HOW TO PREVENT METFORMIN HARMING YOU

The video discusses how to prevent metformin from causing harm and how to make it work better. It explains that metformin reduces glucose production by the liver and improves insulin response. It clarifies that metformin does not cause cancer, but poor quality control and sourcing practices can lead to contamination. The video suggests buying medication from reliable pharmacies. It also mentions natural herbs, such as berberine, Gymnema, and Bitter Melon, which can have similar benefits as metformin and reduce side effects. The herbs contain antioxidants that neutralize the side effects. Taking vitamins, especially vitamin B12, is important as metformin can lower levels. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to take advantage of metformin's benefits and not jump to conclusions based on rumors. It emphasizes the importance of using natural remedies and getting enough vitamins. The video advises viewers to consult a doctor if experiencing severe side effects. How to not let metformin harm you. It's going to be a little funny but very informative. Today in this video we'll discuss how to prevent metformin from harming you. And even give you some tips on how to make it work better for you. Well, I'm an endocrinologist. I'm Dr. Ahmed Ergin. I'm a clinically trained physician. I have written three books, two of it for you. So one is the Ultimate Diabetes book. The other one is Doctor's Guide to Diabetic Diet. So you can find these books on our website at sugarmd.com. And I'm a physician practicing in Florida. Now, I want you to sit tight and don't panic. Metformin isn't some evil lurking in your medicine cabinet. That are ready to pounce on you. No, no, not really. In fact, it is like a mischievous but good hearted friend. Who can cause harm if not managed correctly. And you would think that most doctors know how to manage it. But you'll be mistaken in some cases. So if you don't want your pancreas to throw a house party without your permission. So you better stay tuned and watch this video till the end. Trust me, you will thank me later. Now, first things first. Let's talk about what metformin actually does. It's going to be quick. It's not going to be a whole eight hour lecture. I'll make it quick. It works by reducing the amount of glucose produced by your liver. Which is nice, right? It helps your morning numbers. Improving the way your body responds to insulin, which is also nice. Here's a big misconception about metformin. They say it causes cancer. Now, you might have heard some rumors about metformin causing this big cancer war. But let's clear that thing real quick. There's a little nuance there. Metformin does not moonlight as a cancer causing rogue. The only time it is really linked to cancer is when your pharmacy chains like CVS or Walgreens. Which I'm not a big fan of. In a plot twist worthy of a mystery movie. Sources these drugs from a questionable supplier in China to make sure that it's extremely cheap for them. The next thing you know, your metformin is having a party with some cancer causing chemicals. So the real villain here is not necessarily metformin itself. Rather, it is poor quality control and sketchy sourcing practices. And when you're a big boy like this, nobody tells you anything. FDA will figure that out after everybody takes it five years later. So let's make a recall. There's even a book about how sketchy FDA approvals are on these generic drugs. And how they don't care because they don't really pay FDA that much. I mean, it is a whole shit show maybe. So be sure to buy your medication from a reliable pharmacy. I like the mom and pop pharmacies, small pharmacies a lot better. So like I said, metformin will behave just as it should be. Helping your managing blood sugar with no surprise, yes. But also there are a couple of things you can do. Even then, even regular metformin sometimes can cause problems. But I'll tell you how to get rid of all that. So if you have noticed by now that your metformin, for example, may not be causing the stomach upset or a headache or a chest pain for you. Then most likely you're probably good. And you've been taking this for years and there's no contamination hopefully from cancer causing chemicals. But here's the big bonus point. That you can be safer if you use some natural herbs with it. Now, why? Well, the natural herbs come to rescue. Let's talk about it. Actually, they can prevent side effects. Even make metformin work better for us. The key is to turn to natural herbs that have similar benefits as metformin. Or support metformin and reduce the side effects of metformin. And prevent issues that can happen down the road. For example, berberine, right? Or dehydroberberine even better. These herbs have been shown to have similar effects on blood sugar control like metformin. But without the gastrointestinal issues. Listen, I'm going to talk about stuff that are not FDA approved. You know what happens when FDA approves something? The price is going to go 100 times more. And to convince FDA, you have to pay them a good chunk of money. Make studies for something that's already known to help. But to prove your point that the cinnamon that you eat every day can lower your blood sugar. You have to spend $300 million on