Metformin’s weight loss – good idea or not? You have probably heard that there is a connection between the use of metformin and weight loss, but how does metformin’s weight loss work?

Metformin, sold as Glucophage, Riomet and Fortamet, is the most common drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, particularly when obesity and insulin resistance accompany it. Metformin’s weight loss works because the drug moves sugar from the bloodstream into the cells. It is a good drug for active diabetics, because it rarely causes low blood sugar, even during intense exercise. Also, it does not cause weight gain and even causes small weight loss.

Metformin’s weight loss: the evidence British researchers showed that metformin inhibited fat storage in cells called pre-adipocytes, which eventually turn into normal fat cells and promote obesity. The drug activated an enzyme called AMPK, which is an important metabolic-controlling chemical. Metformin appears to prevent fat storage by limiting fat accumulation in pre-adipocytes.

But even if metformin’s weight loss is real, you know what else prevents fat storage? Eating protein, vegetables, fruits, and whole grains three times a day, which is a much better option than drugs, don’t you think? [sources: Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism Journal, Fitness RX]