Accuracy of Blood Glucose Meters

The accuracy of blood glucose testing depends on many factors including:

• the quality of your meter.
• the quality of your test strips.
• how well you do the test.
• your hematocrit (the amount of red blood cells in the blood). If you have a high hematocrit, you may test low for blood glucose. Or, if you have a low hematocrit, you may test high for glucose. If you know your hematocrit is low or high, discuss with your health care provider how it may affect your glucose testing.
• interfering substances (some substances, such as Vitamin C and uric acid, may interfere with your glucose testing). Check the package insert for your meter and test strips to find out what substances may affect the testing accuracy.
• Altitude, temperature, and humidity (high altitude, low and high temperatures, and humidity can cause unpredictable effects on glucose results). Check the meter and test strip package inserts for more information. Store and handle the meter and strips according to instructions.

Choosing a Glucose Meter

You can purchase more than 25 different types of meters. They differ in several ways including:

• amount of blood needed for each test
• how easy it is to use
• pain associated with using the product
• accuracy
• testing speed
• overall size
• ability to store test results in memory
• cost of the meter
• cost of the test strips used
• doctor's recommendation
• technical support provided by the manufacturer
• special features such as automatic timing, error codes, large display screen, or spoken instructions or results

Talk to your health care practitioner about glucose meters and how to use them. If you have insurance, you can usually get the glucose meter for free from your doctor. Also, you may want to call your insurance provider to find out which meters they support.

You can get information about your meter and test strips from several different sources including the toll free number in the user manual or the manufacturer's web site. If you have an urgent problem, always contact your healthcare provider or a local emergency room for advice.

How do you compare your home test glucose values with the laboratory values? Most home blood glucose meters in the U.S. measure glucose in whole blood. Most lab tests, in contrast, measure glucose in plasma. Plasma is blood without the cells.

A lab test of your blood glucose will be about 10-15% higher than the value given by your meter. Look at the instructions for your meter to find out if it gives its results as "whole blood" or "plasma equivalent." Many meters now sold give values that are "plasma equivalent," which means they can be compared more directly to lab test values.

How accurate are the home blood glucose meters? Although meters are a lot more accurate today, they may not be as accurate as you think for the following reasons:
1) The meter itself has an accuracy of about +/- 10 points
2) The control liquid is not designed to one specific number, so any particular bottle of solution may fit anywhere within that range.
3) The control liquid has an expiration date. If the bottle is close to that date, the number will be slightly different. If the bottle is expired, then the reading could be totally wrong.
4) Since all control liquids are not the same, use only the brand of control liquid sold by the manufacturer of the meter. Do not mix manufacturers.
5) The test strips have expiration dates. if the test strips are out of date, their readings will be wrong, too.

In addition, different site testing will also cause readings to vary. For example, arm testing tends to provide lower readings than your finger.

There so many variables between meters that your "method" of testing with several different meters would be judged a wrong thing to do.

Get one meter, and stick with it. If you use another meter (for alternate site testing), do not try to compare the readings between meters!

Watch for inconsistent results. If you get poor results, try strips made or recommended by the maker of your meter until you again get consistent results.

Use electronic checks. Every time you turn on your meter, it does an electronic check. If it detects a problem it will give you an error code. Look in your owner's manual to see what the error codes mean and how to fix the problem.

Compare your meter with a laboratory meter. Take your meter with you to your next appointment with your health care provider. Ask your provider to watch your technique to make sure you are using the meter correctly. Ask your healthcare provider have your blood tested with a routine laboratory method. If the values you obtain on your glucose meter match the laboratory values, then your meter is working well and you are using good technique.

What should you do if your meter malfunctions? If your meter malfunctions, you should tell your health care professional and the company that made your meter and strips.

Can you test blood glucose from sites other than your fingers? Some new meters allow you to test blood from the base of your thumb, upper arm, forearm, thigh, or calf. If your glucose changes rapidly, these other sites may not give you accurate results. You should probably use your fingers for consistent testing.

Useful Tips to Increase Accuracy and Reduce Errors in Test Results from Glucose Meters

Have you ever wondered why you got a bad glucose meter test result when there is nothing obvious wrong with your meter, your test strips are new, and you’ve been running glucose tests for years? The simple answer is that glucose meters are not perfect, and neither are the people who use them! This chart lists some tips to help you get the most accurate results from your glucose meter.

