Metformin is a drug that is often used to treat type 2 diabetes. If you’ve been prescribed metformin, it’s important to understand how the drug works, and what foods are safe to eat while taking it. This article explains what should not be eaten when taking metformin.
Read on to discover more about the side effects and recommended food intake of metformin, as well as its possible interactions with alcohol, grapefruit juice, and other drugs.
What is metformin?
Metformin is an oral drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. It works by reducing your body’s overall demand for insulin, which may lower your blood sugar level. Metformin also increases your body’s ability to use insulin more efficiently. It is often prescribed along with a healthy diet and exercise program. Metformin is not a quick-fix for weight loss, and will not cause weight loss on its own. People with type 2 diabetes who take metformin are at a lower risk for heart disease and death from any cause. Like all medications, it does come with potential side effects.
How does metformin work?
Metformin acts inside the body to help lower blood sugar levels. Specifically, it does this by increasing your body’s response to insulin (which is a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels). Metformin can lower your blood sugar by 25-30% compared to a placebo (dummy drug). It also increases insulin sensitivity, which means your cells are more responsive to the insulin that is present in your body. This is important because insulin regulates blood sugar levels.
Foods to avoid when taking metformin
There are a few foods that should be avoided while taking metformin, as they can increase the risk of side effects. Alcohol is one of these side effect-causing foods, and it is recommended that you abstain from alcohol while taking this medication. All forms of alcohol, including beer, wine, and liquor, should be avoided when taking metformin. This is because alcohol can interfere with how your body metabolizes this drug.
Metformin is also known to interact with grapefruit, so eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this drug is not advised. Grapefruit can interfere with how your body metabolizes metformin, thereby increasing the amount of the drug in your blood. This can, in turn, increase the risk for side effects. Other foods not to be eaten when taking metformin include citrus fruits, certain spices, and pepper.
Side effects of Metformin
Although metformin is generally safe, it can cause side effects in some people. These side effects may be mild and go away over time as your body gets used to the drug, or they may be serious and require medical attention. When starting metformin or increasing the dosage, it’s important to watch out for these possible side effects: Nausea: This is one of the most common side effects of metformin. It usually goes away over time. If it doesn’t, it’s important to talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage.
- Diarrhea: Diarrhea can happen at any time while taking metformin, but it’s more likely to occur during the first few weeks of treatment. It’s also more likely in people who take a high dose of the drug. Like nausea, this side effect often goes away over time, but you should still talk to your doctor if it’s a persistent problem.
- Loss of appetite: In some people, metformin can cause a loss of appetite. This side effect is especially common during the first few weeks of treatment. Like nausea and diarrhea, this side effect often goes away over time. If it doesn’t, it’s important to talk to your doctor.
- Weight loss: Metformin is often used to treat obesity. Although it’s not a weight loss drug, it can cause some people to lose several pounds in the first few months of treatment. If you’re taking metformin and planning on losing weight, talk to your doctor about adjusting your dosage or taking other steps to prevent rapid weight loss.
Recommended foods while taking metformin
Since metformin can cause weight loss, it’s important to maintain a healthy diet that includes plenty of fiber and whole grains. This can help improve your digestion, prevent constipation, and reduce your risk for certain diseases. It’s also recommended that you get around 30 minutes of exercise on most days. These healthy habits can help prevent weight loss and make it less likely that you’ll experience side effects while taking metformin.
Conclusion
Metformin is a drug that is often used to treat type 2 diabetes. If you’ve been prescribed metformin, it’s important to understand how the drug works, and what foods are safe to eat while taking it. This article explains what should not be eaten when taking metformin. It also discusses the side effects and recommended food intake of metformin, as well as its possible interactions with alcohol, grapefruit juice, and other drugs.
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