Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Bid Goodbye to Age Related Diabetes-Use Metformin

The reasons for diabetes among young people and elderly people are different. Due to various physiological changes, elderly people are at a higher risk of developing diabetes. The treatment for these people is different from the treatment for the younger generation. Along with diabetes, they are also at a risk of developing other fatal diseases like cancer or other impaired physical functioning. With few changes in diet and lifestyle it is possible to combat this disease. Diet should be monitored along with regular physical exercise. There are also certain types of drugs available that help in diabetes treatment.

Metformin is an effective drug that helps
reduce blood sugar levels, It works in three ways. It reduces the amount of sugar produced in the liver, it lowers the amount of glucose absorbed from food through stomach and lastly improves the effectiveness of insulin in the body. The pancreas in the body produces insulin that lowers the glucose levels in the blood. A retarded production of insulin in the body leads to diabetes. There are a lot of products like glyburide, glipzide that reduce blood sugar levels. These drugs tend to increase the concentration of insulin in the blood leading to excessively low blood glucose levels when used alone.

Metformin
counter these effects and can be safely taken alone. Diabetes gives birth to other complications like kidney failure, heart disorders, and cardiovascular arrests. Meformin has been tested to be useful not only in diabetes treatment but also in averting the risk of such fatal diseases. According to a recent report, this drug has been useful in preventing pancreatic cancer in obese people. This also contains antioxidants that help in the recovery of the heart after minor ischemic incidents. Diabetes is known to accelerate aging. Metformin helps to reduce blood sugar levels, prevent sugar cravings, improves body composition, and stabilization of sugar levels in the body. It also lowers cholesterol levels and prevents low-density lipoproteins to attach to blood platelets and arteries.

The dosage should be limited to 500 mg- 850 mg once or twice a day for individuals aged over 40 years. If you have other associated problems like liver or kidney failure, consult a doctor. If you feel dizzy or unwell, stop the usage. Metformin should be used cautiously as it has been observed to cause the deficiency of Vitamin B12. Supplements of Vitamin B12 are recommended. Remember, it is possible to treat diabetes. With prudent care and changes in lifestyle, it is possible to overcome diabetes and lead healthy, stress free life.

Metformin is a Oral Diabetes Drug for Type 2 Diabetes

Highly effective and popular oral diabetes drug Metformin is an aid for Type II diabetes. Metformin performs by reducing the amount of glucose that is produced in the liver and by making body cells more sensitive to insulin. Other than aiding diabetes metformin's other beneficial effects consist of weight loss treatment and assisting to lower blood lipid or fat levels, (better known as cholesterol and triglycerides).

Metformin was approved by the US FDA in 1994 for having the ability to reduce blood glucose ways. levels in the following It can lower the amount of glucose that is created in the liver in addition to the amount absorbed through the stomach. By
reduce blood sugar levels it can improve the effectiveness of insulin in the body. However when used alone it does not increase the strength of blood insulin neither does it produce excessively low blood glucose amounts.

A study published by the American Diabetes Association revealed metformin was able to reduce the fasting plasma glucose concentration by -60 to -70 mg/dl in those who had non-insulin dependent type II diabetes. Metformin can also lower haemoglobin A1C levels (blood measurement of glycosylation). One of the most damaging effects of diabetes is protein degradation which is triggered by the forming of advanced glycated end products. A decline in serum haemoglobin A1C is a good indicator for regular glucose control in diabetics.


Recently there has been some evidence of vitamin b12 deficiency in those who take metformin.


As Metformin can inhibit the uptake of Vitamin B12 a B12 supplement is strongly recommended.


Vitamin B12 plays a number of important roles in the body which include:


1. Being largely responsible for creating, maintaining and repairing red blood cells

2. Allows a smoother functioning of the healthy nervous system
3. Controls Homocysteine levels, a deficiency in Vitamin B12 would result in hematological conditions thus increasing the risk of stroke heart diseases and osteoporosis
4. Promotes healthy Skin & Hair
5. Promotes absorption of folic acid which is essential for the synthesis of red blood cells in the body
6. Aids weight lossthrough speeding the metabolism process, therefore burning more calories
7. Promotes a healthy pregnancy as pregnant women require a higher quantity of Vitamin B12
8. Helps combat mental decline
9 .Treats depression by promoting activity of hormones and neurotransmitters that can influence your mood and emotional state,
10. Allows better sleep by enhancing the production of Melatonin

The bringing together of Metformin and Vitamin B12 makes a good combination to fight diabetes.

