Metformin is a drug commonly used to help diabetics control their blood sugar levels. Some diabetics, however, center their daily meal choices around foods rich in the starch molecule amylose to help stabilize their glucose levels, while others combine metformin use with high amylose diets to provide even more effective blood sugar regulation. While both of these diabetes treatment methods have their benefits, you should be aware of the possible side effects and considerations involved with metformin or amylose-rich diets.
Metformin
Metformin--also known by the drug brand names Glucophage, Fortamet and Riomet--is an oral medication that is used to help people suffering from type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar levels. Metformin is often used in conjunction with other medications and with insulin injections, but it is not used to treat type 1 diabetes. According MayoClinic.com, metformin works best when combined with regular exercise, moderate calorie intake, and choosing foods that are beneficial to diabetics, including those rich in the compound amylose. Type 2 diabetics taking metformin are typically prescribed one 500mg tablet twice a day with meals, or one extended release tablet of up to 2000mg.
Amylose
Amylose is one of the two types of carbohydrate polysaccharides that are stored as starch in plants, and it consists of long chains of at least 600 glucose molecules. Amylose is particularly rich in foods that have a low glycemic index, which are foods that contain a high concentration of carbohydrates that are digested slowly and do not cause a sharp increase in blood sugar levels after being eaten. Low glycemic index foods that contain amylose include most fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, beans and other legumes.
Amylose in Diabetes Control
According to the Diabetic Live site, foods rich in amylose can help keep blood glucose levels from rising and falling quickly; since these amylose-rich foods are also low glycemic, high amylose diets are often adopted by type 2 diabetics in order to help improve their body's response and sensitivity to insulin. Diabetics on a high amylose diet avoid processed products made from white flour; rice, including white, brown and instant rice; and starchy vegetables, like potatoes, parsnips, carrots and winter squash. Amylose-rich diets may be especially useful for controlling diabetes when used along with a medication like metformin.
Side Effects
Metformin may cause a variety of mild side effects, including diarrhea, vomiting, muscle weakness, fatigue or headaches. More serious side effects can include difficulty breathing, chills, body aches, fever, unusual swelling or lactic acidosis, a condition in which lactic acid builds up to dangerous levels in the body and can cause numbness in the limbs, dizziness, an uneven heartbeat, severe abdominal pain and vomiting. For some people, a high amylose diet can hinder their ability to lose weight and, in certain cases, can make them gain weight.
Expert Insight
The Diabetic Live site strongly advises those who suffer from type 2 diabetes to avoid a high amylose diet to control blood glucose levels without first discussing the issue with your physician. The site points out that all diabetics are different. For some people, combining medication with an amylose-rich diet can help, while for others, it may hinder weight loss and possibly exacerbate the problem.
