Sweets and buns are so delicious, but they put fat on the waist and worsen your health. But, fortunately, there is Metformin, which eliminates these unpleasant consequences. Find out how to use the drug correctly and get rid of extra pounds!
Getting rid of extra pounds is a rather difficult task in physiological and psychological terms, since it requires significant effort and significant changes in the usual lifestyle. Therefore, not only nutritionists, but also those who want to lose weight themselves are constantly looking for the easiest ways to normalize body weight. Recently, the use of medications for weight loss that are not intended for weight loss, but have shown such results in the treatment of the underlying disease, has become popular. One such medicine is Metformin, a pill prescribed by doctors to lower glucose levels in diabetes. Athletes and bodybuilders were the first to take Metformin for weight loss. Then, having received numerous positive reviews, the drug went far beyond medical and sports circles.
Metformin: what is it?
Metformin is a compound that helps reduce the amount of glucose in the blood. It is available in the form of a drug and is used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The product is especially effective for overweight and obese people, as it promotes weight loss even in cases where the diet is not effective. If you adhere to the treatment regimen, it causes virtually no side effects, which is why the medicine is approved by WHO for diabetics.
The connection was opened back in 1922. In the treatment of diabetes, its additional positive property was noticed: the weight of patients became stable and gradually decreased. Because of this, it began to be used for weight loss in healthy people.
Doctors also plan to use this substance from the biguanide class for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome; it is being tested as a remedy for oncology, to slow down the aging of the body.
Preparations based on Metformin and analogues
This medicine is sold without a prescription in any pharmacy, for example, under the following names:
- Metformin Zentiva.
- Metformin Canon.
- Metformin Teva.
- Metformin Richter.
They contain the same active ingredient, but are manufactured in different countries and have different prices and dosages.
As for analogues, you can replace Metformin in its pure form with Sophamet, Modelform, Siofor, Metospanin, Bisacodyl, Glucophage, Portiola, Glycon, Bagomet. Such analogues are no worse than the original drugs.
Release form, dosage, which one is better to choose
Metformin is available in tablet form by many pharmaceutical companies. The package contains from 30 to 120 pills. Each tablet may contain 500 mg, 850 mg or 1000 mg of active substance. The choice of a specific brand depends on the dosage; they do not differ in their mechanism of action. If you need to drink 2000 mg per day, then it is better to buy tablets of 1000 mg of the substance each.
The substance is produced under different trade names. The most popular analogues:
- Avandamet (500 and 1000 mg), produced in Spain by Glaxo Wellcome;
- “Bagomet” is present in only one dosage of 850 mg, manufactured by “Kimika Montpellier”, Argentina;
- Glucophage , considered the very first drug in this group, is produced by Merck Sante, France, three options are available (500, 850, 1000 mg);
- “Metfogamma” is also produced in various concentrations at the Dragenofarm Aptekar Puschl plant, Germany”;
- “Siofor” is another popular medicine with different dosages, manufactured by “Berlin Hemi”, Germany.
The drugs TEVA, Sanofi, Richter, Astrapharm, Sandoz, Novartis, Indar, Zentiva, Hexal are produced under the name Metformin.
The cost depends on the manufacturer, the dosage of the substance, and the number of tablets. On average, the price of a package of 60 tablets of 500 mg is 100-150 rubles. The medicine is quite cheap.
There are also combination drugs, for example “Reduxin”. It contains both sibutramine and metformin, two powerful weight loss ingredients.
Price of drugs
The average cost of metformin in pharmacies varies within the following limits:
500 mg:
- No. 30 – 110–150 rubles;
- No. 60 – 210–240 rubles;
- No. 120 – 350–380 rubles.
- No. 30 – 120–150 rubles;
- No. 60 – 230–260 rubles;
- No. 120 – 400–430 rubles.
- No. 30 – 190–220 rubles;
- No. 60 – 330–360 rubles;
- No. 120 – 450–480 rubles.
- 850 mg:
1000 mg:
At the same time, the price for Russian “Metformin” for weight loss is at the lower level of the specified limits. These are tablets such as:
- "Metformin Richter";
- "Metformin Canon";
- "Gliformin";
- "Novoformin";
- "Formetin".
