Metformin alternatives

[doityourself]

Hi all,Can anyone tell me what the recommend alternative drug for type2 diabetes is, other than Metformin. I'm recently diagnosed T2 diabetic and doctor wants me to take Metformin. I understand it can block b12 absorption.

Many thanks

[charks]

I too was diagnosed with type 2. I was very worried as recent research shows there is a strong link between type 2 and dementia. Up to 81 percent of people living with Alzheimer's are estimated to have type 2 diabetes. However it can be reversed quite easily by adjusting your diet. My level was very bad (92) and I reduced it to 32 within 3 months.

I cut down on sugar and carbohydrates and I fast for at least 15 hours a day. 15 hours without food seems a lot but the fasting period includes your sleep time. So if you eat your evening meal at 8pm you don't eat until 11am next day. The longer your fasting period the better. Fasting increases insulin sensitivity and reduces blood sugar levels.

[doityourself in reply to charks]

Thank you for that information. I'm glad it worked for you. Just got to resist those sugars I guess.Easier said than done I fear but the incentives are high.

[wedgewood in reply to doityourself]

Also consider the glycaemic index of what you eat . ( Information on google)

[Gambit62 Administrator in reply to charks]

Please note that discussion of 'reversing diabetes' is off topic for this forum -

There would also appear to be some sensitivity to the term 'reversing' as highlighted in these articles

webmd.com/diabetes/can-you-...

diabetes.org.uk/diabetes-th...

This thread has been edited as a result.

[doityourself in reply to Gambit62]

Thank you for reminder

[Gambit62 Administrator]

suggest you talk to the dispensing pharmacist about alternatives.

Metformin affects gut absorption but there has been some research implying that it actually helps B12 that is absorbed to be used more efficiently. If you have a diagnosis of a B12 absorption prolblem and are on injections then the effects of B12 absorption will be irrelevant though.

[Regenallotment]

I’ve just done the Zoe nutrition program and as part of it you wear a continuous glucose monitor for 2 weeks and have an app to scan the monitor to show your results on your phone. It was an eye opener as to what made my glucose spike and dip.

I believe you can buy or hire the monitor but without doing Zoe.

I ate super healthy before, but now understand why I conk out on the sofa some days. It’s all related to blood sugar for me. So I’ve doubled down on the carbs that react, learned to mix in good fats if I do have an GF oatcake etc. the Glucose Goddess book is good and cheaper than Zoe 🌱🤗

[Rexz]

Hi doityourself , I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the same time I got my PA diagnosis. I had the same questions regarding Metformin and it's affect on B12 absorption. My conclusion was that if you're diagnosed with PA you already have a B12 malabsorption issue and if you're injecting B12 then you are bypassing that issue anyway. Then there are the other benefits of Metformin one of them being to help mitigate cancer. Here's a report that talks about some of the benefits and safety of Metformin.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

My opinion, not a doctor, but if you've got PA and you're injecting B12 the B12 absorption becomes a non issue.

Hope this helps some, Rexz

[doityourself in reply to Rexz]

Thanks for that, seems logical to me

[Saoirse2016]

I was on metformin, and after furious arguments with GPs over the side effects, I eventually got someone to change my meds to something else, and I am now on Forxiga - which apparently can also be taken for heart issues, and kidney issues (diabetes nurse told me this). I've been on it for abut 5 (or maybe 6?) years and have had minimal side effects, other than it lowering my mmol to hypo levels ocassionally!

There is nothing wrong with my diet/exercise, I've been told [by a dietician] that clinically speaking I'm anorexic! Via trial and error I've discovered that I'm fructose intolerant [which only applies to certain fruits] and can't drink alcohol.

YMMV. I am not a doctor. Not intended as medical advice. Don't tug on Superman's cape.

[Awb824]

Berberine is a natural alternative.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...