Health Impact of Drugs

Just like any other drug, these diabetic drugs create biochemical and hormonal dependencies within your body that can lead to long-term damage to your cells and organs.

If you are taking one of these drugs, it may be difficult to believe this, because you feel fine, you do not feel any discomfort or side effects.

However, many of the side effects will not be felt for several years, maybe even longer. But, eventually the following scenario will occur:

1. The drug loses its effectiveness and your blood glucose level starts to rise.
2. Your doctor increases the dosage to bring your blood glucose level back to the normal range.
3. If this doesn't work, your doctor adds a new drug.
4. Eventually when the oral drugs lose their effectiveness to lower your blood glucose level, your doctor will put you on insulin.

I know that you're probably thinking that if you keep taking the oral drugs and watch what you eat, you won't have to go on insulin. 

But, that's not true. Why? Because while you were taking the drugs, the diabetes continued to progress (silently) and cause damage to more and more cells in your body. Eventually, the damage becomes so widespread that your doctor has to either increase your dosage, add another drug, or put you on insulin.

Read Chapters 3, 12, 14 and 15 of Death to Diabetes to learn how to decrease the damage caused by the long-term use of these drugs.

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?

The author has nothing against drugs -- in fact, drugs saved his life!

He believes that drugs are important and especially critical in acute life-threatening situations, such as what he experienced.

However, long-term use of these drugs causes too much damage to the organs and tissues.

Consequently, a non-drug solution would provide the best opportunity for optimum health.

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:

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.

Top-selling Prescription Drugs

In order of number of prescriptions written in 2010, the 10 most-prescribed drugs in the U.S. are:

Links to Science-based Web Pages

Diabetes Overview

Pathophysiology

Etiology

Epidemiology

Diabetic Drugs

Unfortunately, most diabetics are "tricked" into taking the diabetic drug metformin (Glucophage), because the drug helps to lower their blood glucose to the normal range.

But, the doctor fails to tell the diabetic that the drug does absolutely nothing to stop the spread of the cell and tissue damage being caused by the diabetes! In fact, over a period of years, the drug actually causes damage to the liver and kidneys!

If you have have an adverse reaction to the drug (such as an upset stomach) your doctor will not tell you why this is happening -- instead, he/she will just put you on a different drug.

So, be careful, not to jump at taking this drug!  Once you start down the "path of prescription drugs", your doctor will eventually add one or two additional drugs, which is going to make it difficult for you to wean off the drugs later on.

Western Medicine uses various types of diabetic drugs such as metformin (Glucophage), glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta) and glipizide (Glucotrol) to "treat" your diabetes.

So, do these drugs work?

It depends on your point of view.

These drugs help to (artificially) lower your blood glucose level, so that it seems that the drugs are working.

On the other hand, the drugs do absolutely nothing to help your body get rid of the diabetes! So, from that viewpoint, the drugs aren't working.

In fact, these drugs contribute to long-term cellular and tissue damage that leads to gastrointestinal problems, kidney failure, liver failure, and other health issues that your doctor may not mention to you.

Recently, the New England Journal of Medicine published a study that was supposed to prove what drug strategy for diabetics works the best.  The study participants took several common diabetes drugs along with varied insulin treatments (once, twice, or three times per day). 

But, the researchers were disappointed to find out that none of their strategies worked!  The researchers appeared confused – unable to explain why their study didn’t work.

Let me explain why their study failed.  Using insulin in a type 2 diabetic is a last ditch effort and should be avoided if at all possible.  Insulin transports sugar out of the blood – but it must put it somewhere.  All too often it forces the formation of fat, leading to weight gain and deteriorating health.  If sugar is forced into cells that don’t want it, it will kill them.  In other words, insulin injections don’t fix anything.  Apparently the only thing doctors now know how to treat is numbers on paper.  If you want to fix someone with type 2 diabetes you need to get metabolic fitness restored.  That means a good diet, periodic exercise, and nutrients that help the body use sugar properly.

Big Mistake!: Many diabetics believe that they are controlling their diabetes with these drugs. But, they're not!!

The drugs are actually hiding the symptoms of the diabetes, making  diabetics think that they're "controlling" their diabetes -- creating a false sense of security!

In the meantime, the diabetes is still running rampant, causing organ, tissue, and blood vessel damage that goes undetected for years!

