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A new study suggests that metformin, a widely prescribed drug for type 2 diabetes, may be hindering the beneficial effects of exercise in patients. For nearly 50 years, doctors have prescribed metformin and recommended daily physical activity, assuming the two therapies deliver better results together. The research, published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found that exercise-induced improvements in blood vessel function were reduced when metformin was added. The study, involving 72 adults at risk of metabolic syndrome, also indicated that metformin diminished gains from aerobic exercises and positive effects on inflammation and fasting glucose. Researchers are calling for further studies to determine how to best combine exercise and metformin, as patients taking the drug did not gain fitness, potentially posing long-term health risks.
