Type 2 diabetes is increasingly becoming an epidemic in developed nations. Statistics reveal a consistent rise in obesity, diabetes, and associated health issues such as heart disease, kidney problems, and peripheral neuropathy. Many experts believe this surge in diabetes is due to the widespread availability of sugar, sugary soft drinks, and major food corporations promoting addictive processed foods that are often cheaper and more heavily marketed than healthier options.
However, type 2 diabetes can be significantly reversed through dietary and lifestyle changes that substantially reduce or eliminate sugars and starches. Relying solely on medication or insulin to lower blood sugar does not improve health or prevent diabetes-related complications like stroke, heart attacks, infections, and kidney disease. In fact, using medications for lowering blood sugar has not been shown to decrease the risk of death from these complications.
These drugs also come with numerous harmful side effects, some of which can be fatal
The ACCORD study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2008, demonstrated this risk. This large study monitored 10,000 patients treated with insulin or blood sugar-lowering drugs, evaluating their risk of heart attack, strokes, and death. The National Institutes of Health had to end the study early due to increased rates of death, heart attacks, and strokes caused by the medical interventions.
Many traditional medical approaches to lower blood sugar increase insulin levels, which can be more harmful overall. For example, Avandia, a leading diabetes drug, led to over 50,000 lawsuits in the U.S. alone because its makers did not adequately inform patients about potential life-threatening side effects, including stroke, heart failure, and death.
While these drugs may lower blood glucose levels, there’s little evidence they reduce the risk of diabetes complications
Most diabetes medications aim to boost insulin levels to counteract rising glucose levels, but they come with side effects that can worsen diabetes complications. Commonly used diabetes medications and their primary side effects include:
- Metformin: Increases insulin sensitivity and lowers liver glucose production. Side effects are nausea, diarrhea, weight gain, and Vitamin B12 depletion, increasing neuropathy risks.
- Sulfonylureas: These help the body secrete more insulin. Side effects include low blood sugar and weight gain.
- Meglitinides: Stimulate more insulin secretion from the pancreas. Side effects are similar to sulfonylureas.
- Thiazolidinediones: Like metformin, these make the body’s tissues more sensitive to insulin. Linked to weight gain and increased risks of heart failure and fractures.
- SGLT2 inhibitors: Prevent kidneys from reabsorbing sugar, leading to its excretion in urine. Side effects include yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and hypotension.
- Insulin therapy: While it lowers blood glucose, it can cause weight gain, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, and increased fat storage. It also heightens the risk of cancer.
Insulin treatment has also been linked to a higher likelihood of developing cancers such as colon, breast, or prostate cancer.
On a more positive note, berberine, a natural plant extract, has proven as effective as diabetes medication in treating type 2 diabetes. Berberine can lower blood sugar, aid in weight loss, and improve heart health—benefits that many pharmaceutical diabetes medications cannot match. It’s also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, effective against diarrhea, intestinal parasites, Candida albicans, and possibly Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Berberine works by:
- Decreasing insulin resistance, making insulin more effective.
- Increasing glycolysis, the breakdown of glucose inside cells.
- Decreasing glucose production in the liver.
- Slowing carbohydrate digestion.
- Increasing beneficial gut bacteria.
Berberine is sourced from plants like goldthread, Oregon grape root, barberry, tree turmeric, and goldenseal. It has been a part of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for over 2,500 years and is now widely studied in modern medicine.
Studies show berberine’s efficacy in lowering blood glucose as effectively as metformin, without the adverse side effects. Notably, it also reduces A1C, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and blood pressure—outcomes that metformin doesn’t achieve.
For weight management, berberine has shown potential in reducing visceral fat and controlling obesity
It improves insulin function, leptin, and adiponectin levels, crucial for metabolic regulation. It also enhances brown fat, which burns energy instead of storing it.
Berberine is also being explored for its benefits in memory and cognitive function, as high blood sugar and diabetes are linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
To use berberine effectively, start with 500 mg two to three times daily, ideally with meals to leverage the post-meal glucose and lipid spike. Diabetics should monitor their blood sugar closely, as they may need to adjust other medications.
While berberine is generally safe, it can cause minor side effects like cramping, diarrhea, flatulence, constipation, or mild stomach pain. Those with medical conditions or on medications, especially blood sugar-lowering drugs, should consult their doctor before using berberine.
In addition to diabetes management, berberine may benefit other health issues, including anti-aging, gastrointestinal infections, heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, immune challenges, joint problems, low bone density, and more.
This natural compound demonstrates that type 2 diabetes is not irreversible, contrary to what many believe. By adopting natural solutions like berberine and adjusting diet and lifestyle, it’s possible to manage diabetes effectively and improve overall health.
#1 WORST sweetener (3X worse than sugar for your A1C)
If your blood sugar is out of whack… STOP adding this sweetener to your coffee!
Because according to America’s #1 diabetes doc, there’s ONE “coffee sweetener” that can BLOCK insulin production…
And drastically SPIKE your blood sugar overnight!
Can you guess which one it is?
This “coffee sweetener” is 3X WORSE than sugar for your A1C. Yet 97% of diabetics use it daily thinking it’s healthy for them.
So tap on your guess…
Or get the correct answer below from America’s #1 diabetes doctor:
>> #1 “coffee sweetener” to AVOID (it SPIKES blood sugar instantly).
