Metformin substitute

bigjim19

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a lot of food im supposed to eat yuk
My fasting figures only went up 0.5 when I came of the metformin
 
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tsk

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I don't know of a metformin sustitute with less side effects! But a low carb diet with moderate exercises may be enough to take you out of the Metformin!
 

ringi

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My fasting figures only went up 0.5 when I came of the metformin

The issue is that the research shows metformin reduses stokes and hart issues in people with type2 independantly of any reduction in BG. It has also been sown to reduce the rate BG increases, even if it does not reduce BG much.
 

egontoast

Member
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15
Type of diabetes
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I read that Berberine is as effective as Metformin. I have no problems whatsoever with Metformin but if I had to choose, I'd go with Berberine in pill or capsule form. I have tried Berberine powder because it's cheaper but it tastes like poison and the poison taste lingers for a long time. Good luck.

How do you know what poison tastes like?
 
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pollensa

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Evening all
Does anybody know of a metformin substitute that does not have the same side effects. I have tried Glucophase and Sukkarto slow release but both have given me upset stomach which is not good when you drive for a living
DN insists that I take them but need alternative.
Thanks

You could ask your Doctors or medical team about Berberine and enquire it this would be suitable or not as substitute???

Hope this assists
 

Resurgam

Expert
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9,868
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The issue is that the research shows metformin reduses stokes and hart issues in people with type2 independantly of any reduction in BG. It has also been sown to reduce the rate BG increases, even if it does not reduce BG much.
It would have to - whilst taking it I could not take any exercise or even pick up anything heavy, I did not even get the exercise of running up the stairs as I had to stay in the room next to the toilet, for the time I was not actually in there.
Metformin might prolong life, but what would be the point when it makes existence so miserable?
 
M

Moggely

Guest
Doesn't Metforim come with a black box?. Meaning it has problems, with liver and also vitamin B12 deficiency if used in long term.People with fatty liver shouldn't have it should they? and yet someone wrote in here they are taking it for fatty liver. Seems to me you rarely get the truth and should search for it yourself. Metformin made quite a mess of me i can tell you that. Now this may be garbage, but i read a bout a doctor saying apple cider vinegar daily has the same effect as Metformin. Needless to say i took it faithfully and had great reading first 3 months, then stopped it and next a1c was higher, so have restarted it.Since i must say this .."I'm no doc". But will take my chances on some thing natural such as cinnamon and apple cider vinegar as well as healthy eating and exercise.;)
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
You could ask your Doctors or medical team about Berberine and enquire it this would be suitable or not as substitute???

Hope this assists
One important difference between the two is that Metformin has been subjected to the necessary safety testing to endure it is fit for purpose and can be prescribed whereas Berberine has not had any proper tests as far as I can see, Food supplements are not governed by the normal regulations regarding reporting of incidents by yellow card system or similar, and thus you have no legal recourse if things go wrong. There may be severe incidents associated with this supplement, but because they are not registered, then how would you or I know different?

Also Metformin has been demonstrated by scientific scrutiny to provide other benefits other than bgl reduction, and again any claims for Berberine of other benefits will be anecdotal, and unproven. Indeed the claims that Berberine has any effect on bgl is also largely anecdotal and may be false.

The supplement Berberine, along with other similar health products may work as claimed, but you will be taking them at your own risk, and those risks are not very well documented at all for this one,

This website is unknown to me so I am not sure how valid their research is:
https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/

Here is a report held in the archives that may be more reliable. The authors are from Iran.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478780/

