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Creatine replacing metformin: any tips?

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andre53

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One study reported "Creatine supplementation combined with an exercise program improves glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. The underlying mechanism seems to be related to an increase in GLUT-4 recruitment to the sarcolemma"[1]

And another study reported that "Metformin blunts muscle hypertrophy in response to
progressive resistance exercise training in older adults"[2]

My question is: has anyone of you, nice people, have found any evidence attempting a swap between creatine instead of metformin for type 2 patients? Any publication or individual report?

[1] DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181fcee7d
[2] DOI: 10.1111/acel.13039
 
I take Creatine, never took metformin. I think you actually need to have a strength training routine to see any benefits, and also to up regulate muscle GLUT-4
 
andre53 said:
My question is: has anyone of you, nice people, have found any evidence attempting a swap between creatine instead of metformin for type 2 patients? Any publication or individual report?
Click to expand...

I'd want to be very very cautious about interactions with other drugs or conditions.
Creatine: Uses, benefits, and health risks (medicalnewstoday.com)

At least when you take metformin your GP knows (or should know) to look up any contraindications for your personal metabolism.
 
To an extent, by getting the creatine directly from red meat. If I am having a steak dinner, there would be 2 steaks. I am fan of muscle centric medicine (Gabrielle Lyon). A little wary of something concentrated.
 
Here is a rubbish study on this effect
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparison of antihyperglycemic effects of creatine and metformin in type II diabetic patients - PubMed

Short-term treatment with creatine and metformin elicits similar glucose lowering effects in recently detected type II diabetics. Further studies are necessary to determine the effect of creatine on long-term glucose and insulin regulation.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The active trial period was 5 days each arm, which in the case of Metformin is insufficuent time for it to take much effect (and possibly for the creatine treatment too) The whole thing was over in 14 days, so no wonder there was no change in HbA1c. Along with several spelling errors shows that this study has not been properly proofed. I suspect this is an undergrad led study possibly as part of a submission for degree or course completion exercise. It is certainly not up to the normal NIH standard.

However, there are some references embedded in it that may be worth looking at.

Just as an aside, supplementation of creatine may lead to excess in the blood, which will in turn cause an increase in creatinine in the blood. Creatinine in the blood is a marker for kidney failure in that the eGFR value of the standard blood test is the inverse of the blood creatinine level. So avoid taking the supplement before having a blood test since it may skew the results unfavourably.
 
Although creatine may be a replacement for Metformin where that drug has unsuitable side effects that prevent continued use. The glucose lowering properties are similar (pityfull) but Metformin provides clinically assessed benefits that creatine may not provide. Metformin has been shown to be of benefit for protecting the heart and cardiovascular system, and to also lower Insulin resistance as the primary outcome, which is why it is also prescribed to Type 1 insulin users.
 
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