Why Lifestyle
Changes Often Beat Medications for Type 2 Diabetes
**The Growing Diabetes Epidemic**
Type 2 diabetes is reaching alarming levels in the United States,
with projections suggesting that by 2020, half of all American adults will be
affected. Currently, 20% of federal health care spending goes towards diabetes
treatment. Health care costs for individuals with diabetes average $11,744
annually, compared to $2,560 for those without the disease, largely due to the
expense of medications.
**The Pharmaceutical Dilemma**
The American Diabetes Association's (ADA) recent guidelines in
Diabetes Care heavily emphasize medication over nutritional strategies, despite
evidence that drugs do not slow type 2 diabetes progression and may even worsen
it. This pharmaceutical-centric approach dominates conventional treatment,
potentially due to questionable influences.
A study in the Annals of Family Medicine by Michigan State
University researchers highlighted the need to exclude doctors with financial
conflicts from diabetes guideline committees and discourage physician
interactions with drug representatives. They found that many patients start
medications for moderately elevated test results, leading to additional
symptoms, more tests, and more drugs, with minimal discussion about lifestyle
changes like diet and exercise.
**Lifestyle Changes: The Real Cure**
Medications for diabetes act as temporary fixes rather than
addressing the root causes, which are often linked to poor diet and lifestyle
choices. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed
that 69% of individuals with type 2 diabetes were inactive, 62% ate fewer than
five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and 82% were overweight or obese.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by 58%,
while metformin only offers a 31% risk reduction.
A diet low in refined carbohydrates can significantly lower blood
glucose levels and improve conditions such as high cholesterol and hypertension.
**Supplement Recommendations**
For those with type 2 diabetes or aiming to prevent it, consider
these supplements:
- **PGX (2.5–5 grams at meals)**: This purified fiber lowers the
glycemic index of foods and promotes satiety.
- **High-potency multivitamin and mineral formula**: Should include
200–400 mcg of chromium for insulin utilization.
- **Alpha-lipoic acid (400–600 mg)**: Enhances insulin action and
prevents diabetic nerve disease.
- **Flavonoid-rich extracts**: Bilberry, grape seed, or pine bark
extracts help protect against diabetes complications.
- **Onions and garlic**: Shown to lower blood sugar and reduce
cardiovascular disease risk.
- **Mulberry extract, cinnamon extract, or Gymnema Sylvestre**: These
extracts improve blood sugar control.
In summary, while
medications are often prescribed for type 2 diabetes, lifestyle and dietary
changes can be just as effective, if not more so, in managing and reversing the
disease.