You must consider that NO pharnaceutical company has taken up with this as a source for any official drug trials, and so it begs the question - Why Not? If it is as good as claimed, then it should be worthy of follow up and possible profit making. But no interest from any drug maker.
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Doesn't Metforim come with a black box?. Meaning it has problems, with liver and also vitamin B12 deficiency if used in long term.People with fatty liver shouldn't have it should they? and yet someone wrote in here they are taking it for fatty liver. Seems to me you rarely get the truth and should search for it yourself. Metformin made quite a mess of me i can tell you that. Now this may be garbage, but i read a bout a doctor saying apple cider vinegar daily has the same effect as Metformin. Needless to say i took it faithfully and had great reading first 3 months, then stopped it and next a1c was higher, so have restarted it.Since i must say this .."I'm no doc". But will take my chances on some thing natural such as cinnamon and apple cider vinegar as well as healthy eating and exercise.;)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1785201/
 
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pollensa

Guest
One important difference between the two is that Metformin has been subjected to the necessary safety testing to endure it is fit for purpose and can be prescribed whereas Berberine has not had any proper tests as far as I can see, Food supplements are not governed by the normal regulations regarding reporting of incidents by yellow card system or similar, and thus you have no legal recourse if things go wrong. There may be severe incidents associated with this supplement, but because they are not registered, then how would you or I know different?

Also Metformin has been demonstrated by scientific scrutiny to provide other benefits other than bgl reduction, and again any claims for Berberine of other benefits will be anecdotal, and unproven. Indeed the claims that Berberine has any effect on bgl is also largely anecdotal and may be false.

The supplement Berberine, along with other similar health products may work as claimed, but you will be taking them at your own risk, and those risks are not very well documented at all for this one,

This website is unknown to me so I am not sure how valid their research is:
https://examine.com/supplements/berberine/

Here is a report held in the archives that may be more reliable. The authors are from Iran.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478780/

You must consider that NO pharnaceutical company has taken up with this as a source for any official drug trials, and so it begs the question - Why Not? If it is as good as claimed, then it should be worthy of follow up and possible profit making. But no interest from any drug maker.

Hence as I mentioned, speak to ones own Doctor and/or medical team/specialist regards alternative possibilities out there, what medication is safe 100% is the open question? Doctors inform most, if not all have some side effects, rare or unrare degree, even the ones so called legally passed, many reputable health stores and remedies work very well, I guess any meds taken we all take the chance at the end of the day. Interest from drug makers, perhaps thats to do with politics, who knows?
 
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pollensa

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I reply to Moggely, metformin black box, well said information, excellent.

I can support your information as stated also, I take cidar vinegar daily along with 1/3 grapefruit daily as researches of the latter inform, can do the same as metformin, without any side effects. I do not know anyone I mean absolutely anyone who has taken metformin, who has not suffered severe stomach and other problems, so am baffled at Oldvatr mentioning that....

"Metformin has been demonstrated by scientific scrutiny to provide other benefits other than bg",

Moggely hit it on the head loud and clear, natural, cinnamon ensure its the real stuff, exercise, healthy eating real foods, and I would like to add intermittent fasting as and when you feel like it and allows.
 

Oldvatr

Expert
Messages
8,470
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I reply to Moggely, metformin black box, well said information, excellent.

I can support your information as stated also, I take cidar vinegar daily along with 1/3 grapefruit daily as researches of the latter inform, can do the same as metformin, without any side effects. I do not know anyone I mean absolutely anyone who has taken metformin, who has not suffered severe stomach and other problems, so am baffled at Oldvatr mentioning that....

"Metformin has been demonstrated by scientific scrutiny to provide other benefits other than bg",

Moggely hit it on the head loud and clear, natural, cinnamon ensure its the real stuff, exercise, healthy eating real foods, and I would like to add intermittent fasting as and when you feel like it and allows.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02432287
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5841986/
https://www.endocrineweb.com/news/d...ction-against-alzheimers-cancer-heart-disease
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5520293/


Need I go on?
 
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Moggely

Guest
I reply to Moggely, metformin black box, well said information, excellent.

I can support your information as stated also, I take cidar vinegar daily along with 1/3 grapefruit daily as researches of the latter inform, can do the same as metformin, without any side effects. I do not know anyone I mean absolutely anyone who has taken metformin, who has not suffered severe stomach and other problems, so am baffled at Oldvatr mentioning that....

