Acarbose is a commonly used oral hypoglycemic drug that is widely used in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, there has been controversy about the best time to take acarbose, i.e., in the morning or evening. Some people believe that taking it in the morning will better control blood sugar, while others advocate that taking it in the evening is more appropriate.
So, is it better to eat in the morning or in the evening? This article will be carried out from different perspectives** in order to provide readers with some references.
First, let's understand the mechanism of action of acarbose. Acarbose is a -glucosidase inhibitor that lowers blood sugar levels by inhibiting -glucosidase activity in the gut, slowing the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates.
Therefore, whether acarbose is taken in the morning or evening, its medicinal effect is the same. However, due to differences in the body's biological clock and dietary habits, different times of taking the drug may have a certain impact on the efficacy of the drug.
In the morning, when blood sugar levels are low, taking acarbose is a good time to control blood sugar. Studies have shown that taking acarbose in the morning can effectively suppress the rise in blood sugar after breakfast and reduce the occurrence of postprandial hyperglycemia.
In addition, taking acarbose in the morning can also improve insulin sensitivity and increase insulin secretion, which can further reduce blood sugar levels. Therefore, for those who have a more pronounced increase in blood sugar after breakfast, it may be more appropriate to take acarbose in the morning.
However, taking acarbose at night also has its own unique advantages. Taking acarbose at night is the time of day when the body's metabolism is slower, and taking acarbose at this time can prolong the time of action of the drug in the body, so as to maintain a more stable blood sugar level. In addition, taking acarbose at night can also reduce the occurrence of nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Studies have shown that taking acarbose at night can effectively suppress nighttime blood sugar fluctuations and reduce the risk of nocturnal hypoglycemia. Therefore, for those with significant nocturnal hypoglycemia, acarbose may be more appropriate to take at night.
In addition to individual differences, there are a few other factors that need to be considered. For example, the *** of acarbose mainly includes gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating, diarrhea, etc. Taking acarbose in the morning may increase the incidence of these discomforts and affect the patient's quality of life.
Taking acarbose at night can reduce the occurrence of these discomforts and improve patient compliance. In addition, acarbose can also delay the absorption of sugar in the intestines, thereby reducing calorie intake and helping with weight control. Taking acarbose at night may work better for this effect.