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OT: Off Label Benefits of Metformin

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 2/9/2012 3:39 AM (GMT 0)
I don't take any prescription drugs unless you want to call VSL#3DS a prescription drug. There is diabetes in my immediate family and one reason why I am fanatical about my diet is to avoid diabetes. Fortunately I find that the same diet that controls my UC is also keeping my blood sugar in the normal range. For example soda causes flares for me and also spikes my fasting blood sugar.

But if someday I need to take meds for diabetes then I would choose Metformin:
www.lef.org/magazine/mag2012/feb2012_Can-Diabetes-Drug-Prevent-Cancer-Death_01.htm
The anti-diabetic drug metformin was recently shown to slash risk of all cancers by 54% among 8,000 diabetics over a 10-year period.
Prognosis among those under study who developed cancer was also significantly improved, including cancers of the lung, colon, and breast.
Supportive epidemiological studies reveal that people taking metformin for glucose control have markedly reduced rates of cancer, despite the higher cancer risks imposed by diabetes and obesity.

Caution:
Using metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially fatal buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Since congestive heart failure, kidney impairment, and liver problems increase the risk of lactic acidosis, individuals with these conditions are advised against using metformin. Individuals with type 1 diabetes should not take the drug. People who have recently suffered a heart attack or stroke and those who have recently undergone surgery or are severely dehydrated are more vulnerable to lactic acidosis.63-65 Consult with your doctor if any of these conditions applies to you or if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency. Its symptoms include muscle pain, difficulty breathing, sleepiness, feeling extremely weak or tired, and abdominal pain with nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.63-65 If you believe you are suffering from lactic acidosis, seek medical attention immediately.
Posted 2/9/2012 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
BabeintheWoods,

IMO side effects sound worse than diabetes.

Using metformin may increase the risk of lactic acidosis, a rare but potentially fatal buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Since congestive heart failure, kidney impairment, and liver problems increase the risk of lactic acidosis, individuals with these conditions are advised against using metformin.

I know you are gluten free, but have you tried also going carb free?

From the research I have done, some people have a metabolism problem as it relates to carbs, gluten, wheat, which affects sugar levels, insulin production and control, triglycerides, HDL and LDL - they're all inter-related.

Perhaps that might be a better and healthier way to handle it, I don't know?

What do you think? Just trying to be helpful...

Posted 2/9/2012 1:12 PM (GMT 0)
I don't have a problem metabolizing carbs. My FBS is in the low 80's which is better than most people. Unlike HFCS, carbs do not spike my blood sugar nor do they cause flares for me.

There are many people now without diabetes who are taking Metformin to improve their general health. From the article:

Between 1990 and 2011 alone,1 over 1,000 published studies have yielded confirmatory data on Metformin's numerous anti-aging properties, from weight loss and glucose control to cardiovascular disease and cancer defense
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