Description
Metformin or Glucophage as it is commonly known was designed as a method to treat diabetes. Metformin will improve the way the body reacts to insulin and decreases the amount of blood in the sugar-glucose control. It acts against glucagon and stops the release of glycogen into the blood from the liver. Metformin has been around since the 1920s, however, only recently started gaining popularity when a study found the Metformin group did not see an increased risk of lactic acidosis.
Dosage:
Initial dosage is 500 to 1000 mg orally once a day. and it can be increased in 500 mg increments weekly as tolerated. The maximum dosage is 2000 mg per day.
How to use:
Metformin can be used by bodybuilders to reduce fat gain and might improve the gut microbiome, and of course, allow for improving insulin resistance resulting in better weight gain. Metformin can also be using during the bulking phase. Individuals who are bulking might use Metformin at 500 – 1000mg per day. If the dose is 1000mg they might need to split the dosage up into two. The more Growth Hormone, Insulin, and food you take in the more you will need. It is also used by powerlifters, strongmen, and other strength athletes to improve carbohydrate upregulation before a contest.
Metformin monotherapy can be used when cutting, and will probably be used more in the beginning phase of the cut. The reason for this is that the leaner you get the more your blood sugar will already be manageable, and introducing another drug will seem pointless. In one study, it was determined that metformin can be an effective drug to reduce weight in an outpatient setting in insulin-sensitive and insulin-resistant overweight and obese patients. Researchers found an average weight loss in the metformin-treated group after six months was 5.8 kg (about 12.8 pounds). The observed weight loss in the metformin-treated patients was 10% or more in 16.2% of people and at least 5% in 47.4% of people.
Those who use HGH will know that the Glucagon that is secreted after HGH is injected can eventually lead to insulin resistance – exactly how it is for those who suffer from diabetes. The efficacy of Metformin shines here as it will stop that side effect of HGH, vastly improving your response to both compounds. Again, there is no controlled trial or study on this, but it has been done by various pro bodybuilders.
