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Thread: Widely used drug, Metformin, showing promising treatments and prevention of many ailments

  1. #1

    Widely used drug, Metformin, showing promising treatments and prevention of many ailments

    I'm posting this here as both a way to get people who may benefit from Metformin "in the know" about it, as well as the fact that I thought this crowd would appreciate this apparent miracle drug is derived from an herb long used in natural medicine. It's literally a symbiosis of science and nature in a good way. And Metformin is CHEAPPPP!


    Metformin is a pharmaceutical processed from the herb Galega officinalis (goat's rue, false indigo, professor-weed, French lilac, Spanish sanfoin and Italian fitch to name a few common names) that has been around for almost 100 years. It's original intent was used as an oral medication to treat type 2 Diabetes (first named Glucophage which means "glucose eater" because Metformin reduces glucose production from the liver without the need for the patient taking insulin). And while people with certain kidney, liver, or heart problems shouldn't take Metformin or at least have very monitored regiments with a doctor while taking it due to possible rare but serious side effects....it is actually a fairly risk free drug.

    Now...besides the benefits it can have for people with Type 2 Diabetes, the interesting stuff comes from other things they are finding out about this miracle drug. Just to rattle some off:

    1) They're finding it reduces the rate of adverse cardiovascular outcomes in overweight patients with type 2 diabetes relative to other antihyperglycemic agents.

    2) It has become known to be a great treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

    3) They've found metformin improves ovulation and pregnancy rates, particularly when combined with clomifene, and tentative evidence that it may increase the number of live births. So it's becoming a staple treatment with some fertility clinics.

    4) Metformin appears to be safe and effective to counteract the weight gain caused by antipsychotic drugs olanzapine and clozapine.

    5) They are finding out that Metformin is a promising drug for many forms of cancer, both in treatment as well as preventative medicine:

    Oncology noticed that among 2,529 women with early-stage breast cancer, the pathological complete response rate after chemotherapy was higher (24%) in diabetic patients who had received metformin than in diabetic patients who had not received metformin (8%) and in nondiabetic patients (16%). In the second study, a group in the Department of Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology found that among 255 diabetic patients, the risk of developing pancreatic cancer was 62% lower in those who received metformin than in those who did not.

    The most promising cancer treatments they are seeing is the treatment of lung cancer as well as colorectal cancer. And while it's showing great promise as part of a preventative regiment, it shines in how much it amplifies other cancer treatments increasing their chance for positive outcomes.

    But the one I find most intriguing....


    Anti-Aging Human Study on Metformin Wins FDA Approval


    “Although it might seem like science fiction, researchers have already proven that the diabetes drug metformin extends the life of animals, and the Food and Drug Administration in the US has now given the go-ahead for a trial to see if the same effects can be replicated in humans.”

    “I have been doing research into aging for 25 years and the idea that we would be talking about a clinical trial in humans for an anti-aging drug would have been thought inconceivable…20 years ago aging was a biological mystery. Now we are starting to understand what is going on.”

    “Scientists think the best candidate for an anti-aging drug is metformin, the world’s most widely used diabetes drug, which costs just 10p [15 cents] a day. Metformin increases the number of oxygen molecules released into a cell, which appears to boost robustness and longevity.”

    “If we can slow aging in humans, even by just a little bit, it would be monumental. People could be older, and feel young.”

    “This would be the most important medical intervention in the modern era, an ability to slow aging.”

    Even the venerable Dr. Robert Temple, deputy director at the FDA, chimed in by stating:

    “Their hope is that a wide variety of age-related problems, loss of muscle tone, dizziness, falls, dementia, loss of eyesight, all of those things [sic]. That would be something never done before. If you really are doing something to alter aging, the population of interest is everybody. It surely would be revolutionary if they can bring it off.”

    Dr. Simon Melov of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging added:

    “You’re talking about developing a therapy for a biological phenomenon which is universal and gives rise to all of these diseases. And if you’ve got a therapy for this thing, these diseases just go away.”


    Source:http://www.lifeextension.com/magazin...proval/page-01


    Basically, they are talking a preventative treatment to problems that are brought on by the aging process itself. It isn't so much about life extension (although admittedly tests are showing around a 5% increase in life span) as it is promising better of quality of life during our life spans. So many things we encounter health wise towards the end years are symptoms of that aging process. A good example is cancer, as cancer is a natural part of our bodies breaking down at the cellular level.

    I personally have been taking Metformin for my cholesterol as I refuse to take statin drugs due to my family history with Alzheimer, and it has been a great help. I stumbled onto all the studies and new findings while simply educating myself on the drug before I took it.
    Last edited by Intoxiklown; 12-16-2017 at 03:33 PM.
    "Self conquest is the greatest of all victories." - Plato



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  3. #2
    Yeah didn't help diabetics so they need to repackage ( they don't want to lose money ) and promote it as the fountain of youth.

    They pull this with statins if people haven't lost their memory.
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

  4. #3
    Quote Originally Posted by donnay View Post
    Yeah didn't help diabetics so they need to repackage ( they don't want to lose money ) and promote it as the fountain of youth.

    They pull this with statins if people haven't lost their memory.
    Your first sentence is sarcasm, right? It actually does help with diabetes type 2 (and they're even finding it helps with type 1), as it decreases the production of reactive oxygen species inside our cells. That is the process in which diabetes can causes physical harm to people. Think of it like an antioxidant for your individual cells. All it is is a processed drug from a plant, although they do use a synthetic process now as they isolated the active component from the herb mainly due to the herb being toxic if not prepared properly.

