Metformin can reduce blood sugar levels and alleviate symptoms associated with PCOS. Furthermore, this medication assists women in losing weight due to PCOS, while simultaneously improving ovarian hormone levels. Unfortunately, certain foods may interfere with Metformin and lead to adverse side effects.
Refined carbohydrates, added sugars, saturated fats and alcohol should all be avoided when taking Metformin. Instead opt for lean proteins, vegetables and complex carbs as your foods of choice.
Refined Carbohydrates
Metformin can help combat insulin resistance and promote weight loss with a diet rich in lean proteins, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and fiber. But eating too many refined carbs-based foods may thwart its efficacy; refined carbohydrates contain glucose which increases blood sugar levels; these include white flour products with added sugars or sweeteners as well as processed grains or pastries which contain empty calories that lead to sudden surges in both blood sugar and insulin levels after meals.
Refined carbohydrates can be found in processed food products that have been excessively processed, lacking in essential fiber, vitamins, and minerals found in whole foods. Refining removes bran and germ from grain-based foods leaving them without essential nutrition. Furthermore, refined carbs tend to be highly palatable with little satiation effect making them easy to overeat leading to obesity and weight gain.
There are plenty of natural sources of carbs that offer healthier alternatives to processed foods, including whole unrefined grains, legumes, vegetables and fruit. By opting for diets rich in these foods you’ll reduce your refined carb intake.
Along with avoiding foods high in refined carbs, it is also a good idea to limit how much sugar you consume as this may increase blood sugar and make it harder for metformin to work effectively.
Reaching for a diet low in sugar is much simpler than you think! Foods high in sugar include candy, soda and many sweetened desserts; to achieve success it’s also important to read food labels carefully and steer clear from products with added sugar or high levels of fructose.
Fatty foods should also be avoided while taking metformin to lower blood glucose levels and keep blood glucose at healthy levels. Furthermore, saturated and trans fats present in fried food increases heart disease risk as well as cholesterol levels.
Saturated Fats
Metformin is an effective drug prescribed for those living with type 2 diabetes as well as people suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This medicine can help lower blood sugar levels, promote weight loss and enhance fertility – but when taking metformin it’s important to avoid eating foods high in fat, sugar or simple carbohydrates as these could compromise its efficacy.
Saturated fat can be found in animal products such as red meat, butter and cheese as well as processed foods like bakery goods and fast food. Saturated fat raises cholesterol levels and can contribute to heart disease; to optimize results while taking Metformin it should be limited as much as possible.
Avoid foods which interfere with the drug’s effectiveness and could potentially cause side effects like diarrhea, gas, or bloating. Instead, it is recommended to consume more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins such as chicken and fish as these will all aid treatment and recovery.
While eating more of these foods won’t stop Metforma from working, they can make its action harder by raising blood sugar levels to dangerously high levels and necessitating immediate treatment, potentially leading to Lactic Acidosis which requires immediate medical intervention and care. Therefore it is wise to review food labels to ascertain what amount of saturated fat they contain before purchasing any new items containing such elements.
Diets high in saturated fat can contribute to various health complications, including high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure and obesity. Eating too much saturated fat may also result in decreased energy and an overall decline in health – effects which are particularly dangerous for people living with diabetes as they can negatively impact kidneys and livers as well.
People taking metformin should try to steer clear of foods high in fiber as too many of these items can bind with metformin and decrease its efficacy. If unsure, seeking guidance from a licensed healthcare provider for diet management would be highly advised.
Trans Fats
Diets high in trans fats increase “bad” cholesterol while simultaneously decreasing “good” cholesterol, increasing your risk for heart disease and insulin sensitivity issues, obesity and inflammation. Furthermore, diets high in trans fats may impede with metformin absorption.
Avoid foods containing trans fats, which are found in margarine, shortening, many frozen foods and fast-food joints. Instead, use olive or safflower oil when frying food at home, and inquire with restaurants as to the cooking medium they use (if applicable).
Foods you should avoid while taking metformin include dairy products, fatty meats, processed and sugary foods, fried foods, vegetables that produce gas and certain nuts. Consuming these types of items can increase insulin resistance and thus your blood sugar levels, potentially leading to adverse side effects like diarrhea.
Eating healthy fats like those found in olive oil, avocados and nuts is essential to improving insulin sensitivity and helping you shed excess pounds. These nutritious options may also contribute to more efficient weight loss efforts.
Always read the ingredients list on packaged food products carefully, taking note of partially hydrogenated oils – the primary source of artificial trans fats. Although several countries and cities have banned their presence in foodstuffs, be wary as it still can be present in many products.
Alcohol
Drinking alcohol responsibly is perfectly acceptable when taking metformin for PCOS; however, it’s wiser to limit its intake as much as possible. Alcohol not only adds unnecessary calories to the diet but can also reduce sleep quality which is one of the best natural treatments available and makes maintaining a healthy diet and exercise regime harder. In addition, alcohol has been linked with weight gain and elevated blood sugar levels which is not conducive to successful glycemic management with metformin.
Drinking too much alcohol can decrease the amount of glucose your liver produces, leading to low blood sugar. When combined with metformin, this can result in dangerous hypoglycemia. Furthermore, excessive alcohol consumption increases lactic acid production within your body which increases your risk for severe health conditions known as lactic acidosis.
Lactic acidosis occurs when your body cannot process lactic acid properly, leading to too acidic of blood levels and eventually becoming dangerously acidic. Alcohol and metformin can both amplify this situation further by increasing levels of lactic acid within your system, making it even harder for it to be processed by your system.
If you are taking metformin, it is wise to avoid all forms of alcohol consumption – beer, wine, hard liquor and mixed beverages are all loaded with extra sugars that could negatively impact insulin levels and thus negatively affecting health overall.
Adherence to medical advice is paramount if you want the most from your treatment and achieve positive results. Following doctor instructions ensures you get maximum benefit out of each pill you take and achieve positive outcomes from it.
While it’s not necessary to give up alcohol altogether, moderation is recommended – for women this means no more than one drink per day and two for men. This will help improve glycemic control on metformin and decrease chances of experiencing adverse medication side effects; excessive drinking and long-term alcohol abuse increase this risk further. Binge drinking and long-term (chronic) alcohol use is particularly problematic as these increase your likelihood of experiencing negative medication reactions.