Metformin: Diabetes worst enemy

Part 2: Defending metformin (from the haters)
• Metformin: Diabetes wo...
Please watch my Glycemic index video as a supplement to this
• Glycemic index and wei...
Metformin is often times the first diabetic drug I use in new diabetics. It is inexpensive, can be used with many other diabetic drugs in combination, it can cause weight loss and has been shown to decrease cardiovascular risk and even pancreatic cancer. It can be used safely in non-diabetics, and pre-diabetics.
It can cause GI side effects, so when I start someone on it, I usually give them 1000mg pills, and the goal is to take 1000mg twice a day.
Start with 1/2 pill once a day at dinner, in one week,
Take 1/2 pill twice a day with food, in another week,
take 1/2 pill in the morning and one at dinner,
Finally advance to 1 pill twice a day.
Some people cannot tolerate the full dose, and have to take somewhat less of a dose.
Switching to the ER version can be helpful.
If you eat lots of carbs, you will have more side effects. Limiting carbs, helps to tolerate it better AND can help you to lose more weight.