average. To call something to say, to have the FDA's blessing. To say, this helps your blood sugar. You have to spend $300 million minimum. And then they'll say, oh okay, well let's just say that. Now, this spice has anti-inflammatory properties. I don't care what FDA thinks, I'm going to tell you what I know. Because I'm a physician and FDA does not control me, right? So, let's talk about also Gymnema. Gymnema is an herb that's been used in Ayurvedic medicine for like centuries. FDA was founded 100 years ago. This herb was founded 1,000 years ago. So, you can see which one can be more reliable. It can help lower your blood sugar levels, reduce your cravings for sweet foods. Isn't that cool? How about Bitter Melon? Well, this vegetable or some people call it fruit, right? Contains compounds that have been shown to have a blood sugar lowering effect. Making it a great addition to your diet if you have diabetes. Why do I say diet? Because these kind of things are not as strong as medicine. So, you have to be taking it daily for a while. And it's better to have it in your diet sometimes. Now, the brilliant part about these natural herbs is that they not only have similar benefits as metformin. But they also pack a punch against those pesky side effects. You see, these herbs contain antioxidants. You know what it means, right? They help neutralize the side effects of metformin, if any. Wait, what? You will say, what? What? What? Well, how does that work? Well, imagine this. You're holding a party in your body and there's this guy called metformin, right? And who has had way too many, you know what? And it's causing a bit of a ruckus. Let's call these side effects in this plot. Now, what do you do? You call in the bouncers, right? Hey, come in here. These natural herbs, you know, are your bouncers to keep things under control. The antioxidants in these herbs neutralize the side effects much like a bouncer coming down this unruly party-goer. So, using these herbs in combination with metformin is a bit like having your cake. That's the effect of blood sugar control in this case, right? I'm not saying really go have the cake. It's just a phrase. And eating it too. In this case, minimizing the side effects. It is a win-win situation. Just remember, if your kidneys also are playing a hooky, meaning like you're functioning below 30%, you're almost dialysis, then you might want to proceed with caution as metformin can cause problems in very rare cases. One in a million or one in three million, whatever, metabolic acidosis. Never seen in my life. I've seen patients on metformin, maybe 50,000 people. I work, yeah, my ass off. And I work in multiple places. I see a lot of new patients, et cetera, et cetera. But never seen a metabolic acidosis from metformin. That is a story for another day, though. Now, if you're armed with knowledge of how to take metformin work for you, I would say go ahead. Go forth and conquer your diabetes journey. Some vitamins, some herbs, and metformin may be all you need. Another way to prevent metformin from harming you is by making sure that you are getting enough vitamins. Now, why? Why? Because most people don't even know this, but metformin in the long term can cause a decrease in vitamin B12 levels. So it is important to supplement this vitamin or consume foods rich in B12, such as eating your eggs every morning, which I tell you all the time to help your blood sugar during the day. Start to love the fish. Love the fish. Fish is very good for you. And some dairy, not so much, but a little bit. Now, you have all the tips now to help you prevent metformin from harming you. So don't start yelling at your doctor, don't give me metformin. Unless you're having diarrhea, you're having bad stomach cramps, then you know metformin is really harming you, right? But just because you heard something weird about metformin, don't jump to the conclusion that all metformins are bad for you. There are things you can do to take advantage of metformin, which is very inexpensive, by using these natural herbs, ensuring that you're getting enough vitamins. You can take metformin and it will work for you without the negative side effects, which millions and millions and millions of people are taking it daily and they are doing great. Again, I'm not paid by the pharmaceuticals. They say, who pays metformin? Metformin is a generic drug, guys. So let me tell you what happens. CVS or Walgreens, they buy it for 10 cents a bottle. They sell it to you for $5. They charge your insurance $5 to $10 a bottle. Is that really money? You think that's money-making? Let me think about the overhead of all that. Metformin is really not a money-making business. So don't accuse me for being pharmaceutical-supporting. I hate pharmaceuticals. I hate anybody supporting pharmaceuticals. I'm just telling you though, if something is cheap and it's going to work for you, take advantage of it. Metformin has been in the market for 40 years. Now you've got some excuse, right? Go for it. Get some cilantro and cinnamon. Put on your oatmeal if you really love oatmeal. Although I tell you to eat only a cup, not the whole bowl. But stay healthy, friends. Make sure you like this video. Make sure you keep a smile. Give a thumbs up and share this video. I'll see you later.