Monday, May 16, 2011

Super Meal Planning: How to Get Started

Meal planning and preparation is the Number 1 area that our clients tell us is the most difficult to maintain. If that is the case with you, please set up a (free) consultation to discuss what you can do, or, get the Death to Diabetes Cookbook or one of the other meal planning booklets.

These books will provide food tips, how to prepare quick but healthy meals, how to save time shopping & preparing healthy meals/snacks, how to get healthy meals delivered to your home, how to enjoy some of your favorite foods, how to fight cravings, etc. If meal preparation is not your biggest challenge, please let us know what is your Number 1 challenge, so that we can offer our help.

Death to Diabetes Meal Planning
Getting Started on Your Journey to Wellness

The following information explains step by step how to start improving your health, while you're waiting to receive the book or while you're reading the book.

However, we recommend that you always consult with your primary care physician before you start a new new dietary or nutritional program.

Please go grocery-shopping for the following foods:
  • Fresh Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, string beans, cauliflower, kale, greens, red/yellow/orange peppers, carrots, onions, garlic, celery, cucumber, Romaine lettuce, zucchini, cabbage
  • Frozen Vegetables: spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, string beans, cauliflower, greens, mixed vegetables
  • Fruits: apples, pears, blueberries, lemons, grapefruit
  • Plant Oils: Extra virgin olive oil, ev coconut oil, macadamia nut oil
  • Lean protein: Wild salmon, sardines; chicken, turkey breast (without the skin)
  • Dairy: Omega-3 organic eggs, low-fat plain yogurt, organic butter
  • Beans, Nuts and Seeds: black beans, green beans, kidney beans; walnuts, almonds, flaxseed, salba seeds
  • Beverages: Lemon/lime juice, low-sodium V-8 juice, green/white tea
  • Other: Sea salt, apple cider vinegar, spices; shiitake mushrooms, sprouted grain bread; organic brown rice; wheat grass; healthy snacks; herbs, supplements
  • Note: Got to www.bragg.com for reasonable prices on ev olive oil, herbal spices, organic apple cider vinegar, and herbal-based salad dressings.
Avoid buying (and eating) these "dead" foods:
  • Processed foods that contain refined flour, wheat, sugar, high fructose corn syrup, partially hydrogenated oil, gluten, preservatives, i.e. wheat bread; pastries, cakes, cookies, pies, candy, jelly, potato chips, fried foods, fried meat, some condiments.
  • Starchy foods such as white potatoes, French fries, white rice, bread, pasta, corn; frozen meals.
  • Foods that contain grain such as most cereals, breads, oatmeal, grits; pastries.
  • Bottled beverages: bottled fruit juices, soda, diet soda.
  • Fruits: banana, pineapple, mango, watermelon, grapes; tropical fruits (You can have some of these later)
  • Vegetable oils such as corn oil, soybean oil, canola oil.
Kitchen Utensils you will need:
  • Steamer (for steaming your vegetables)
  • Water filter
  • Blender
  • Juicer
  • Freezer
  • Coffee grinder (for grinding flaxseed, salba seed, etc.)

Now, you can start your journey "from illness to wellness" with our  Super Breakfast at:
http://www.deathtodiabetes.com/Steps_to_Beat_Diabetes.html
 
