Many people wonder if you can take metformin on the keto diet for bodybuilding. This question comes up on bodybuilding forums all the time, and for good reason.
Both keto and metformin can be beneficial to bodybuilders, especially during a cut, or a period where they are trying to lose fat. Can you combine these two prominent weight loss solutions for even faster weight loss?
In the post we’re going to examine using metformin on keto from the standpoint of a bodybuilder. Are there really benefits to combining these two popular methods?
Table of Contents
The Popularity of Keto and Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding has always been a sport that requires much dedication to transform your body. This includes both bulking and cutting at certain times. There are many ways to cut weight, but keto is becoming an increasingly popular method.
The Keto diet is a high fat, low carb, and moderate protein diet. It puts the body into a state of ketosis, where you’re essentially burning ketones, which are created from fat, for energy instead of sugar. This diet has been shown to increase weight loss at a rapid weight and to improve metabolic health. Both of these are good things for bodybuilders looking to shed weight.
A big benefit of keto for bodybuilders is the ability to lose fat while retaining as much muscle weight as possible. As we all know, muscle mass rules bodybuilding.
You would think that low carbs would have an impact on recovery post-workout, but the healthy fats in the keto diet can actually promote recovery. Technically keto is a moderate protein diet, but it still contains enough protein to feed muscles.
The keto diet is an effective way for bodybuilders to cut down in a relatively short amount of time.
The Use Metformin in Bodybuilding
Bodybuilding is a competitive sport and these competitors are always looking for an edge. This includes using medications like metformin that can help to improve the metabolic state.
Metformin is a drug designed to treat type 2 diabetes. A side effect of this is that it has great weight loss properties. In fact, many drugs designed to treat diabetes have been found to be great for weight loss including Ozempic and Mounjaro.
It is believe that metformin increases muscle growth, improves insulin sensitivity, and decreases body fat. It increases muscle growth by simulation the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which is critical for muscle growth.
The improvements to insulin sensitivity that are caused by metformin are also beneficial. When you have high levels of insulin in your body, you are more likely to store excess glucose as fat. By improving insulin sensitivity, metformin can help reduce the ability to store sugar as body fat. This helps when trying to lose weight also.
Finally, metformin can help to improve athletic performance by improving the body’s ability to use oxygen effectively. This can increase endurance and allow bodybuilders to work out harder and for a longer period of time. Which leads to more muscle breakdown, and eventually more muscle growth during recovery.
Can You Use Metformin on the Keto Diet for Bodybuilding?
Given all of the benefits of metformin and the keto diet, it makes sense that combining the two would have compounding effects on fat loss, muscle growth, and athletic performance. It is no wonder that so many bodybuilders are wondering if they can combine metformin and keto.
We know that the effects of both methods work, but we should also think about whether or not it is safe to do keto and metformin at the same time.
First of all, metformin is generally safe for most people, but it can have side effects like stomach and digestive issues. You can become nauseated, get diarrhea, and abdominal pain when taking the medication. Keto can also cause some gastrointestinal distress. Though it is rare, combining the two may put additional strain on your digestive tract. This is something to look out for.
Keto and metformin both increase insulin sensitivity. This means that it just may not be necessary to do both at the same time. However, combining the two can greatly improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the body’s likelihood of storing sugar as body fat.
If you are someone who is at risk of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, you should monitor your blood sugar levels. If can be very dangerous for blood sugar to be too low.
The combination of metformin and keto is a relatively safe and effect way to lose weight for bodybuilding.
If you have any pre-existing health conditions, you may want to consider if keto and metformin is the right combination for you. Ultimately, the best route would be to work with a healthcare professional to asses the benefits versus the risk.
Conclusion
Both the keto diet and the diabetes medication metformin are known for having great metabolic health benefits. This includes stimulating fat loss, promoting muscle growth or at least preserving as much muscle as possible when cutting, and improving athletic performance.
Bodybuilders looking for an edge may want to think about trying Keto and metformin. Generally, combining metformin and keto is a safe and effective way to cut down.
However, we highly recommend that you work with a doctor before taking any medication or starting a new diet to ensure that it is safe for you. This is especially true in those with pre-existing conditions.
If you want to be even more safe, you should monitor glucose levels, and liver and kidney function during the use of keto and metformin.
