ARTICLE: Metformin has no impact on PCOS belly fat, and is not a weight loss drug
BJOG. 2006 Jul
The effect of metformin on fat distribution and the metabolic syndrome in women with polycystic ovary syndrome--a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Lord J, Thomas R, Fox B, Acharya U, Wilkin T.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, UK. jonathan.lord@pms.ac.uk
OBJECTIVE: To establish whether metformin has a significant action in reducing visceral fat and improving other metabolic parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
CONCLUSIONS: Metformin has no clinically significant effect in reducing visceral fat mass, although it does have a beneficial effect on lipids. This trial lends support to the growing evidence that metformin is not a weight loss drug. Metformin might therefore be used as an adjunct to lifestyle modification in women with PCOS, but not as a substitute for it.
METHODS: Participants were randomised into receiving metformin 500 mg three times a day or placebo for 3 months.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fat distribution was measured by computed tomography scan. Secondary outcome measures included serum indices of the metabolic syndrome and evidence of ovulation.
RESULTS: We found no significant differences in any of the measures of fat distribution between the placebo and metformin groups. The metformin group had significantly lower total cholesterol (P= 0.02), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P= 0.02) and cholesterol:high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (P= 0.05), but there was no statistically significant treatment effect on androgens, insulin, insulin resistance, triglycerides, ovulation or pregnancy.
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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"should therefore be used in adjunct to lifestyle modification in women with PCOS, but not as a substitute for it."
To me that is the most important part of the article. Met alone isn't going to cut it. But along with proper nutrition, exercise, etc. I think it can help.
Laura
__________________ Diagnosed in 2006 Metformin 2000mg, Seasonique DS 9/02 (After 1 yr of TTC) M/C 10/05 DD 9/06 (After 3 yrs of TTC)
M/C #2 Losing and getting fit with healthy eating and 60-90 mins of exercise 6X a week. (And loving it!)
Lost 50-ish pounds so far, 35-ish to go. ChaLEAN Extreme - Grad, Completed in March 09
P90X - Grad, Completed in June 09
Fitcysters Bootcamper - for every one we've had.
"should therefore be used in adjunct to lifestyle modification in women with PCOS, but not as a substitute for it."
To me that is the most important part of the article. Met alone isn't going to cut it. But along with proper nutrition, exercise, etc. I think it can help.
Laura
I agree, even though I lost weight right when I started, I'm losing even more and very consistently while I'm eating right. I've exercised the whole time. I totally think it's not a cure all, but used with a life style change, it's great.
back to soulcysters for the first time in four years!
then...32 y/o -- yikes! now 36
then...bf - robbie -- let's call him DH now!
then...Yasmin -- now...stopped for 1.5 years, going back
then...took met for 1yr - made me sick -- now...going back to met 500, working up to 1,500 and synthroid 50mcg
That is very interesting. I noticed that when I started taking Met along with a low gi diet and exercise that I didn't lose any weight, but what DID happen is that my belly started to shrink - very noticeably. My testosterone levels also moved to normal levels within 6 months of Met and I got my BFP!
Wow, there are good and bad here. I am about to start Met and also have the belly fat, dark hairs, pelvic pain and out of whack sugar. I am hoping this gets me started in the right direction towards a healthy lifestyle as well as give me the ability to begin my TTC journey. Doctor told me that it will be 2-4 mo before they will know if the Met works to make me ovulate. I am so impatient...I want it now.
__________________ Eve - 24, Dave - (BF) 30 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Both of us recently divorced-together 9 mo I found my soulmate! Met online & moved cross country! Diagnosed PCOS Nov 18th 2009 Cardiac Complications Diabetic Endo
Will be starting Metformin (waiting on bloodwork)
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ARTICLE: Metformin has no impact on PCOS belly fat, and is not a weight loss drug 
Very interesting article... 