This Super Meal protocol is designed to reduce your body's excess production of insulin and blood glucose, and increase your cells' utilization of insulin. This, in turn, will help to initiate the body's internal (cellular) repair process.
Key Point: To verify that the Death to Diabetes wellness program will work for you, please measure and compare your blood glucose readings with your previous readings, and you will notice your average blood glucose level start to come down within the first 7 to 14 days.
Lifestyle Changes:
  • Prepare raw or lightly-steamed vegetables, season with herbs, onions, garlic, and/or slices of red/yellow/orange peppers.(Don't over-steam the veggies -- this destroys the nutrients)
  • Prepare more raw salads, but don't add things like croutons or crackers, or bottled salad dressing 
  • If you don't like eating so many vegetables with every meal, at least, add a glass of raw vegetable juice with your meal. If you need juicing recipes, get the Power of Raw Juicing & Green Smoothies ebook or booklet.
  • When eating fruit, eat the whole fruit with the skin plus a handful of walnuts/almonds, i.e. apples, pears, blueberries. Avoid tropical fruits for the first 3 months of the program, i.e. bananas, mangoes.
  • Avoid overcooking or frying the eggs! (This destroys the Omega-3 fats)
  • Avoid all fried foods, i.e. fried chicken, fried meat, fried eggs, French fries, etc.
  • Start walking 10-15 minutes every day -- either in the morning, just before/after lunch, or before/after dinner.
  • If you're already exercising, add 5-10 minutes of resistance exercise.
  • Keep records of your blood glucose readings and what you're eating each day (get our diabetes journal if you don't like to write a lot Smile)
  • Try to measure your blood glucose at least 4 times a day: before breakfast, dinner, 2 hours after dinner, and before bedtime.
  • Eat a variety of meals so that you don't get bored -- if you need more healthy recipes, get the diabetes cookbook.
  • If you have a sweet tooth, prepare healthy milkshakes, known as smoothies.  To make the smoothie even healthier, turn it into a green smoothie. If you need smoothie recipes, get the Power of Raw Juicing & Green Smoothies ebook or booklet.
  • Design your weekly meal plan (get our 90-day planner if you need guidance with healthy meal planning)
  • Build your support system. Avoid the negative-thinkers.
  • Make sure you're getting quality rest and sleep every night. (Read Chapter 13)
  • Reduce the stress in your life. Use deep-breathing techniques, mediation, yoga, etc. If necessary, get our stress ebook.

The Most Important Change
The most important change that you can make at the beginning is breakfast:

  • Stop eating a grain-based breakfast of cereal or oatmeal.
  • Start eating a vegetable-based breakfast.
  • Then, add a vegetable-based dinner, ideally with a raw salad.
  • Then, add a vegetable-based lunch.

These super meals are designed to lower your blood glucose and insulin levels, and provide your body’s cells with the missing nutrients to fight your diabetes – by reducing the insulin resistance and cellular inflammation.
Super Breakfast
This type of vegetable-based breakfast provides a more sustained level of energy and key nutrients that diabetics (and non-diabetics) are missing.
  • 2 cups steamed spinach (or 1 ½ cup steamed broccoli)
  • 2 oz. baked (or canned) wild salmon (or sardines, or an Omega-3 egg)
  • 1 ½ tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (add to vegetable after steaming the vegetables)
  • 3 cups (24 oz.) filtered water (or 2 cups water and 1 cup white tea)
  • 2 cups (16 oz.) raw vegetable juice
  • Optional: Green smoothie: blueberries, yogurt, almond milk, banana (or pear,, raw organic egg, baby spinach, ground flaxseed, ice
Super Snack
The following nutritious snacks require very little time to prepare and prevent glucose spikes/lows. 
  • 1 apple, a handful of walnuts/almonds, a glass of filtered water
  • 1 cup of grapes, a handful of trail mix/pulse food (nuts/seeds), water
  • 8 oz. organic/raw juice, mix in 2 tbsp. of ground flaxseed
  • 1 cup of yogurt, add flaxseed/salba seed, blueberries; glass of water
  • Green smoothie: blueberries, yogurt, almond milk, banana (or pear,, raw organic egg, baby spinach, ground flaxseed, ice
Super Lunch
This type of vegetable-based lunch provides a more sustained level of energy and key nutrients that diabetics (and non-diabetics) are missing.
  • 2 cups black bean soup or salad (spinach, broccoli sprouts, cucumber, tomato, tuna).
  • Salad dressing: Mix extra virgin olive oil, apple cider vinegar and spices
  • 3 cups (24 oz.) filtered water
  • 2 cups (16 oz.) raw vegetable juice
  • 1 slice of toasted sprouted grain bread (optional addition -- Avoid grains during first 3 months)
Super Dinner
This type of dinner sets the stage to help the body cleanse/detoxify and repair itself while you sleep.
  • 1 cup steamed Brussel sprouts and 2 cups steamed broccoli
  • ½ red/yellow pepper (sliced), spices (add to the vegetable before steaming)
  • 5 oz. baked skinless chicken breast (or 5 oz. baked wild salmon)
  • 2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil (add after steaming vegetables)
  • 1 slice of sprouted grain bread (1½ tsp. extra virgin coconut oil)
  • 3 cups (24 oz.) filtered water (or 2 cups water and 1 cup white tea)
  • 2 cups (16 oz.) raw vegetable juice
  • Optional meal: a large raw salad that contains the aforementioned foods with Romaine lettuce, ground flax/salba seed, a hard-boiled egg, and organic salad dressing
After 60-90 Days
After you have read the book and used the program for 60-90 days, then, we recommend that you set up your (free) health coaching appointment.