"Metformin has been demonstrated by scientific scrutiny to provide other benefits other than bg",

Moggely hit it on the head loud and clear, natural, cinnamon ensure its the real stuff, exercise, healthy eating real foods, and I would like to add intermittent fasting as and when you feel like it and allows.
@pollensa . I think we all have to do what we think is good for us and i always tell my doctor what i'm doing so he is in the no about everything i do. I did know about the dangers to the throat and that certain people can't have it. But i think it's referring to taking it straight, something one must not do. Yes on salad dressing along with lemon also good. Berberine can't even find that in a health store as i was very interested in that.:happy:
 

ickihun

Master
Messages
13,698
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
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Bullies
When I was first diagnosed I remembered my type1 friend from the 80s suckling on fresh lemons to bring her bgs down. She had 2 insulins but she used lemon too.
I'm not sure how effective her's was but my drinking Schweppes Bitter Lemon with Quinine in, did reduce my metformin only taking days, in the 00s.
I don't drink it now. It was in the days I used to drink alcohol.

Metformin can affect your liver and b12 levels. Also increase dehydration in days of any tummy bugs.
My nurse advised on loose days to stop metformin.

Lately I was suffering with IBS so I had to stop it. I wasn't getting any bg benefit either, however I put the fact I'm still here down to Metformin as my only 2 pregnancies were as a result of taking metformin for PCOS and then diabetes type2. I only ovulate on metformin. Hence my cycle is disrupted now and is 5mths long instead of 1. Weight loss is impossible.
 
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pollensa

Guest
@pollensa . I think we all have to do what we think is good for us and i always tell my doctor what i'm doing so he is in the no about everything i do. I did know about the dangers to the throat and that certain people can't have it. But i think it's referring to taking it straight, something one must not do. Yes on salad dressing along with lemon also good. Berberine can't even find that in a health store as i was very interested in that.:happy:

Most health food stores are able to obtain on asking if not sold direct on shelves. I have four friends who could not tolerate Metformin or other meds to degree they opted Berberine, thankfully all have good results sugars lower, and no side effects whatsoever, albeit Berberine in some may give tummy upsets as it states, but to lesser degree, as mentioned within all the people I know and familiar with who use it daily, have no problems whatsoever, whether that is the case for all out there, obviously I cannot speak, I only speak facts of people I am acquainted with know they suffer no probs and good results sugar levels.
Take a peep in google Berberine there seems to be some reputable good sources of information to read generally to give one an idea, I am sure Docs know about this, and perhaps, raising the item, may be able to inform more too?? Hope this helps. Make sure its a good quality same as cinnamon.
 
M

Moggely

Guest
Most health food stores are able to obtain on asking if not sold direct on shelves. I have four friends who could not tolerate Metformin or other meds to degree they opted Berberine, thankfully all have good results sugars lower, and no side effects whatsoever, albeit Berberine in some may give tummy upsets as it states, but to lesser degree, as mentioned within all the people I know and familiar with who use it daily, have no problems whatsoever, whether that is the case for all out there, obviously I cannot speak, I only speak facts of people I am acquainted with know they suffer no probs and good results sugar levels.
Take a peep in google Berberine there seems to be some reputable good sources of information to read generally to give one an idea, I am sure Docs know about this, and perhaps, raising the item, may be able to inform more too?? Hope this helps. Make sure its a good quality same as cinnamon.
Thanks @pollensa . I will do that, also the cinnamon, in case i didn't mention it is the Ceylon cinnamon capsules. I know about the other being toxic in large doses though i think many have a sprinkle of it on food which is ok but i wanted the pure stuff. I'll google the Berberine though.
 
