7 ms·

Metformin trial reduces seizures and brain tumours in Tuberous Sclerosis

ketamine__ 5y ago
But increases diarrhea on a scale thought unfathomable? Every time you meet one of those 'life extension' types taking Metformin just know that they aren't living their best life in the bathroom.
- bigbluedots 5y ago
  Would you rather have tumours?
- joshgel 5y ago
  The GI side effects of metformin are usually short lived. They tend to last about a week or so after starting the drug or increasing the dose. Some people do have longer lasting side effects, but metformin is one of the best tolerated drugs we have.
- Trasmatta 5y ago
  I took metformin for about two weeks after being incorrectly diagnosed with T2 diabetes (I actually have T1, but some doctors seem to think it's impossible for adults to be diagnosed with it) and stomach / digestion / diarrhea issues only lasted about 2 days for me.
- Method-X 5y ago
  I take Metformin every day and have not had any side effects (including diarrhea).
  - Taniwha 5y ago
    Same here
    - rayxi271828 5y ago
      I stopped a while back when I read that it reduces testosterone level significantly: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296448/#:~:text=Metformin%20leads%20to%20significant%20reduction,sex%20drive%20and%20erectile%20function https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296448/#:~:tex.... Do you notice anything to support this?
      - Taniwha 5y ago
        nope - no side effects at all that I can tell
  - meowface 5y ago
    What's your reason for taking it? The purported longevity benefits?
    - Method-X 5y ago
      Yes, I take it for the possible longevity benefits.
joecool1029 5y ago
While OP's trial is bigger, it should be noted that just like metformin treating epilepsy and T2 diabetes, a ketogenic diet also seems effective for this condition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16190943/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16190943/
- 238475235243 5y ago
  It is but compliance is generally lower in a world of Coke and donuts. People just want pills. On the plus side, we're slowly making the public aware that the DNA theory of cancer isn't actually right and that carbohydrate metabolism is much more powerful.
  - PragmaticPulp 5y ago
    > It is but compliance is generally lower in a world of Coke and donuts. It's not just Coke and donuts. Even bacon and eggs don't reach the threshold of ketosis used in these studies. The pop-culture definition of a ketogenic diet is really more like Atkins or low-card than the ketogenic diets used in these studies. Ketosis at this level requires not only restricting carbohydrates, but restricting protein intake as well. This usually means drinking heavy whipping cream and oils.
    - toomuchtodo 5y ago
      Heavy whipping cream or butter in coffee isn’t bad on a keto diet.
      - PragmaticPulp 5y ago
        Ketogenic diets used in epilepsy go far beyond a bit of heavy whipping cream in your morning coffee. A classic ketogenic diet would require significant quantities of heavy whipping cream (or MCT oil or other oils) with every meal, including snacks. Wikipedia has a good example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet#Classic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet#Classic Doing a true ketogenic diet is hard work. Most of what people call ketogenic diets are actually more like Atkins or low-carb. Going into full ketosis requires significant protein restriction and augmenting with significant fat sources.

But increases diarrhea on a scale thought unfathomable? Every time you meet one of those 'life extension' types taking Metformin just know that they aren't living their best life in the bathroom.

bigbluedots 5y ago
Would you rather have tumours?
joshgel 5y ago
The GI side effects of metformin are usually short lived. They tend to last about a week or so after starting the drug or increasing the dose. Some people do have longer lasting side effects, but metformin is one of the best tolerated drugs we have.
Trasmatta 5y ago
I took metformin for about two weeks after being incorrectly diagnosed with T2 diabetes (I actually have T1, but some doctors seem to think it's impossible for adults to be diagnosed with it) and stomach / digestion / diarrhea issues only lasted about 2 days for me.
Method-X 5y ago
I take Metformin every day and have not had any side effects (including diarrhea).
- Taniwha 5y ago
  Same here
  - rayxi271828 5y ago
    I stopped a while back when I read that it reduces testosterone level significantly: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296448/#:~:text=Metformin%20leads%20to%20significant%20reduction,sex%20drive%20and%20erectile%20function https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5296448/#:~:tex.... Do you notice anything to support this?
    - Taniwha 5y ago
      nope - no side effects at all that I can tell
- meowface 5y ago
  What's your reason for taking it? The purported longevity benefits?
  - Method-X 5y ago
    Yes, I take it for the possible longevity benefits.

joecool1029 5y ago

While OP's trial is bigger, it should be noted that just like metformin treating epilepsy and T2 diabetes, a ketogenic diet also seems effective for this condition: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16190943/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16190943/

238475235243 5y ago
It is but compliance is generally lower in a world of Coke and donuts. People just want pills. On the plus side, we're slowly making the public aware that the DNA theory of cancer isn't actually right and that carbohydrate metabolism is much more powerful.
- PragmaticPulp 5y ago
  > It is but compliance is generally lower in a world of Coke and donuts. It's not just Coke and donuts. Even bacon and eggs don't reach the threshold of ketosis used in these studies. The pop-culture definition of a ketogenic diet is really more like Atkins or low-card than the ketogenic diets used in these studies. Ketosis at this level requires not only restricting carbohydrates, but restricting protein intake as well. This usually means drinking heavy whipping cream and oils.
  - toomuchtodo 5y ago
    Heavy whipping cream or butter in coffee isn’t bad on a keto diet.
    - PragmaticPulp 5y ago
      Ketogenic diets used in epilepsy go far beyond a bit of heavy whipping cream in your morning coffee. A classic ketogenic diet would require significant quantities of heavy whipping cream (or MCT oil or other oils) with every meal, including snacks. Wikipedia has a good example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet#Classic https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet#Classic Doing a true ketogenic diet is hard work. Most of what people call ketogenic diets are actually more like Atkins or low-carb. Going into full ketosis requires significant protein restriction and augmenting with significant fat sources.