Metformin is one of the most common medicines used to treat type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body has trouble controlling blood sugar levels, often because it cannot use insulin properly or does not make enough of it.
Insulin is a hormone that helps move sugar from the blood into the body’s cells to be used for energy. When insulin does not work well, blood sugar levels can get too high, leading to serious health problems over time.
Metformin works mainly by helping the liver make less sugar. It also helps the body respond better to insulin, so sugar can move into the cells more easily. This helps lower blood sugar levels and keep them in a healthy range.
But Metformin does more than just help control blood sugar. It also protects the heart. People with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease, which can cause heart attacks and strokes.
A famous study published in the medical journal The Lancet found that people with diabetes who took Metformin had a 39% lower risk of heart problems compared to those who did not take the medicine. This shows that Metformin not only helps manage diabetes but also helps prevent some of its most dangerous complications.
Another good thing about Metformin is that it can help people lose some weight. Many people with type 2 diabetes struggle with weight gain, which can make diabetes harder to control. Metformin helps by reducing appetite and making the body more sensitive to insulin.
This means the body uses sugar better and stores less fat. Losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference in managing diabetes and improving overall health.
Metformin can also lower inflammation in the body. Inflammation is when the body’s immune system stays active when it doesn’t need to, which can damage healthy tissues. Long-term inflammation is linked to diseases like heart disease and cancer. By reducing inflammation, Metformin may help protect the body from these serious health problems.
Even though Metformin is very helpful for many people, it can cause side effects. The most common side effects are problems with the stomach and intestines, like feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach pain. These side effects are usually mild and often get better if the medicine is taken with food.
One side effect that is less common but important to know about is vitamin B12 deficiency. Metformin can make it harder for the body to absorb vitamin B12, a vitamin that helps keep nerves and blood cells healthy.
If someone does not have enough vitamin B12, they might feel very tired or develop nerve problems over time. Doctors sometimes check vitamin B12 levels in people who take Metformin for a long time.
There is also a very rare but serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This happens when too much lactic acid builds up in the body. It can be very dangerous and even life-threatening.
Lactic acidosis is more likely to happen in people who have kidney or liver problems or who are taking very high doses of Metformin. That is why doctors check kidney function before and during treatment.
Sometimes, Metformin can cause low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia, especially if someone is also taking other diabetes medicines or not eating enough. Symptoms of low blood sugar include feeling shaky, dizzy, sweaty, or confused. If this happens, it’s important to eat or drink something sugary quickly and talk to a doctor.
Because of these possible risks, it is important for people taking Metformin to have regular check-ups with their doctor. The doctor can make sure the medicine is working well, adjust the dose if needed, and check for any side effects.
Overall, Metformin is a very important and trusted medicine for treating type 2 diabetes. It helps lower blood sugar, protects the heart, supports weight loss, and reduces inflammation.
Even though there are some risks, for most people, the benefits are much greater than the risks. With careful use and regular doctor visits, Metformin can help people with type 2 diabetes live healthier and longer lives.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that MIND diet may reduce risk of vision loss disease, and Vitamin D could benefit people with diabetic neuropathic pain.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that Vitamin E could help reduce blood sugar and insulin resistance in diabetes, and results showing eating eggs in a healthy diet may reduce risks of diabetes, high blood pressure.
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