Overcome Type II Diabetes With Metformin

When in action, Metformin lowers the quantum of glucose produced in the liver. It tends to improve the effectiveness of insulin in the body by lowering the glucose level already present in the blood. This drug has also proved to be beneficial for weight loss treatment as it lowers the blood lipid or fat levels in the body.

Approved by the US FDA in 1994 for its ability to reduce blood glucose,
Metformin also aids in better absorption of glucose levels produced through stomach. Empirically, a study conducted by the American Diabetes Association confirmed that those who subscribed to Metformin recorded a reduction in fasting plasma glucose concentration by -60 to -70 mg/dl as compared to those who did not subscribe to this life-changing drug. Metformin also lowers the production of hemoglobin A1C levels (blood measurement of glycosylation). A decline in the production of this serum is a good indicator for type II diabetic patient.

Research shows that Metformin averts other complications like heart disease, blindness, and kideney diseases associated with
type II diabetes. A study conducted in April 2002, indicates that this drug also proves beneficial in preventing pancreatic cancer in obese people. Furthermore, the study highlights that Metformin acts as anti oxidant and improves the recovery of the heart after minor ischemic attacks.

Diabetes often expedites the process of ageing or promotes accelerated premature ageing. 11.3 percent of people in US over the age of 20 years and above suffer from glucose intolerance. Metformin saves the day by reducing the risk of age related diabetes, prevention of sugar cravings, stabilization of sugar levels along with improved body composition and improved insulin levels. It lowers the cholesterol levels and prevents low-density lipoproteins from attaching to arteries, thereby reducing the risk of blood clotting.


For patients aged 40 years and above, regular dosage of 550mg to 850 mg once or twice a day should suffice. Consult a physician if the need persists. Stop the doasge immediately, if you notice any liver or kidney problems.


Side effects may be encountered in some rare cases. These include vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea. Recently, there has been evidence indicating a vitamin B12 deficiency in those who take Metformin. Vitamin B12 supplements are strongly recommended for these patients.


Remember, it is possible to combat type II diabetes. With few changes in the lifestyle along with this life changing oral diabetes drug Metformin, bring a new ray of hope and happiness into your lives.
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Monday, April 25, 2011

Metformin – An Anti Diabetes Drugs to Control Blood Glucose and Type 2 Diabetes

Popular diabetes medication Metformin is a blood glucose regulator. Metformin an oral anti diabetic drugs is part of the biguanide class and is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for type II diabetics. Metformin has the ability to dramatically improve the condition of diabetics by tackling diabetes and can also reduce cholesterol.

Metformin lessens the amount of glucose (sugar) in a triple action method. This consists of:

1. Lowering the level of glucose produced in the liver

2. Lowering the level of glucose absorbed from food by means of your stomach

3. Developing the efficacy of insulin in the body in lowering glucose that exists in the blood.

Diabetes types I and II are becoming increasingly common with Type 2 Diabetes form being most prevalent in the elderly. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder whereby the pancreas is incapable of producing satisfactory amounts of insulin to prevent hyperglycemia. This is then followed by diabetic symptoms of blurry vision, weight loss, excessive thirst and continuous fluid drinking amongst others.

By improving how the body handles insulin, Metformin helps lower blood sugar levels. This is achieved through preventing the liver from producing excess glucose by making muscle and fat cells increasingly sensitive to insulin that is available.

Not only does Metformin reduce glucose the long term cause of diabetes, but it can also reduce blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels and still prevent weight gain unlike other blood-glucose lowering drugs which are unable to do. High levels of overweight, cholesterol and triglyceride all increase the risk of forming heart disease, which is the top cause of death in those suffering from Type II diabetes. Moreover Metformin prevents hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) when it is the sole diabetic medicine taken.

The performance of Metformin is different to other anti-diabetic drugs like sulfonylureas (e.g., Glyburide, Diabinase, Micronase, etc). Sulfonylureas perform by raising the output of insulin from the pancreas. After some time this can result in the failure of the pancreas thus changing a Type II diabetic who is non-insulin dependent into a Type I who is insulin dependent.

Metformin performs by raising the sensitivity of the hypothalamus and peripheral tissues to the effect of insulin. As a result it is able to revitalize this response returning glucose and insulin effects to physiologically younger levels. Those who are Type I insulin dependent can often radically lower their insulin dose thus easily maintain stabilized blood glucose levels.

Metformin performs in a more physiologic approach than sulfonylureas or even exogensously administered insulin itself. As a result Metformin does not cause hypoglycemia which is often an outcome of insulin or the sulfonylureas.