightly overweight, the effects may not be significant. Dr. Zhang’s wife tried it and only lost one kilogram after three months of use. Therefore, friends who hope to control weight solely by taking metformin should be cautious, as the effects may not be as significant as expected, and there may be side effects from medication.
For friends using metformin to treat diabetes, should weight loss be a concern?
Many friends with diabetes experience significant weight loss after taking metformin, believing it to be due to metformin’s weight-lowering effects. However, besides metformin’s weight loss effects, friends should also consider other potential issues:
Unstable blood sugar control: In the early stages of metformin use, many friends achieve excellent blood sugar control and neglect regular checks. Diabetes is a progressive disease, and good initial control does not guarantee stability with the same medication dose over time. As the disease progresses, blood sugar levels may rise again. Therefore, friends using metformin who experience significant recent weight loss should check their blood sugar levels to determine if this may be the cause. Insufficient caloric intake to meet body needs: Some friends, after developing diabetes, excessively reduce food intake out of fear of elevated blood sugar, leading to insufficient nutrition and weight loss. This unhealthy weight loss method may cause malnutrition and other problems when continued over time. Normally, adults should consume at least 800 kcal per day. Presence of other diseases: Friends with diabetes are prone to developing complications such as tumors, depression, etc. If significant weight loss occurs, it is essential to promptly seek medical advice to assess blood sugar levels and rule out other underlying diseases to avoid treatment delays.
In conclusion
Metformin is a very miraculous drug. Many friends use it to address various everyday issues besides treating diabetes. While metformin can help to some extent in weight loss, the effects are quite limited. Most individuals can reduce weight by around 5%, with a few achieving up to 10%. Therefore, relying solely on metformin for weight loss is not entirely reliable. Weight loss is best achieved through dietary control, increased physical activity, and other methods.
Regarding the question of whether long-term use of metformin can aid in weight loss, let’s conclude our discussion here for today. If you agree with Dr. Zhang’s views, please feel free to like, comment, or follow. Your support is appreciated as creating content is not easy. If you have other questions or thoughts, you are welcome to leave a comment. Good questions serve as important sources of inspiration for me, and I look forward to your help. I am Dr. Zhang Wei, a specialist in unconventional medicine. Until next time.
References
[1] Armato JP DeFronzo RA Abdul-Ghani M, et al. Successful treatment of prediabetes in clinical practice using physiological assessment (STOP DIABETES) [J]. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol 2018;6(10):781-789. DOI: 10.1016/S2213-8587(18)30234-1.
