I had to STOP Prescribing Metformin (The Truth)

Summary

An exploration of how Metformin functions, why it may not be the ideal long-term solution for type 2 diabetes, and how lifestyle interventions like the ketogenic diet and movement can address the root cause of insulin resistance.

Highlights

The Mechanism of Metformin00:00:00

Metformin works by suppressing gluconeogenesis in the liver by mildly inhibiting mitochondrial complex one. While this effectively lowers blood glucose levels, it does so by potentially fatiguing cells and managing symptoms rather than addressing the core issue of insulin resistance.

The Root Cause: Insulin Resistance00:02:50

Type 2 diabetes is primarily a disease of insulin dysfunction. Metformin fails to address this because it cannot enter muscle cells, which are the body's primary sites for glucose storage. Any perceived improvement in insulin sensitivity is often a secondary effect of weight loss caused by the drug's gastrointestinal side effects.

A Better Approach: Diet and Movement00:05:30

To truly reverse insulin resistance, patients should focus on lowering insulin levels by reducing carbohydrate intake. Furthermore, physical activity and the use of ketones allow muscle cells to absorb fuel without relying on insulin-dependent pathways, effectively bypassing the resistance built up by the disease.