Most likely he told you to 'diet, exercise and take Avandia". The first two parts of his prescription are standard issue advice. The third part, involving a prescription drug, could have been deadly. The "black box" treatment was given.



Avandia, a popular diabetes drug from the Big Pharma firm called GlaxoSmithKline, was given the "black box" treatment by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2007. That means that a warning notice was required on all Avandia packaging alerting diabetics of potential heart attacks as a result of taking this product, recommended by your doctor.

Increasingly, the FDA has black boxed or recalled a number of drugs for diabetics, that once considered safe and effective were proven, after being on the market, to make the cure worse or more health threatening than the diabetic condition it was supposed to treat.

We get calls from Type 2 sufferers on a regular basis. For those that have been recently diagnosed as pre-diabetic or as having full blown diabetes, most are anxious about their doctors and the advice they dole out.

Here's the typical sequence most diabetics follow.

They find out they've got diabetes. Their doctor tells them to lose weight. They go to a dietician who tells them to eat boring foods. They go on crash diets, buying over-the-counter weight loss products. They don't lose any weight. Their blood sugar skyrockets and they get depressed. They start looking for natural alternatives to help them with their blood sugar and weight.

Throughout this process, many try to avoid prescription drugs. They heard the warnings. They've seen the recalls. They've come to dislike their doctors.

Based on calls we receive, the first source they go to for information on natural remedies is Kevin Trudeau, author of the Natural Cures book series.

Heavily promoted on television, this book has become the bible for many diabetics because they just don't know where to turn.

Mr. Trudeau is strongly against the Big Pharma approach to healing illnesses, including diabetes and he provides direction on finding alternative remedies.

Two of the most commonly asked questions diabetics have when they consider natural treatments are #1 Does it really work? And #2 Is it safe?

These are relevant questions that all diabetics considering a natural product should ask.

Regarding questions number one, an over-the-counter, generally available and bought online should have independent documentation to support all claims made. There should be clinical studies, conducted by reputable organizations, that support natural product benefits.

Regarding question number two, independent studies or evaluations, also conducted by reputable groups, such as a university medical center or testing lab, such as the Burdock Group should verify both short term and long term product safety.

There has been a flood of imported products, over the last few years, that have proven to have been adulterated, contain hazardous ingredients (such as lead, mercury and other heavy metals) or less-than stated active ingredients.

To guard against these types of products, diabetics seeking natural remedies should look for the USP or NF certification, guaranteeing that the products contained are of the highest quality and purity.

Natural remedies exist that can help diabetics control, even reverse their condition. By buying those that have documentation of claims, they can find effective and safe means to reduce blood sugar and weight.

For more information on supplements and diabetes click on the link below and type the word "supplements" into the search box.