THE GREATEST MEDICINE OF ALL… IS TEACHING PEOPLE HOW NOT TO NEED IT
These Drugs Increase Your Risk of Suffering a "Diabetic Emergency" by 300 Percent
Written by Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D.
As I often say, newer prescription drugs aren't always better. In fact, they're rarely better.
And that's certainly the case with a new class of oral Type II diabetes drugs, which were found in a new study to significantly increase your risk of suffering a potentially deadly "diabetic emergency."
Let's dive right in…
It takes seven years to really learn about new drugs
As you know, I recommend avoiding most prescription drugs on the market. And you should be especially wary of trying any new drug that hasn't been on the market for at least seven years. Because at that point, millions of people on the open market have tried it out, not just a few thousand in a clinical trial, and we typically have a more complete picture of a drug's side effects.
Indeed, the new class of Type II diabetes drugs called sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors—which includes canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin—was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just over seven years ago in 2013. And doctors have written about 1.7 million prescriptions for them annually ever since.
They're supposed to work by forcing the kidneys to remove sugar from the body through the urine. But in the seven years since the FDA approved them, the agency has issued warning after warning for serious side effects—ranging from increased risk of urinary tract infections to bone fractures to gangrene.
And now, the new study shows that people who take them run a significant risk of developing a potentially fatal complication that had been seen more often in people with Type I diabetes…but rarely in people with Type II diabetes.
Here's why…
New drugs raise risk of deadly complication of Type I diabetes
When someone has Type I diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, the beta-islet cells of the pancreas can't make insulin. And when they don't have insulin to push sugar from their blood into their cells, the body turns to burning stored fat for energy.
However, as a byproduct of this fat-burning process, the body produces ketones. And if someone with Type I diabetes goes untreated and doesn't get their insulin injection, these ketones can build up in the blood to dangerous levels, causing a potentially fatal complication called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Experts consider DKA a "diabetic emergency" that requires hospitalization. But it's rarely seen in people with Type II diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, because they usually still make enough insulin on their own to prevent it. (Remember, with Type II diabetes, the pancreas still makes insulin…but the cells become resistant to its effects.)
But the new study found that SGLT2 inhibitors actually cause DKA in people with Type II diabetes…
A 300 percent higher risk of suffering DKA
The new study followed more than 200,000 men and women with Type II diabetes who took SGLT2s to control their blood sugar. Over the study period, more than 500 of the men and women developed DKA. Which means these drugs increase DKA risk by a staggering 300 percent!
So, essentially, the new drugs perform the terrible trick of turning stable, manageable Type II diabetes into potentially fatal Type I diabetes!
The worst part is that there's no reason for anyone with Type II diabetes to ever take one of these drugs, as there are dozens of safe, effective, and natural ways to control your blood sugar without putting your life at risk.
Add These Seven Heart-healthy Foods to Your Diet in the New
Year
It's a new year, and cardiovascular disease still remains the No. 1 killer of Americans—as it has been for decades. In fact, each year, it causes more deaths than cancer and respiratory diseases combined.
One-third of your cardiovascular disease risk stems from a family history or your so-called "genetics."
But the other two-thirds relates directly to diet and lifestyle!
So, today, let's look at seven delicious, healthy foods that can help you reduce your risk of developing this all-too-common, deadly disease…
Seven tasty foods to add to the menu in 2021
1.) Avocadoes. This once-exotic food contains loads of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, in one study of almost 18,000 men and women, those who regularly enjoyed avocadoes slashed their risk of developing metabolic syndrome by an impressive 50 percent.
2.) Berries. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and raspberries are not only delicious….they also all contain concentrated doses of antioxidants called anthocyanins, which protect against inflammation and oxidative stress—two major causes of cardiovascular disease.
Just remember to bypass the conventionally grown berries and opt only for organic berries. They're more expensive, but that's because they don't contain the harmful pesticide residue found on most conventionally grown berries
3.) Garlic. Garlic has been studied for years for its ability to reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Like berries, it seems to work by reducing chronic inflammation. And in one recent study, garlic tablets worked as well as prescription drugs to "significantly" reduce blood pressure in men and women diagnosed with "stage 1" hypertension.
