Metformin helps with weight loss through several mechanisms:

• Appetite reduction: Metformin modulates hypothalamic appetite-regulatory centers in the brain, leading to decreased hunger and food intake

. It also increases levels of hormones like GLP-1 and Growth/Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), which promote satiety and reduce appetite

• Gut microbiome alteration: Metformin changes the composition of gut bacteria, which influences metabolism and appetite regulation, contributing to weight loss

• Improved insulin sensitivity: By making the body's cells more responsive to insulin, metformin reduces blood sugar levels and decreases the tendency to store excess glucose as fat

• Production of the anti-hunger molecule lac-phe: Recent research shows metformin increases levels of lac-phe, a molecule also produced after vigorous exercise, which suppresses appetite and leads to moderate weight loss

• Leptin sensitization: Metformin enhances the effectiveness of leptin, a hormone involved in appetite and energy balance, helping reduce fat and appetite

Overall, metformin induces modest weight loss, typically around 2-6% of body weight over time, mainly by reducing appetite and improving metabolic function rather than acting as a direct fat burner

. It is more effective in people with insulin resistance and is often combined with lifestyle changes for better results

. In summary, metformin helps you lose weight primarily by decreasing hunger through hormonal and brain appetite regulation pathways, altering gut bacteria, improving insulin action, and increasing levels of molecules that suppress appetite like lac-phe