    Understand if you weren't being sarcastic....anyone conducting studies relating to Metformin or pushing it's use for other ailments aren't worried about losing money. It's the most prescribed drug for diabetes in the world. It's also one of the cheapest medications on the market, with some places like Publix giving it for free with a doctor's prescription. This is one of the reasons I posted this here, as it is the exact opposite of a big pharma scam. It works, and they're finding out more and more it works on much more than diabetes due to the way it naturally gets the diabetic's cells to work with their liver in creating less glucose sugars (instead of people injecting themselves with insulin trying to raise their insulin levels for their higher glucose levels). It's this effect it has on how our cells produce destructive oxygen that they're finding has all kinds of positive effects on other ailments.
    "Self conquest is the greatest of all victories." - Plato

  5. #4
    Metformin Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease


    Study finds connection between duration of therapy in senior patients and development of neurodegenerative disease.

    In 2011, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published the findings of a large Taiwanese study showing a protective effect against development of dementia in diabetes patients who were given oral antidiabetic agents. The cohort of over 100,000 subjects included patients over 50 with type 2 diabetes, who were free of dementia at initiation, and received either or both metformin and a sulfonylurea. The results suggested that while T2D carries a two-fold increase in the risk of dementia, use of metformin, sulfonylureas, or both can reduce the risk by up to 35% over eight years. Medscape recently reported that at AD/PD 2017 (the 13th International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases), a group of Taiwanese neurologists presented the results of their own study looking at possible risk increases for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s in people with type 2 diabetes, citing uncertainty about the effects of metformin on the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.

    Utilizing the National Health Insurance research database in Taiwan, 4,651 diabetes patients who had prescriptions for metformin were selected, along with an identically sized, matched control group of patients not taking metformin. Although the statistical methods were not made available at the time of this writing, the findings were rather striking. Patients were retrospectively followed over a 12-year period. With regards to Parkinson’s disease, the event rate in metformin users was 6.85% (n=318) vs. non-users at 2.78% (n=129; HR 2.27; 95% CI 1.66-3.07), after adjustment for age, gender, and severity of diabetes. All-cause dementia showed 11.5% (n=534) vs 6.7% (n=311; HR 1.66; 95% CI 1.35-2.04), Alzheimer’s dementia 1.64% (n=76) vs 0.83% (n=38; HR 2.13; 95% CI 1.20-3.79), and vascular dementia 1.64% (n=76) vs 0.69% (n=32; HR 2.30; 95% confidence interval 1.25-4.22).

    Further examination revealed a connection between duration of therapy and development of neurodegenerative disease, with an absolute occurrence difference for Parkinson’s favoring metformin users by 5.9% (HR 1.77; 95% CI 1.17-2.68) for durations of therapy less than 180 days, all the way up to 14.3% (HR 4.49; CI 3.06-6.58) for metformin use at or above 400 days. The same comparison made for all-cause dementia also favored metformin users by 7.99% (HR 1.02; 95% CI 0.74-1.41, ns) to 20.6% (HR 2.84; 95% CI 2.12-3.82) over the same < 180 days to ≥ 400 days duration range. Cumulative dosage also had a similar increase in risk of Parkinson’s, with annual dosages ranging from < 130 grams metformin at 5.35% (HR 1.58; 95% 1.02-2.44) to > 385 grams at 9.38% (HR 3.54; 95% CI 2.41-5.20). For all-cause dementia, the increase in risk ranged from 9.97% for < 130 grams annually (HR 1.22; 95% CI 0.90-1.67, ns) to 12.3% for 240-385 grams annually (HR 2.06; 95% CI 1.54-2.75). Interestingly, in patients taking more than 385 grams of metformin per year, the risk of all-cause dementia slightly decreased to 11.9% (HR 1.97; 95% CI 1.45-2.68). While patient characteristics were not available in this report, it can only be assumed that the number of patients in each dosing range quartile was roughly the same (i.e. n~1162 in each group). Conversely, the group in ≥ 400 days duration arm could have been on metformin for the entirety of the 12-year period, but again, this was not provided.

    The presenting investigator did admit limitations to their study, including the statement that they were not experts in the field of diabetes management, but did suggest that other studies be performed looking at incident neurogenic diseases with other diabetes treatment modes, including sulfonylureas and insulin. She also stated that while their findings could not be considered conclusive, that “clinicians should keep them in mind.” Dr. Larry Ereshefsky of the Follow the Molecule group stated that the findings of this study, while interesting, cannot be considered applicable, as the investigators did not report how they controlled for confounders, nor did they report the effects of other treatments these patients were receiving or how effectively their diabetes was being controlled. Looking at the provided statistics, there are also three data points suggesting a protective effect from metformin, as demonstrated by reported confidence intervals. In reporting the risk of Parkinson’s, in the group receiving metformin for 180-300 days, the confidence interval for hazard ratio crossed zero (95% CI 0.90-2.37). For all-cause dementia, two groups had the same issue: annual doses < 130 grams (95% CI 0.90-1.67) and duration of metformin < 180 days (95% CI 0.74-1.41). This shows no statistical significance in these groups, and suggests there may be a portion of patients who actually have reduced risk of neurogenerative diseases when given metformin. Future studies of better design will be necessary to support these claims.

    Practice Pearls:

    Type 2 diabetes has long been understood to carry an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
    Until recently, metformin and sulfonylurea use in T2D has been associated with a decrease in risk for Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.
    A recent study suggests metformin use can increase the risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, but there are also concerns over the validity of the findings due to study design flaws.

    References:

    Hsu CC, Wahlqvist ML, Lee MS, Tsai HN. Incidence of dementia is increased in type 2 diabetes and reduced by the use of sulfonylureas and metformin. J Alzheimers Dis. 2011;24(3):485-93.

    Metformin Use Linked to Increased Dementia, Parkinson’s Risk in Patients with Diabetes. Medscape. Mar 30, 2017.

