An interesting article in The Epoch Times today reports on new research suggesting that metformin, the go-to drug for managing diabetes, may blunt some of the benefits of exercise.
In 2023 alone, nearly 86 million Americans filled prescriptions for metformin. Most of those patients are diabetic or overweight , and are actively encouraged to exercise to improve blood sugar control and cardiovascular health.
Yet researchers at Rutgers University found that metformin may reduce improvements in:
- Blood vessel function
- Fitness gains
- Insulin sensitivity that typically comes from exercise
If true, this raises a serious concern.
We tell patients:
Move more.
Build muscle.
Improve metabolic health.
But if a commonly prescribed drug dampens the very benefits exercise is meant to provide, are patients being given the full picture?
it’s about informed decision-making and metabolic control.
Discussion:
If you are on metformin where you told about this this potential interaction?
Are we once again, being too quick to medicate before fully optimizing metabolic health naturally?
Link to the article is in the comments.