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Natural alternative for Metformin

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corsair1936

Newbie
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I've been a type 2 Diabetic for some years now and I'm concerned about the damage to my Pancreas caused by hitting it with a maximum 2 gram dose of Metformin every day, to create more insulin?
I wondered if anybody has any experience of replacing Metformin with a natural alternative, like water-soluble cinamon extract, and if so, any advice about dosages?
 
Actually metformin is a safe enough drug to take. It doesnt stimulate the pancreas to go into overdrive.
I am not sure about cinnamon, works for some not for others. Have to be careful not to take too much of it as it can irritate the stomach lining and large doses are said to be carcinogenic.
Apparently cider vinegar helps blood sugar control but probably not enough to turf out the metformin.
Personally for me it helped to reduce carbs but I stresz this was my choice and you need not feel a failure if you cant or wont try that.
Regards
MM
 
As far as I am aware Metformin doesn't stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin; rather it acts on the muscle cells to make them less resistant to glucose from the bloodstream.

It also has some helpful effects. I don't mind taking it because it's supposed to facilitate weight loss. I wish it would hurry up! :wink: There is a thread on here somewhere devoted to the subject of metformin.

Welcome to the forum, Corsair1936!

Viv 8)
 
I'm concerned about the damage to my Pancreas caused by hitting it with a maximum 2 gram dose of Metformin every day, to create more insulin?
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Metformin Helps you cope with insulin resistance ?

Metformin works in several ways. The medicine reduces the amount of sugar made by the liver, limits the amount of sugar absorbed into the body from the diet, and makes insulin receptors more sensitive (helping the body respond better to its own insulin). All of these effects cause a decrease in blood sugar levels.

Since metformin does not increase the amount of insulin produced by the body, it is less likely to cause dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), as many other diabetes medications can do.
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http://diabetes.emedtv.com/metformin/how-does-metformin-work.html


Firstly, it reduces the amount of sugar produced by cells in the liver. Secondly, it increases the sensitivity of muscle cells to insulin. This enables the cells to remove sugar from the blood more effectively. Finally, it also delays absorption of sugar from the intestines into the bloodstream after eating. Overall, metformin reduces blood sugar levels both between and directly after meals.
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http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/medicines/100001181.html
Metformin helps in diabetes as it allows glucose to enter your body's tissues where it is used for energy etc. It makes the tissues more responsive to insulin, and this lowers the sugar levels (this is 'lowering insulin resistance').
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http://medweb.bham.ac.uk/easdec/prevention/HBA1c & type 2 diabetes.htm#metformin
 
Metformin is very safe. Unless you are allergic to it I suppose. I keep reading in New Scientist about possible benefits of metformin, for everyone not just people with diabetes.

Also it's out of patent now, so all these potential benefits are not propaganda to increase drugs company profits.
 
Metformin [s bad stuff. Side affects are bad news.
 
fpk said:
Metformin [s bad stuff. Side affects are bad news.
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Side effects can be reduced by taking the slow release version. If not, people should stop taking it and ask their doctor for an alternative.

Most people who take metformin don't get side effects bad enough to make them stop taking it.
 
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