    “Diabetes – A Major Risk Factor for Kidney Disease.” The National Kidney Foundation. N.p., 03 Feb. 2017. Web.

    Penno, Giuseppe, Eleonora Russo, Monia Garofolo, Giuseppe Daniele, Daniela Lucchesi, Laura Giusti, Veronica Sancho Bornez, Cristina Bianchi, Angela Dardano, Roberto Miccoli, and Stefano Del Prato. “Evidence for two distinct phenotypes of chronic kidney disease in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus.” Diabetologia (2017). Web.
    Mark T. Lawrence, University of Colorado-Denver, School of Pharmacy NTPD
    http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/met...nsons-disease/

    Metformin Use Linked to Increased Dementia, Parkinson's Risk in Patients With Diabetes

    Deborah Brauser
    March 30, 2017

    VIENNA, Austria — Long-term use of the diabetes medication metformin may increase the risk for neurodegenerative disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), new research suggests.

    In a cohort study that followed about 9300 patients with T2DM in Taiwan for up to 12 years, the risk for Parkinson's disease (PD) or Alzheimer's dementia was more than double during a 12-year period for those who took metformin vs those who did not — even after adjusting for multiple confounders.

    In addition, outcome risks increased progressively with higher dosage and longer duration of treatment.

    The results were presented here at AD/PD 2017: The 13th International Conference on Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases by Yi-Chun Kuan, MD, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
    https://www.diabetesdaily.com/forum/...y-bad-if-true/

    Other references:
    https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/s...insons-393789/
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28583443
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

  6. #5
    I don't see myself considering using this. I just don't trust big pharma enough to take one of their drugs.

  7. #6
    You just goolged up something to look for something wrong with Metformin, didn't you? I say that because:

    a. You'd have made your claim it causes dementia and Parkinsons in your initial post
    b. The fact you obviously didn't read nor understand the linked studies in your post

    First off, people with Type 2 diabetes are already shown to be more prone to things like dementia and Parkinsons:

    Research consistently shows that people who have type 2 diabetes are, on average, more likely to develop dementia compared to those without diabetes. Some people who don’t have diabetes have problems with the way their body deals with glucose and insulin. Impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are also associated with an increased risk of dementia.

    Source:

    Also, from your own wall of text paste of that study...

    1) The presenting investigator (this is one of the Taiwan scientists who submitted this "study) did admit limitations to their study, including the statement that they were not experts in the field of diabetes management, but did suggest that other studies be performed looking at incident neurogenic diseases with other diabetes treatment modes, including sulfonylureas and insulin.

    2) Dr. Larry Ereshefsky of the Follow the Molecule group stated that the findings of this study, while interesting, cannot be considered applicable, as the investigators did not report how they controlled for confounders, nor did they report the effects of other treatments these patients were receiving or how effectively their diabetes was being controlled. Looking at the provided statistics, there are also three data points suggesting a protective effect from metformin, as demonstrated by reported confidence intervals.


    3) In reporting the risk of Parkinson’s, in the group receiving metformin for 180-300 days, the confidence interval for hazard ratio crossed zero (95% CI 0.90-2.37). For all-cause dementia, two groups had the same issue: annual doses < 130 grams (95% CI 0.90-1.67) and duration of metformin < 180 days (95% CI 0.74-1.41). This shows no statistical significance in these groups, and suggests there may be a portion of patients who actually have reduced risk of neurogenerative diseases when given metformin. Future studies of better design will be necessary to support these claims.

    Do you understand that? Their study showed the EXACT OPPOSITE of their assertion.

    Sweet Christ...I was simply wanting to share with people a readily available drug that is offered in many generics so it's extremely cheap to pay for (about the price of a pack of ciggs for a bottle of 120 pills) that's active ingredient is from the French Lilac herb. Because of the way it affects certain processes (naturally) in the human cell they are finding out more and more regarding different benefits it cann have for people's health.

    You know...I enjoy debates and always try to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. You know, like the anti-gun person isn't necessarily some pro government pogue who thinks that by owning guns I am fine with people being murdered...but rather someone whose never had another person offer to educate them on the other side of the subject. But $#@! me running....that is not you.

    The entire medical profession is one big conspiracy to either kill us all or rape us of every cent we have (because there is no greater business model to make money than to kill your $#@!ing customers, amirite?) to you. Their evil runs so deep that even a natural medicine found in an herb automatically becomes a tool to depopulate the earth once it's in pill form. You are literally the biggest walking moron I've ever encountered in my life....and I've been all over this world.
    "Self conquest is the greatest of all victories." - Plato

  8. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Working Poor View Post
    I don't see myself considering using this. I just don't trust big pharma enough to take one of their drugs.
    You can look into the actual plant extract, although I wouldn't know how to go about it as it can be toxic due to other things it contains. Besides the benefits they're finding for it my main thing honestly is it gives diabetics a choice other than injecting themselves with insulin artificially creating insulin in themselves, when metformin simply uses the body itself to slow glucose production to their own insulin production is adequate.
    "Self conquest is the greatest of all victories." - Plato

  9. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Intoxiklown View Post
    You just goolged up something to look for something wrong with Metformin, didn't you? I say that because:

    a. You'd have made your claim it causes dementia and Parkinsons in your initial post
    b. The fact you obviously didn't read nor understand the linked studies in your post

    First off, people with Type 2 diabetes are already shown to be more prone to things like dementia and Parkinsons:

    Research consistently shows that people who have type 2 diabetes are, on average, more likely to develop dementia compared to those without diabetes. Some people who don’t have diabetes have problems with the way their body deals with glucose and insulin. Impaired insulin secretion, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance are also associated with an increased risk of dementia.