But, before you set up your appointment, please collect and send us the following information:
  • How long you've been diabetic
  • Your blood sugar readings, your blood pressure, your age range, weight, height, your cholesterol numbers
  • Your medications/dosages, any diabetic complications (i.e. neuropathy, eye problems)
  • Your meal plan, what you're eating for breakfast, for dinner, any nutritional supplements you're taking
  • Your exercise regimen
  • Any improvement in blood sugar readings or A1C
  • Your toughest challenges
  • What you want to accomplish during the health coaching session 

If you want, you can send us the brand names of the nutritional supplements you're taking and our research staff will evaluate the supplements, and identify which ones are synthetic.

Note: For more healthy, balanced snacks and meals, get the Death to Diabetes Cookbook. For juicing and smoothie recipes, get the Power of Juicing & Smoothies book. These are ebook/PDF files, but you can also purchase the printed copy version of these books.

Facebook
Please join us to help yourself, and your loved ones by joining us on Facebook
to educate others and help us in the fight against diabetes.

If you've already joined with the author, then, please become a fan of the Death to Diabetes Page.

Good luck on your new journey to wellness!

Super Meal Model Diet for Diabetics

Superior nutrition, in the form of a balanced nutritional model, can be used to help defeat and reverse your Type 2 diabetes.  The Death to Diabetes wellness program uses such a model, that is referred to as the Super Meal Model Diet for Diabetics.

The "Death to Diabetes" Super Meal Model is more than "a diet". It is part of a comprehensive 10-step wellness program that is designed to improve the health of people suffering with diabetes. This nutritional model is also designed to address high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, and chronic fatigue.

The "Death to Diabetes" Super Meal Model has many of the attributes of the Mediterranean Diet, Zone Diet, South Beach Diet, and Asian Diet --  with nutritional modifications to address the root causes of Type 2 diabetes.

For the science behind the Super Meal Model, read about nutritional science and the  clinical studies that the author used to design the model.

The "Death to Diabetes" Super Meal Model is truly THE Diabetes Diet, because it is specifically designed to help control, beat, and reverse Type 2 diabetes -- by providing a more sustained level of energy and key nutrients that diabetics (and non-diabetics) are missing when they consume the more traditional grain-based, overly-processed, nutrient-poor or starchy meal.

The "Death to Diabetes" Super Meal Model has a very nutrient-dense protocol
that provides nutrients that are key to the effectiveness of THE Diabetes Diet including: Omega-3 EFAs, carotenoids, antioxidants, chlorophyll, magnesium, potassium, chromium, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, fiber, water. 

In addition, by avoiding the grain-based breakfast, diabetics and non-diabetics will not experience the mid-morning “crash” or craving for processed food/beverages. Over time, the "Death to Diabetes" Super Meal Model diet will support blood glucose stabilization, cell repair and the regulation of the body's production and utilization of insulin.

