Diabetes drug metformin may dampen key exercise benefits, study finds
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
A commonly used diabetes drug may reduce some of the important benefits of exercise, a new study has found.
Researchers from Rutgers University found that adults who took metformin, a commonly used generic drug for Type 2 diabetes, while exercising saw smaller improvements in blood sugar control, blood vessel function and aerobic fitness compared to those who exercised without the medication.
The findings, published last month in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, add to growing evidence that although both metformin and exercise improve blood sugar control and heart health, combining them may blunt some of the benefits of exercise.
GLP-1 WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS LINKED TO IMPROVEMENTS OF CANCER SURVIVAL IN CERTAIN PATIENTS
“Metformin is the most widely used glucose-lowering drug used worldwide,” said Steven Malin, a professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health at Rutgers College of Arts and Sciences and lead author of the study.
“But it’s not clear whether it’s best to get both of these treatments,” he told Fox News Digital. “If not, people may find that their energy levels may be low and/or their health is not improving. This can lead to ‘psychological defeat,’ so to speak, and impact overall health and quality of life.”
Exercise improves the body’s ability to use insulin and control blood sugar, but researchers say some medications can alter these effects. (iStock)
About 35 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and millions of people worldwide use metformin for blood sugar control or experimental anti-aging uses, according to experts.
PREVENTION OF DIABETES ASSOCIATED WITH SPECIFIC TYPE OF EXERCISE, STUDY SHOWS
The 16-week double-blind trial tracked 72 adults at risk of metabolic syndrome, a group of diseases that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar and excess body fat that increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Participants were divided into four groups; Two did high- or low-intensity exercise with a placebo, and two did the same workout with 2,000 milligrams of metformin per day.
Participants also saw fewer reductions in inflammation and fasting glucose levels.
At the end of the study, those who exercised without medication showed significant improvements in vascular insulin sensitivity; This means blood vessels respond better to insulin, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to reach the muscles. However, these gains were reduced when metformin was added. Participants also saw fewer reductions in inflammation and fasting glucose levels.
Researchers aren’t sure why, but they believe metformin may inhibit the body’s ability to adapt to exercise at the cellular level.
MEDITERRANEAN DIET COMBINED WITH OTHER LIFESTYLE CHANGES REDUCES THE RISK OF DIABETES
Malin said this may be related to blood vessel health.
“Improved blood vessel function is key to delivering nutrients, such as sugar, to tissues,” he explained. “If sugar cannot be delivered to the tissue, this may explain why muscles cannot also use sugar for energy in response to insulin.”
Metformin and exercise each provide major health benefits, but the two together may not work as strongly as thought, researchers say. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The researchers noted that the study was small and focused on adults at risk of metabolic syndrome, meaning the results may not apply to everyone with diabetes.
TEST YOURSELF WITH OUR LATEST LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The researchers emphasized that people should not stop taking metformin or stop exercising, but instead should discuss the findings with their doctor to make sure they are getting the best combination of treatment and activity.
Future studies should explore how to preserve the benefits of both treatments, the researchers said, and the Rutgers team is currently testing whether metformin interacts differently with resistance or strength training and whether adjusting the dosage or timing might reduce the effect.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
D., a board-certified family medicine physician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in California. David Cutler, He told Medical News Today: Although the results may seem discouraging, they need to be put into context.
While metformin lowers blood sugar, it may also reduce some of the exercise benefits associated with glucose control. (iStock)
“The small decrease in vascular insulin sensitivity needs to be weighed against the large benefit from lowering blood sugar levels achieved with metformin,” said Cutler, who was not involved in the research. “Lowering blood sugar results in a reduced risk of all diabetic complications, such as heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation.”
CLICK FOR MORE LIFE STORIES
Cutler added that the results shouldn’t affect diabetics who are dependent on metformin, but may be more meaningful for people who use the drug for other reasons, such as anti-aging, polycystic ovary syndrome or cancer prevention.
“For now, metformin should remain the first-line drug in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes,” he said.
CLICK TO REACH THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
Fox News Digital has reached out to metformin manufacturers and the American Diabetes Association for comment.