But instead of taking a tablet, I recommend simply adding more fresh garlic to your cooking for a potent, natural, food dose. You can add a clove of fresh, minced garlic to olive oil, vinegar, lemon, and parmesan as a light, heart-healthy vinaigrette to drizzle over your salad greens.
4.) Green, leafy and cruciferous vegetables. A recent, major study published in the Journal of Epidemiology found that eating green, leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables reduced cardiovascular disease risk by almost 20 percent. Plus, this healthy habit even reduces your mortality rate!
Both leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables seem to protect your heart by reducing inflammation and blood pressure and supporting healthy circulation.
Of course, there are plenty of green, leafy vegetables from which to choose, including arugula, bok choy, collards, kale, spinach, and swiss chard. Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage.
5.) Legumes. Multiple studies show that eating legumes (beans, lentils, and peas) lowers your risk of developing cardiovascular disease. And, according to Harvard researchers, eating legumes every day can even treat the disease! In fact, in one study, men and women who ate a cup of legumes a day experienced significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in just three months.
6.) Nuts. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now admits that eating walnuts supports heart health. But studies suggest the benefits aren't just limited to walnuts. Many types of nuts (and even peanut butter) protect the heart and lower disease risk
In fact, in a 2009 study, consuming five servings per week of any type of nut (or peanut butter) lowered cardiovascular disease risk by an impressive 46 percent! And that study involved women with Type II diabetes. So, just imagine what it will do to men and women without a confounding factor! All you need is one handful a day. Though, I typically recommend skipping the sugar-laden peanut butters and reaching for whole nuts, like almonds, cashews, peanuts, and more.
7.) Wild-caught seafood. In October of 2016 a major meta-analysis of 19 different studies involving more than 45,000 men and women found that people with the highest omega-3 fatty acid levels have a 25 percent lower risk of dying from a heart attack than those with the lowest levels. And of course, fatty fish like salmon is an excellent source of these heart-healthy omega-3s.
As always, I suggest opting for wild-caught fish—not farm-raised. Farm raised are much lower in nutrition and quality than wild caught. In addition, most people still need to take a fish oil supplement to get the optimal amounts of omega-3s.
Soda Linked to Alzheimer's Dementia and Cancer
I recently told you that drinking soda can cause weight gain and contribute to Type II diabetes. But research also shows drinking soda causes many other far-reaching health problems. Including major and profound brain changes.
In fact, scientists at Macquarie University in Australia recently found that consuming sugary drinks cause changes in the brain similar to those seen in Alzheimer's dementia. In this lab study, scientists fed rats sugary water similar to sugar concentrations found in soda. Just 26 days later, they found profound changes in areas of the brain associated with memory. In addition, they found alterations in 290 different brain proteins. As well as long-lasting behavioral changes, including hyperactivity.
Research also shows soda can cause osteoporosis. You see, phosphoric acid—which gives soda its tangy taste—leaches calcium from bones. In fact, researchers from Tufts University in Boston found that women who drink soda had lower bone density, which put them at greater risk for hip fractures at older ages. Even among teen girls, who are the most poorly nourished segment of the population, the researchers found a strong link between soda and bone fractures.
Numerous studies also link soda to cancer. These studies shouldn't surprise anyone who knows their chemistry. You see, when sodium benzoate (used in sodas) mixes with vitamin C it creates benzene, a chemical solvent recognized as a human carcinogen.
Here again, you don't have to drink much soda to increase your risk…
In fact, a Chinese study found that just two or more soft drinks per week doubles the risk of the deadly pancreatic cancer. Soda is particularly hard on your pancreas because it introduces high levels of sugar rapidly into the blood stream. As a result, the pancreas must produce extra insulin, which can lead to the development and/or promotion of cancer cells. (Of course, Metformin, the Type II diabetes drug based on an ancient herbal remedy, reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer up to five-fold, probably by reducing unhealthy, excess stimulation of pancreatic cells.)
In yet another study, researchers linked soda to endometrial cancer in women. They followed 23,000 postmenopausal women for 25 years. And found that women who drank the most soda or other sugary drinks per week increased their risk of endometrial cancer by a whopping 78 percent.