Make sure you...	Because
Follow the user instructions about sample size. Repeat the test if you have any doubt that enough blood was added.	If there is insufficient blood on the test strip, the meter may not be able to read the glucose level accurately. Although many meters are designed to alert you when the sample size is too small, some meters detect only large errors. There have been cases where meters have displayed glucose levels that were less than half the actual levels without displaying error messages.
Insert the test strip completely into the meter guides.	When a test strip is not fully inserted into the meter, the meter cannot read the entire strip area. Many meters are designed to detect strip placement errors and will not provide a result. But, just as described above, many meters detect only large problems. There have been cases where meters have displayed glucose levels that were significantly higher or lower than the actual levels when there was only a small error in strip placement.
Keep the meter clean.	Even small amounts of blood, grease, or dirt on a meter’s lens can alter the reading.
Check the test strip package to make sure the strips are compatible with your meter.	Test strips are not always interchangeable, and meters cannot always detect incompatible strips. Test strips that look alike may have different chemical coatings. Small variations in strip dimensions can also affect results.
Check the expiration date on the test strips.	As a test strip ages, its chemical coating breaks down. If the strip is used after this time, it may give inaccurate results.
Enter the correct calibration code from the outside of the strip bottle each time you run a test (if applicable).	Results can vary significantly between manufactured lots of reagent strips; the calibration codes help the meter compensate for these variations.
Run quality control as directed.	Running quality control is typically the only way to know when test strips have gone bad. Test strips do not always last until the expiration date on the bottle. This may be because the manufacturer has over-estimated the dating or because the cap was not replaced promptly after use.
Check the results from your meter against laboratory results as often as possible.	Over time, test systems can drift apart. Since results from either test system maybe used to treat your patients, it is important for the systems to remain synchronized.
Question results that are not consistent with physical symptoms. If a test result seems wrong, have a blood sample tested by the main laboratory.	There may be many reasons why a test result is incorrect. In addition to the items above, some physiological conditions such as dehydration, hyperosmolarity, high hematocrit, or shock may significantly affect test results.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} MedlinePlus > Blood glucose monitoring Update Date: 6/17/2008. Updated by: Elizabeth H. Holt, MD, PhD. In turn citing: American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes -- 2008. Diabetes Care. 2008;31:S12-S54.
2. ^ Iris M. Wentholt, Marit A. Vollebregt, Augustus A. Hart, Joost B. Hoekstra, and J. Hans DeVries. Comparison of a Needle-Type and a Microdialysis Continuous Glucose Monitor in Type 1 Diabetic Patients. Diabetes Care, 2005 28: 2871–2876
3. ^ Steil, G.M., Rebrin, K. Mastrototaro, J., Bernaba, B., and Saad, M.F. Determination of Plasma Glucose During Rapid Glucose Excursions with a Subcutaneous Glucose Sensor. Diabet. Technol. Ther. 2003, 5: 27-31
4. ^ Wilhelm, B., Forst, S., Weber, M.M., Larbig, M., Pfûtzner, A., and Forst, T. Evaluation of CGMS During Rapid Blood Glucose Changes in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabet. Technol. Ther. , 2006, 8: 146-155
5. ^ Garg, S., Zisser H., Schwartz, S., Baile, T., Kaplan, R., Ellis, S., and Jovanovic, L. Improvement in Glycemic Excursions With a Transcutaneous, Real-Time Continuous Glucose Sensor. Diabetes Care, 2006. 29:44-50
6. ^ Deiss, D., Bolinder, J., Riveline, J-P., Battelino, T., Bose, E., Tubiana-Rufi, N., Kerr, D., and Phillip, M. Improved glycemic control in poorly controlled patients with type 1 diabetes using real-time continuous glucose monitoring. Diabetes Care, 2006. 29 (12): 2730–2732
7. ^ Mastrototaro, J.J., Cooper, K.W., Soundararajan, G., Sanders, J.B., and Shah, R.B. Adv Ther. 2006 Sep-Oct;23(5):725-32
8. ^ Relationship of fasting and hourly blood glucose levels to HbA1c values: safety, accuracy, and improvements in glucose profiles obtained using a 7-day continuous glucose sensor. Garg, S. and Jovanovic, L. Diabetes Care 2006 Dec;29(12):2644-9
9. ^ Electrochemical Glucose Biosensors
10. ^ M. Frost, M.E. Meyerhoff (2006). "Sensors: Tackling Biocompatibility". Analyt. Chem. 78: 7370–7377. doi:10.1021/ac069475k.
11. ^ D.A. Gough, L.S. Kumosa, T.L. Routh, J.T. Lin & J.Y. Lucisano (2010). "Function of an Implantated Tissue Glucose Sensor for More than 1 Year in Animals". Science Translat. Med. 2: 42ra53. doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3001148.
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13. ^ R. Ballerstädt & R. Ehwald (1994). "Suitability of aqueous dispersions of dextran and Concanavalin A for glucose sensing in different variants of the affinity sensor". Biosens. Bioelectr. 9: 557–567. doi:10.1016/0956-5663(94)80048-0.
14. ^ Y. Zhao, S. Li, A. Davidson, B. Yang, Q. Wang & Q. Lin (2007). "A MEMS viscometric sensor for continuous glucose monitoring". J. Micromech. Microeng. 17: 2528–2537. doi:10.1088/0960-1317/17/12/020.
15. ^ R. Ballerstadt, A. Kholodnykh, C. Evans, A. Boretsky, M. Motamedi, A. Gowda, & R. McNichols (2007). "Affinity-Based Turbidity Sensor for Glucose Monitoring by Optical Coherence Tomography: Toward the Development of an Implantable Sensor". Anal. Chem. 79: 6965–6974. doi:10.1021/ac0707434.
16. ^ D.L. Meadows & J.S. Schultz (1993). "Design, manufacture and characterization of an optical fiber glucose affinity sensor based on an homogeneous fluorescence energy transfer assay system". Analyt. Chem. Act. 280: 21–30. doi:10.1016/0003-2670(93)80236-E.
17. ^ R. Ballerstad, A. Polak, A. Beuhler & J. Frye (2004). "In vitro long-term performance study of a near-infrared fluorescence affinity sensor for glucose monitoring". Biosens. Bioelectr. 19: 905–914. doi:10.1016/j.bios.2003.08.019.
18. ^ J. K. Nielsen, J. S. Christiansen, J. S. Kristensen, H. O. Toft, L. L. Hansen, S. Aasmul, & K. Gregorius (2009). "Clinical Evaluation of a Transcutaneous Interrogated Fluorescence Lifetime-Based Microsensor for Continuous Glucose Reading". J. Diab. Sci. Technol. 3: 99–109.
19. ^ P. Diem, L. Kalt, U. Haueter, L. Krinelke, R. Fajer, B. Reihl, U. Beyer (2004). "Clinical Performance of a Continuous Viscosimetric Affinity Sensor for Glucose". Diab. Technol. Therap. 6: 790–799. doi:10.1089/dia.2004.6.790.
20. ^ M. Birkholz, K.-E. Ehwald, T. Basmer, P. Kulse et al. (2013). "Sensing glucose concentrations at GHz frequencies with a fully embedded Biomicro-electromechanical system (BioMEMS)". J. Appl. Phys. 113: 244904. doi:10.1063/1.4811351.
21. ^ Sidorenkov G, Haaijer-Ruskamp FM, de Zeeuw D, Bilo H, Denig P. (June 2011). "Relation between quality-of-care indicators for diabetes and patient outcomes: a systematic literature review". Med Care Res Rev 68 (3): 263–89. doi:10.1177/1077558710394200. PMID 21536606.
22. ^ Farmer A, Wade A, Goyder E, et al. (2007). "Impact of self monitoring of blood glucose in the management of patients with non-insulin treated diabetes: open parallel group randomised trial". BMJ 335 (7611): 132. doi:10.1136/bmj.39247.447431.BE. PMC 1925177. PMID 17591623.
23. ^ Minet, L., Moller, S., Vach, W., Wagner, L., & Henriksen, J. E. (2010). Mediating the effect of self-care management intervention in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of 47 randomised controlled trials. Patient Education and Counseling, 80(1), 29-41.Minet, L.; Møller, S.; Vach, W.; Wagner, L.; Henriksen, J. E. (2010). "Mediating the effect of self-care management intervention in type 2 diabetes: A meta-analysis of 47 randomised controlled trials". Patient Education and Counseling 80 (1): 29–41. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.09.033. PMID 19906503. edit
24. ^ Khamseh, M. E., Ansari, M., Malek, M., Shafiee, G., & Baradaran, H. (2011). Effects of a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose method on patient self-management behavior and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 5(2), 388-393.Khamseh, M. E.; Ansari, M.; Malek, M.; Shafiee, G.; Baradaran, H. (2011). "Effects of a structured self-monitoring of blood glucose method on patient self-management behavior and metabolic outcomes in type 2 diabetes mellitus". Journal of diabetes science and technology 5 (2): 388–393. PMC 3125933. PMID 21527110. edit
25. ^ Malanda, U. L., Welschen, L. M., Riphagen, I. I., Dekker, J. M., Nijpels, G., & Bot, S. D. (2012). Self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are not using insulin. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Online), 1, CD005060.Malanda, U. L. L.; Welschen, L. M.; Riphagen, I. I.; Dekker, J. M.; Nijpels, G.; Bot, S. D. (2012). Self-monitoring of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who are not using insulin. In Malanda, Uriëll L. "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) 1: CD005060. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005060.pub3. PMID 22258959. edit
26. ^ Gerstein, H. C., M. E. Miller, et al. (2008). "Effects of intensive glucose lowering in type 2 diabetes". The New England Journal of Medicine 358 (358(24)): 2545–59. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa0802743. PMID 18539917.
27. ^ "Clinical Guideline:The management of type 2 diabetes (update)"

Bottom line: Test, don't guess.