    Source:

    Also, from your own wall of text paste of that study...

    1) The presenting investigator (this is one of the Taiwan scientists who submitted this "study) did admit limitations to their study, including the statement that they were not experts in the field of diabetes management, but did suggest that other studies be performed looking at incident neurogenic diseases with other diabetes treatment modes, including sulfonylureas and insulin.

    2) Dr. Larry Ereshefsky of the Follow the Molecule group stated that the findings of this study, while interesting, cannot be considered applicable, as the investigators did not report how they controlled for confounders, nor did they report the effects of other treatments these patients were receiving or how effectively their diabetes was being controlled. Looking at the provided statistics, there are also three data points suggesting a protective effect from metformin, as demonstrated by reported confidence intervals.


    3) In reporting the risk of Parkinson’s, in the group receiving metformin for 180-300 days, the confidence interval for hazard ratio crossed zero (95% CI 0.90-2.37). For all-cause dementia, two groups had the same issue: annual doses < 130 grams (95% CI 0.90-1.67) and duration of metformin < 180 days (95% CI 0.74-1.41). This shows no statistical significance in these groups, and suggests there may be a portion of patients who actually have reduced risk of neurogenerative diseases when given metformin. Future studies of better design will be necessary to support these claims.

    Do you understand that? Their study showed the EXACT OPPOSITE of their assertion.

    Sweet Christ...I was simply wanting to share with people a readily available drug that is offered in many generics so it's extremely cheap to pay for (about the price of a pack of ciggs for a bottle of 120 pills) that's active ingredient is from the French Lilac herb. Because of the way it affects certain processes (naturally) in the human cell they are finding out more and more regarding different benefits it cann have for people's health.

    You know...I enjoy debates and always try to give the other person the benefit of the doubt. You know, like the anti-gun person isn't necessarily some pro government pogue who thinks that by owning guns I am fine with people being murdered...but rather someone whose never had another person offer to educate them on the other side of the subject. But $#@! me running....that is not you.

    The entire medical profession is one big conspiracy to either kill us all or rape us of every cent we have (because there is no greater business model to make money than to kill your $#@!ing customers, amirite?) to you. Their evil runs so deep that even a natural medicine found in an herb automatically becomes a tool to depopulate the earth once it's in pill form. You are literally the biggest walking moron I've ever encountered in my life....and I've been all over this world.
    I have known people who have been on this drug and it can wreck you liver and kidneys. It is wise to research things before just running with the latest pharmaceutical pitch, okay? It's not like pharmaceutical companies have been caught fibbing and fudging things, amirite? Even working with a specific botanical like French Lilac, I look at all the pros and cons.

    Example: Kava Root (Piper methysticum: Latin “pepper” Latinized Greek “intoxicating”) also called Kava-Kava. This plant can cause liver problems in as little time as three months by mouth. It has good benefits if taken correctly. However I would rather look for alternatives to Kava Root since we only have one precious liver.

    Bottom line is-- I prefer good nutrition as the best fix for health issues and to help slow down the aging process. I am of the opinion God really knew what He was doing when he created us.
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner



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  11. #9
    Quote Originally Posted by donnay View Post
    I have known people who have been on this drug and it can wreck you liver and kidneys. It is wise to research things before just running with the latest pharmaceutical pitch,

    Metformin is beneficial to livers. Again, you ran to google trying to sound educated on something you have no clue about and saw possible liver and kidney side effects and decided to run with it to try to add validity instead of simply admitting you're either wrong or didn't understand. Because had you (again) simply read those links you saw before before deciding you knew you would have saw that the Metformin poses a danger to kidneys and livers where heart issues are, meaning no doctor walking this earth would have given your "friends" Metformin with that condition. Without that, the only other danger is if someone has cirrhosis of the liver to begin with...which leads us right back to no doctor walking this earth would prescribe Metformin.

    Same with kidneys. Either existing heart conditions or kidney problems would be the ONLY danger, which leads us right back to no doctor walking this earth would prescribe Metformin to those patients.

    So...

    You don't believe in looking at pros and cons. That requires being objective. You start everything from a set position of you against this world wide machine of death that you have to save the world from. That means you don't examine facts, you reject them. Or cherry pick them to fit the view of the world as you see it.

    Sadly, I actually do research and read up on things before I want to suggest other people look into it. You look for the first quack to say the horse $#@! you believe , and run with that narrative like you're Moses himself with the 10 commandments from God. I can understand and respect the last part of you simply saying you prefer a more nutritional approach before anything else.

    But that simple opinion gets lost with your "heart string" stories of your mythical ailing friends, or blatant copy / paste of anything found on goolge that resembles something that might support you that it's content makes it crystal clear you have no idea of what you're posting.

    And you're actually proud of it.....
    "Self conquest is the greatest of all victories." - Plato

  12. #10
    Quote Originally Posted by Intoxiklown View Post
    Metformin is beneficial to livers. Again, you ran to google trying to sound educated on something you have no clue about and saw possible liver and kidney side effects and decided to run with it to try to add validity instead of simply admitting you're either wrong or didn't understand. Because had you (again) simply read those links you saw before before deciding you knew you would have saw that the Metformin poses a danger to kidneys and livers where heart issues are, meaning no doctor walking this earth would have given your "friends" Metformin with that condition. Without that, the only other danger is if someone has cirrhosis of the liver to begin with...which leads us right back to no doctor walking this earth would prescribe Metformin.

    Same with kidneys. Either existing heart conditions or kidney problems would be the ONLY danger, which leads us right back to no doctor walking this earth would prescribe Metformin to those patients.

    So...

    You don't believe in looking at pros and cons. That requires being objective. You start everything from a set position of you against this world wide machine of death that you have to save the world from. That means you don't examine facts, you reject them. Or cherry pick them to fit the view of the world as you see it.

