Common Diabetes Drug Metformin and “Nature’s Ozempic” May Lower Blood Sugar Through the Gut
Learn how a previously established explanation of how the most common diabetes drug works may need an update.
A recent study conducted by Northwestern University has revealed that the widely used diabetes drug metformin, as well as a natural supplement known as berberine, may lower blood sugar levels through the gut. Metformin, one of the most prescribed medications in the United States, has long been believed to primarily lower blood sugar by instructing the liver to stop releasing excess sugar.
However, the new research suggests that metformin's primary impact may be on the gut, where it helps the intestine absorb glucose from the bloodstream. This finding contradicts previous assumptions about the drug's mechanism and may lead to a better understanding of how it works. The study also supports the potential effectiveness of berberine, a plant-derived supplement that has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, in lowering blood sugar levels.
However, experts caution that supplements like berberine should not replace approved medication, as they are not as rigorously tested.
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