Another Drug Pales In Comparison To Dietary Changes

A recent study, entitled “10-Year Follow-up of Diabetes Incidence and Weight Loss in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study,” has concluded that changing dietary habits is much more effective for reducing the incidence of diabetes than taking Metformin.  The main use for metformin is in the treatment of diabetes mellitus type 2, especially in overweight people.  Metformin improves high blood sugar primarily through its suppression of glucose production in the liver.

Here is the major finding of the study: (Diabetes Prevention Program Research Group

Lancet. 2009;374:1677-1686) “Diabetes incidence was reduced by 58% with intensive lifestyle change and by 31% with metformin compared with placebo.”

This clearly shows that changing lifestyle and dietary habits is much more effective for reducing the incidence of diabetes than taking a pharmaceutical. I cannot possibly understand why anyone would prefer to take a drug to reduce the risk of diabetes, when changing diet is a much more superior way to improve health.  To illustrate, I will compare the side effects of dietary changes with the side effects of Metformin.

Side Effects of Diet Change:

• Increased energy
• Better sleep
• Better mood
• Increased vitality
• Better productivity
• Weight loss
• Improving cholesterol numbers
• Reduction of cardiac risk

Side Effects of Metformin:

• Diarrhea — occurring in up to 53.2 percent of people
• Nausea or vomiting — in up to 25.5 percent
• Gas — in up to 12.1 percent
• Weakness — in up to 9.2 percent
• Indigestion — in up to 7.1 percent
• Abdominal discomfort (or stomach discomfort) — in up to 6.4 percent
• Headache — in up to 5.7 percent

The comparison is relatively clear.  Dietary changes are documented to have very little “side effect,” if any.  The changes usually only benefit the participant.  Pharmaceuticals are notorious for side effects as evidenced by the published rates I have quoted above.

This study is great news.  It confirms that the way to be healthy is through diet and nutrition, not synthetic drugs. If you are concerned about your risk for diabetes, talk to a health practitioner that will work with your diet and not just write you a quick prescription.  Pharmaceutical giants would have you believe their drugs are the only way, but it simply is not the truth.  Changing lifestyle habits is the only true way to get healthy.

[Via http://thevreelandclinic.wordpress.com]