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pollensa

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Thanks @pollensa . I will do that, also the cinnamon, in case i didn't mention it is the Ceylon cinnamon capsules. I know about the other being toxic in large doses though i think many have a sprinkle of it on food which is ok but i wanted the pure stuff. I'll google the Berberine though.
Thanks @pollensa . I will do that, also the cinnamon, in case i didn't mention it is the Ceylon cinnamon capsules. I know about the other being toxic in large doses though i think many have a sprinkle of it on food which is ok but i wanted the pure stuff. I'll google the Berberine though.

Your welcome Moggely,

https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/cardiovascular-effects-berberine/ Here is one piece of info generally to add to the file of information overall. There are other more simplified information also. As you do get info too from your Doc, it will be interesting even if you do not wish to use, just to see what Doc feels about alternative available out there to choose one way or the other.

My doc has heard of it I raised to his attention, surprisingly gave sound positive comments I have to say, as always words careful as to follow the "system" rules as it were, conventional thinking I refer to, having said that, he is very much into "will not medicate" until very last resort, preferring person takes control lifestyle changes, if that does not work, then, yes of course, he then will prescribe, reluctantly, but it is last resort situation. Not all docs are like this, he is into directing people to items he knows that have no sugars on the supermarket shelves also, into natural methods as much as can be possible first and foremost. I have found my little gem doctor here on the Island of Mallorca a gem in the middle of the mediterranean, due to fact, sacked my doc of 30 years, for prescribing myself Metformin, when I had normal random finger test, but the explanation was it was high normal, and giving metformin just in case, pre diabetes kicks in, or diabetes.....basically gave metformin for something that may not even eventuate, obviously, he was not the right doc for myself, sadly who cared for me so well, re Diabetes, he just was outdated and way behind the times......hence new doc changed lifstyle no medications whatsoever, ........normal normal normal

Interested feedback you get re Berberine and others out there too, good to know choices are available out there, depending on ones individual circumstances to be in a position to consider all or any choices.

Have a good day, just off for a surf.
 

Krystyna23040

Expert
Messages
7,169
Type of diabetes
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[QUOTE="pollensa, post: 1869039, member: 406242"

https://restorativemedicine.org/journal/cardiovascular-effects-berberine/ Here is one piece of info generally to add to the file of information overall. There are other more simplified information also. As you do get info too from your Doc, it will be interesting even if you do not wish to use, just to see what Doc feels about alternative available out there to choose one way or the other.

My doc has heard of it I raised to his attention, surprisingly gave sound positive comments I have to say, as always words careful as to follow the "system" rules as it were, conventional thinking I refer to, having said that, he is very much into "will not medicate" until very last resort, preferring person takes control lifestyle changes, if that does not work, then, yes of course, he then will prescribe, reluctantly, but it is last resort situation. Not all docs are like this, he is into directing people to items he knows that have no sugars on the supermarket shelves also, into natural methods as much as can be possible first and foremost. I have found my little gem doctor here on the Island of Mallorca a gem in the middle of the mediterranean, due to fact, sacked my doc of 30 years, for prescribing myself Metformin, when I had normal random finger test, but the explanation was it was high normal, and giving metformin just in case, pre diabetes kicks in, or diabetes.....basically gave metformin for something that may not even eventuate, obviously, he was not the right doc for myself, sadly who cared for me so well, re Diabetes, he just was outdated and way behind the times......hence new doc changed lifstyle no medications whatsoever, ........normal normal normal[/QUOTE]
Thank you so much for this info. I bought berberine last year but got worried about taking it so put it at the back of a cupboard. Have just retrieved it and will give it a go as even on only 20g carbs a day my blood sugars are very slow to go back down to fasting after a meal. Your current doctor sounds wonderful.
 

Krystyna23040

Expert
Messages
7,169
Type of diabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
tried to reply to your post but it didn't work properly - so am posting my reply again.

@pollensa Thank you so much for this info. I bought berberine last year but got worried about taking it so put it at the back of a cupboard. Have just retrieved it and will give it a go as even on only 20g carbs a day my blood sugars are very slow to go back down to fasting after a meal. Your current doctor sounds wonderful.