Foreign drugs are more expensive:
- "Glucophage" (France);
- "Siofor" (Germany);
- Metformin Teva (Israel);
- "Bagomet" (Argentina);
- "Metfogamma" (Germany);
- "Formin Pliva" (Croatia).
Tablets of 500 mg are considered the most convenient for use, since this is the recommended single dose of the drug. But taking into account how much a drug with double the concentration of the active substance costs, it will be more profitable to buy a drug with a dosage of 1000 mg, and when using it, break the tablets in half.
Indications
Metformin is usually prescribed by doctors to treat type 2 diabetes in overweight patients. The medicine is used for adults and children over 10 years of age. It is often combined with insulin.
The drug is recommended to reduce the risk of pathologies of the cardiovascular system in cases of excess weight. This is a so-called first-line remedy for cases where physical activity and diet do not lead to weight loss.
In a study, the results of which were published in 2012, the substance was shown to reduce body weight in individuals without diabetes, but with obesity and hypertension. The effectiveness of the drug for eliminating excess weight in children has also been confirmed.
Diet food
The main condition for losing weight on Metformin is following a diet and diet. It is better not to eat more than 2000-2500 calories per day. It is better to suppress acute attacks of hunger with dried fruits or nuts, but in small quantities.
It is optimal to drink 5 times a day in mini-portions, and also maintain water balance by drinking at least 1.5 liters of clean water. There is no need to eat too much before going to bed. The last dinner is 4 hours before bedtime. Nutritionists recommend not frying dishes, but baking, stewing, and boiling. Eat more vegetables and unsweetened fruits. While taking Metformin, you must follow a low-carbohydrate diet that prohibits:
- smoked meats, sausages and salami;
- rice, pasta and potatoes;
- sweet soda and juices;
- mayonnaise, ketchup and sauces;
- sugar, chocolate and sweets;
- pastries and white breads;
- bananas and grapes;
- alcohol.
It is allowed to cook chicken breast, duck, turkey, rabbit, bran, buckwheat, black rice, offal, low-fat fermented milk and dairy products, muesli with dried fruits and nuts. Many dieters prepare carrot or beet salads, bake low-fat fish, prefer chicken broths and soups with vegetables, stews with celery, broccoli, tomatoes, and zucchini. A good option is lentil soup, steamed meatballs, pilaf with seafood or chicken breast, and a protein omelet.
For breakfast, you can make sandwiches from black bread with low-fat cheese, slices of ham and fresh herbs. Mushroom or vegetable puree soup satisfies hunger well, and radish and lettuce salad makes up for the lack of vitamins. The menu should include a lot of dill, fresh parsley, avocado, kiwi and citrus fruits.
Effect on the body
In the human body, the main energy unit is glucose. Moreover, non-carbohydrate compounds are also converted into it. This process is called glucogenesis. When you have diabetes, its rate increases 3 times; food very quickly turns into glucose, so its concentration in the blood is significant.
How does Metformin work for weight loss? It is capable of slowing down this process by about 30%. In addition, it activates the production of an enzyme (AMPK), which is responsible for energy balance, glucose and fat metabolism in the body.
When there is an excess of sugars in food, cells do not recognize insulin, they lose sensitivity to it. This causes its increased production. The hormone, in turn, gives the body a command to store calories, their excess turns into fat reserves. Metformin normalizes tissue sensitivity to insulin. If there is no excess hormone, fat storage does not occur.
Is there any harm from metformin?
People are harming their health if they do not take breaks and systematically use metformin for weight loss. How to take it beneficially to get the desired result?
The rules for taking the drug are as follows:
- Be sure to carefully study the instructions for use and be more objective about your capabilities;
- If there are problems with the kidneys, lactic acidosis may develop. This is caused by the fact that the drug is deposited in the salivary glands, muscle tissue, kidneys and liver and is excreted only by the kidneys. If they do not work fully, then up to 90% of metformin does not undergo changes and remains in the human body.
With long-term use of metformin for weight loss (more than 3 weeks), anorexia and vitamin B12 deficiency may develop. The result is harm to the entire body with dangerous problems.
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How does metformin help you lose weight?
The medicine has a wide range of effects on the body, which ultimately causes weight loss:
- reduces blood sugar levels;
- slows down the rate of glucose synthesis from various compounds;
- reduces the production of monosaccharide in the liver by inhibiting glucogenesis;
- increases insulin sensitivity;
- limits the absorption of glucose in the intestine;
- normalizes fat metabolism;
- lowers the concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides;
- Suppresses appetite in some people.
