Monday, September 15, 2008

WHAT IS THE METFORMIN DOING?

Believe it or not, the old diabetes drug Metformin has been named as a significant anti-aging drug. To understand why this is so, we need to look at what Metformin does.

Metformin prevents the liver from making so much glucose, so when you take metformin, your fasting blood sugar (when you wake up in the morning) is usually lower. But that is not the only thing metformin does.

Metformin lowers bad cholesterol and increases the good cholesterol. Kudo's for that! But the most significant thing for anti-aging purposes is neither of these two good points.

Metformin is an anti-aging drug because it promotes the growth of new insulin receptors on cell membranes. According to Dr. Ward Dean, we are all going diabetic as we age, because we all lose insulin receptors as we age. It is just that some people are going diabetic faster than others.

By increasing the number of insulin receptors on cell membranes, metformin restores the calorie burning capabilities of youth. To people who are diabetic, this translates as lower blood sugar and the ability to handle more carbohydrates.

Dr. Ward Dean recommends Metformin for anyone over the age of 35. If you have been diagnosed diabetic, Type 1 or Type 2, work with your doctor and request Metformin. Even Type 1 diabetics can benefit. The extended release version does not cause as many intestinal upsets as the regular version, so ask for Metformin ER.

Metformin reduces the need for extra insulin, so work with your doctor and adjust your doseage of insulin. For many Type 2 diabetics, a good diet and exercise and Metformin is all that is necessary.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is really cool blog

what is metformin said...

Metformin is a member of a group of drugs known as biguanides which is known for many years.