    Sadly, I actually do research and read up on things before I want to suggest other people look into it. You look for the first quack to say the horse $#@! you believe , and run with that narrative like you're Moses himself with the 10 commandments from God. I can understand and respect the last part of you simply saying you prefer a more nutritional approach before anything else.

    But that simple opinion gets lost with your "heart string" stories of your mythical ailing friends, or blatant copy / paste of anything found on goolge that resembles something that might support you that it's content makes it crystal clear you have no idea of what you're posting.

    And you're actually proud of it.....
    So you sound like a typical pharmaceutical rep. Grow up.

    Oh and it has been shown to lower testosterone levels--as if men in this society need more testosterone lowering things. SMH

    You might have better results with Berberine. Also, Metaformin robs your body of B12 so make sure you take a good B12 supplement.
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

  13. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by donnay View Post
    So you sound like a typical pharmaceutical rep. Grow up.
    I'm not the one suffering maturity issues with my evidence based on linked studies that actually say the complete opposite thing I'm trying so desperately to make right. Nor am I the one making up stories about poor friends at their death beds due to being poisoned by the evil world wide conspiracy to kill us all....so they can make money off of us.

    But onto yet more "facts" from you that once again show you desperately surfing google looking for anything to make you appear informed, when we both know you are so lost in the woods it's gotten beyond funny. But you keep wanting to play.....


    Quote Originally Posted by donnay View Post
    Oh and it has been shown to lower testosterone levels--as if men in this society need more testosterone lowering things. SMH
    In women...yeah. It's how Metformin treats PCOS (which is a form of cysts on a woman's ovaries).

    In men? Once again....if you'd take 5 minutes to actually READ instead of skimming in desperation you'd know that testosterone deficiency is a common issue in males with Type 2 diabetes due to testosterone and insulin being an antagonism to the other. Hence, if Metformin lowers glucose and insulin, by that very virtue it improves testosterone level in men. In other words, men see IMPROVED testosterone levels while taking Metformin.

    Quote Originally Posted by donnay View Post
    Also, Metaformin robs your body of B12 so make sure you take a good B12 supplement.
    That's actually an interesting topic speaking to Metformin.

    Firstly, it doesn't rob your body as much as it affects B12 absorption (just being factual. No ill intent, I assure you), and quite honestly....why it does this has researchers stumped even though they've been studying this very phenomenon since the late 60s. Still, it is a possible side effect that while not considered extremely rare is something not very prevalent. In cases they do find, the vast majority of people suffering are either vegans (people who eat meat based diets get loads of B12) and elderly people since they are more prone to gastrointestinal tract absorption issues.

    A Chinese study also found cases resulting from pre-existing B12 deficiency issues not identified before being prescribed metformin. Most physicians now do a preliminary test for this condition before prescribing. But there is no harm in erring on the safe side (as I do) by taking a multi vitamin daily. Severe cases (again, majority being vegans and elderly) may receive a limited regiment of B12 injections, but that is rare.
    "Self conquest is the greatest of all victories." - Plato

  14. #12
    Reverse Insulin Resistance With These 8 Foods

    Written By: GreenMedInfo Research Group



    Research indicates that you don't need drugs to control blood sugar. Food, herbs, and spices are the future of medicine.

    Over 80 million Americans have insulin resistance that can lead to diabetes. And you could be on the road to diabetes for 10 years or more and never even know it. Here's what happens.

    The hormone insulin directs your cells to open up and take in glucose from the blood. With insulin resistance, your cells become desensitized to insulin. They ignore the instructions to open up and take in glucose. Your body keeps producing more insulin to try to get the message heard. But it doesn't work. And your insulin levels rise higher and higher.

    Those chronically high insulin levels cause rapid weight gain, premature aging, high blood pressure, heart disease, and higher cancer risks. Eventually they lead to type 2 diabetes.

    Herbs, spices and foods are your first line of defense. Here are eight that can help restore and maintain your cells' sensitivity to insulin.

    1. Turmeric: 100% Effective In Preventing Diabetes
    A 2009 study found curcumin, an active compound found in turmeric, was 500 to 100,000 times more effective than the prescription drug Metformin at activating glucose uptake.[i]

    In another study of 240 pre-diabetic adults, patients were given either 250 milligrams of curcumin or a placebo every day. After nine months, NONE of those taking curcumin developed diabetes but 16.4% of the placebo group did. In other words, the curcumin was 100% effective at preventing Type 2 diabetes.

    2. Ginger: Lowers Fasting Blood Glucose by 10.5%
    In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial 88 diabetics were divided into two groups. Every day one group received a placebo while the other received 3 one-gram capsules of ginger powder. After eight weeks, the ginger group reduced their fasting blood sugar by 10.5%. But the placebo group INCREASED their fasting blood sugar by 21%. In addition, insulin sensitivity increased significantly more in the ginger group.[ii]

    In another study, researchers proved that 1600 mg per day of ginger improves eight markers of diabetes including insulin sensitivity.[iii]

    Many other studies prove the value of ginger for diabetes. For a complete list of studies visit Green Med Info's page on Ginger Health Benefits.

    3. Cinnamon: Less Than Half a Teaspoon A Day Reduces Blood Sugar Levels
    Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices and most popular spices. It's been used for millennia both for its flavoring and medicinal qualities.

    Cinnamon has been shown to normalize blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics by improving the ability to respond to insulin. A meta-analysis of eight clinical studies shows that cinnamon or cinnamon extracts lower fasting blood glucose levels.[iv]

    Cinnamon works in part by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties after eating. In one study subjects ate about a cup of rice pudding with and without about a teaspoon of cinnamon. Adding the cinnamon slowed the rate the stomach emptied from 37% to 34.5% and significantly slowed the rise in blood sugar levels. Even less than a half of a teaspoon a day reduces blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics.[v]

    Here are 5 more reasons to eat cinnamon every day.

