RESEARCH

Can probiotics reduce side effects of metformin use?  

Diabetes is a major public health problem that is approaching epidemic proportions globally. Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) generally forms part of the “metabolic syndrome”, which is characterized by insulin resistance, obesity and a range of cardiovascular risk factors. To regulate insulin levels, metformin is the most commonly used drug among T2DM patients. However, this drugs often comes with unwanted gastro-intestinal side effects, which are similar of that of IBS patients.

Could probiotics play a role in alleviating gastro-intestinal metformin related complaints?