Natural metformin: what it really is and what precautions we should take

Many commonly used drugs come from plants. This is the case of metformin, which originally found and isolated in the plant Galega officinalis in the 1930s, almost 100 years ago. Metformin began to be used a few years later and today it is a synthetic drug used throughout the world.

We seek to live longer and live better and this implies, for many people in the world, a philosophy of life more in keeping with nature: for this reason we look again at plants and food as a source not only nutrients but of substances that help us to “maintain and recover health”. In this search for natural equivalents for certain drugs we can get confused and make mistakes.

In this article we talk about something that, in reality, does not exist and that is natural metformin. We have to be careful because this denomination may lead people who require a drug for your control of glucose or blood sugar levels leave your treatmentswith the dangers that can entail.

On the other hand, from different areas the idea that metformin helps to lose weight is promoted to people who do not need to take metformin.

In this article we explain what the so-called natural metformin is and we offer you information about natural substances that can help you control blood glucose levels and metabolismcalling them by name, so you don’t have doubts.

What is natural metformin and what is it for?

As we have commented, “natural metformin” doesn’t really exist as such. Metformin is a synthetic drug that is used in patients with type 2 diabetes and more recently in some other condition, but always under professional supervision.

When looking in detail at the composition of what is called “natural metformin”, we can see that it is usually one or several medicinal plants with nutrients that are known to help regulate blood glucose levels (glycemia) and promote the use of insulin by the pancreas.

Some of these substances include berberine, which is an active principle present in some important medicinal plants in Chinese herbal medicine (such as skullcap baicalensis, coptis chinensis either Phellodendron sp..) The name “berberine” comes from the genus Berberis, specifically from the barberry or Berberis vulgarisa plant known for its diuretic, purifying action, supporting the lymphatic system and metabolism.

Today the most widely used concentrates or extracts for their contribution of berberine are those of Skullcap, which can also be used in conjunction with zinc, which is necessary for proper formation and secretion of insulin by the pancreas and, therefore, to favor glucose metabolism.

Does metformin lose weight?

Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes is an increasingly present condition in our globalized world and is often associated with overweight and obesity.

This It is due to several factors, mainly dietary and lifestyle. Blood glucose control with the right substances, along with a healthy lifestyle, physical activity, and proper diet helps in losing weight, losing fluids, and also helps those people in pre-diabetic states who have problems with Using your own insulin.

However, the weight does not simply drop to adequate levels due to the fact of using an antidiabetic medication like metformin. Any diabetic person knows: what is needed is treatment, diet, exercise… a healthy and active life.

But like sometimes, when it comes to weight, we lose our minds instead of being sensible. It seems that many people believe that you can lose weight without making an effort any or any change.

Of course you can help control blood glucose or blood sugar levels in a more natural way! And above all, you should not leave any pharmacological treatment that you already have for diabetes, prediabetes or states of insulin resistance, without professional follow-up. Don’t play it!

Medicinal plants that help control blood glucose

In addition to the plants that we have mentioned above, let’s look at other plants that can help control blood glucose levels (glycemia) and better use of insulin by cells:

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia either Cinnamomum zeylanicum, of which the bark is used and is also known to help control glucose levels): Promotes proper digestion of carbohydrates. In Chinese medicine it is explained that it promotes the spleen yang, by stimulating the yang kidney; This provides a feeling of vitality and helps us better digest foods with carbohydrates without raising glucose. The advantage is that it does not cause restlessness like ginseng, also included in this list, can.Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Fenugreek seeds have long been known for their hypoglycemic effects and for improving glucose tolerance.Gymnema sylvestris: This plant has traditionally been used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in both chinese medicine and ayurveda By decreasing the absorption of glucose in the intestine and increasing the production of insulin, it helps to lower blood glucose levels. Ginseng (panax ginseng): Ginseng is used in traditional Chinese medicine for glycemic control. Some studies suggest that ginseng may help improve blood glucose control and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes by improving overall metabolism. However, we must bear in mind that the mechanism of action of ginseng, due to its very nature, yangit may not be suitable for people with high blood pressure, nervousness or anxiety, arrhythmias or tachycardia, or simply for people who are very restless.

More keys to take care of yourself and prevent diabetes

Remember that:

Type 2 diabetes can be taken care of with your lifestyle. It can also be prevented with healthy diet and physical activity habits that prevent overweight and help manage stress.

Family trends are just that: trends. Possibly your father, mother, grandparents and grandmothers lived through other historical and dietary circumstances that caused them to develop type 2 diabetes. Take care to minimize risk factors and prevent its appearance.

Consult with a trusted health professional to achieve your health and wellness goals.

If you’re already taking drug treatment for diabetes or prediabetes, don’t just give it up.