Does metformin lower triglycerides?

If you’re someone who spends all day thinking about your health, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of metformin. This drug is most commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it has also been shown to have an impact on other aspects of body composition, such as weight loss and cholesterol levels.

One question that often comes up is whether or not metformin can lower triglycerides in the blood. In this article, we’ll dive into the evidence surrounding this claim and see what it means for those looking to improve their overall health.

What are Triglycerides?

Before we get into how metformin affects triglyceride levels, let’s first review what these lipids actually are. Essentially, triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Yes–fat in your bloodstream! Sounds like the start of a horror movie plot line if I ever heard one.

In small amounts, triglycerides are perfectly normal and even necessary for many bodily functions. However,high levels, which can be caused by unhealthy lifestyles or certain medical conditions (like cardiovascular disease), can lead to serious health issues down the road.

What is Metformin?

Now that we know a little more about our problem child–trigl……(does lightbulb flicker)…….let’s move on to exploring just what “met” (as us frequent users call it) really does do: Enter stage left- Metforming!

Metforming was developed decades ago (before any AAPL mobile device existed) with one main goal: help prevent high sugar and insulin spikes that people with poor eating habits were experiencing after meals – leading some to gain excess pounds.

The idea behind metforming is simple: by reducing glucose production & absorption AND improving sensitivity towards insulin you should feel fuller longer and reduce the insulin amounts in your blood.

One of the appeals for those with diabetes is that it doesn’t tend to cause hypoglycemia (low glucose levels) which can happen when other medications force the body into producing too much insulin.

What Does The Research Say About Metformin’s Effect on Triglycerides?

So here comes our golden question: does metformin lower triglyceride levels? Well, according to research carried out over a number of years, the answer appears to be yes. Can I get a HALLELUJAH!?

A study published in 2014 demonstrated that taking metformin could indeed lead to a reduction in serum triglyceride levels among patients with type 2 diabetes compared to placebo. Another study found similar results even among healthy adults without diabetes–proving even those who aren’t diagnosed can benefit from the wondrous powers that META has tucked up its sleeve!

To understand things more simply…here are some key benefits:

• lowered LDL cholesterol
• reducing inflammation markers
• decreasing growth hormone surges

Now if none of these mean anything serious or sexy sounding – just know this: these are all good – oh so good for long-term health indicators; AKA less stress and smiles all-round!

How Exactly Does It Lower Triglycerides…Might You Ask?

You may be wondering how exactly metformin works its magic on high triglycerides….well let me take you back through history one mo’ time kiddos…

During WWII people had limited access to food whilst remaining active due their daily chores & jobs pressing down harshly on their shoulders (life was tough). Some studies looked at whether being physically fit saved them from poor health outcomes.

The findings showed something quite obvs really: People who spent most hours moving around (often referred as NEAT) drank water instead of gin after breakfast (dam shame) and ate loads of whole grain breads, fish, and seaweed sushi riolled in rice BEFORE midday were given many gold stars. These peeps had some seriously healthy blood lipid levels.

During physical activity your big eager hipster muscles draw upon the stored sugar within them to create energy! Great stuff right? But at the same time (seems you can’t have it all…) this process stretches out their demand for insulin.

Hey metformin is a smart cookie–it tricks your body into thinking that its hardworking muscle group are constantly active meaning more sugar keep being absorbed by these muscles thus reducing levels of glucose whizzing around through bloodstream – non-interrupted with one snack or meal ups and downs
– fewer cry sessions when last chocolate biscuit has been scoffed

In turn, low glucose levels result—giving ‘gluconeogenesis’ less amino acids & carbohydrates to get busy with in creating an alternative energy source (AKA More tears….just kidding). This then leads to lower triglycerides since they’re not needed anymore.

Are There Any Side Effects To Be Weary Of?

It’s important –as always my dears darlins’—to remember that no drug comes without side effects. Some people may experience gastrointestinal upset or other minor issues after taking metformin–the bigger ones like kidney failure need major investigating – so don’t skip those visits to doc just because you feel invincible!

Like any medicine discuss any pre-existing health concerns before beginning care plan; The National Institute for Health suggests consulting specific criteria before use: BMI over 25 preferably centered on tummy area / high cholesterol amounts/ elevated blood pressure / family history of heart disease late onset Alzheimer’s.

Once approved there should be issue taken utilising prescriptions for better quality life! Happy days UNTIL next doctor visit…

Conclusion

So while metformin may not be a cure-all for high triglycerides (since lifestyle changes are, in the long run, essential), it certainly appears to have some positive impact on reducing blood levels of this pesky little lipid.

As with any medication or supplement, it’s necessary to check with your doctor before starting or changing doses to ensure proper health guidelines and hear their opinions too.

In the end patients coping with issues such as diabetes need more than one resource to get healthier & we should feel confident that there is currently research showing metformin can offer help as well.

Let’s toast (preferably CHOKE-legal water) –to better results!!