DO you all know if they have herbs out there that would almost mimic the same affects as metformin(glucophage)??
__________________ Me (28) To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. DH (35) PCOS - Borderline IR TTC #1 - 7 years
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I don't know of anything that mimics met, and I"m not sure of what met does, exactly. But Cinnamon has been known to lower blood sugar, and I just found out today that an oatstraw infusion calms your nerves, refreshes your adrenals, and helps control blood sugars. So I can't wait to get my hands on some of that!
I don't know quite how Met functions, but my Naturopath put me on Garcinia Cambogia as an alternative to coventional medicine's Met.
Garcinia Cambogia is a tree native to south Asia. When you take it, it converts glucose to glycogen and thus it has insulin-lowering properties as well because insulin doesn't rise with glycogen like it does with glucose.
Anyway my naturopath swears that Garcinia Cambogia is THE herb for IR.
Emmanuelle - thanks for the great list! Really good!
OK - now I have to make my plug - for me, what REALLY worked was diindolylmethane or DIM. That stopped virtually every bad symptom I was having - acne, food cravings, frequent urination and excessive thirst. It's not an insulin sensitizer like Met, but I tell you, my weight loss had stalled for MONTHS, then after taking DIM for literally one week, I dropped 5 lbs, and continue to drop (though much slower now, it's still coming off, and I hadn't been able to lose weight in 3 years).
Good luck!!!!
__________________ PCOS diagnosed by OBGyn 4/2003
Me 33; DH 40
Mom to three cats, one dog, and two stepkids
234/210/165 (I'm 5'11")
Meds/Supplements: 1500 mg Met, Multivitamin and JuicePlus
BACK ON WEIGHT WATCHERS!!!
I just saw, in the natural section at Fred Meyer, a combination for alternative to insulin meds. I don't remember exactly what it was called, but I can look again. It might be something you are looking for. There were a few new things there for womens health as well. Also one for asthma that I hadn't seen before. I will post it and some info if I can.
Description found on Enk Natural website;NATURE'S WAY Blood Sugar with GTF Chromium 90 CP ( Minerals )
Vitamins Herbs & Sport Nutrition > Minerals > 033674792001 NATURE'S WAY Blood Sugar with GTF Chromium 90 CP
Blend of current scientific research and traditional herbal medicine. Contains Gymnema standardized extract, the Ayurvedic "sugar destroyer." and a blend of herbs and carotenoids with supportive properties.
Usage Contains GTF Chromium part of an important cofactor for insulin as well as other herbs and minerals used in support of healthy blood sugar levels. *
Recommended Daily Dosage Take three capsules twice daily, preferably with food
RDA : Calories...5, Total Carbohydrate...1g...<1%+, Vitamin A (80% as beta carotene from mixed carotenoids)...1505iu...30%, Chromium (as chromium polynicotinate)...300mcg...250%, Nopal Opuntia spp. (leaf pad)...420mg**, Bilberry (leaf)…255mg**, Fenugreek Dried Extract (seed)…210mg**, Bitter Melon Momordica Charantia Dried Extract (fruit)…150mg**, Gymnema Sylvestre Dried Extract…75%, Gymnemic Acids (leaf)…66mg**, [% Daily Value], [+ Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.], [** Daily Value not established.]
Cautions : Do not take this product on an empty stomach, or if you are pregnant or lactating. Individuals using hypoglycemic drugs should consult a healthcare professional before taking this product. Keep out of the reach of children.
I did find when I looked up on internet, Gluclose Balance which is another one simular to the Blood Sugar. And here is a study they did on it. Alternative Diabetes
I think that it might be a good thing, but you would have to see if it is right for you. I would be interested to see the weights of prices and side effects for met verses this alternative.
I've also read some good thing about "fenugreek". It suppose to really help insulin-resistant. I've started just a few days ago. Spice smells quite nice.... something else to consider!
__________________ dx pcos 1984, type II diabetes 2001, also hypertension
Met 2000mg since 2001, started Glucophage XR 4/22/04, then switched to Met ER 6/04; also: multi, Vit. C, Vit. E, B12/folic acid combo, fish oil & borage oil combo, garlic capsules, cinnamon, Vitex, calcium with magnesium/zinc, biotin, CoQ10, selenium,iron
Other meds: Verapamil and Altace(for blood pressure)
Started laser hair removal 7/29/03, completed 3/04 (it works!)
UAE for fibroid 3/24/03 and 3/16/04
Forgot to add that R alpha lipoic acid combined with GLA ( gamma linolenic acid) is a great glucose uptake enhancer. Several grams of fish oil a day is also good to stabilize insulin.
Last but not least, progesterone balances blood sugar levels. One of the possible theories of why some women with pcos have insulin resistance is because of low progesterone which then causes male hormones and estrogen to take over the menstrual cycle. The excessive male hormones interfere with the functioning of the pancreas which produces insulin. So in other words, pcos can cause insulin resistance, but insulin resistance doesn't cause pcos. So if you reintroduce progesterone back into the body through natural progesterone cream or vitex, the male hormones go down and the burden on the pancreas lessens. Some women who have severe IR will need more than progesterone but I think that for women who have mild to moderate pcos, progesterone with some vitamins and minerals can make a huge difference in maintaining healthy insulin levels
herbs like met? 
DIM's the best. 
