What is the reason for metformin reducing fat formation?

Aug 21, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
The common dosage form of metformin is tablets. Generally, metformin reduces fat formation mainly by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, improving insulin sensitivity, regulating adipocyte metabolism, modulating gut microbiota, and inhibiting fatty acid synthase activity. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, maintaining a balanced diet is important.

  Metformin is commonly available in tablet form. Generally speaking, the main reasons metformin reduces fat formation include inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, improving insulin sensitivity, regulating adipocyte metabolism, improving intestinal flora, and inhibiting the activity of fat-synthesizing enzymes. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a regular hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:

  1. Inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis

  Metformin inhibits the liver's conversion of non-carbohydrate substances into glucose, reduces hepatic glucose output, makes it difficult for excess sugar to be stored as fat, thereby reducing fat formation. It can be combined with low-GI foods in daily life, such as oats, brown rice, and quinoa, to assist in controlling blood glucose and fat accumulation.

  2. Improve insulin sensitivity

  Metformin improves insulin resistance and enhances cellular sensitivity to insulin, promoting cellular utilization of glucose, reducing glucose conversion to fat, and thus decreasing fat formation. It can be combined with moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling, to enhance insulin sensitivity.

  3. Regulate adipocyte metabolism

  Metformin affects adipocyte differentiation and lipid storage, reducing adipocytes' uptake and storage of free fatty acids, thereby decreasing fat synthesis. If there are obesity-related metabolic abnormalities, medications such as orlistat capsules, metformin hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, or liraglutide injections may be used under a physician's guidance to assist in metabolic regulation.

  4. Improve intestinal flora

  Metformin modulates the composition of intestinal flora, promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, suppresses harmful bacteria, reduces fat absorption in the gut, and indirectly decreases fat formation. Probiotics such as Bifidobacterium triple viable capsules, Bacillus subtilis live bacteria capsules, or Licheniformis viable capsules may be appropriately supplemented to improve the intestinal environment.

  5. Inhibit the activity of fat-synthesizing enzymes

  Metformin inhibits the activity of key enzymes in fat synthesis, such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, reducing fatty acid synthesis, thereby suppressing fat formation. Diet-wise, intake of high-sugar and high-fat foods like desserts and fried foods should be reduced to prevent excessive fat synthesis.

  In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and control total calorie intake, adhere to regular exercise to enhance metabolic capacity, monitor weight and blood glucose regularly, and adjust medications and lifestyle according to physical condition.