Metformin for cholesterol

Taken from alex kikel.

Metformin is one of the drugs that I truly believe almost every adult should be taking, both general population or athlete. For the sake of this post, we are going to be looking at how metformin can improve your lipid panel! First, we need to understand some basic things however.

The low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) regulates plasma LDL. So if you enhance LDLR expression, you can manage cholesterol values.

PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) binds to the LDLR on hepatocytes and regrades the LDLR causing higher plasma LDL levels. So common sense tells us, if we manage PCSK9, we can manage LDL cholesterol levels.

Carbohydrate-responsive element-binding protein (ChREBP) is a glucose-sensing transcription factor that regulates gene transcription in glycolysis and de novo lipogenesis. It turns out, you can manage PCSK9 via ChREBP.

Understanding that, we now bring metformin into the picture and see it improves lipid metabolism via regulating ChREBP and other nuclear interactions to manage PCSK9 and the LDLR, thereby lowering total cholesterol and LDL in particular (so this means there is intrahepatic glucose metabolism and reductions in extrahepatic insulin resistance which are also big parts of this equation.

This effect happens at every dosage of metformin BUT is very much more pronounced at the higher end of dosing - anecdotally this lipid improving effect is seen the most consistently and dramatically in the 1.5 gram total range for both males and females regardless of carbohydrate intake or age. Keep in mind that is a MASSIVE dosage and the vast majority of athletes only need 1 gram to elicit all the benefits they are looking for.

Yet another great reason to use metformin.

I watched a podcast with the professor of genetics at Harvard talking about Metformin. He specialises in anti-aging and said it's one of the best supplements to take for potential anti-aging benefits.

But he also said something about how metformin shouldn't be taken when exercising because of some extra stress it puts on some metabolic process. Was quite interesting. I'll see if I can find it.

Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

Empire wrote: Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

Any idea on how to possibly combat the nausea side effects.
My significant other has insulin resistance and tried this but the nausea was intolerable unfortunately

Empire wrote: Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

For sure, but it effects other processes as well.

The guy is Dr David Sinclair. Couldn't find the video but found this now when googling. Granted, he is not an expert on bodybuilding, he's an expert on genetics and anti-aging.

There's a link to the study he refers to:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acel.12880

and

"The Anti-Aging Supplements David Sinclair Takes"
novoslabs.com/best-anti-aging-supplement...avid-sinclair-takes/

"Metformin inhibits mitochondrial function, so the mitochondria will repair and protect themselves better.

Therefore, given exercise also “damages” the mitochondria somewhat (so that afterwards they will repair themselves, which is one of the health benefits of exercise) he does not combine metformin with exercise given that could put too much stress on the mitochondria. That is why Prof Sinclair does not take metformin on the days he exercises."

and also says

"Because metformin interferes with the mitochondria, you don’t get the hypertrophy, you don’t get as much muscle building if you’re always on metformin. But here’s what happened to the elderly people taking metformin. They all gained muscle, and they all became just as strong as each other.

Okay? There was a slight difference in the amount of muscle gained. But there were far more similarities than differences in those groups of no metformin, plus metformin. Now, if your only goal in life was to win a weightlifting competition and bulk up, yeah, you probably don’t want to take metformin the day that you go to the gym and perhaps the day you recover. But if your goal is to live longer, and to have strength and survive if you fall over in your old age, then it’s not such a big deal.

syntax wrote:

Empire wrote: Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

Any idea on how to possibly combat the nausea side effects.
My significant other has insulin resistance and tried this but the nausea was intolerable unfortunately

Take it before bed. It has an 18 hour half life. So will help when taking it before bed.

Muscleaddict wrote:

Empire wrote: Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

For sure, but it effects other processes as well.

The guy is Dr David Sinclair. Couldn't find the video but found this now when googling. Granted, he is not an expert on bodybuilding, he's an expert on genetics and anti-aging.

There's a link to the study he refers to:
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/acel.12880

and

"The Anti-Aging Supplements David Sinclair Takes"
novoslabs.com/best-anti-aging-supplement...avid-sinclair-takes/

"Metformin inhibits mitochondrial function, so the mitochondria will repair and protect themselves better.

Therefore, given exercise also “damages” the mitochondria somewhat (so that afterwards they will repair themselves, which is one of the health benefits of exercise) he does not combine metformin with exercise given that could put too much stress on the mitochondria. That is why Prof Sinclair does not take metformin on the days he exercises."

and also says

"Because metformin interferes with the mitochondria, you don’t get the hypertrophy, you don’t get as much muscle building if you’re always on metformin. But here’s what happened to the elderly people taking metformin. They all gained muscle, and they all became just as strong as each other.

Okay? There was a slight difference in the amount of muscle gained. But there were far more similarities than differences in those groups of no metformin, plus metformin. Now, if your only goal in life was to win a weightlifting competition and bulk up, yeah, you probably don’t want to take metformin the day that you go to the gym and perhaps the day you recover. But if your goal is to live longer, and to have strength and survive if you fall over in your old age, then it’s not such a big deal.

Mmmmm that is rather interesting cos I haven't seen it give me any adverse effects at all..and a lot of guys swear by it..but then again, they probably aren't dealing with enhanced individuals.

syntax wrote:

Empire wrote: Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

Any idea on how to possibly combat the nausea side effects.
My significant other has insulin resistance and tried this but the nausea was intolerable unfortunately

What dosage is she on? How often is she taking it?

The pamphlet says that if you are ingesting too much it may lead to that, stomach cramps and other effects?

Maybe her dosage is too high?

Is cholesterol still a thing?

admin wrote: Is cholesterol still a thing?

Not something my cardiologist or endo cares about, keep the bodies inflammation down and worry about it if you have a reason too, uncontrolled blood pressure / heart disease etc. However saying that I know someone who went to some other cardiologist recently and was immediately put on a statin, I can't comment on the reasoning, but the person who went did have quite a few signs against her, age, weight, BP, lazy a fuck and will find any reason to rather pop a pill than do anything remotely uncomfortable.. But next years appointment with my cardiologist I'll actually like to debate this with him, my dad of 70 was not put on one by him and his cholesterol is high and a smoker with a pacemaker but his blood pressure is managed so I'd like to understand why he thinks differently than this other guy this lady went to.

syntax wrote:

Empire wrote: Strange that, as if it is being used for intended purposes such as reducing insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients surely that would have a great synergy.

Any idea on how to possibly combat the nausea side effects.
My significant other has insulin resistance and tried this but the nausea was intolerable unfortunately

There is not a person I know that didn't find it a bit or pretty rough initially, it's just an adjustment.. Start slow, take it at night as Empire said, work your way up..