Diabetes Medications

Oral diabetes medications -- diabetes pills -- help to artificially control blood sugar levels in people whose bodies still produce some insulin (the majority of people with type 2 diabetes).

These diabetes drugs are usually prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes along with recommendations for making specific dietary changes and getting regular exercise.

However, most people do not make the dietary changes! And, for the people who do make the dietary changes, the drugs cancel out the benefits of eating healthy!

 

Most diabetics believe that the drugs are working because they lower their blood sugar levels. That's where the confusion and misunderstanding about these drugs occur.  We all agree that these drugs lower the blood sugar, but the diabetic pays a huge price due to the long term side effects caused by these drugs and the ongoing damage being caused by the diabetes.

Diabetes pills work in one of three ways:
1. Stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin (causing you to gain weight)
2. Increase the body's sensitivity to the insulin that is already present (but causes damage to the liver/kidneys)
3. Slow the breakdown of foods (especially starches) into glucose (but doesn't really work that well).

Key Point: But, the diabetic pills do absolutely nothing to stop the progression of the diabetes! 100% of all diabetics who continue to take diabetic pills eventually end up on insulin -- unless they die first.

Note: According to a panel of doctors, metformin is insurance for people who aren't following their diet and exercise plan. The message to insulin-resistant America from their doctors: "We don't think you're going to help yourself, so here, take this pill."

The Power of the Death to Diabetes Program:  In general, if you  follow the 10 steps of the Death to Diabetes Program, eat the 5 "super" foods, and avoid the 5 "dead" foods, then, within 3 to 9 months (depending on how long you've been diabetic, the number of drugs you're taking, and your age), your blood glucose level should be within the normal range (80-100 mg/dL) and your hemoglobin A1C should be close to the normal range (less than 6%) after 6 to 12 months. At some point, you may want to check your fast blood glucose level without taking the diabetic medication for a day or so. This will give you an indication of how close you are to the normal range without the drugs.

Why is this important? Because the diabetic medication keeps your body in a diabetic state!! The longer you take the drugs, the more dependent your body becomes on the drugs!!

Categories of Diabetes Pills:

Sulfonylureas: These diabetes pills lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. The first drugs of this type that were developed -- Dymelor, Diabinese, Orinase and Tolinase -- are not as widely used since they tend to be less potent and shorter-acting drugs than the newer sulfonylureas.

Second generation sulfonylureas include Glucotrol (glipizide), as well as Micronase, Diabeta, and Glynase (all contain glyburide). 

A third generation called Amaryl (glimepiride) is also available.

Sulfonylureas work best when taken at the same time each day. Glyburide and glipizide are shorter-acting versions. Glyburide (Micronase and Diabeta), and Glipizide (Glucotrol) are usually taken twice a day, half before breakfast and half before dinner. Sustained-release versions called Glynase or Glucotrol XL are also available.

Glucotrol (Glipizide): Glucotrol controls diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Treatment with Glucotrol may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Glimepiride (Amaryl): Amaryl lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Amaryl is often prescribed along with the insulin-boosting drug Glucophage. It may also be used in conjunction with insulin and other diabetes drugs.

Glyburide + Metformin (Glucovance):  is a combination of 2 drugs —glyburide and metformin — that attack high blood sugar levels in several ways. The glyburide component stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin and helps the body use it properly. The metformin component also encourages proper insulin utilization, and in addition works to decrease sugar production and absorption.

WARNING: Glucovance has been known to cause a dangerous condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment in the hospital. Notify your doctor without delay if you experience any of the following symptoms:

A slow or irregular heartbeat; a cold, dizzy, or light-headed feeling; a weak, tired, or uncomfortable feeling; stomach discomfort; trouble breathing; unusual muscle pain

Side Effects:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Upset stomach, Nausea
Skin rash or itching
Weight gain 

Glipizide and similar medications may increase the risk of death due to heart or blood vessel problems. This warning is based on research of medications similar to glipizide. However, it is unclear at this time how important this risk may be in people taking glipizide.

 

If you have certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney problems, talk to your healthcare provider before starting treatment. You may need to take a lower dosage of glipizide. To help reduce the risks of dangerous drug interactions, your healthcare provider also needs to know about any medications you are taking.

Biguanides (Metformin): These diabetes pills prevent the liver from releasing stored sugar. They also supposedly improve insulin's ability to move sugar into cells especially into the muscle cells. Biguanides should not be used in people who have kidney damage or heart failure because of the risk of precipitating a severe build up of acid (called lactic acidosis) in these patients.

An example of a biguanide includes metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Riomet, Fortamet and Glumetza).

Note: Two drugs from the biguanide class, metformin and phenformin, were developed in 1957. Unfortunately, phenformin reached the U.S. market first and resulted in several deaths from lactic acidosis. When this risk surfaced, phenformin was pulled from drugstore shelves worldwide. Metformin was eventually found to be 20 times less likely to cause lactic acidosis, but it was tainted by the history of its cousin. Metformin first became available in France in 1979 and has been widely used in Europe since then, but it was not cleared for use in Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. until 1994.
Dosage Range: 500 - 2550 mg, 2-3 times a day

Metformin is usually the first drug that doctors prescribe. Unfortunately, because of the marketing efforts of the drug companies, doctors prescribe metformin in the form of combination pills like Janumet that cost a lot more and include relatively untested drugs that have serious side effects.

WARNING: Metformin can rarely cause a serious (sometimes fatal) condition called lactic acidosis. Stop taking metformin and seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis: unusual tiredness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, unusually slow/irregular heartbeat.

Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur in patients who have certain medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease, conditions that may cause a low oxygen blood level or poor circulation (e.g., severe congestive heart failure, recent heart attack, recent stroke), heavy alcohol use, a severe loss of body fluids (dehydration), X-ray or scanning procedures that require an injectable iodinated contrast drug, recent surgery, or a serious infection. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these conditions occur or if you notice a big change in your overall health. You may need to stop taking metformin temporarily. The elderly are also at higher risk, especially those older than 80 years who have not had kidney tests.

Side Effects of Glucophage:
Nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur at first as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If stomach symptoms return later (after you are on the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor immediately. Stomach symptoms that occur after the first days of your treatment may be a sign of lactic acidosis.

Precautions:
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: kidney disease, liver disease, conditions that may cause a low level of oxygen in the blood or poor circulation (e.g., severe congestive heart failure, recent heart attack, recent stroke), metabolic acidosis (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis), serious infection, severe loss of body fluids (dehydration).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: adrenal/pituitary gland problems, severe breathing problems (e.g., obstructive lung disease, severe asthma), blood problems (e.g., anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency), fertility problems (e.g., ovulation problems), alcohol use.

Thiazolidinediones: These diabetes pills improve insulin's effectiveness (improving insulin resistance) in muscle and in fat tissue. They lower the amount of sugar released by the liver and make fat cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Actos and Avandia are the two drugs of this class.  These drugs may take a few weeks before they have an effect in lowering blood sugar. They should be used with caution in people with heart failure. Your doctor will do periodic blood testing of your liver function when using this diabetes medicine.

These drugs include Actos (pioglitazone), Avandia (rosiglitazone), and Avandamet (rosiglitazone and metformin).

Side Effects:
Elevated liver enzymes (liver damage)
Liver failure
Respiratory infections and sinusitis
Headache
Fluid retention (This may lead to heart failure)
Mild anemia
Increased risk for upper arm or foot fractures (women)

WARNING: The thiazolidinedione medication troglitazone (Rezulin) has been removed from the market in the United States and some European countries. Troglitazone has been shown to cause severe liver problems in a small number of people who take it.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: include Precose and Glyset. These drugs block enzymes that help digest starches, slowing the rise in blood sugar. These diabetes pills may cause diarrhea or gas. They can lower hemoglobin A1c by 0.5%-1%. 

Side Effects:
Stomach upset (gas, diarrhea, nausea, cramps) 

Meglitinides: include Prandin and Starlix. These diabetes medicines lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. The effects of these diabetes pills depend on the level of glucose. They are said to be glucose dependent. High sugars make this class of diabetes medicines release insulin. This is unlike the sulfonylureas that cause an increase in insulin release, regardless of glucose levels, and can lead to hypoglycemia. 

Side Effects:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Stomach upset
Sore throat 

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors: include Januvia. The DPP-IV inhibitors (Januvia) work to lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas and reducing sugar production. These diabetes pills increase insulin secretion when blood sugars are high. They also signal the liver to stop producing excess amounts of sugar. DPP-IV inhibitors control sugar without causing weight gain. The medication may be taken alone or with other medications such as metformin. 

Combination therapy: There are several combination diabetes pills that combine two medications into one tablet. One example of this is Glucovance, which combines glyburide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin. Others include Metaglip, which combines glipizide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin; Avandamet which utilizes both metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia) in one; and Janumet, which combines Januvia and metformin. 

Studies have been done showing that some diabetes pills may fuel the diabetes and its complications. Both metformin and Precose have been shown to increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetic complications, particularly when lifestyle changes of a proper diet and regular exercise are not implemented. Actos has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death in those with type 2 diabetes. 

PLEASE NOTE:
This list is not complete as there may be other drugs that can interact with Januvia and can potentially lower blood sugar, such as:
probenecid (Benemid);
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);or
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others). 

Prescription Drugs -- The Answer?

Prescription drugs help to (artificially) lower your blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol -- but, are they really the answer to you improving your health? Go to the following web pages for more information about the danger of prescription drugs:

• Drugs for high cholesterol/high blood pressure
  
• Drugs for high blood sugar (diabetes)
• Drug companies
• Drugs (general information)
• Cholesterol-Heart Disease-Statin Drug Hoax

Note: If you want to safely wean off these dangerous drugs, start a sound nutritional program and get the How to Wean Off Drugs Safely ebook.

 

Note: Are you aware that one of the "acceptable" side effects of taking these drugs is death??

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Insulin

Background Information about Insulin
When we eat, our bodies break food down into organic compounds, one of which is glucose. The cells of our bodies use glucose as a source of energy for movement, growth, repair, and other functions. But before the cells can use glucose, it must move from the bloodstream into the individual cells. This process requires insulin.

Insulin is produced by the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. When glucose enters our blood, the pancreas should automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move glucose into our cells. People with type 1 diabetes produce no insulin. People with type 2 diabetes do not always produce enough insulin.

Types of Insulin
The following is a list of some of the more common insulin preparations available today.
-- Rapid-acting
-- Short-acting (Regular)
-- Intermediate-acting (NPH)
-- Intermediate and short-acting mixtures
-- Long-acting

Rapid-acting Insulin
-- Humalog (lispro)
-- Eli Lilly
-- NovoLog (aspart)
-- Novo Nordisk

Short-acting (Regular) Insulin
-- Humulin R
-- Eli Lilly
-- Novolin R
-- Novo Nordisk

Intermediate-acting (NPH) Insulin
-- Humulin N, L
-- Eli Lilly
-- Novolin N, L
-- Novo Nordisk

Intermediate and short-acting mixtures Insulin
-- Humulin 50/50
-- Humulin 70/30
-- Humalog Mix 75/25
-- Humalog Mix 50/50
-- Eli Lilly
-- Novolin 70/30
-- Novolog Mix 70/30
-- Novo Nordisk

Long-acting Insulin
-- Ultralente
-- Eli Lilly
-- Lantus (glargine)
-- Aventis

Note: Beware of the insulin addiction trap that many diabetics fall into! Don't let this happen to you! Read Chapter 12 of Death to Diabetes for more details.

References:
www.nlm.nih.gov
www.fda.gov
www.webmd.com
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/

Metformin

Metformin (Glucophage) is the most-widely prescribed diabetic medication due to lower cost and less side effects than other diabetic drugs.

Unfortunately, research has shown that none of these diabetic drugs brings blood sugar levels down to anywhere near normal levels. So while an oral anti-diabetic drug might be "effective" by the FDA definition of the term, that effect might only be to lower a diabetic person's fasting blood sugar from a dangerously high 250 mg/dl to an only slightly less dangerous 150 mg/dl -- a level which is still high enough to encourage the development of serious complications. 

So metformin alone will not likely bring your blood sugars back into the normal range.

Facts about Metformin

Metformin is the generic name of the drug also marketed as Glucophage. It has been used to control diabetic blood sugars since the 1970s in Europe. It was also the subject of a detailed study intended to see whether it could prevent impaired glucose tolerance from progressing to actual diabetes.

Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group; Reduction in the Incidence of Type 2 Diabetes with Lifestyle Intervention or Metformin. NEJM, Volume 346:393-403 February 7, 2002 Number 6

Metformin is available in an extended release form, Metformin ER (Glucophage XR) which is supposed to be a bit easier on the digestive system.

Metformin is a cheap generic drug. Usually, it is the first drug that most doctors prescribe. Unfortunately, because of the marketing efforts of the drug companies, this doesn't always happen. All too often, doctors prescribe metformin in the form of combination pills like Janumet that cost 15 times what metformin alone costs and include relatively untested drugs that have serious side effects.

You will do much better and be much safer taking the plain generic metformin rather than one of these combos. In addition, the combo pills because they include drugs whose dosage is fixed make it impossible to adjust the metformin dose to the one that is right for you. Metformin is a drug where the effective dose may vary greatly with your body size.

What Metformin Does

Metformin Inhibits the Liver's Production of Glucose

There is some scholarly debate about what exactly it is that Metformin does, but most researchers agree that in most people Metformin suppresses the production of glucose in the liver. Metformin may lower fasting blood sugar by limiting the liver's production of glucose rather than by making cells more sensitive to insulin.

A mouse study published on May 15, 2009 suggests that Metformin works to lower blood sugar by directly stimulating a gene in the liver which is how it shuts off glucose production. Rather than by improving insulin sensitivity, it bypasses the broken insulin signaling. This is okay in the short term, but, may not be ideal over the long term.

Metformin and Insulin Suppress Hepatic Gluconeogenesis through Phosphorylation of CREB Binding Protein Ling He et al,, Cell Volume 137, Issue 4, 635-646, 15 May 2009. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2009.03.016

New Information on how Metformin works. Diabetes in Control May 27, 2009.

Top 10 Overall Metformin Side Effects

The following is a summary of the top 10 side effects reported by diabetic patients, based on reports from the FDA and diabetic community.

	Side Effect	How frequent is it: Number of people (% of total people)
1	Blood Glucose Increased	11,417 (13.25%)
2	Nausea	9,732 (11.30%)
3	Weight Decreased	7,496 (8.70%)
4	Diarrhea	5,649 (6.56%)
5	Vomiting (Nausea and vomiting)	5,251 (6.10%)
6	Fatigue	4,191 (4.87%)
7	Dizziness	3,827 (4.44%)
8	Drug Ineffective	3,694 (4.29%)
9	Blood Glucose Decreased	3,595 (4.17%)
10	Renal Failure Acute	3,456 (4.01%)

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Diabetes Drug Causes Heart Attacks!               

Heart Attack Drug May Cause Diabetes!

Most people are aware that the diabetes drug Avandia is linked with tens of thousands of heart attacks, and the drug company GlaxoSmithKline knew of the risks for years but worked to keep them from the public, according to a Senate committee report.

What is ironic is that the beloved and popular cholesterol-lowering statin drugs — pretty much a guaranteed prescription if you have a heart attack — are increasingly being identified as a possible risk factor for diabetes (which is what happened to the author who took Lipitor for years).  Not only that, if you already have diabetes, you’re almost certain to end up on a statin, as well as being at higher risk for a heart attack!

So now we have the possible scenario:  patient has a heart attack.  Heart attack leads to  a statin drug.  Statin drug leads to diabetes.  Diabetes leads to diabetic drug.  Diabetic drug leads to heart attack.  Heart attack leads to … well, you get the picture.

So, what’s a diabetic to do?  There is hope.  You can break the cycle.  You can step away from this absurd pharmaceutical-laden lifestyle.  Proper diet and exercise does work.  It requires discipline, to be sure.  But if the alternative is a lifetime of medications that may turn out to be at odds with each other, which would you prefer?

For more information, refer to this web page about the Cholesterol-Heart Disease-Statin Drug Hoax.

What's Worse? Pills or Insulin Shots?
It's interesting that diabetics become upset about having to go on insulin after years of taking toxic pills such as metformin and glyburide. They should have been just as upset about having to take a diabetic pill that damages the liver and kidneys!

But, why don't diabetics get as upset about taking a pill as they do about taking an insulin shot?

Because we are conditioned to accept taking pills as normal!  It's so easy, convenient, and inexpensive to pop a little pill twice a day, and think that everything is fine. And, as the years pass by, we take more and more pills -- until one day we are taking 10 to 12 pills a day!

Taking pills are dangerous for 5 reasons:
1. Pills are convenient and easy to take, so pill-taking becomes an easy habit.
2. Pills give us a false sense of security that our health is improving, so we don't make the necessary lifestyle changes.
3. Pills slowly cause damage to the liver and/or kidneys, but we don't feel any discomfort; or, we get used to the discomfort of an upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea, headache, etc.
4. Pills lead to more potent pills, creating a biochemical dependency on the drugs. For diabetics, these pills eventually lead to insulin!
5. Most pills are somewhat inexpensive, but they eventually lead to more expensive drugs and expensive surgeries that some people can't afford.

So, pills eventually cause damage to the kidneys and liver, while  (excess) insulin leads to damage of the blood vessels and pancreas (atrophy). So, which is worse?
(They're both bad!)

Author's Perspective: As  I look back now, I was very fortunate that I was put on insulin shots right away instead of pills. Because I was so afraid of needles and injecting myself, I was actually motivated to reduce the number of insulin shots that I was taking. If I had been put on a diabetic pill such as metformin, I would have been happy, and I would have gladly accepted the fact that I would have to take a pill every day for the rest of my life. Ironically, trying to reduce my insulin shots from 4 to 3 led me on a journey of discovery and healing. After I had reduced my shots from 4 to 3, I was motivated to reduce my shots further. When I got down to 1 shot, I was so happy! But, at that time, I thought that I would have to take the one insulin shot every day for the rest of my life. And, I would have been happy with that. I never dreamed that I would get down to ZERO insulin shots! I was truly blessed -- no doubt about it!

Retinopathy (Eye Disease)

After the kidneys, the eyes are usually the second major organ that is damaged by the effects of diabetes. The signs of damage to the eyes include blurry vision, spots, and loss of vision, which can lead to blindness if the macula is damaged and there is a loss of blood supply to the retina.  
 
The retina is a nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and helps send images to the brain, similar to film in a camera. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina, leading to the loss of vision and even blindness. In the initial stages (called non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy), the arteries in the retina become weakened and leak fluid or blood, forming small, dot-like hemorrhages. This can blur or distort the images that the retina sends to the brain leading to blurred vision, called “background retinopathy”.

In the next stage (proliferative retinopathy), circulation problems cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived or ischemic. New, fragile blood vessels develop in the retina and branch out into the vitreous humor in the middle of the eye as the circulatory system attempts to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the retina. This is called neovascularization. Unfortunately, these blood vessels are fragile and hemorrhage easily, causing blood to leak into the retina and vitreous. This creates spots or floaters, causing a decrease in vision and scarring. In the later stages of the disease, continued abnormal blood vessel growth and scar tissue cause serious problems such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.

The likelihood and severity of retinopathy increase with the duration of diabetes and is likely to be worse if blood glucose is poorly controlled. Almost all people who have had diabetes for more than 30 years will show signs of diabetic retinopathy, as it is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans.
 
Diagnosis & Tests
The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is made following a detailed examination of the retina with an ophthalmoscope. Ophthalmoscopy is an examination of the back part of the eyeball (fundus), which includes the retina, optic disc, choroid, and blood vessels. Ophthalmoscopy is performed as part of a routine physical or complete eye examination to detect and evaluate symptoms of retinal detachment and eye diseases such as glaucoma and cataracts. Most patients with diabetic retinopathy are referred to vitreo-retinal surgeons who specialize in treating this disease.

Cataracts & Glaucoma
Diabetics are twice as likely to develop eye diseases such as cataract and glaucoma. A cataract is a clouding or opaque area that develops over the lens of the eye, and thickens, preventing light rays from passing through the lens and focusing on the retina.  You may have a cataract if you need a stronger light for reading or sewing, but, no matter how bright the light, your vision seems dim; or, the glare of a car’s headlights makes it difficult to see. 

The primary causes of cataracts include glycosylation and oxidation -- due to the accumulated exposure to ultraviolet sunlight, tobacco, or diabetes with uncontrolled glucose levels that damage the proteins in the eye lens. Consequently, one of the key strategies to either slow down or even prevent the formation of a cataract is to reduce the amount of glycosylation and oxidation – by wearing sunglasses and eating foods and supplements that contain antioxidants, e.g. spinach, red grapes, carrots, bilberry, beta carotene, Vitamin C, l-carnosine. 

Studies continue to show that people with cataracts tend to have low serum levels of beta carotene and Vitamin C. These nutrients will not cure cataracts, but they will prevent further damage. Even after someone has had cataract surgery, he/she will still need to consider antioxidant nutrients, otherwise, the new lens will become cloudy from the same oxidative process.

Glaucoma is an increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision. Glaucoma is called the “sneak thief” of sight because it has no obvious signs at first – it is painless and has no effect on vision. By the time you notice that your vision has deteriorated, glaucoma has done its damage. Consequently, annual exams are a must, especially if glaucoma runs in your family.

A normal eye is filled with fluid, which drains through tissue between the iris and the cornea. With glaucoma, the draining of the fluid slows down or stops completely as the eyes’ “drainage pipes” become backed up like a clogged drain. The backup of the fluid builds intraocular pressure throughout the eye, damaging blood vessels that feed the retina and optic nerve. Without the proper nutrients, the optic nerve begins to die, and so does your vision. 

It is important to note that many people with glaucoma don’t realize there is a loss of vision because they don’t actually “see” dark areas – there are no visible “walls” of the so-called “tunnel”. People with peripheral vision loss just have a narrower visual field. People with normal vision see images of their surroundings and have a naturally limited range of vision. They do not “see” darkness all around them. People with glaucoma don’t “see” darkness either – they just see less of their surroundings. This is why annual eye exams are so important – they can catch the glaucoma before irreparable damage is done. 

Once your doctor diagnoses glaucoma, eye drop medication will be necessary to reduce the eye pressure and prevent any further loss of vision. High doses of supplements such as natural Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (1000 to 2000 mg) and bilberry/eyebright (350 to 500 mg) may help to draw fluid out of the eye, but this has not been completely verified with any well-controlled clinical studies. 

In general, for good eye health, avoid the processed foods, drink raw vegetable juices, and eat more green vegetables and bright-colored vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, and red/yellow/orange peppers for the carotenoids, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Also, eat wild salmon and egg yolks for the Omega-3s. Refer to the wellness protocol section in Chapter 15  of the Death to Diabetes  book and the Power of Juicing ebook for more details about eye health.

Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage of the disease and is directed at trying to slow or stop the progression of the disease.

In the early stages of Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, treatment other than regular monitoring may not be required. Following your doctor's advice for diet and exercise and keeping blood sugar levels well-controlled can help control the progression of the disease. Use a superior nutrition-based program (such as the Death to Diabetes wellness program) to eat more green vegetables, drink more raw vegetable juices, and eat foods with Omega-3s such as wild salmon, organic eggs, walnuts, and flaxseed. This will help to properly control blood sugar levels without medication.

If the disease advances, leakage of fluid from blood vessels can lead to macular edema. Laser treatment (photocoagulation) is used to stop the leakage of blood and fluid into the retina. A laser beam of light can be used to create small burns in areas of the retina with abnormal blood vessels to try to seal the leaks.

When blood vessel growth is more widespread throughout the retina, as in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a pattern of scattered laser burns is created across the retina. This causes abnormal blood vessels to shrink and disappear. With this procedure, some side vision may be lost in order to safeguard central vision.

Some bleeding into the vitreous gel may clear up on its own. However, if significant amounts of blood leak into the vitreous fluid in the eye, it will cloud vision and can prevent laser photocoagulation from being used. A surgical procedure called a vitrectomy may be used to remove the blood-filled vitreous and replace it with a clearfluid to maintain the normal shape and health of the eye.

Persons with diabetic retinopathy can suffer significant vision loss. Special low vision devices such as telescopic and microscopic lenses, hand and stand magnifiers, and video magnification systems can be prescribed to make the most of remaining vision.

Note: If you have eyesight problems and would prefer to read larger text, then, get the8½ x 11 version of the Death to Diabetes book.

Laser Surgery for Diabetic Retinopathy

Laser surgery (known as laser photocoagulation) uses the heat from a laser to seal or destroy abnormal, leaking blood vessels in the retina. One of two approaches may be used when treating diabetic retinopathy:

Focal photocoagulation is used to seal specific leaking blood vessels in a small area of the retina, usually near the macula. The ophthalmologist identifies individual blood vessels for treatment and makes a limited number of laser burns to seal them off.

Scatter photocoagulation is used to slow the growth of new abnormal blood vessels that have developed over a wide area of the retina. The ophthalmologist may make hundreds of laser burns on the retina to stop the blood vessels from growing. The person may need two or more treatment sessions.

Laser surgery is done to reduce the risk of vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy. It is most often used to stabilize vision and prevent future vision loss rather than to improve vision loss that has already occurred.

Unfortunately, since laser surgery burns and destroys part of the retina, this causes some permanent vision loss, including a mild loss of central vision, reduced night vision, and decreased ability to focus. Some people may lose some of their side (peripheral) vision. But the vision loss caused by laser treatment is mild compared with the vision loss that may be caused by untreated retinopathy. 

Key Point: It is imperative that you keep your blood sugar levels low and in the normal range after laser treatment. In addition, you should eat a plant-based diet of green and bright-colored vegetables and other foods that contain the necessary nutrients that will help to strengthen the weakened blood vessels, i.e. bilberry, l-carnosine, carotenoids, antioxidants, Omega-3s. Even if your eyes are better, diabetic retinopathy will keep getting worse over time if your blood sugar levels rise again. This can lead to retina detachment and total vision loss over time.

Wellness Protocols to Prevent Diabetic ComplicationsThe Death to Diabetes Wellness Program consists of 10 steps, 6 stages, and 3 levels of discipline that includes a detailed set of wellness protocols that can stop the rot and reverse many of these diabetic complications -- as long as you don't wait too long to start the program.

If you are experiencing one or more of the major diabetic complications, you should follow a very strict program that requires you to use Level 3 of the program and implement all 10 steps of the program [Ref: Chapter 16, Page 329]. This is mandatory if you want to protect your eyes, kidneys, legs, and other organs from further damage!

Make sure that you eat lutein-rich and antioxidant-rich green, leafy vegetables and bright-colored vegetables, and dark-colored fruits such as spinach, broccoli, kale, collard greens, carrots, zucchini, blueberries and egg yolks, which also contain zeaxanthin.

These carotenoids and antioxidants nourish and protect the eye tissues from oxidation and degeneration. Blueberries contain anthocyanins, which are the bioflavonoids responsible for the deep purple-blue color. Other sources of anthocyanins include red grapes, cherries, pomegranates, and red cabbage. Red vegetables and fruits (e.g. tomatoes, red peppers) contain lycopene, another carotenoid that provides antioxidant protection to combat free radicals in the eye.

Reduce/eliminate the consumption of the “dead” processed foods such as margarine and potato chips, which contain partially hydrogenated oil (trans fat). Trans fats appear to contribute to macular degeneration and may interfere with the Omega-3 fats.

Implementing Level 3 and all 10 steps includes increasing your intake of raw foods, adding high quality nutritional supplements such as bilberry, eyebright, l-carnosine, n-acetyl cysteine (NAC), CoQ10, alpha lipoic acid, grapeseed extract, and Omega-3 EFAs; and, adding super foods such as flaxseed, wheat grass, and chlorella.

You should also go through a major detox/cleanse and, if necessary, use organic herbal tinctures (such as bilberry) for your eyes, kidneys, and nerves to complement your raw food nutritional program. If you don't know where to purchase herbal tinctures and high quality supplements, contact our office or get the Nutritional Supplements Brand Names ebook.

Schedule regular eye examinations with an ophthalmologist at least once a year to detect any early signs of eye disease, such as small problems in the blood vessels of the retina.

Don't forget to wear sunglasses that filter UVA, UVB and blue light to reduce the oxidative damage to the retina.

In addition, it is imperative that you work with a knowledgeable diabetes health coach and gradually wean off as many of the toxic diabetic drugs and other drugs as soon as possible -- to prevent further damage to your eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart, etc.

Refer to Chapter 15 of the Death to Diabetes book, which provides a detailed step-by-step procedure that addresses eye health and each of the major diabetic complications; and, identifies the key foods, nutrients and supplements for each diabetic complication.

FYI: Here's some information about organic herbal tinctures that have received excellent feedback and reviews for the health of the eyes:
http://www.naturaleyecare.com/shop/
http://www.naturaleyecare.com/blog/

Prescription Drugs -- The Answer?

Prescription drugs help to (artificially) lower your blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol -- but, are they really the answer to you improving your health? Go to the following web pages for more information about the danger of prescription drugs:

• Drugs for high cholesterol/high blood pressure
• Drugs for high blood sugar (diabetes)
• Drug companies
• Drugs (general information)

Note: If you want to safely wean off these dangerous drugs, start a sound nutritional program and get the How to Wean Off Drugs Safely ebook.

References

1. ^ "Diabetic retinopathy". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 14 May 2012.
2. ^ "Diabetic retinopathy". Diabetes.co.uk. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
3. ^ ^a b Kertes PJ, Johnson TM, ed. (2007). Evidence Based Eye Care. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 0-7817-6964-7.^{[page needed]}
4. ^ Tapp RJ, Shaw JE, Harper CA et al. (June 2003). "The prevalence of and factors associated with diabetic retinopathy in the Australian population". Diabetes Care 26(6): 1731–7. doi:10.2337/diacare.26.6.1731. PMID 12766102.
5. ^ Dr Caroline MacEwen. "diabetic retinopathy". Retrieved August 2, 2011.
6. ^ Pardianto G et al. (2005). "Understanding diabetic retinopathy". Mimbar Ilmiah Oftalmologi Indonesia 2: 65–6.
7. ^ Geraldes, Pedro; Hiraoka-Yamamoto, Junko; Matsumoto, Motonobu; Clermont, Allen; Leitges, Michael; Marette, Andre; Aiello, Lloyd P; Kern, Timothy S et al. (2009). "Activation of PKC-δ and SHP-1 by hyperglycemia causes vascular cell apoptosis and diabetic retinopathy". Nature Medicine 15 (11): 1298–306.doi:10.1038/nm.2052. PMID 19881493.
8. ^ Clinical Presentations and Pathological Correlates of Retinopathy By Toke Bek. Hammes H-P, Porta M (eds): Experimental Approaches to Diabetic Retinopathy. Front Diabetes. Basel, Karger, 2010, vol 20, pp 1–19
9. ^ "Causes and Risk Factors". Diabetic Retinopathy. United States National Library of Medicine. 15 September 2009.
10. ^ "Report of the expert committee on the diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus". Diabetes Care 26 (Suppl 1): S5–20. January 2003.doi:10.2337/diacare.26.2007.S5. PMID 12502614.
11. ^ "Report of the Expert Committee on the Diagnosis and Classification of Diabetes Mellitus". Diabetes Care 20 (7): 1183–97. July 1997. PMID 9203460.
12. ^ Wong TY, Liew G, Tapp RJ et al. (March 2008). "Lancet Revision, D-07-06757 The Relationship of Fasting Glucose to Retinopathy: Re-visiting a Key Criterion Used to Diagnose Diabetes". Lancet 371 (9614): 736–43. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(08)60343-8. PMC 2350208. PMID 18313502.
13. ^ Williams R, Airey M, Baxter H, Forrester J, Kennedy-Martin T, Girach A (October 2004). "Epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema: a systematic review". Eye 18 (10): 963–83. doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6701476. PMID 15232600.
14. ^ Ryeom, Sandra; Folkman, Judah (2009). "Role of Endogenous Angiogenesis Inhibitors in Down Syndrome". Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 20 (Suppl 1): 595–6.doi:10.1097/SCS.0b013e3181927f47. PMID 19795527.
15. ^ Masharani, Umesh (2006). "Diabetes Ocular complications". Chronic Complications of Diabetes. Armenian Medical Network.
16. ^ Fraser-Bell S, Kaines A, Hykin PG (May 2008). "Update on treatments for diabetic macular edema". Current Opinion in Ophthalmology 19 (3): 185–9.doi:10.1097/ICU.0b013e3282fb7c45. PMID 18408491.
17. ^ O'Malley, PG (2012 Jul 9). "Comparative effectiveness of anti-growth factor therapies for diabetic macular edema: summary of primary findings and conclusions.". Archives of internal medicine 172 (13): 1014-5. PMID 22688778.
18. ^ Wahren J, Ekberg K, Jörnvall H (March 2007). "C-peptide is a bioactive peptide".Diabetologia 50 (3): 503–9. doi:10.1007/s00125-006-0559-y. PMID 17235526.
19. ^ "Study shows pine bark improves circulation, swelling and visual acuity in early diabetic retinopathy" (Press release). EurekAlert. December 2, 2009. Retrieved 2010-02-16.

Top Herbs for the Pancreas

Although small and generally unnoticed, your pancreas plays a key role in the digestive and endocrine process. It basically has a 2 fold function: enzyme production for fat and protein digestion and insulin production for controlling your blood's glucose levels. [1]

If your pancreas is unable to fully function, nutrients from food become unavailable to your system. Three major pancreatic problems may occur: 1) Diabetes, which is due to insufficient secretion of insulin and is one of the most dangerous and common pancreatic disorders; 2) acute or chronic pancreatitis which results in inflammation and tissue damage along the pancreas; [2] 3) pancreatic cancer which is the 5th leading cause of cancer death in America [3] and has a 100% mortality rate. [4]

Diet and lifestyle are currently thought to play a major role in restoring pancreatic health. Although studies on the effects of herbs on pancreatic health are limited and some even inconclusive, promising preliminary studies can provide a basis for further research on pancreatic disorders. These 10 herbal supplements may also help boost the health of your pancreas by strengthening it and protecting it from each of the disorders:

Note: This article was researched and created by Cathy Ongking and Elfe Cabanas, © herbs-info.com 2013

Oregano

In traditional medicine, oregano has been thought to be a promising treatment for oxidation-linked disorders like diabetes because of its rich natural phenolic antioxidants. In 2004, researchers at the University of Massachusetts studied the anti-diabetic mechanisms of oregano extract and found that they can inhibit porcine pancreatic amylase. These results support the belief that oregano could be a potential anti-hyperglycemic agent for managing hyperglycemia and diabetic complications long term. [6]

Haritaki

In 2007, scientists from the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute discovered that this herb has cancer-fighting properties and may prevent or decelerate the growth of pancreatic cancer tumors. Doctors believe this is done by causing pancreatic cancer cells to die off naturally though a process known as apoptosis without causing toxic side effects. [3] During that same year, oral intake of haritaki aqueous extract was shown to reduce elevated blood glucose by 43.2% and hepatic and skeletal muscle glycogen content by 75% and 62.9% respectively, suggesting it may have potential value as a diabetic treatment. [7]

Calendula

Phytopharmacological studies of various calendula extracts have exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and anti-genotoxic therapeutic properties. In 2006, scientists from Spain revealed that calendula extract displayed activities that could potentially inhibit tumor cell proliferation from 70-100% when tested on a wide variety of human and murine tumor cell lines, including pancreatic cancer cells. This indicates this herb has cytotoxic tumor cell properties and that calendula can trigger lymphocyte activation. [8] Likewise, when pancreatitis results from alcohol abuse, application of calendula salve may help to prevent dehydration. [2]

Dandelion

Like calendula and haritaki, dandelion is thought to be an effective treatment against aggressive and resistant pancreatic cancer cells. In 2012, researchers from Canada discovered that dandelion root extract can induce apoptosis and autophagy to combat cancer cells without any significant effect on noncancerous cells. [4] Teas made from dandelion have also been known to flush out the intestines and aid the recovery and healing of damaged pancreatic tissues. [2]

Gentian

This herb has proven itself to be one of the best in promoting a healthy pancreas. The roots of gentian can stimulate the pancreas, gall bladder and mucous membranes of the stomach to increase secretion of pancreatic enzymes, bile, stomach acid and digestive juices. [9]

Goldenseal

Now considered to be an endangered species, goldenseal is one of the most highly valued herbs today because of its medicinal and therapeutic benefits. More than its ability to lower blood sugar and aid the overall functioning of the pancreas [14], goldenseal also helps to stimulate the beta cells of the pancreas which is beneficial to people suffering from diabetes.

Goldenseal is considered to have diuretic, antibacterial, antiseptic, detergent, laxative, tonic, stomachic, muscle stimulant, anti-inflammatory, emollient, detergent, and antispasmodic properties. According to research, goldenseal is capable of promoting the healthy functioning of the colon, spleen and the pancreas. Goldenseal also works by enhancing the production of bile. [10]

Cedar Berries

A native fruit in the American Southwest, cedar berries are powerful grape-like fruits that promise to offer large amounts of health-promoting nutrients which are beneficial to the human body. The seeds and pods of cedar berries are believed to be effective in improving the functions of the digestive and pancreatic system of the body. By regulating the normal functioning of the pancreas, stabilized sugar levels are achieved. This in turn can be extremely helpful to those suffering from diabetes. [11]

Olive Leaves

Over time, many people have become more aware of olive leaves and their health benefits. These leaves actually contain powerful ingredients that help to improve the circulatory system, detoxify the blood, eradicate free radicals and lower blood pressure. In the long run, these benefits help to strengthen thyroid, liver, and pancreas functions.

Olive leaves contain oleuropein, a chemical compound that serves as the anti-inflammatory agent within the pancreas. It helps to reduce swelling and pain associated with pancreatitis. Furthermore, its oleic acid content is useful for getting rid of free radicals that impose significant cellular damage to the organ. Olive leaves were found to have the potential of also inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. [15] Research further shows that the use of olive leaves is beneficial for reducing one's risk for breast and pancreatic cancer. [12]

Licorice

Licorice is considered to be an excellent treatment for many pancreatic disorders - especially in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to research, licorice is fortified with anti-inflammatory compounds that work to reduce the pain and swelling associated with pancreatic conditions like pancreatitis. [13]

References:

[1] http://www.nativeremedies.com/ailment/symptoms-of-pancreas-problems.html

[2] http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/pancreatitis.htm

[3] http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070417114757.htm

[4] Selective induction of apoptosis and autophagy through treatment with dandelion root extract in human pancreatic cancer cells. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22647733

[5] The effect of Equisetum arvense L. (Equisetaceae) in histological changes of pancreatic beta-cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic in rats. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=horsetail%2C+pancreas

[6] Inhibitory effect of clonal oregano extracts against porcine pancreatic amylase in vitro. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15563448

[7] Long-term effects of Terminalia chebula Retz. on hyperglycemia and associated hyperlipidemia, tissue glycogen content and in vitro release of insulin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Terminalia+Chebula%2C+pancreas

[8] A new extract of the plant Calendula officinalis produces a dual in vitro effect: cytotoxic anti-tumor activity and lymphocyte activation. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=calendula%2C+pancreas

[9] http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/herbs_gentian.html

[10] http://www.globalherbalsupplies.com/herb_information/goldenseal.htm

[11] http://www.livestrong.com/article/550852-cedar-berry-dosages/

[12] http://www.soyouwanna.com/olive-leaf-extract-pancreas-healing-7876.html

[13] http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/herbal-pancreatitis-treatment.aspx

[14] Dónal O'Mathúna and Walter L. Larimore, Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook (Zondervan, 2001)

[15] http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.200800204/abstract

Article researched and created by Cathy Ongking and Elfe Cabanas, © herbs-info.com 2013