Use this after every Meal?
And what the purpose ?
I do not use it.
anyway...
Metformin is a drug belonging to the biguanide family used to treat type II diabetes. Type II diabetes is also called non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. However, Metformin can also be prescribed for the treatment of type I (insulin dependent) diabetes to control blood glucose in combination with insulin injections.
The main feature of Metformin is to interact strongly with AMPK by regulating its expression. In fact, its downregulation leads to consuming ATP, synthesizing cholesterol and fatty acids and consuming glucose: a situation in which insulin levels are quite high (therefore energy abundance). On the contrary, its upregulation leads to the creation of ATP, consuming more fatty acids for energy purposes and is a metabolic situation similar to caloric restriction in which insulin levels are kept low (therefore energy scarcity).
Metformin by upregulating AMPK has therefore shown to have a somewhat transversal therapeutic use in the treatment of metabolic dysfunctions.
Therefore Metformin (by over-regulating AMPK) implements:
- reduction of insulin secretion
- reduction of the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol from the two previous situations results:
- increased lipolysis
- increase in lipid oxidation, glucose uptake and glycolysis in skeletal muscles
- increase in lipid oxidation and uptake of glucose by the heart
- inhibition of pro-inflammatory processes
- reduction of glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract to about half
- inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis by 36%
- increase in the number and sensitivity of insulin receptors,
- increasing the uptake of glucose on peripheral structures
- increases lipid oxidation for energy purposes
The following meta-analysis showed that metformin reduced by:
- 5.3% the BMI and triglycerides
- 4.5% fasting blood sugar
- 14.4% fasting insulin
- 5.6% LDL cholesterol
- 40% the onset of diabetes (in pre-diabetic subjects)
increasing HDL cholesterol by 5%. Therefore, metformin could also be used in dyslipidemic subjects with moderately altered LDL values, instead of using statins, and in association with repaglinide as it has shown on the one hand to increase insulin sensitivity and on the other to improve the lipid profile.
Metformin possesses these three characteristics of relevant interest:
1) Increases the number and sensitivity of cell receptors for insulin;
2) Decreases the amount of glucose / sugar absorbed by the intestine;
3) Decreases the amount of glucose / sugar produced by the liver (a primary source for the production of hepatic glucose are amino acids).
Generally, Body Builders use the effects of Metformin differently for different phases:
1) During the bulking phases, with the use of exogenous insulin, 500-800mg of Metformin 1-2 times a day increased the effectiveness of the insulin. This was due to an increase in the number and sensitivity of receptor sites. Metformin also decreases the amount of exogenous insulin needed for maximum results.
2) During pancreatic regeneration or protocols that include Glipizide, Glyburide or other pancreatic stimulants / insulin, Metformin increases its effectiveness and amplifies the results. The common dose of Metformin for this purpose is 500mg 2 times a day.
3) During the definition phases (Cut), Body Builders use Metformin as a means to decrease the production of glucose by the liver and the absorption of glucose by the intestine. By itself, this decreases the secretion of insulin by the pancreas and increases the body's dependence on fat stores for energy needs. This is done especially during the use of GH and PGF-2 and creates a synergistic effect with the AAS. Since the cellular receptor sites for insulin are more sensitive and since there is cross stimulation between IGF-1 and insulin (and their opposite receptor sites), the retention of lean mass increases significantly. This effect favors the reduction of the negative effects that a weight loss diet has on the endogenous production of IGF-1: if a co-administration of IGF-1 and Metformin occurs, the advantage reflects on the lower dose (of IGF-1) required and on the better receptor efficiency. .
It is known that during a calorie-deficient diet the IGF-1 produced decreases, and is one of the factors for which the stored lean mass is reduced. If the cell sites are more numerous and sensitive, stimulation requires less IGF-1. Usually, 500mg per day of Metformin is considered sufficient.
Metformin should be taken with meals and never less than six hours before going to bed. Individuals with kidney problems should not take Metformin and most athletes should be aware of the fact that in some cases the combination with 17-alpha-alkylated drugs can induce even greater liver damage.