Can i use glucophage for diet

If you have more glucose than your cells need, your body stores it in your liver or muscles for later use or turns it into fat. Carbohydrate-containing foods include:. You don't need to omit carbohydrates from your diet if you have diabetes, but you do need to control the amount you eat at each meal. There are several different methods used to help control carbohydrate intake and blood sugar level. The best one for you depends on many factors and should be determined by you, your doctor and your dietitian.

A breakdown of some of the methods you can use to control your carb intake to manage your diabetes includes:. For example, you may be allowed 45 grams three carbohydrate servings at each meal and 15 grams one carbohydrate serving at your snack. This style of eating gives you more flexibility with choices, while still helping you control your blood sugar.

With carbohydrate counting, you round out your meals with carb-free or low-carb foods, such as lean proteins, healthy fats and nonstarchy vegetables.

Foods like white bread, which is a high-glycemic food, may cause a rapid rise in blood sugar, while whole-grain bread would only cause a small, but steady rise in blood sugar.

Keeping blood sugar levels even by including more low-glycemic foods may help prevent quick increases in blood sugar and excessive release of insulin, which may mean better control over your diabetes. This method provides specifics on the amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat you can eat each day and at each meal. This not only helps with blood sugar control, but may be beneficial for weight loss by helping you control portions and calories. With this method, you divide your plate into sections, filling half your plate with nonstarchy vegetables, one-quarter with healthy carbohydrates and one-quarter with a lean protein.

Then, you may round out your meal with a serving of dairy and fruit. The most common side effects of using metformin are nausea, loose stools, and abdominal pain, Stanford says. Metformin is a fairly popular drug prescribed by doctors, Stanford says, and has shown to help with weight loss.

Weight Loss. United States. Type keyword s to search. Some researchers believe the drug reduces appetite. Others think it changes the way the body stores and uses fat. Doctors tend to recommend certain diet and lifestyle changes alongside metformin and medications for type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. Many of these diet and lifestyle changes are also likely to lead to weight loss if the person follows the recommendations.

Metformin alone may not be enough to cause weight loss if other healthful habits are not taken up by the person using metformin. People hoping to lose weight from metformin should also follow a nutrient-rich, low-calorie diet and exercise regularly.

The FDA have not approved metformin for weight loss purposes. However, some doctors will prescribe it to people who are overweight or obese and have type 2 diabetes or prediabetes. That said, if metformin is prescribed to someone who meets these conditions, that person needs to adopt other healthful habits to support weight loss. These habits include following a nutrient-rich, low-calorie diet and getting regular exercise.

Metformin is not a quick-fix, miracle-diet drug. It is much more likely that people taking metformin will likely lose weight gradually over a long time. It is also worth noting that people who lose weight while taking metformin may regain it if they stop taking the drug. The exact dosage of metformin that people should take will vary. A person should speak to their doctor about proper dosage and report any side effects after taking the medication. The dosage of metformin is based on someone having type 2 diabetes.

How much a person takes depends on the form of the metformin and the brand. People can take some types of the drug with meals, some on their own, and others with insulin. Some of the dosage recommendations and guidelines include:. If a person misses a dose of metformin, they should try to take it as soon as possible. If they are very close to their next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped. The extended release forms of metformin have documented fewer side effects in studies.

Even though metformin can help you shed pounds, the amount you lose might be far less than expected. On average, weight loss after one year on the drug is only 6 pounds, according to the Diabetes Care study. You must follow a sensible weight loss plan with healthy eating and physical activity to see any significant change in weight. Keep in mind that while the number on the scale might drop while taking this medication, this weight loss may be temporary.

You could regain pounds once you stop taking the drug and your appetite returns to normal, hence the importance of sticking with a healthy lifestyle. Can you still take metformin for weight loss? This is an excellent question, and the short answer is yes.