    4. Olive Leaf Extract: Results Comparable to Metformin
    University of Auckland researchers proved that olive leaf extract decreases insulin sensitivity.

    In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, 46 overweight men were divided into two groups. One group received capsules containing olive leaf extract and the other group received a placebo. After 12 weeks, olive leaf extract lowered insulin resistance by an average of 15%. It also increased the productivity of the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas by 28%.[vi]

    The researchers noted that supplementing with olive leaf extract gave results "comparable to common diabetic therapeutics (particularly metformin)."


    5. Berries Lower After-Meal Insulin Spike
    Studies show the body needs less insulin for sugar balance after a meal if berries are also eaten. In a study of healthy women in Finland, subjects were asked to eat white and rye bread with or without a selection of different pureed berries. Starch in the bread alone spikes after-meal glucose levels. But the researchers found that adding berries to the bread significantly reduced the after-meal insulin spike.

    Strawberries, bilberries, lingonberries, and chokeberries were effective. So was a mixture consisting of strawberries, bilberries, cranberries, and blackberries.[vii]

    6. Black Seed (Nigella Sativa): Just 2 Grams Reduces Insulin Resistance
    In a study of 94 diabetic patients, researchers prescribed either 1, 2 or 3 grams a day of Nigella sativa capsules. They found that at the dose of 2 grams per day, black seed significantly reduced fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. The higher dose of 3 grams per day did not result in additional benefits.[viii]

    Black seed has been treasured for thousands of years for its healing properties. It is sometimes referred to as Roman coriander, black sesame, black cumin, and black caraway. It's been called the remedy for everything but death.

    7. Spirulina Increases Insulin Sensitivity by 225%
    In a randomized study of insulin-resistant patients, researchers compared the power of spirulina and soy to control insulin levels.[ix] They assigned 17 patients to receive 19 grams of spirulina a day. The other 16 patients received 19 grams of soy. After eight weeks the spirulina group on average increased their insulin sensitivity by 224.7% while the soy group increased their insulin sensitivity by 60%.

    In addition, 100% of the spirulina group improved their insulin sensitivity while only 69% of the soy group improved.

    8. Berberine Just As Good as Three Different Diabetes Drugs
    Berberine is a bitter compound found in the roots of several plants including goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape. Studies prove it's just as good as prescription diabetes drugs.

    Chinese researchers compared berberine to metformin in a pilot study of 36 patients. They found berberine lowered blood sugar levels just as well as metformin in just three months. The patients also significantly decreased their fasting blood glucose, and their after-meal blood glucose.

    In the same study, researchers gave berberine to 48 diabetics for three months. After only one week, berberine lowered both fasting and post-meal blood glucose levels. In addition, their insulin resistance dropped 45%.[x]

    Other researchers conducted a meta-analysis of 14 studies involving 1,068 participants. They found berberine performed just as well as metformin, glipizide and rosiglitazone. Those are three of the top diabetes drugs on the market.[xi] And berberine has no serious side effects.


    For more than 70 studies on this herbal compound visit Green Med Info's page on berberine

    [i] Teayoun Kim, Jessica Davis, Albert J Zhang, Xiaoming He, Suresh T Mathews. Curcumin activates AMPK and suppresses gluconeogenic gene expression in hepatoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2009 Oct 16;388(2):377-82. Epub 2009 Aug 8. PMID: 19665995

    [ii] Hassan Mozaffari-Khosravi, Behrouz Talaei, Beman-Ali Jalali, Azadeh Najarzadeh, Mohammad Reza Mozayan. The effect of ginger powder supplementation on insulin resistance and glycemic indices in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Complement Ther Med. 2014 Feb ;22(1):9-16. Epub 2014 Jan 8. PMID: 24559810

    [iii] Tahereh Arablou, Naheed Aryaeian, Majid Valizadeh, Faranak Sharifi, Aghafatemeh Hosseini, Mahmoud Djalali. The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2014 Feb 4. Epub 2014 Feb 4. PMID: 24490949

    [iv] Paul A Davis, Wallace Yokoyama. Cinnamon intake lowers fasting blood glucose: meta-analysis. J Med Food. 2011 Sep ;14(9):884-9. Epub 2011 Apr 11. PMID: 21480806

    [v] Joanna Hlebowicz et al, "Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects." Am J Clin Nutr June 2007 vol. 85 no. 6 1552-1556

    [vi] Martin de Bock, José G B Derraik, Christine M Brennan, Janene B Biggs, Philip E Morgan, Steven C Hodgkinson, Paul L Hofman, Wayne S Cutfield. Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf polyphenols improve insulin sensitivity in middle-aged overweight men: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.