Metformin maintains body weight only if the diet is revised. This is not a fat-dissolving miracle pill. If you are addicted to sweets, the effectiveness of the drug will be zero.
If you limit the intake of carbohydrates, then the body will begin to use fat reserves as a source of energy. It’s not for nothing that metformin is called the butcher’s pill: as soon as you give up sugars, your weight begins to decrease.
Doctors' opinion
There is no consensus among medical professionals whether it is possible to take metformin for weight loss. Most doctors are inclined to believe that a healthy person (without metabolic syndrome) just needs to go on a diet and increase physical activity to normalize their weight. Using the drug for weight loss is an extreme case. Despite its non-toxicity, it can cause serious disturbances in the digestive system and worsen overall health. Therefore, the question of whether this medicine can be taken to normalize body weight should be decided individually in each specific case and always with the participation of a doctor. Still, this is an effective medication, and not weight loss pills.
Instructions for use
Tablets are medicine. Before you start taking them, you should carefully read the instructions for use of metformin for weight loss, follow them, and do not exceed the recommended dosages.
Reception scheme
In the first week, you should take 500 mg of Metformin once a day, preferably after dinner. This should not be done at night or on an empty stomach.
In the second week, the dosage of the drug can be increased by another 500 mg, take 1 tablet twice a day. Next, you should gradually increase the amount of the substance taken weekly to 1500-2000 mg.
The maximum permissible dose per day is 3000 mg, divided into 3 doses. But such high concentrations require constant monitoring and control by the attending physician and should be prescribed only after the necessary examination and blood tests have been completed. For people without diabetes who are only seeking weight loss, do not exceed 1500 mg per day.
Dangerous!
Do not self-medicate; all medications must be taken strictly as prescribed by the doctor.
How to take Metformin for weight loss
How you take Metformin for weight loss depends on its benefits and side effects. Tablets should be taken 1 or 2 times a day after meals or during meals. This approach will slow down the absorption of the compound and reduce the occurrence of unpleasant consequences. If it is difficult to swallow the tablet whole, you can split it in half and take the pieces one after another.
What must be observed during reception
Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited during metformin therapy to avoid dangerous complications. It should be combined with caution with anticoagulants. Concomitant use with antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is not recommended.
They are often found in joint medications, such as Teraflex Advance. So you need to be careful. It is better to take the tablets 2 hours apart. If you simultaneously use thyroid hormones or hormonal contraceptives, the effectiveness of metformin is reduced.
As for food restrictions, you cannot practice a too low-calorie diet while losing weight; you need to get 1200-1500 kcal per day. But at the same time you will have to give up sugar and reduce the amount of carbohydrates in your diet. Otherwise, when sugar comes in, side effects will appear, problems with the gastrointestinal tract, and weight will not be lost.
The metformin diet also involves avoiding grapes and bananas and requires severe restrictions on potatoes, pasta, and baked goods. You can't eat oatmeal or white rice. It is worth giving preference to protein foods (meat, fish, milk) and vegetables. This is an ideal diet for meat eaters.
Duration of taking Metformin
For the treatment of diabetes, the course of treatment is determined by the doctor. To lose weight, you need to drink it no longer than 20-22 days. After this, take a break for 2 months, then the course can be repeated. This is necessary to avoid addiction.
Diet
When losing weight, it is recommended to keep a calorie diary to control the amount you eat (you can calculate the required amount in a calorie calculator). Deficits should be maintained and physical activity considered. A nutritionist will help you create an optimal workout schedule and calculate your calorie intake. You can find out your weight maintenance threshold yourself using the BMI calculator. It is necessary to follow the usual diet, in which the weight remains unchanged, and keep records for 7-10 days. It is recommended to reduce the norm by 300-500 kcal at a time. Otherwise, side effects may occur, including slower weight loss.
The minimum daily calorie intake is 1200 units. You cannot consume less, as this will lead to metabolic disorders. With a sharp or excessive reduction in portions, the body begins to store adipose tissue in case of hunger. This leads to a decrease in energy expenditure and a deterioration in well-being. The person feels weak, has headaches and decreased performance.
