Metformin acts like an “insulin mimicker”, somewhat akin to alpha lipoic acid (but much more effective). As such it has much of the benefits of insulin, but with none of the dangers (comas, toxicity to pancreas). It is used by diabetics, so that they can rely on using less insulin. Metformin both lowers and balances levels of insulin. When you eat carbs it will direct the nutrients very quickly into muscle cells.It does not exert it’s magic by the same mechanism of insukin itself. Metformin GREATLY enhance your body’s sensitivity to insulin.
Metformin is also therapeutically used in comination with clomiphene citrate (clomid) to increase fertility in women, as it boosts the effectiveness of the latter.
Before I go any further, a brief synopsis of insulin and it’s effects on the body is necessary. Insulin is a peptide hormone that is released from the beta cells of the pancreas. It is released due to a rise in blood sugar levels in the body that is induced mainly by eating carbohydrates but to a lesser degree by some amino acids in protein sources. This hormone is primarily responsible for the direction of energy metabolism after eating. Insulin helps regulate blood sugar levels and helps keep them in the range of 75-120 mg/dl. Individuals with metabolic disorders such as type I and type II diabetes mellitus cannot endogenously produce insulin so insulin shots are necessary or they cannot use their insulin properly and may have insulin insensitivity.
Insulin binds to specific receptors in cell membranes and helps drive glucose into the cell. Normally the cell membranes are impermeable to glucose, but when a cell receptor is activated the membrane allows for a rapid entry of glucose into the cells. Insulin also helps activate glycogen synthase.—which helps make glycogen to be stored in muscle tissue (2/3 of glycogen is stored in muscle tissue while 1/3 is stored in the liver). Liver glycogen is mainly used to help keep blood sugar levels stable.
BENEFIT 1. SHUTTLING OF NUTRIENTS (INCLUDING CREATINE) INTO CELLS
Insulin allows cell membranes to become more permeable to certain amino acids, creatine, and some minerals. Insulin causes glucose transport proteins (GLUT) to increase their activity allowing for increased glucose uptake by muscle cells. . Two of these transporters have been found in skeletal muscle : GLUT 1, which is present in low levels, and GLUT 4, which is the major isoform in muscle and is responsible for the increase in glucose transport in response to insulin and muscle contractions. It is believed that both insulin and exercise stimulate the translocation of GLUT 4 transporters from an intracellular pool to the plasma membrane of skeletal muscle.
Although insulin helps dispose of blood glucose by either storing it as glycogen in muscle tissue and the liver, it can also convert the excess to fat. Insulin is truly a double edged sword due to this effect. Insulin seems to increase fat storage and fatty acid synthesis by activating the activity of lipoprotein lipase enzyme and acetyl CoA decarboxylase.
BENEFIT 2. IMPROVED RECOVERY
What many people don’t know, is that insulin supports amino acid uptake into muscle tissue as well as allowing the muscle cells to have more amino acids available to help in the growth and recovery process. You have a hormone here that can enhance glycogen levels in the muscle cells, which will speed recovery. Glycogen is not only stored in the muscles, but in the liver. In fact when glycogen is depleted- it is the liver that has to be replenished first before the muscles are effected. Metformin is particularly good for this purpose, as it is particularly active in the liver.
BENEFIT 3. OPTIMAL INVIRONMENT FOR GROWTH
A more favorable environment for growth not to mention cell volumization or cellular swelling is created (for every gram of glycogen stored in the muscle cell, there are 3 grams of water stored as well). This can have a hydrating effect on the muscle cell and also create more stored energy to be used later. Plus, some athletes report a better “pump” when using insulin boosting supplements.
BENEFIT 4. PRE CONTEST CARB UPS (athletes).
Metformin will cause greater glycogen supercompensation during carb-ups (see above) as well as lowering blood glucose for those that are using the BodyOpus or Atkins diet to induce ketosis more easily- metformin is unlike insulin in this regard
. In preparation for a contest – you can use it to go into ketosis more easily. When you shock your body with 3 days of eating carbs like a maniac, it will add a supercompensation effect and your muscles will swell up with water, you’ll have supra-normal glycogen levels, and you will feel great knowing you are in a peak state for competition. It is also excellent for any CKD diet.
Benefit 5. Fat loss
Unlike insulin that can lead to fat accumulation, metformin works by a different mechanism. It will reduce visceral fat. Metformin is a drug that is prescribed to improve glucose disposal or insulin sensitivity. Data presented by Saint-Marc at the 6th Retrovirus Conference, in February, 1999, indicates that Metformin may decrease visceral fat more effectively than growth hormone while decreasing blood glucose, insulin and lipid levels. Growth hormome can increase blood glucose, insulin and insulin resistance. An important consideration is that while growth hormone is priced at about 400 pounds or $6,000 per month, Metformin is available with a doctor's prescription at any pharmacy. If a person has to pay for it themselves, it only costs about $35 per month.It can also be bought over the internet for an insignificant markup.
IMPORTANT:
Metformin can lower vitamin B12 levels, so be sure to take in additional B12/ b-complex supplemen, or a multi-vit that is high in B12.
Metformin comes in 850mg and 500mg doses. I would suggest getting the 500mg tablets, thereby allowing you to divide the doiseage into 4 separate intakes, totaling 2000mg.
If taking it purely as a post workout supplement, try the 850mg tablet (or maybe 2x500mg tablets).
See the following thread for more informationon supplemental insulin mimmickers: http://forums.steroid.com/showthread...44#post3088144
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