Glucophage is a brand name for the blood glucose-lowering drug, metformin. Glucophage is prescribed to treat type-2 diabetes, and sometimes for other conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome. Glucophage is often prescribed in conjunction with resistance exercise, as weight training and other types of physical activity also help lower blood glucose to prevent or control diabetes. However, you shouldn't take Glucophage unless you have been prescribed this medication by a doctor. Due to risk of hypoglycemia, you'll need to monitor your blood sugar carefully while taking Glucophage.
Function of Weight Training and Glucophage in Diabetes Management
Both weight training and Glucophage may promote prevention and management of type-2 diabetes. Besides helping you build strong bones and muscles, regular resistance training can help you prevent or manage diabetes by lowering blood sugar and causing weight loss. A report published in "Metabolism" in 2004 that studied the effects of resistance exercise on glucose control among women with type-2 diabetes concluded that resistance exercise is an effective way to control blood glucose in diabetic patients. Like weight training, the drug Glucophage may also benefit people with type-2 diabetes or pre-diabetes by helping to control blood sugar. According to PubMed Health, the drug metformin -- the generic name for Glucophage -- is often prescribed for type-2 diabetes because it limits the amount of glucose you absorb from your food and the amount of glucose made by your liver. Metformin also helps control blood sugar by increasing your body's response to insulin, PubMed Health states.
Weight Training With Glucophage
Since weight training and Glucophage can help control health problems related to blood sugar, including type-2 diabetes, these two therapies are often prescribed together. According to PubMed Health, metformin is actually intended to be used in conjunction with diet and exercise to lower blood sugar. A study published in "AIDS" in 2004 concluded that in HIV-infected patients with hyperinsulinemia, or pre-diabetes, a treatment program including both resistance exercise and metformin was effective in attenuating the patients' cardiovascular risk factors and fat redistribution related to pre-diabetes. Researchers also concluded that the combination of exercise and metformin was more effective in reducing these metabolic health risks than metformin alone, and that the combined treatment was safe and well tolerated.
Weight Training versus Glucophage
Some research indicates that lifting weights, as part of a regular exercise program, may actually be more effective in lowering blood sugar than taking Glucophage. Regular weight training may also help you reduce the amount of diabetes medication you need to take. A study published in "The New England Journal of Medicine" in 2002 concluded that a lifestyle intervention that included at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week reduced incidence of type-2 diabetes among high-risk patients with elevated blood glucose levels better than treatment with metformin. Another study published in 2002 by "Diabetes Care" determined that older adults with type-2 diabetes who participated in a 16-week, high-intensity progressive resistance-training program had improved blood sugar levels as a result of the program, and 72 percent of participants were also able to lower their dosage of prescribed diabetes medication.
Precautions
Glucophage and other medications containing metformin are available by prescription only and shouldn't be taken by anyone who hasn't been prescribed this medication for a health problem. Blood sugar levels need to be carefully monitored while taking Glucophage as this medication may cause hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. It's dangerous for a person with hypoglycemia to lift heavy weights as this medical condition can cause shakiness, dizziness, clumsy and jerky movements, and even loss of consciousness. See a doctor if you have any symptoms of hypoglycemia while taking Glucophage. Metformin also has interactions with certain medications, and can cause a life-threatening condition called lactic acidosis. Before taking Glucophage, tell your doctor if you take other medications or if you've ever have ever had any of the following health conditions: problems with your heart or other organs; stroke; high blood pressure; diabetic ketoacidosis or coma; anemia; or intestinal surgery.
References
- "Metabolism"; Influence of Resistance Exercise Training on Glucose Control in Women With Type 2 Diabetes; L.M. Fenecchia, et al.; March 2004
- "Aids"; Effects of Exercise Training and Metformin on Body Composition and Cardiovascular Indices in HIV-infected Patients; S.D. Driscoll, et al.; February 2004
- "The New England Journal of Medicine"; Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes With Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin; W.C. Knowler, et al.; February 2002
- "Diabetes Care"; A Randomized Controlled Trial of Resistance Exercise Training to Improve Glycemic Control in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes; C. Castaneda, et al.; December 2002
