You are correct, Metformin is generally prescribed for diabetes and blood glucose control. I personally have never heard of its use off label as a weight loss control drug.
With these types of drugs you run the risk of harmful/unwanted side effects such as: headaches, abdominal pain, indigestion, weakness, gas, nausea, diarrhea, and others.
It's suggested to try safer, more natural approaches to health conditions first. As far was weight loss, diet and exercise are the best safest and most effective forms of weight control. I refer you to a previously posted answer to a somewhat similar question here: http://ehealthforum.com/health/weight-gain -while-injured-t182234.html

Good luck, hope this helps.


Antonio Marotta, D.C.
marottahealthandwellness.com

that doctor outta be ashamed of him self, the long term harm that could do to ones health theres got to be a better way.There is! Alkalizing, water in water out & pure unprocessed natural salt go do research & study what you find & make these a part of your life. Then you won't have the medical expences because you will have turned your health around. Im always here for more help if you want!

Unfortunately, I do not understand your comment. There are absolutely no harmful side effects (short term or long term) to low glycemic index eating (unlike atkins or other "diets"). A low glycemic index lifestyle is basically what any nutritionist will tell you that you should be eating. It's about portion control (eating a normal portion instead of supersize portions), proper food choices, and food education. That is why it is NOT a diet, and has permanent results.
I am all for alkalizing your system, and that is accomplished through this lifestyle due to the adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables and decrease in "junk".
I find no shame in showing people the light and saving their lives. There is no "magic bullet" when it comes to health. As far as the energy you put into your body, it must be foods we are designed to use (not processed, dead foods).

Antonio Marotta, D.C.
marottahealthandwellness.com
Clifton Park Chiropractor

i have been taking this medicine for three months now and yes doc i am experiencing the side effects you mentioned in your first reply message, can you tell me what will happen to the patient especially to me since these side effects persist?

Generally speaking... most often times people continue with the medications and end up taking more medications to help with the various side-effects (sometimes not knowing these symptoms are caused by a medication). It's suggested to speak with the prescribing doctor and see if they recommend any alternative medications.
If you are seeking alternatives to medications or surgery you may find it of assistance to contact a naturopathic doctor or a doctor of chiropractic.

explain how on a alkalizing diet i ate as much healthy alkalizing food with some non alkalizing foods & still managed to loose 10 kgs ( approx 22-25 pounds) without any other exercise than house duties. I've had metformin & it does cause dysfunctional issues such has been the case with myself Because it only treats the symptoms not the underlying cause & inbalance It just takes a long time & most people are missled by believing that it is not related. Treating the nutritional deficiencies will heal people not pumping up greedy peoples budgets. It seems obvious that you are only interested in advertising your web site is that acceptable on this site, or do you pay for that right, i don't think that is ethical, & i question your genuineness!Antinio.

Ok, maybe you are not understanding me. We have been in AGREEMENT since the beginning. Maybe you may want to read my replies again. I am not promoting any medications, rather saying that natural alternatives should be tried first. As far as portion control... that's my expert opinion as based on research and my own clinical experience. The low glycemic index is not solely portion control as it allows you to eat any portion you would like (for the most part)... AND most of the foods ARE alkalizing (fruits and vegetables)... so I do not understand your disagreement with my replies.
Also, since I do not sell anything on my website I do not see how I am "advertising". I strictly post it because it has a lot of useful information on there for health and wellness.
Let me pose this question to anyone out there... does it sound healthy to NOT exercise regularly? Is it not good for cardiovascular and neuromuscular health to exercise regularly?
Losing weight by eating alkalizing foods is something I PROMOTE to my patients because I know the benefits of it. You lose weight because your body is better able to rid itself of toxins (your body surrounds toxins in fat so that it does not harm your system, this is why "diets" do not work because you will lose fat but the toxins end up being concentrated. Your body must then protect itself again by storing more fat around the toxins).
This being said alkalizing your system is great (because your optimal pH is slightly alkaline - 7.4, and it is difficult for bacteria, parasites, infections, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and inflammation to survive in that environment), but as I stated earlier it is NOT a magic bullet for everyone or for all conditions. The facts are that everyone is different and their problems (weight especially) are due to different reasons. In many cases if you are not having success with a health concern then you should seek the advice of an EXPERT.

The best diet you can have is portions and healthy eating, so you can still eat a cookie from time to time but only one.

when you make pasta put alot of vegetable in it, make dip and cut up lots of veggies, eating healthy is a lifestyle. This is something you have to want but being overwight seriously puts you at high risk for diabetes and other problems.

Oh btw doc I agree completely on excersing regularly, even a 30 mins walk 3 times a week or rollerblading it really does the body good.

From eating portions and regular excersice, I have lost 50 lbs, didn't need no diet, just time and motivation!

Hi)

Have you had your blood glucose test done?what are your values?
If you are overweight,yes,you are at risk but you need your blood glucose to be checked anyway to make sure you are not diabetic now or what stage you are before it.This analysis will give the idea of what types of foods you can or can't eat at all.
Bananas,raisins,melons and other high carb foods are not recommended for diabetics or peopel with increased blood glucose.

You do not need ANY pills to lose weight successfully.Do not waste your money and health,do it the natural way-eating healthily and a bit of exercise.
You need a balanced nutritional programme that will provide you with the right ratio of carbs/protein/fat and help you lose weght.It should also be something that you can do for the rest of your life if you want a long-term result.

Hey antonio, First go read your posts & you will see you don't agree with me because you are contradicting your self on the one page! i don't contradict myself.
Would every body else do there health a favour & study alkalizing & while your at it go to the following educational site; ithyroid.com & learn about the importance of balancing minerals. I don't have any affiliation with this site other than it saved my health from getting worse from other medical interferances!

GOD BLESS!

For what it's worth, I've stumbled on this discussion looking for research about using metformin for weight loss. To give to a friend, to take to her doctors appointment tomorrow, to justify her request for a metformin prescription. I'm using it for prediabetes ... but my gynecologist recommended it to me a while back, saying she & her patients had found it helpful for weight loss. And that there's some research supporting this. My experience is of finding weight loss easier than before ... and NO side effects. As recommended, I started with a low dose every other day, went to daily, now twice daily. Especially if you're quite overweight, your doctor may be trying to be helpful! Marjorie

i had it for pre diabetes as well & it left me in a deeper hole than when i started. i now don't have a pre diabetes state due to the lifestyle change of adapting an alkalizing status in my nutrition, nor do i have the chronic asthma that i had for 40 odd yrs, nor the nasal polyps that the doctors told me could only be got rid of by surgery,nor the muscle cramps & spasms associated with MS, my blood pressure went from 150/80 to 122/64. which helped me? the alkalizing nutrition!