Comment by giardini | Hacker News Reader

Comment by giardini | Hacker News Reader

Downvotes notwithstanding, probably almost everyone should be taking metformin.

While the study referenced is new, the news tying sugar metabolism to cancer is old. Some physicians noticed decades ago that diabetic patients who took metformin rerely got cancer: those with cancers got better from taking metformin.

Studies were initiated circa 2002 and show that metformin inhibits cancer (even existing cancer) and extends lifespan like nothing else.

"The Drug Virtually Everyone Should Ask their Doctor About":

https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2010/11/The-Drug-Virt...

"FORGET THE BLOOD OF TEENS. THIS PILL PROMISES TO EXTEND LIFE FOR A NICKEL A POP":

https://www.wired.com/story/this-pill-promises-to-extend-lif...

I use a natural alternative called Berberine. I've been seeing great results from it. it also modifies p53, clamps glucose, is anti-cancer, anti-tumor. But if you can get your doc to prescribe metformin, perhaps it will be cheaper to use insurance.

Berberine is great but I can't sleep if I take it late in the day. I have to take it first thing in the morning, and even then it's quite powerful in its hunger-inducing effect.

I've not had a hunger affect from it, but I do avoid taking it in the evening. I take it early in the morning, then mid morning and afternoon. It took a couple months to get used to it.

Metformin prevents the production of sugar from fats in the liver. (Gluconeogenesis GNG) My partner noticed was that, if he fasts while on Metformin, blood sugar levels got seriously low. Around 40 mg/dL. I guess GNG keeps blood sugar levels high enough to prevent issues while ketones take over the energy economy.

So if you are fasting for more than a couple days you may want to skip that metformin dose.

It's better for both people and the environment to reduce sugar consumption.

I get a worsening of tinnitus from metformin, even in a 250 mg dose, but not from berberine.

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