Diabetes Retreat: NIH Halts Diabetes Study Due to Death Spike
The National Institutes for Heath (NIH) has promptly dropped a study–dubbed ACCORD–which tested the potential benefits to diabetics who get their blood sugar to normal levels for non-diabetics, rather than recommended levels for diabetics. Apparently, 257 patients died in the study. Here were some of the key findings:
- None of the medications used seemed to be linked.
- While heart attacks were lower among the treated than the non-treated , the heart attacks were more likely to be fatal than for the non-treated.
- There were more sudden death instances among the treated group.
For diabetes sufferers, the NIH is recommending that they keep their blood sugar within a generally-accepted level (about 7 on the A1C scale).
Getting much below 7 does not appear to carry the positive consequences once believed. It will, however, be interesting to know what the causal factor was in the deaths. Were patients suffering from other challenges (obesity, hypertension)? If they were not obese, were they overweight? Were other metabolic processes impacted by the regimen? What kind of exercise regime did the affected patients pursue?
Also, could it be a question of how quickly the blood sugar was lowered? (I.e., could a more rapid lowering of blood sugar have caused a shock to various systems than a more gradual one?)
This does intrigue me. My late grandfather, my dad, and my ex all had/have type II diabetes.
I have reactive hypoglycemia, and the sudden rise and drop in my blood sugar levels will send me spinning. I spent years researching diet and experimenting with what foods work best for me at which times of the day (and month, perhaps tmi, but reality).
For some reason, it’s always been hard to convince people I eat well, even before these meds caused weight gain. My ex and close friends have always stepped up and confirmed my healthy diet b/c it’s always been so contrary to most. But if I don’t eat well, I’m sick. Sometimes just looking at anything with sugar can make me want to throw up … cause if I eat the sugar, my levels spike, then dive, and I am VERY sick.
The best way to manage diabetes is through natural remedies. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon daily will reduce blood glucose levels, as well as triglycerides. Fenugreek, gymnema silvestre, bitter melon and bilberry have also been known for hundreds of years to lower blood sugar levels.
Generally speaking, a diet heavy on whole grains, fruits and vegetables, along with reasonable amounts of exercise, will keep blood sugar levels steady.
Most pharmaceutical drugs have side effects, not the least of which is draining your bank account.
John: While I do not discourage natural remedies, I tend to encourage caution with respect to claims made by those promoting them.
To say that cinnamon–or fenugreek–may benefit type 2 diabees sufferers is a true statement: there are in fact studies that reflect this. On the other hand, it was cassia, not actual cinnamon, that had this effect.
On the other hand, to say that natural therapies are “the best” way is a subjective statement.
I tend to put cautions on those statements, as I don’t want people coming to this blog, seeing these recommendations, and then embarking on this type of therapy, then–when it doesn’t work (and let’s face it, no therapy works for everyone), they come after me with a lawsuit.
Ame: I’m at moderate risk for Type II. Runs in my family. That’s one more reason I’m keeping the weight down.