PlainPill

Keto Diet vs Metformin for blood sugar

Short answer: For blood sugar, more users report improvement with Keto Diet — 100% of 5 reports, versus 95% of 20 for Metformin.

Metformin has 1,367 meta-analyses and 3,450 randomized trials on PubMed; the other has not been graded.

Based on 130 reports about Keto Diet and 157 about Metformin. Not medical advice.

Keto Diet
Lifestyle
Metformin
Medication
User score6643
Verdict
Mostly positive
Mixed
Positive
of reports that state an outcome
72%29%
Reports130157
ResearchResearch pendingAResearch: Strong
Meta-analyses / RCTs—1,367 / 3,450
Mainly used for
Weight loss
% reporting improvement
91% (11)90% (10)
Appetite
% reporting improvement
67% (3)100% (2)
Focus
% reporting improvement
93% (27)67% (3)
Energy
% reporting improvement
83% (29)40% (10)
Sleep
% reporting improvement
100% (3)100% (2)
Anxiety
% reporting improvement
80% (5)—
Mood
% reporting improvement
85% (20)50% (2)
Memory
% reporting improvement
100% (3)100% (2)
Performance
% reporting improvement
—0% (15)
Recovery
% reporting improvement
100% (2)—
Pain & inflammation
% reporting improvement
67% (3)—
Digestion
% reporting improvement
—29% (7)
Libido
% reporting improvement
100% (2)—
Hormones
% reporting improvement
100% (2)40% (5)
Blood sugar
% reporting improvement
100% (5)95% (20)
Skin & hair
% reporting improvement
100% (4)—
Immunity
% reporting improvement
100% (2)—
Longevity
% reporting improvement
—100% (8)
Common side effectsnerve issues, brain fog, fatiguestomach issues, diarrhea, b12 depletion, nausea
Typical dose reported7 weeks250-1500 mg / daily
Keto Diet
What a user said
“Keto has been a life changer for me. It has significantly helped with brain fog, energy and stamina.”
Full Keto Diet profile →
Metformin
Latest review conclusion

The choice of metformin or COCP treatment should be based on symptoms, noting some biochemical benefits from combination treatment targeting both major endocrine disturbances seen in PCOS (hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism).

J Clin Endocrinol Metab, 2024 ↗
What a user said
“Metformin currently has enough data for me personally to feel comfortable not only taking it myself (and my wife), but also recommending it to my patients.”
Full Metformin profile →

Related comparisons

Percentages come from first-hand user reports and are not clinical outcomes. Talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. How we rate