What does this study indicate? Popularization of science After comparing the effects of a medium-low FODMAPdiet combined with metformin in a double-blind randomized crossover clinical trial, a research team from the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that a medium-low FODMAPdiet combined with metformin significantly reduced postprandial blood glucose levels, increased the levels of GLP-1 that stimulates insulin secretion, and enhanced the abundance of beneficial butyrate-producing bacteria (the Butyricimonas virosa bacterium) in the gut, leading to a significant decrease in inflammation levels[2]
FODMAPs]. In summary, consuming a diet rich in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) before metformin treatment not only enhances the hypoglycemic effect of metformin but also does not induce significant gastrointestinal symptoms, thereby reducing gastrointestinal side effects.
Popularization of science * FODMAPDiet may seem unfamiliar, but it is actually a common practice at the dining table
What is the FODMAP diet combined with metformin?FODMAPis an abbreviation for fermentable oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, which includes fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols.
You may not know what these are, but in layman's terms, they are foods that can produce a lot of gas (fart) when eaten. They are collectively called [FODMAP].
Since these foods are not absorbed by the small intestine during digestion, they are fermented with the participation of gut bacteria, producing gases such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methane, which result in farts. FODMAPIngredients are widely present in food:
How to eat a moderate FODMAP diet that "enhances efficacy and reduces toxicity" with metformin？?
The moderate FODMAP diet used in the study has a daily intake of approximately 14 grams, while the low FODMAP diet has a daily intake of 2 grams. Based on research evidence, patients taking metformin can adjust their diet as follows: According to statistics, there are approximately 150 million metformin users worldwide. With the continuous deepening of research, people's understanding of metformin is constantly refreshing. More than 20 types of drug effects cover cardiovascular protection, weight loss, optimization of lipid metabolism, reduction of cancer risk, immune regulation, and other aspects.
According to the research on the China Diabetes Prevention Program, 16%-28% of patients may experience gastrointestinal discomforts such as abdominal distension and diarrhea after medication. This "dose-dependent" side effect often makes it difficult for patients to adhere to medication.
If today's method can be helpful to the vast number of metformin users, please feel free to share it with your friends~
Reference source:
[1]National Medical Insurance Administration Releases Real-World Study Results of Quality of Metformin Drugs Procured Through Centralized Procurement
[2]Chu N H S, Ling J, Poon E W M, et al. Combining a diet rich in fermentable carbohydrates with metformin improves glycaemic control and reshapes the gut microbiota in people with prediabetes[J]. Nature Metabolism, 2025: 1-16.
Reviewed by: Lehe New Medical Department
Edited/typeset by: JOJOClick to view previous highlights
