Dear Health Conscious Reader,
An FDA panel has just ruled that the diabetes drug Avandia should remain on the market.
This despite the fact that it’s been linked to 83,000 heart attacks and 304 deaths.1,2
Well… that sounds like great news for GlaxoSmithKline, who makes the drug. But I don’t think anyone should ever take any drugs like this. Here’s why…
Most diabetes drugs like Avandia regulate dangerous blood-sugar levels. But diabetes is NOT caused by high blood sugar. It’s caused by insulin resistance – meaning cells don’t respond adequately to insulin.
And this problem can be managed completely through choosing the right food.
You see, when you eat, your body breaks down sugars into glucose, and insulin carries it to your cells for energy. But if you eat too many high-sugar foods – or foods that convert to blood sugar too quickly, it can cause sugar overload in your blood. And that leads to diabetes. Not to mention weight and heart problems.
So it all really boils down to what you eat. That’s what regulates insulin. The glycemic index measures how quickly foods break down into sugar in your bloodstream. And the best way to beat diabetes is to eat foods with a low-glycemic index.
Now, you may be thinking that translates to eating no sweets. But that’s not the case at all. You can eat all the sweet things you want. As long as they’re “naturally” sweet.
The real foods you need to avoid are starchy, high-carb foods.
Take corn bread, for example. It’s not sweet at all. But its glycemic index is higher than cherries, ice cream, or even a Snickers bar.
That’s because starchy, high-carb foods spike your blood sugar longer than straight sugar does. In fact, eating an average serving of french fries is like eating a couple of tablespoons of sugar every half an hour for four hours straight.
So, if your doctor recommends Avandia… say NO.
Instead, try my plan below. I’ve used it to successfully treat hundreds of diabetics and prediabetics in my practice. It can prevent insulin-related problems, including obesity, pre-diabetes, and diabetes – safely and naturally.
- Drink green tea: The antioxidant in green tea, EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), has been found to lower blood-sugar levels just as effectively as Avandia – without the side effects. Find a brand that’s low in fluoride, which is toxic for the body.3
- Stay away fr high-fructose corn syrup: It contributes to insulin resistance. Fructose is converted to fat more than other sweeteners. It’s even been linked to obesity. Also, be sure to eliminate all processed foods your diet. They’re loaded with high-fructose corn syrup. Not to mention other harmful preservatives and additives.
- Choose good-quality protein: It’s “guilt-free” food. It won’t raise your blood sugar, and it helps your body handle insulin better, and build muscle and repair tissue. That’s all essential for staying lean and preventing diabetes. Grass-fed beef, free-range poultry, cage-free eggs, and wild-caught salmon are all good choices.
- Avoid all grains: This includes breads, pasta, cereal, rice, and corn. These are high-glycemic index foods that will spike your blood sugar.
- Exercise large muscle groups: The best workouts for people with blood-sugar concerns are ones that work the leg and back muscles. These are your biggest muscles. And working them demands more energy, which helps to lower your blood sugar. Plan your workouts to last 15 or 20 minutes with periods of rest and high-intensity bursts. Short-duration, high-intensity exercise, like my PACE program, is better for supporting normal blood sugar and promoting insulin sensitivity.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
- Harris, Gardiner. “Research Ties Diabetes Drug to Heart Woes.” New York Times; February 19, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010 http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/20/health/policy/20avandia.html
- “Senate Report Links Diabetes Drug Avandia to Heart Attacks,” February 19, 2010. Retrieved August 16, 2010 http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/02/20/avandia.study/index.html
- European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting in Amsterdam, Netherlands September 19, 2007. “Green Tea Helps Diabetic Mice Much like Glaxo Pill.” The China Post; September 21, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2010 http://www.chinapost.com.tw/health/2007/09/21/123432/Green-tea.htm