A major 12-year study based on a Taiwanese population cohort has demonstrated that not only does diabetes increase the risk of developing Parkinson's disease more than 2-fold, the use of sulfonylureas, commonly used as treatment for diabetes, increases the risk further by about 57%. This study also found that by including metformin in the therapy, no increased risk in developing Parkinson's disease was recorded.
While much needs to be done to understand the mechanism behind metformin's workings, a re-setting of the regulation of energy metabolism in cells, including the brain, probably takes place. A similar benefit would be expected from exercise and diet because that too is a way of establishing healthy energy regulation not only for the whole body, but for tissues and cells in the brain.
It appears that metformin has opened new ways to look at major diseases of modern society and how we may reduce the growing burdens of such diseases. Unlike other treatments for diabetes, metformin reduces cardiovascular mortality and several cancers, including those of the large bowel, liver and pancreas.
Eddie
1 comment:
I believe I am right in saying that metformin has been around for many many years and it seems to be so safe, well as safe as a drug can be. It does seem to have opened new avenues to improving other illnesses, research is still bringing up fresh evidence, it needs to continue.
However as much as we seem to rely on drugs and indeed in many illnesses they are very necessary I think what we eat, the amount of excercise we take, even the amount of stress in or lives can play a big part in our health. Anything we can do to improve our own health has got to be a step in the right direction.
Keep reading and exploring and take some control with your health and lifestyle.
Kathy
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