The top-selling prescription drugs in the U.S. are the drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol -- which happen to be the three major drugs given to most Type 2 diabetics.

In addition, these drugs do not stop the development of diabetic complications such as amputation, kidney failure or heart attack.

In fact, several recent studies have shown that some high blood pressure and cholesterol medications can actually fuel or cause diabetes!

If you find this hard to believe, just visit any of the pharmaceutical websites or google on "diabetic drug side effects" -- do your own research.

For more information about the dangers of these diabetes drugs and their side effects, go to this link: More About Diabetes Drugs

Because of the damage that some drugs can cause to your liver and kidneys, ensure that you get the critical blood tests to determine your current state of health, and also to ensure your health is not being damaged by the drugs. Don't assume that your doctor is getting all the right tests done for you. Some people have died suddenly because they didn't get a complete set of blood tests and, therefore, were not diagnosed properly.

If you want to know more about the drug companies and their kickback payments to the doctors, go to this link: Drug Companies and Kickbacks

If you're taking Lipitor or one of the other cholesterol-lowering drugs, you definitely need to read this web page about the cholesterol-heart disease hoax!

For more information about the dangers of high blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, go to this link: High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol (Statin) Drugs

Note!: Just because you don't feel any discomfort such as an upset stomach or headache, does not mean that your body is not experiencing any side effects!! Most side effects such as liver/kidney damage go undetected for years!

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!

The Truth About Your Doctor
Your medical doctor is not trained to help you with nutrient-deficient and lifestyle-driven illnesses such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic fatigue, and some forms of heart disease. 

Doctors spend several years in medical school and internship, but most of their course work is centered on pharmacology. In addition, most medical universities are funded by the pharmaceutical companies who influence the course curriculum!

Medical doctors can only offer you two solutions to deal with your diabetes: drugs and surgery.

Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian but the dietitian will support the doctor's drug recommendations. In addition, the dietitian knows very little about the science of diabetes pathology, and they tend to put you on a calorie-restrictive low-fat diet, which doesn't really address the diabetes. Dietitians tend to focus on weight loss, which may work temporarily but you're still diabetic and you're still taking the dangerous diabetic drugs.

But, that doesn't mean your doctor can't help you! Your doctor can help you by providing a proper medical diagnosis, your medical blood tests and other key data that you will need to work with an alternative healthcare practitioner. Always obtain a copy of your blood test results and physical exam results from your doctor or his/her assistant.

So, what do you do next now that you know that your doctor can't really help you with your diabetes?

You should still schedule appointments with your doctor, other doctors and other members of your diabetes healthcare team on a regular basis.

Educate yourself about diabetes and drugs, and stop being a victim, and become a victor of wellness. Take back the power and take back your life.

Join a comprehensive diabetes wellness program such as the Death to Diabetes program. Such a program will educate you about diabetes and nutrition, and will improve your diabetes and overall health.

Find an alternative healthcare practitioner that has the proper background in science and nutrition. Use both your medical doctor and your alternative healthcare practitioner to optimize your health. If you can't find an alternative healthcare practitioner in your area, contact our office to set up an appointment with one of our altrnative healthcare practitioners or diabetes educators.

Key Point: Don't assume that just because a healthcare professional is involved in alternative medicine that they can help you with your diabetes! Most of the following alternative healthcare professionals are ill-equipped to help you with your diabetes: dietitians, nutritionists, diabetes educators, chiropractors, herbalists, wellness consultants, holistic practitioners,  acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, etc. Ensure that the person has the science background in diabetes pathology and nutrition by interviewing the person before you give him/her any of your money! Be wary if they offer a guarantee but require full payment!

Drug Scenario for Most Type 2 Diabetics

Based on working with thousands of diabetics, we hear the same story over and over. It goes something like this:

Once you're diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may suggest that you try diet and exercise,  and refer you to a local diabetes educator, dietitian or nutritionist -- knowing full well that you're going to fail.

You try to eat better and exercise, but life is just too busy to make a lot of changes - especially when we love certain foods that we've been eating for the last 20-30 years.

Eventually, your doctor tells you that you have to go on a diabetic drug like metformin (Glucophage), which is the most common drug (in pill form) for Type 2 diabetics.

Note; This is the most common method for treating diabetics initially, but it should be  the least common method and should be used as a last resort!

Unfortunately, many of us choose drugs as our first option because drugs are convenient, and we mistakenly believe that the drugs give us a free pass such that we can continue to stuff our mouths with the junk food that's killing us.

