Glad to find this forum on keto. Been doing keto for several months (<20 grams of total carbs per day, a moderate amount of protein, and more fat than I have ever even in my life!) Have lost 13 pounds in the last month, but still fasting blood glucose somewhere in 190-245 range. I am one of those rare birds whose fasting blood glucose levels went up about 80 points on metforim + super headaches and not such a happy gut. Anybody know anything about amp-k activators and how they relate to blood glucose and insulin levels? And, any clues or helps on getting those numbers to the 2 digit range?
Amp-k activators and how they relate to blood glucose and insulin
Becky
(I want abs... olutely all the bacon)
#2
@justme your question in this string may not be on the radar for many folks.
Try posting this in the Newbies section https://www.ketogenicforums.com/c/newbies
or in the Health section (this requires a trust level to access)
https://www.ketogenicforums.com/c/health
richard
(Richard Morris)
#3
I moved the post and replies to it’s own thread 
Ouch. I don’t think anyone knows quite why that happens. Some of the mechanism of action of metform is documented, and some is merely observed.
It’s AMP kinase effect is described here
The TL;DR version is that AMPK triggers a decrease in an enzyme used to divert glucose to fat and in the presence of insulin to turn off the oxidation of long chained fats. By inhibiting that, you burn more glucose instead of storing it, and you can also burn fat. So your skeletal cells become less insulin resistant. It’s secondary function is to reduce production of glucose in the liver. So you end up with less circulating glucose.
Berberine also activates AMPK.
justme
(Linda Culbreth)
#4
Thank you for this article. Started taking the berberine a few weeks ago, but it has helped some, - but numbers have not come down to pre-metforim days. I guess I need to give it more time.