    [vii] Riitta Törrönen, Marjukka Kolehmainen, Essi Sarkkinen, Kaisa Poutanen, Hannu Mykkänen, Leo Niskanen. Berries reduce postprandial insulin responses to wheat and rye breads in healthy women. J Nutr. 2013 Apr ;143(4):430-6. Epub 2013 Jan 30. PMID: 23365108

    [viii] Abdullah O Bamosa, Huda Kaatabi, Fatma M Lebdaa, Abdul-Muhssen Al Elq, Ali Al-Sultanb. Effect of Nigella sativa seeds on the glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2010 Oct-Dec;54(4):344-54. PMID: 21675032

    [ix] Azabji-Kenfack Marcel, Loni G Ekali, Sobngwi Eugene, Onana E Arnold, Edie D Sandrine, Denis von der Weid, Emmanuel Gbaguidi, Jeanne Ngogang, Jean C Mbanya. The Effect of Spirulina platensis versus Soybean on Insulin Resistance in HIV-Infected Patients: A Randomized Pilot Study. Nutrients. 2011 Jul ;3(7):712-24. Epub 2011 Jul 18. PMID: 22254118

    [x] Yin J, Xing H, Ye J. Efficacy of berberine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metabolism May 2008;57(5):712-7 Pubmed 18442638

    [xi] Dong H, Wang N, Zhao L, Lu F. Berberine in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012;2012:591654 Pubmed 23118793
    http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/rev...-these-8-foods
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

  15. #13
    Many Faces of Insulin Resistance

    Written By: Dr. Antti Heikkilä, MD



    Insulin resistance is a state where cells cannot take properly sugar from blood to use it as an energy source. Cells become resistant to the action of insulin. It therefore takes more insulin to keep blood sugar in balance. People with insulin resistance syndrome will consequently have normal blood sugar levels but elevated insulin level

    There is no single test that would reliably measure insulin resistance. The diagnosis can be made through clinical symptoms and some laboratory tests. The insulin fasting value is an essential test but it is not the only one. The insulin values may temporarily vary without being insulin resistant. Another indicative laboratory test is The Triglyseride-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio. In insulin resistance triglycerides start to rise and HDL decrease. The more important is TG/HDL-C ratio must be less than 2 in US values and in countries who use mmol/l like Europe, Australia and Canada TG/HDL-C less than 0.87. Normal official fasting values of serum insulin are 2–20mU/L, but I think that's too high. It should be less than 5mU/L

    We know that continuing insulin resistance leads to metabolic syndrome and thus prediabetes but it leads to many other diseases as well. According to studies 70% those who have prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes if significant lifestyle changes aren't made.

    Symptoms include elevated blood pressure. Insulin Resistance in the early stages may develop a skin condition known as Acanthosis Nigrircans. This condition creates dark patches often on the back of the neck, groin, and armpits. Other symptoms are, feeling hungry even after meal, craving carbohydrate-rich food and sugar, sugar addiction, compulsive overeating, hormone imbalance, PCOS, female androgenic alopecia, swollen ankles and general swollenness, complexion problems, lethargy, sleepiness after a meal, difficulty concentrating (brain fog), poor memory and impairing learning abilities, mental fatigue, anxiety, mental swings, depression. It's a long list of all kind of symptoms, what is not rightly understood, that all may be due to the same reason. Usually these patients have a long list of different medicines targeted only to various symptoms. Excessive fatigue and other mental disorders are due to chronic hypoglycaemia, which is one of the earliest sign of Insulin Resistance. Weight gain or even severe obesity is typical among these patients but not for all. Patients may have normal weight but the excess fat is visceral fat.

    There is increasing evidence that insulin resistance leads to many diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, fatty liver, fat metabolism disorders, dementia and even cancer. Using the old phrase. Insulin resistance is “the mother of all diseases”

    The main stream medicine has totally ignored the basic role of insulin in all that affects the metabolic balance. All symptoms are treated with medicines, which is typical of medicalisation. Insulin resistance is not treated with medicines but with lifestyle changes, which does not cost anything. We can call this approach a lifestyle medicine that is the future.

    Many may ask why this has not been previously discussed. Knowledge has existed but it is guided to the siding. Many are aware of the role of money in the medicine. Lifestyle changes are free and do not benefit anybody else. In a world where everything is for sale, this is simply not acceptable. A good example of this is Helsinki Policemen Study, where the effect of insulin on cardiac diseases was studied. The study lasted 22 years and the study showed that those with the highest levels of insulin had nine times heart attack compared to those with the lowest values. It was a staggering result. None of the research related to cholesterol has not been able to present such results. Finland is a small country. When the global food and pharmaceutical industry supported the country's cholesterol party, which also supported the interests of the nation's medical elite, all was forgotten. A few years later, the doctor responsible for the study nominated to a doctor of the year. It was little comfort to him but a great sorrow to us.

    The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism published August 2001 an article “Insulin Resistance as a Predictor of Age-Related Diseases” The study was initiated to evaluate the ability of insulin resistance to predict a variety of age-related diseases. The graphic tells more than words



    3 groups median follow up time 6 years.

    1. Low insulin 2. Moderate 3. High

    HT: Hypertension
    CA: Cancer
    CHD: Heart disease
    Type: 2 DM
    CVA: Stroke

    The group 1 had been healthy throughout the follow-up period. The group 2 has created Hypertension and Cancer and some Heart Disease. The group 3 got whole scale all diseases, Hypertension, Cancer, Heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes and Stroke.

    It is interesting to notice that the primary problem of Insulin Resistance is not Type 2 Diabetes but Hypertension and Cancer. Group 3 had Hypertension and Cancer as much as the group 2. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Hypertension and Cancer are the first diseases caused by insulin resistance. Diabetes is not the first problem. No wonder cancer has increased in the world. The official side erroneously blames being overweight and diabetes for the problem when the real cause is insulin resistance. That's why the official conception leads completely to fraudulent treatments. One study tells that nonobese people with hyperinsulinemia were at higher risk of cancer mortality than those without hyperinsulinemia and suggests that improvement of hyperinsulinemia may be an important approach for preventing cancer regardless of the presence or absence of obesity. Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a result of insulin resistance and is significantly associated with colon cancer in men, and breast cancer in women

    The only way solve this complex problem is to identify the early symptoms of insulin resistance and the treatment is a lifestyle change. Drugs do not help but lead to the wrong illusion that things are in order. It is vital to detect all these warning signs so early as possible. The possibility of insulin resistance should be assessed for each patient with hypertension. The same applies to all of the above-mentioned symptoms that often lead to numerous medications. This research has also been silenced but it does not matter. Many patients are frustrated when they know that they have been misled. Old Greek wisdom says: “if you want to change the world so start it yourself.” It is also the core of Insulin Resistance treatment.