So, you start out taking one diabetic drug, usually metformin (Glucophage) -- usually 500mg  or 1000mg twice a day.

We believe the drugs are really working because our blood sugar level comes down once we start taking the drug. And, we relax, thinking everything is okay.

Eventually, over a period of years, your diabetes gets worse so your doctor gives you another pill. In addition, your doctor  puts you on a high blood pressure drug (i.e. ACE inhibitor such as Lisinopril, a water pill such as hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ) and a high cholesterol drug (i.e. a statin drug such as Lipitor).

In the meantime, your diabetes gets worse because the drugs aren't really doing anything to fight the diabetes -- but, you're now taking 4 or 5 or 6 different drugs! (Some people take as many as 16 different drugs!)

Then, it's just a matter of time before you begin experiencing one or more of the complications of diabetes. Usually, it's the kidneys (protein leaking in the urine) or the eyes (blurry vision), sores or ulcers on the legs or feet, or you begin feeling pain or tingling in your feet.

You may also begin feeling really  tired all the time, you're gaining more weight, you notice sores and cuts are not healing as fast, and you lose interest in sex -- not because you don't want to, but because you can't! Men especially suffer with erectile dysfunction -- but, they just take another pill!

These complications lead to more drugs, and eventually kidney dialysis, surgery on the eyes , surgery on the lower limbs or feet (amputation), and more visits to the hospital, followed up by hospice or home care.

Unfortunately, during this time, the diabetic pills stop working, so your doctor eventually puts you on insulin. You're surprised and shocked that you have to go on insulin, but eventually you give in because your blood sugar is coming down.

Once you start taking insulin, you begin to gain even more weight! -Why? Because insulin is a fat-storage hormone that makes us fat! And, as we get fatter, we require even more insulin! This is known as the "insulin addiction trap", which is explained in the book "Death to Diabetes".

So, did any of this sound familiar to you?

The sad thing about all of this is that it was all preventable! And, you can still stop it today! It's not too late! However, you must want to stop it -- you're the only one who can ...

Author's Note: I know this is hard to believe, but, think about it: Have you ever heard of anyone really getting better once they started taking the diabetic pills?

Financial Impact of Diabetic Drugs

CHICAGO – Americans with diabetes nearly doubled their spending on drugs for the disease in just six years, with the bill last year climbing to an eye-popping $12.5 billion.

During a medical conference, after Mr. McCulley gave one of his inspirational talks, a couple of the pharmaceutical company reps told him:

"You have a great story, but you're wasting your time. People won't listen to you. People prefer to take our drugs instead of change the way they eat. It's easier to pop up pill than change your diet."

Mr. McCulley disagreed with them, but they said: "Okay, you're an engineer, right? Just take a look at the numbers: There are millions of diabetics who take our drugs, and we make billions of dollars off those drugs, and our revenues are going up every year."

Another pharmaceutical rep said: "And, it's not just the diabetes drugs. We make a lot of money off the pain medications, the cholesterol drugs, and high blood pressure drugs -- just to name a few."

The first pharmaceutical rep said: "People are hypocrites." They tell you they love your story, but they don't buy your book. Instead, they buy our drugs."    
              
Another pharmaceutical rep joined in on the conversation, and said: "I heard you mention that you're trying to get on TV, radio, and Facebook.  You're wasting your time.

We control a lot of the TV ads. TV isn't going to risk losing big revenue from us to air your story. Radio is passé -- who listens to the radio? And, forget about Facebook! People don't want to hear about diabetes and dieting on Facebook. People like to gossip -- that's why Facebook is so popular."

The second rep: "Yeah, you should give up while you still have your dignity."

Mr. McCulley was steaming on the inside, but he smiled and said: "You underestimate the will of the people. They're tired of being lied to, they're tired of being sick and relying on your drugs. They're going to rise up against you and reject your drugs. It's already starting to happen.  People are smarter and more resourceful than you think. You'll see ..."

All the reps walked away from Mr. McCulley, laughing loudly and shaking their heads ...

[Mr. McCulley told us later: "Wow, nobody is going to believe this! I wished I had taped that conversation ...]

Let's take that smirky smile off their faces. Please help us (and you help the world!) in the fight against diabetes and the drug companies by becoming a Fan of Death to Diabetes and by joining us on Facebook.