It is advisable to adhere to a stable daily routine. This helps the digestive organs prepare for digestion. To facilitate the work of the pancreas, you can switch to fractional meals, but its effectiveness in losing weight has not been proven. It is important to maintain a drinking regime. A person should receive at least 30 ml of water per 1 kg of weight. Liquid contained in food is not taken into account. With increased physical activity, high temperature and other factors that contribute to dehydration, the volume of water should be increased.
If you have a tendency to lose weight and stop losing weight, it is recommended to use the Zigzag system (which is also taken into account in our calculator). It implies an alternating deviation from the average calorie norm up to 40% of the total amount, up or down. This prevents stagnation due to the uneven distribution of portions and the absence of a constant feeling of hunger.
For Metformin to have an effective effect, you must avoid foods that contain fast carbohydrates. These include:
- sweets;
- bakery products;
- beans;
- starchy foods (potatoes, rice);
- high-calorie fruits (grapes, bananas);
- sweet carbonated drinks;
- dairy and fermented milk products with a high fat content (above 5%).
You should avoid consuming trans fats, packaged foods with a long shelf life, and margarine. It is recommended to reduce the amount of sugar and salt. The latter retains fluid in the body and can distort the results of weight loss. Drinking alcohol is prohibited.
The basis of the menu should be dishes with a low glycemic index, slow carbohydrates (brown rice, buckwheat, oatmeal), vegetables, fruits, low-fat fish and dairy products. It is allowed to eat rabbit, turkey, veal and chicken. It is advisable to steam the meat.
If you have side effects after taking Metformin, you should avoid foods that can cause flatulence or diarrhea. These include cabbage, green apples, pineapple, grapefruit, carrots, beets, etc. It is advisable to include vegetables, fruits and grains in the diet that can normalize digestion. Brown rice, eggs and boiled lean meat help cope with diarrhea.
What results can you achieve by taking Metformin?
Using only pills, you cannot lose weight quickly: you can lose up to 3 kg in a course of taking it. For the drug to work, you should make your diet low-carbohydrate, and adhere to this approach during the break between courses. Then, in two periods of therapy and diet between them, you can lose 10-12 kg.
For active fat burning, athletes use Clenbuterol simultaneously with Metformin. But this approach is only applicable to bodybuilders with a special diet.
Comparison of metformin with newer drugs
Doctors' enthusiasm for metformin is selfless, which means it is real, not fake. This medicine is almost 30 years old. The patent has long expired. Metformin is now produced by hundreds of different manufacturers. They compete with each other, so the tablets are cheap. For a long time now, there has been no one to pay doctors, journalists and medical officials to publish fake positive reviews about metformin. All positive materials about this medicine are sincere.
For comparison, consider some new diabetes medicine that has appeared recently. Such a medicine will have a high price. It is protected by a patent. Manufacturing companies are handing out money left and right to stimulate sales of their expensive patented drugs.
The markup here is gigantic. The drug trade is jealous. There is enough profit to corrupt everyone needed. Bribes from drug manufacturing companies are received by:
- Scientists who conduct tests and manipulate data.
- Journalists and editors who publish articles with test results.
- Doctors who directly prescribe expensive fancy drugs to patients.
People who legally give bribes are called medical representatives.
This is not a joke, but a description of a situation that actually exists. Medical journals are deeply corrupt not only in Russian-speaking countries, but everywhere abroad. You need to be able to filter the information that is published in them.
However, all this does not apply to metformin, because for a long time there is no one to give bribes for publishing fake positive reviews. Therefore, we can confidently conclude that the attitude of doctors towards this drug is not just good, but enthusiastic.
What doctors say about using Metformin for weight loss
Nutritionists disagree on whether the drug is useful for weight loss. Some doctors are inclined to consider diet and exercise more effective and urge people not to abuse medications unless specifically instructed to do so.
Some doctors recommend trying treatment with Metformin if you lack willpower, and exercise and a limited menu do not reduce weight. And Elena Malysheva even calls it the first aid in gaining health and longevity.
Nutritionists only agree that to lose weight with or without pills, you still need to remove sweets, too fatty foods, fried foods and fast food from your diet. You shouldn’t make yourself faint in the gym, but without active games in the fresh air and simple exercises, your figure will not become more beautiful.
Diet while taking metformin
When taking the drug, be sure to follow a diet, otherwise you may get unpleasant side effects. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other troubles weaken your health. The essence of the diet is to exclude sugar- and starch-containing foods from the diet.
