Acarbose apparently inhibits some of the enteric bacteria, and promotes others.
Zhang X, Fang Z, Zhang C, Xia H, Jie Z, Han X, Chen Y, Ji L. Effects of Acarbose on the Gut Microbiota of Prediabetic Patients: A Randomized, Double-blind, Controlled Crossover Trial. Diabetes Ther. 2017 Apr;8(2):293-307. doi: 10.1007/s13300-017-0226-y. Epub 2017 Jan 27. PMID: 28130771; PMCID: PMC5380489.
Thanks for the reference. From one of the papers you cite:
ā: This study suggests that the benefits of acarbose for T2DM may correlate with the selective modulation of the gut microbiotaā
A mouse study showed:
"that Bifidobacterium spp. significantly and
positively correlated with improved glucose
tolerance, insulin secretion, decreased
endotoxemia, and proinflammatory cytokine
level [9]
FWIW
I am currently taking this particular supplement because I donāt normally eat any fermented foods which are known to increase Bifidobacterium. And, it also contains Lactobacillus acidophilus, which has always been a standby supplement for me whenever I have experienced any long-term digestive issues. I wasnāt aware that Acarbose increased both, so maybe taking this supplement did reduce the side effects of Acarbose. This may be a way of speeding up the Acarbose tolerance as has been reported by some after taking it for a long time.
Still another reference to the changes in gut bacteria.
Thanks so much; I will definitely try to use a probiotic when the acarbose arrives.
I donāt think I will be able to take the acarbose with every meal consistently because Iām so crazy busy at work, so I was going to start by taking 50 mg with the dinner meal. However, I can change this if needed since I am writing my own scripts.
I recently increased Acarbose dose to 300mg/meal, not gas, no bloating, no diarrhea, I am very satisfied with Acarbose, the side effects of Acarbose are very tolerable comparing to side effects of Rapamycin, metformin, and canagliflozin, and I lost 3kg within 2 weeks when on dose of 300mg/meal, without losing muscle volume.
Due to the pleasant experience of Acarbose, I plan to further add alpha-amylase inhibitor(kidney bean extract) to my diet, I wish that can make microbiome happy in my gut.
I eat vegan + egg, I donāt eat rice, wheat, and fruit, I also donāt drink alcohol and donāt eat snacks, the major calorie is from beans, potato, and purple sweet potato, and I eat lots of green vegetables, I eat collagen peptide 20g daily, and I do weight training 3-4 times a week, in the training day I use isolate soybean protein powder 120g.
Most of the regular vendors in our trustworthy Indian pharmacy list provide Acarbose.
The issue is that the prices are actually relatively high, typically in the $0.50 range per 50mg tablet. Many people have commented that its much cheaper if you get it in your country - its a widely used generic drug, so is very inexpensive. I donāt have the pricing in front of me, but I seem to remember that $0.10 to $0.05 per tablet is common.
One could potentially reduce ammonia gas production and volatile sulfur-containing compounds (sulfate-reducing bacteria) using 2g lactitol and moderating red meat, eggs, and milk consumption (cysteine).
One may potentially further reduce odors through the purchase of activated carbon fiber-lined textiles.
@Agetron canāt begin to tell you how jealous I am of your forward thinking pcp. Mine looks at me cross eyed when I bring up longevity treatments. Hence my need to bio hack from India.