Is there an effective type II diabetes diet drug? When we look at questions concerning type II diabetes control, diet, drug, exercise and dietary supplements are all mentioned. There are conventional, complementary and alternative treatments for type II diabetes, all of which may be helpful, but right now, there is no cure, only treatment and control. This article was written in response to questions concerning a new type II diabetes diet drug. Here's what we learned.
In July of 2007, Johns Hopkins University published a systematic review of the comparative safety and effectiveness of drugs used to treat type II diabetes. The researchers wrote, "As newer oral diabetes agents continue to emerge on the market, comparative evidence is urgently required to guide appropriate therapy." After analyzing the data from 216 controlled trials and 2 systematic reviews that addressed the possible risks associated with type II diabetes drugs, the researchers concluded that newer more expensive drugs are not more effective than older drugs, such as Metformin.
The active ingredient in Metformin was originally derived from a plant. Opponents of herbal remedies may want to take that fact into consideration. The French lilac or Galega officinalis in botanical terminology had been used for centuries to reduce the symptoms of type II diabetes. It was first marketed in France in 1979, but did not receive FDA approval until 15 years later. It is sometimes referred to as a diabetes control diet drug, because it is particularly effective when a patient is overweight or obese. The researchers at Johns Hopkins found that most of the newer drugs caused people to gain weight.
Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed prescription drugs in the United States. But, Actos (pioglitazone) and Avandia (rosiglitazone) are newer and some people automatically think that newer is better. The method of action of these drugs is not completely understood. It is interesting that many health care professionals object to the use of herbal and botanical remedies because their method of action is not understood. Yet, these same doctors do not object to prescribing drugs, even though they may not know how they work.
Recently, it was noted that Avandia increased the risk of heart attack and a safety alert was issued by the FDA. Actos is believed to be safer, but studies have shown that both drugs affect the levels of cholesterol in the blood stream and have similar molecular activity.
In the book "Death by Medicine", the authors estimate that 106,000 deaths every year are caused by prescription drugs, due to either doctor error or adverse reactions. That number is more than the number of people who died from diabetes mellitus (72,815) in 2004.
It is doubtful that anyone would want to take a type II diabetes diet drug that could cause the number of deaths associated with other diet drugs, such as the recalled Ephedra and Fen-fen. Changes in diet and increased exercise may be the safest and most effective treatments for type II diabetes, but energy levels are a problem for many diabetics. That's understandable because the real problem in diabetes is that glucose gets trapped in the bloodstream and cannot enter the cells where it would be converted to energy. Herbs, such as green tea, can help with energy levels.
Patsy Hamilton was a health care professional for over twenty years before becoming a health writer. Currently she is writing a series of articles about type II diabetes, a subject of personal interest. Read more at http://diabetes-type-two-info-guide.com
Many of us believe that there are safe and effective alternatives for diabetes control. Diet drug concerns only add to the risks already associated with uncontrolled diabetes. Vitamins, minerals, herbs, botanicals, proper diet and adequate exercise can prevent the need for a type II diabetes diet drug, but pharmaceutical companies will continue to release new drugs, even though the older ones are just as effective. To learn more about controlling type II diabetes, please visit http://diabetes-type-two-info-guide.com.