    The process of eating a high-sugar, high-refined carbohydrate diet day in and day out pressures your pancreas to secrete more and more insulin in the attempt to lower your blood sugar. Over time, your cells start to become resistant, or numb, to so much insulin. This is when insulin resistance develops. Some drugs like statins increase insulin resistance, which raises a lot of questions if we look at things from this perspective.

    The only drug, which improves insulin sensitivity, is metformin. Drugs are not a solution. Conventional diabetes medicines decrease blood glucose, which is meaningless in insulin resistance. Nutrition is the solution and the only way substantially change the situation. Exercise is helpful and supports the diet but alone, exercise is of no use. Aerobic exercise can be disadvantageous because it adds cortisol, which is very bad in this case. The best type exercise is anaerobic exercise like HIIT and weight lifting. The combination of diet and for example HIIT gives fast results. The diet is naturally Low Carb or an extreme form Ketogenic diet. We can see the whole situation as some form of carbohydrate sensitivity because not everybody gets problems of insulin even they eat sugar. It is a bit same that one can smoke without any harm or drink alcohol without being an alcoholic. It is difficult to estimate how many people are sensitive to carbohydrates. According to assessment Joseph Kraft 60%-70% of the population are sensitive to carbohydrates. It's a lot. If this were to be understood by an official side, it would bring radical change to everything that concerns nutrition and medicines. Most have T2DM because they have developed progressive insulin resistance over decades as a result of diets that are to high in sugar and carbohydrates and too low in fat and protein.

    There are many versions of the Low Carb diet. Some address meat and some not. It's about fat diet. Too much protein is harmful and exacerbates insulin resistance. Everyone can build their own version of the of the Low Carb diet. Simple rule is to leave sugar and starch and use good fats like extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. I recommend a diet which is based on lots of vegetables. Unprocessed vegetables contain a great deal of micronutrients that are of great importance to the health of the body. There is a lot of research information about how vegetable micronutrients inhibit inflammation, protects against oxidative stress and have a positive influence on the genetic level. Diet without vegetables is always unhealthy. Unfortunately, many fruits have been processed to be too sugar-rich. Berries are a better option

    Unfortunately, researchers in the Western world have not studied the potential benefits of herbs to a significant extent. Most studies are oriented in the direction of developing chemicals that can be patented. That's why I encourage people to avoid processed food and make their own food. Many of the plants used in Asia are exotic and difficult to find in an average food store. But now we know that many ordinary plants have the same features. Turmeric is a very potent herb that inhibits quite effectively the glycosidase enzyme but also a direct effect on muscles by improving insulin resistance.

    Food quality is very important for several reasons. It should be as nutritionally dense as possible. Many of these nutrients protect the body from the harmful effects of sugar. Asian countries have a long history of diabetes nutrition therapy. Many of the herbs taken for example in China balance blood sugar. People have learned how to use herbs without knowing how they affect the body. Today we know how these herbs and plants counteract the effects of diabetes. The nutrients in plants inhibit the alpha glucosidase enzyme, which breaks down starch and disaccharides into glucose.

    The inhibition of the enzyme slows down the absorption of sugars. Enzyme inhibitors mainly reduce the increase in postprandial plasma glucose. Among patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, these inhibitors can decrease postprandial plasma glucose by 40 to 50 mg/dL (2.2 to 2.8 nmol) and hemoglobin A1C by 0.5% to 1.0%. Herbs are remarkably effective in the treatment of diabetes.

    All plants and herbs contain anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, terpenoids and, of course, curcuminoids. That essentially means that all spices, herbs, berries, fruit and vegetables are useful for diabetics. My favourite is marjoram. There is a potent antioxidant called pygcocenol, a French maritime pine bark extract, which is a member of the anthocyanidin family. In the old days in northern Europe, people added powdered pine bark to flour when there was a shortage of grains. People were healthy in those days; this all turned upside down when wheat was introduced.

    Some mushrooms also inhibit the glucosidase enzyme. The most studied mushrooms are Maitake, Reishi, $#@!ake mushrooms, but I believe that many other mushrooms have same effect. Ganoderma lucidum is an old Chinese medicinal mushroom. It has also been used in Siberia and in Finland for many other purposes as well. The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) is a traditional Russian folk remedy, which helps fight cancer and also helps prevent the formation of the glucosidase enzyme. Chaga mushrooms are quite popular today among health-conscious people in Finland. Chaga mushrooms grow on birch trees. Birch trees also grow in the north states of the US and in Canada.

    Epigenetics is future. Epigenetics will revolutionize everything that concerns nutrition. It is a method to find out how food affects our genes. The Spanish olive oil study best shows what is expected in the future. The study included three groups (A, B, and C). A got traditionally produced olive oil and B got processed olive oil. C was a control group. After 3 months expression of the genes related to atherosclerosis were significantly reduced compared to other groups.
    http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/man...lin-resistance
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

  16. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by donnay View Post
    .......... since we only have one precious liver.


    If I need a liver, I'll just go take one.

  17. #15
    Quote Originally Posted by sparebulb View Post


    If I need a liver, I'll just go take one.
    With some Fava beans and Chianti.
    “The spirits of darkness are now among us. We have to be on guard so that we may realize what is happening when we encounter them and gain a real idea of where they are to be found. The most dangerous thing you can do in the immediate future will be to give yourself up unconsciously to the influences which are definitely present.” ~ Rudolf Steiner



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