Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people around the world.

It is characterized by high levels of blood sugar, which can lead to a range of serious complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations. While there is no cure for diabetes, there are many things that people can do to reduce their risk of developing the condition. One of the most effective strategies is to take a widely used drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes by 34%.

In this article, we will explore this drug in detail and explain how it works to prevent diabetes.

The Drug

The drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes by 34% is called metformin.

It is a medication that is commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, but it is also prescribed for other conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and gestational diabetes. Metformin is an oral medication that works by reducing the amount of glucose (sugar) that is produced by the liver. It also improves the body’s ability to use insulin, which helps to lower blood sugar levels.

The Study

The evidence for the effectiveness of metformin in preventing diabetes comes from a large randomized controlled trial called the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP).

The study involved more than 3,000 people who were at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. They were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a placebo group, a lifestyle intervention group, or a group that received metformin.

The results of the study showed that metformin reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 31% compared to the placebo group. This effect was even greater in people who were under the age of 60, obese, or had higher than normal fasting glucose levels.

In these subgroups, metformin reduced the risk of diabetes by 45%, 37%, and 33%, respectively. The lifestyle intervention group also had a significant reduction in the risk of diabetes, but the effect was not as large as the metformin group.

Side Effects

Metformin is generally considered to be a safe and well-tolerated medication, but like any drug, it can cause side effects.

The most common side effects of metformin are gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. These side effects are usually mild and go away on their own after a few days or weeks of treatment.

In rare cases, metformin can cause a serious side effect called lactic acidosis. This is a buildup of lactic acid in the blood that can cause symptoms such as muscle pain, weakness, and difficulty breathing.

Lactic acidosis is more common in people who have kidney or liver problems, or who drink alcohol excessively. For this reason, metformin is not recommended for people with these conditions.

Who Should Take Metformin?

Metformin is recommended for people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This includes people who have prediabetes, which is a condition in which blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes.

It also includes people who have a family history of diabetes, who are overweight or obese, or who have other risk factors for diabetes.

Metformin is typically prescribed for people who are under the age of 60 and who have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher. It may also be prescribed for people who are between the ages of 60 and 70 and have a BMI of 30 or higher.

For people who are over the age of 70, metformin may be prescribed on a case-by-case basis.

Lifestyle Changes

While metformin is an effective way to prevent diabetes, it should not be used as a substitute for healthy lifestyle changes.

This includes eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

In fact, lifestyle changes are often the first line of defense against diabetes and other chronic conditions.

Studies have shown that even modest changes in diet and exercise can reduce the risk of diabetes by up to 58%, which is far greater than the effect of any medication.

Conclusion

Metformin is a widely used drug that has been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes by 34%. It is a safe and well-tolerated medication that is recommended for people who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, it should not be used as a substitute for healthy lifestyle changes, which are the most effective way to prevent diabetes and other chronic conditions.