Disclaimer: For R&D purposes only

Metformin (More often known under brand name “Glucophage”) has been used in the treatment of type II diabetes for the past 50 years.  Metformin also produces side benefits that can protect against complications of type II diabetes.  It enhances cellular insulin sensitivity, inhibits excess intestinal absorption of sugar, reduces excess liver production of glucose, promotes weight loss and reduces cardiovascular risk factors.

Various research show that Metformin not only is it an effective drug for treating diabetes, but it also has an extensive list of other benefits.

By targeting insulin resistance and making insulin more sensitive (effective), metformin may reduce risk of cancer, heart disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome and more.

There are other positive effects associated with metformin: decreased tumor growth and improved cellular immunity in individuals who are prone to chronic infections associated high blood sugar levels. In non diabetics, metformin reduced low density lipid, total cholesterol, free fatty acids, tissue plasminogen activator antigen, blood pressure and fasting triglyceride levels.

Metformin is currently studied as anti-aging medication by many research groups.

Researchers found that patients treated with metformin monotherapy had longer survival vs. matched, nondiabetic controls (unadjusted mortality rates of 14.4 and 15.2, respectively, per 1,000 person-years), whereas those treated with sulfonylureas had reduced survival vs. matched controls (unadjusted mortality rates of 50.9 and 28.7 deaths per 1,000 person-years, respectively)

Epidemiologic studies suggest that metformin use may be associated with both reduced cancer incidence and mortality. In a September 2012 study published in the European Journal of Endocrinology, Chin-Hsiao Tseng, MD, PhD, of National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, and colleagues analyzed data from 493,704 men and 502,139 women without colon cancer covered by national health insurance from 2003 to 2005, assessing whether metformin use had a protective effect. Although patients with diabetes had a higher risk for developing colon cancer, patients assigned metformin had a 27% reduced risk, according to researchers. Comparing patients with diabetes for less than 1 year, between 1 and 2 years, and at least 3 years with patients without diabetes, adjusted RRs were 1.308 (95% CI, 1.02-1.679), 1.087 (95% CI, 0.9-1.313) and 1.185 (95% CI, 1.055-1.33), respectively. The duration of metformin use showed an inverse trend, according to researchers, with an RR of 0.643 (95% CI, 0.49-0.845) in users for at least 3 years vs. nonusers.

Metformin  affects AMP-activated protein kinase, which effects mitochondrial energy generation and may deprive malignant, inefficient cells of energy and therefore reduce their potential growth rate. Although some of the observations imply not just preventing a progression of cancer but an incidence of cancer, which might suggest broader effects than merely energy deprivation.

We offer Metformin powder in 25 grams or 100 grams jars for R&D purposes.