Mention the word 'Avandia' to most Type 2 diabetics and you're sure to get them riled up. This prescription drug, recommended by many doctors and used by hundreds of thousands of diabetes sufferers, is symbolic of the shortcomings plaguing our medical industry today. Consumer's next step: A re-visit to the Internet, and a search for an all-natural herbal supplement.



Big Pharma touted 'Avandia' as a remedy for lowering blood sugar levels. And your own trusted doctor believed them, prescribing it for you, and many other Type 2 sufferers, nationwide.

Unfortunately, both members of the medical community were mistaken.

This Type 2 panacea turned out to be worse than the illness it was supposed to remedy. As a result, scores of people died of heart ailments caused by Avandia.

If this one product were the exception, most people would look beyond it for an alternative prescription solution to high blood sugar and excessive weight levels.

But other drugs, believed to be both effective and safe, either prove to be otherwise, or they cause unforeseen problems.

Today, a number of prescription drugs compete for your dollars.

Unfortunately, many of them work to lower blood sugar levels, but have the nasty side effect of causing weight gain - a vicious self-defeating cycle of unresolved diabetic symptoms, diarrhea - a not uncommon side effect.

Is it any wonder that Natural Cures, the book series authored and promoted by Kevin Trudeau is one of the biggest sellers of the last ten years?

Diabetic sufferers are tired or just plain scared of synthetic products, concocted in laboratories that make a bad illness worse or even fatal.

That's why many Type 2 diabetics are looking for an alternative, natural or herbal solution to high blood sugar and excess weight.

We hear from diabetes sufferers' everyday. We know that they want to re-gain their health and take control of their life. But there's a bewildering number of products being marketed today, many over the Internet, that may or may not work.

Here are the most commonly asked questions we hear from diabetics, seeking a natural solution:

How Do I know if the natural supplement I buy works?

This is a great question. There's a lot of snake oil on the Internet today - most of it just doesn't work. To separate the good from the bad, look for the following: Clinical tests documenting benefits of the product; USP or NF certification attesting to product purity, accurate dosage and quality of manufacturing level; and make sure that it's manufactured according to GMP standards. Many of the natural or herbal supplements sold over the Internet or over-the-counter are not what they say they are. This means weak doses, deadly ingredients or unsanitary manufacturing conditions can make them dangerous to your health.

How Do I know if there are any side effects from taking a natural supplement?

Always consult with your doctor before taking any Type 2 remedy. This is especially true if you are taking a prescription drug and want to supplement it with an over-the-counter remedy. Most reputable supplement suppliers will subject their product to short and long term safety testing. Look for documentation from independent groups, such as Burdock Group or certification, such as GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe). In any case, it's always recommended that you talk things over with your physician first.

How much do natural supplements cost compared to prescription remedies?

This is a commonly asked question. Because of the wide range of prices, both for prescription and non-prescription products, it's difficult to say. However, prescription drugs are generally 3-4 times more expensive, on a daily dosage basis, than most over-the-counter remedies.

So, be healthy and safe and become the doctor's worst nightmare-the educated patient with questions.