Such products include:
- oatmeal;
- rice;
- flour (especially butter) products;
- potatoes;
- beets along with carrots;
- grapes (this is pure glucose);
- bananas;
- alcoholic drinks (beer in particular).
It is very important to eat right when taking Metformin.
Doctors recommend meat, cereals, and vegetables. It is mandatory to drink clean water - at least 30 ml per kg of weight per day. The good news is that salt is not excluded, as with many diets.
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Contraindications and possible side effects
Taking the drug has many restrictions. Therefore, it is best to consult your GP before starting any treatment.
Metformin is contraindicated:
- with kidney pathology;
- persons with serious lung and liver diseases;
- with alcoholism;
- during a low-calorie diet (less than 1000 kcal per day);
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- with myocardial infarction;
- persons over 60 years of age and children under 10 years of age;
- during heavy physical work, intense training.
It should not be used before radiography with contrast (injection of iodine preparations) and after it for 2 days, so as not to increase the load on the kidneys.
Side effects may include a metallic taste in the mouth and loss of taste, decreased appetite, nausea and diarrhea. In rare cases, a skin rash appears. To avoid them, you should start taking it with a minimum dose and gradually increase it.
With long-term use, vitamin B12 deficiency occurs, a decrease in thyroid-stimulating hormone in hypothyroidism, and a decrease in testosterone levels in men. When consuming high doses, kidney function may be impaired.
Contraindications for the use of metmorphine
The drug can be taken with caution after detailed consultation with your doctor.
Doctors recommend completely abandoning it:
- For women while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Little children. Age limit – up to ten years.
- Patients with various injuries, during surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, during studies with contrast.
- People who drink alcohol.
- Patients with functional liver disorders. Liver tests should be performed before taking metmorphine.
- People who have chosen a sharply reduced diet (less than one thousand two hundred kilocalories per day) to combat obesity.
- Patients with renal failure (creatinine - above 0.132 mmol/l for men and 0.123 mmol/l for women).
- People who have suffered a dangerous complication in the past – lactic acidosis.
Note. Pay attention to a number of possible risk conditions that contribute to the development of lactic acidosis - alcohol poisoning or acute infection of any kind. The pathology is accompanied by rapid dehydration. Typical symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, fever. Please note that vomiting and diarrhea are more common in people with diabetes.
The choice of metformin for weight loss should be based on a comprehensive analysis of all possible consequences. The decision should be made before taking it, and not when a whole range of negative symptoms have already appeared. It is necessary to rely on basic knowledge of a specific drug and objective, preliminary health indicators
Course duration
The manufacturer recommends using the drug for three weeks. Experts advise not to exceed the specified period of use. After the end of twenty-one days, the body becomes accustomed to the drug. Due to this, efficiency is noticeably reduced. The body stops responding properly to taking the pills. This is the first reason why you should not neglect the opinion of a specialist.
The second is the possibility of harm to the human body due to a prolonged absence of carbohydrates. To ensure normal and full functioning, it is necessary to create a balanced diet, and without carbohydrates this cannot be done. After completing the three-week course, it is better to take a month's break.
Expert opinion
.
In conclusion, I would like to repeat once again that people who want to lose weight quickly and for a long time will not be able to achieve the desired result solely on pills. Moreover, do not try to lose extra pounds faster by increasing the permissible dosage of any drug. This way you will only achieve an overdose and side effects. Remember that the active substance of any drug is never aimed at directly combating extra pounds of your body fat. We encourage you to form healthy eating habits: this is something that no one can take away from you, even if the world stops producing all medicines! Rational eating behavior is the key to your health, and it is within you, and not from fitness specialists, nutritionists, pharmaceuticals and other worthy industries. Educate yourself this key, and we will be happy to help you
Advantages and disadvantages
This potent drug disrupts the natural processes of the human body. Therefore, carefully study all the positive and negative aspects of its use. However, do not expect miracles and magic from using pills alone.
Pros:
- Affordable price;
- Possibility of combination with fat-burning drugs;
- Minimal risks of complications;
Although the advantages of the drug are significant, there are also disadvantages.
Minuses:
- Addiction and decreased effectiveness of the drug with a long course of use;
- It is impossible to get full results without following a dietary program;
- A large number of contraindications.
