Research
Hormonal
Metformin treatment in obese patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) reduces hepatic glucose output primarily by inhibiting gluconeogenesis, leading to improved glycemic control and preferential loss of adipose tissue.
If you have type 2 diabetes and are overweight, metformin can help lower your blood sugar and reduce body fat without causing muscle loss. Start with a low dose to minimize stomach upset, and gradually increase it as tolerated. It works by reducing the amount of sugar your liver produces.
StrongSupportsHIGH confidence
Metformin acts primarily by decreasing hepatic glucose output, largely by inhibiting gluconeogenesis. It also seems to induce weight loss, preferentially involving adipose tissue.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial with rigorous metabolic measurements (isotope dilution, indirect calorimetry, tissue-balance).
Source
Metabolic Effects of Metformin in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
Michael Stümvoll et al. · New England Journal of Medicine · 1995
DOI 10.1056/nejm199508313330903
crossover · n=10Cited 1,144×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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