Gut Bacteria Plays Role In The Effectiveness Of Metformin
For anyone who has wondered how the diabetes medication metformin helps control blood sugar, new research indicates the modulation of digestive tract microbes is involved.
“It is fascinating that it is not entirely clear how metformin works, although it has been used clinically for 60 years,” said lead researcher Fredrik Backhed, a professor of molecular medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg.
That intestinal bacterium might be involved with metformin’s performance is not altogether surprising since the human body houses more bacteria than human cells, and most of the bacteria live in our gut.
In earlier studies, Backhed and colleagues showed that the microbiome, or intestinal microbes are altered in individuals with type 2 diabetes following bariatric surgery. For the current study, the team looked at how gut bacteria were affected by metformin in those with new onset diabetes.
The investigators sequenced the microbiome of 22 subjects before and after treating them with metformin, and compared what they found with a placebo treated group. It was discovered that metformin substantially altered gut microbes by stimulating the growth of several bacteria species associated with enhanced metabolism.
“Transplantation of the gut microbiota from patients before and after treatment to bacteria-free mice showed that the metformin-modified microbiota may at least partially explain the good effects of metformin on blood glucose control,” said Backhed.
Further, the study sheds light on why metformin helps some people and not others; those helped by metformin likely have a microbiome more suited to the drug’s performance. It is also interesting, note the researchers, that common side effects with metformin are problems such as abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
“Imagine if we can change the intestinal flora in the future so that more people respond to treatment, and that adverse events can be reduced by changing the gut microbiota of patients who will take metformin,” says Backhed.
Source: University of Gothenburg
Photo credit: kuldeep singh
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...