Soda also appears to affect your heart health…
In a recent study, researchers found that drinking a single, 12-ounce soda per day increased the risk of having a heart attack—and dying from it—by 20 percent. In another study at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, researchers found that a diet high in high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) increases high blood pressure by risk up to 87 percent.
Of course, drinking soda also causes tooth decay, especially when the raw sugar washes over your teeth with every sip. In addition, the phosphoric acid and/or citric acid in soda changes the pH (acid/balance) of saliva. This condition can cause tooth enamel to erode. In fact, according to the Academy of General Dentistry, drinking large amounts of soda could be as damaging to your teeth as methamphetamine or crack cocaine.
This Simple Habit Helps Ward off Infections, Heart Palpitations,
and Much More
Dehydration is a serious problem that can affect anyone…at any age…at any time of year. And it's especially common among older adults.
Plus, when dehydration strikes an older person, it's often mistaken for something else, as it can cause sudden mental confusion, a drop in blood pressure, an abnormal heart beat or palpitations, angina (chest pain), recurrent urinary tract infections, coma, and even death.
So, today, let's discuss why dehydration poses such a big risk as you get older…and what you can do to prevent it.
Dehydration is common among older adults
Normally, your body tells you to drink when it's time to replenish your fluids. In fact, studies show the amount of water (or liquids) you drink to satisfy your "thirst sensation" naturally matches your fluid needs.
However, this natural "thirst sensation" stops working when you drink sugary beverages, such as soft drinks, energy drinks, or sports drinks. It also diminishes as we age. So, older people tend to drink less because they simply don't feel as thirsty.
Plus, older adults who live alone (or continue to face social isolation as the coronavirus pandemic drags on) also tend to drink fewer liquids—increasing their risk of becoming dehydrated.
Not to mention, certain health conditions (such as Type II
diabetes and kidney disease) and common medications (such as diuretics) can
also cause dehydration.
Of course, older people with mobility or incontinence problems may purposefully limit fluid intake because they have trouble getting to the kitchen or bathroom themselves. And even healthy adults tend to limit their fluids in the evening so they don't have to get up to visit the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Tips for staying optimally hydrated
As I've reported before, there's no scientific evidence supporting the need to obsessively glug gallons of water throughout the day. In fact, constantly guzzling water can disrupt your electrolyte balance—causing brain and heart problems and even death (especially if you're on a low-salt diet).
Instead, simply aim to take in about a cup of liquid every two hours. Feel free to enjoy many different types of beverages, besides just plain water…including herbal infusions, herbal teas, coconut water, milk, broth-based soups, and coffee. (Remember, science shows drinking coffee does NOT cause dehydration. And on the contrary, it can count toward your daily fluid intake.)
Now, I know a lot of older adults enjoy a cup of juice in the morning as part of their traditional breakfast. Just remember, prepackaged juices such as "cranberry juice cocktail" often contain a ton of added sugars. So—make sure you choose a brand made with 100 percent whole juice and no added sugars. You can also make your own freshly squeezed juice and smoothies in the morning using whole fruits.
Eating six to eight whole fruits and vegetables throughout the day can also help improve your hydration. Some of the most-hydrating whole fruits include: melons, oranges, peaches, pineapple, tangerines, and watermelons. (Remember, eating whole fruits does NOT cause the same metabolic problems as eating table sugar. Plus, whole fruits contain important fiber and nutrients, like B vitamins and vitamin C.) Some of the most- hydrating whole vegetables include: celery, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, tomatoes (technically, a type of fruit), and zucchini.
To help stay hydrated on a cellular level, I recommend adding South African Rooibos Tea (also called "aspal" or "red bush") to your (hot or cold) drinking water. Rooibos also helps fire up your mitochondria, your cells' energy factories. Organic Rooibos tea is available online and it tastes good! Here is a good link: Rooibos Tea on Amazon
Until next time, stay healthy and happy
JD Roma
The information on this blog is provided for educational
purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and
medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you
have, a health problem you should consult your physician (preferably a
Naturopath).
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