 If you take Metformin and eat low-carb or NSA ice cream....
As some of you may know, guar gum (a soluble fiber supplement) has been found to interfere with Met absorption (it is suggested to take guar gum supplements 2 hours before or two hours after taking Met). Guar gum supplements are sold next to psyllium (Metamucil) supplements; it is a tasteless powder that can be added to beverages or foods.
I have always wondered how they get so much fiber in the no-sugar-added and low-carb ice creams (Edy's, for instance, has 6 grams per 1/2 c serving of their fat free no-sugar-added ice cream, and Blue Bunny has a similiar amount). For those on Weight Watchers, this helps to lower the points value (Edys is only 1 point per half cup because of the fiber content).
After researching this, I found out that Blue Bunny NSA ice cream contains guar gum. Edys contains cellulose gum (a similiar soluble fiber). Low-carb ice cream contains inulin, a soluble fiber similiar to guar gum as well. The fiber is added to these products to improve the texture and flavor (inulin provides sweetness as well).
It seems to me that those taking regular Met or Gluc should avoid taking it within two hours of eating these lower carb ice cream products. I don't know this for sure, but it makes sense to me. I don't know what effect soluble fiber products such as guar gum has on the timed-release Met or Gluc (and there doesn't seem to be any studies available on this; the few studies that showed this inhibitory effect used regular Met). It is also unclear to me whether eating high fiber foods within two hours of taking Met has the same inhibitory effect. I just thought I'd throw this out there, for what it's worth.
Linda
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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 | 
