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But what Jean Sterne, its creator, might not have realized is that Metformin can offer A LOT of amazing health benefits beyond just the treatment of diabetes! Here are just a few of the amazing things Metformin can do to keep you in the prime of health:
Protect the Thyroid Gland
It’s a well-known fact that insulin resistance (the precursor to diabetes) can lower the size and function of the thyroid gland. Even pre-diabetics may suffer from reduced thyroid function, including low levels of both T3 and T4 thyroid hormones.
A 2014 study in the Journal of Research in Medical Sciences examined the effects of Metformin on thyroid function. 89 prediabetics between the ages of 18 and 65 participated in the study, and received either a placebo or Metformin for 3 months. To determine the effects of the drug, the scientists measured TSH levels, as well as measuring thyroid nodules and volume.
The primary difference between the two groups was discovered in the thyroid enlargement effects. Not only did the placebo group have a higher rate of enlargement, but 54% of them developed thyroid nodules. Among the Metformin group, small solid nodules decreased by almost 50% (from 0.07 ml to 0.04 ml).
While TSH levels did decrease slightly (for those with serum TSH >2.5 ?U/ml), the medications proved effective at protecting the thyroid gland and reducing the size of nodules.
Improve Testosterone and Semen
Men with metabolic syndrome usually tend to have a higher body fat percentage, which has been linked to lower testosterone levels. Low T often leads to a reduction in sperm production, count, and quality.
One study looked at the effects of Metformin on both testosterone levels and sperm count and quality. 45 men between the ages of 26 and 44 participated in the study. All of them underwent metabolic and hormone profiling, along with an evaluation of their BMI, triglyceride levels, and waist circumference.
Metformin did NOT affect their body composition, nor did it affect free testosterone levels. However, the treatment did lead to an increase in insulin sensitivity and a decrease in plasma SHBG levels. Total testosterone levels also increased as a result of the Metformin treatment, and the quality and quantity of sperm increased as well.
Increases the Effects of TRT
While studies have examined the effects of Metformin, no research has analyzed what happened when it was combined with testosterone therapy. Until 2015, when a group of researchers gathered 30 men with both late-onset hypogonadism and impaired glucose tolerance.
The men all underwent 12 weeks of Metformin treatment, with only half of them receiving testosterone (in the form of 120 mg of oral testosterone undecanoate per day). The effects of the treatment were significant:
- Total and LDL cholesterol levels decreased
- Uric acid production dropped
- hsCRP, fibrinogen, and homocysteine levels decreased
- Insulin sensitivity improved
- Plasma glucose and triglyceride levels decreased
- Plasma testosterone increased
While Metformin alone did provide some benefits, the combination of androgen therapy and Metformin significantly increased the effects of the treatment. Men suffering from impaired glucose tolerance and/or late-onset hypogonadism should consider the combined treatment in order to see more visible results.
Prevent or Reduce Aging
Age comes to all men! The human body begins to decline by our mid-30s, and the decline can become serious as the decades advance. While there is no way to “turn back the clock” for real, there are a few things that can help to prevent or reduce the effects of aging.
Scientists are planning to use Metformin as part of a program designed to “target” or “tame” aging. One study found that diabetics who took Metformin lived longer than those who took another diabetes drug. More noticeably, those who were significantly older (70s+) had a lower diabetes mortality risk when taking Metformin. Another study found that taking Metformin could help to stave off diabetes even among high-risk patients, especially when the treatment was combined with healthy lifestyle changes.
Metformin targets chemicals that are produced by senescent cells—essentially cells that have stopped working properly (dividing) and have begun to release toxins that damage the cells around them.
These senescent cells are common among those with age-related chronic disease, such as those suffering from excessive arterial plaque or Alzheimer’s. By reducing the toxin output of these senescent cells, there is a possibility metformin could help to reduce the effects of aging. The drug also increases AMP kinase, an enzyme that tends to decline as you grow older. It may help to decrease mTOR, a protein that is responsible for cellular growth.
The combination of these effects makes Metformin a potential treatment to reduce the effects of aging. It won’t make us live forever, but it could slow down the advance of the years.
Increase Fat-Burning among HIV Positive People
People suffering from HIV often suffer from lipodystrophy, a combination of insulin resistance and fat redistribution. This means that HIV can lead to metabolic disturbances that further impair the health of the infected.
In a study posted in the Journal of the American Medical Association, patients who received Metformin for 3 months not only showed between insulin control, but their weight and blood pressure decreased as well. They also lost belly fat, but without an increase in liver transaminase or lactate levels. Even a low dose of metformin can help to improve cardiovascular health, reduce metabolic disturbances, and increase fat burning among HIV-infected patients.
Nelson Vergel reviews existing data on Metformin in this video:
