If your doctor diagnoses you with type 2 diabetes, chances are you will walk out the appointment with a prescription for metformin.
It’s by far the world’s most popular diabetes drug.1 More than 48 million prescriptions are filled every year just in the U.S.2 As you might guess, the medication is a huge profit-maker for drug companies. It brings in more than $1.5 billion a year for Big Pharma.3
But a disturbing new study reveals a devastating side effect.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York looked at more than 3,000 people with high blood sugar. They followed them for 13 years.4
Scientists found that metformin users had double the risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. About 4% of patients on the drug were deficient. And another 20% of metformin users had borderline low levels. B12 deficiency has serious consequences.
Metformin’s Dangerous Side Effect
“Severe and prolonged B12 deficiency has been linked to impaired cognition and dementia,” said lead study author Dr. Jill P. Crandall.
Low B12 can also cause irreversible nerve damage and anemia. An earlier studied showed that 77% of metformin users low on B12 suffered from peripheral neuropathy. This is a common form of nerve damage.5
This means it’s vital for metformin users to have their B12 levels checked. It’s a simple test available in any doctor’s office. If you’re deficient, take a vitamin B12 supplement. The dosage will depend on how deficient you are.
Reverse Your Diabetes Naturally
Even mainstream doctors are catching on to the fact that you can reverse diabetes without drugs. A new British study found that diet changes alone can cure type 2 diabetes.6
Study subjects went on an eight-week, 700-calorie-a-day diet. Almost half the study participants saw their diabetes go into remission. They remained diabetes-free six months later… Even after they went back to a normal diet.
Here are other natural ways to fight diabetes:
- Take fish oil. A Swedish study found fish oil contributes to healthy gut bacteria. This leads to weight loss and better insulin reaction.7
- Drink coffee. People who drink coffee every day are 54% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.8
- Get more beta-carotene. Increasing dietary beta-carotene lowers type 2 diabetes risk 22%, according to Dutch study.9 Foods rich in beta-carotene include carrots, yams, spinach, and kale.
Why are diabetes rates skyrocketing? There are hidden triggers increasing your diabetes risk right now. Ones you’d never expect…
Like the toxic chemical found in dozens of products you have in your home. It doubles your chances of developing diabetes as you age…
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In Good Health,
Angela Salerno
Executive Director, INH Health Watch
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References:
1http://consumer.healthday.com/diabetes-information-10/type-ii-diabetes-news-183/metformin-beats-other-leading-diabetes-meds-in-analysis-710112.html
2http://www.clinicalcorrelations.org/?p=4888
3http://www.fiercepharma.com/special-report/top-20-generic-molecules-worldwide
4 http://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-metformin-b12-deficiency-idUSKCN0WC211
5http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20090608/metformin-linked-to-b12-deficiency
6http://www.mcknights.com/news/study-dramatic-change-in-diet-reversed-type-2-diabetes/article/490921/
7http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/news/20090608/metformin-linked-to-b12-deficiency
8http://www.nature.com/ejcn/journal/v69/n11/full/ejcn201598a.html
9 http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Dietary-carotenoids-linked-to-lower-type-2-diabetes-risks-in-healthy-adults