Super Meal Model Diet Attributes:
  • More frequent meals (4 to 6 times/day)
  • Smaller meals (400-500 calories)
  • Macro-nutrient Balance
  • (Super Carbs, Proteins, Fats, Liquids)
  • Key micronutrients, i.e. vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals) 
  • High Fiber Content (30-35g/day)
  • Fermented Foods (3-5 times/week)
  • Raw Vegetables (50%-80%)
  • Some Raw Fruits
  • Nutritional Supplementation (Food-based)
  • Minimum/No HFCS, PHO, nitrates, artificial sweeteners, food additives
  • Minimum/No caffeine, alcohol, drugs
Key Point: This is not a low fat diet! Ironically, low fat diets helped to make us fat!  

Super Carbohydrates
include many bright, colorful and green, leafy vegetables, some dark, colorful fruits, and some specific organic whole grains (but, not wheat bread!). 
Super Proteins
include cold-water fish, nuts/seeds, fermented soy, organic dairy, lean animal meats (i.e. chicken, turkey, organic beef), wild animal meat (i.e. bison, ostrich, deer). Note: If you are concerned about the mercury in fish, eat smaller fish or take an Omega-3 supplement.Super Fats include plant oils (but avoid clear vegetable oils or canola oil!), and the oil in nuts/seeds and cold-water fish.Super Liquids include filtered water, raw vegetable juices; some raw fruit juices; specific teas; and, a couple of the organic bottled juices.

Refer to Chapters 6 and 7 of the Death to Diabetes book for a detailed list of all the super carbs, super proteins, super fats, and super liquids that support the
Death to Diabetes Super Meal Model diet.

Start eating the
Super Meals, including the Super Breakfast, the Super Lunch, and the Super Dinner, and watch your blood glucose level start to steadily come down!

Stick with the program and watch the pounds of fat melt off your body!


Start eating
The Top 10 Super Foods and Super Supplements.

Note: Get the
diabetes cookbook with hundreds of balanced meals and lots of mouth-watering recipes!

Author's Note:

Superior nutrition has a bigger impact on glucose tolerance and insulin resistance more so than any other wellness factor, including exercise.

My background in biochemistry and engineering, and my research into pathology, etiology, and epidemiology has helped me to understand diseases such as diabetes at the cellular level.


As a result, I am able to design nutritional protocols that help the body successfully fight diseases/maladies such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and chronic fatigue.  Once you understand the
science of disease and. the science of nutrition, it's a lot easier to design wellness solutions that will actually work.

Go to the following web pages to understand the science behind nutrition and Type 2 diabetes; and, how the
Super Meal Model was designed to reverse Type 2 diabetes:

Pathophysiology
of Type 2 diabetes
Pathogenesis
of Insulin Resistance
Diabetes at the
Cellular Level
Etiology
of Type 2 Diabetes
Epidemiology
of Type 2 Diabetes
Clinical References

Nutritional Science
& Other Sciences

For more detail, go to www.DeathtoDiabetes.com.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Meal Planning & Meal Preparation to Help Reverse Your Diabetes

Meal planning is one of the key enablers for diabetics to be successful with controlling and reversing their diabetes. Unfortunately, many diabetics don't perform meal planning because they think it's boring, they think it's time-consuming, or they don't know how to properly meal plan -- especially to improve their diabetes and their overall health.

Consequently, the author expanded his Death to Diabetes cookbook to demonstrate that meal planning is not boring and it's not time-consuming. In fact, proper meal planning will save time and will save money, and can even be enjoyable.

Key aspects of proper meal planning include:

  • How to shop for groceries
  • How to read food labels
  • How to select the proper foods
  • When to shop for groceries and why
  • How to save time and money when grocery-shopping
Another key enabler is meal preparation. Once you purchase the proper foods, it's very important that you know how to prepare the meals such that you obtain maximum nutrition from the meals. For example, if you overcook the vegetables, then, you destroy many of the key nutrients that your body needs to fight the diabetes.

Key aspects of proper meal preparation include:

  • The best oils for salads, cooking, etc.
  • How to prepare super meals
  • How to prepare quick meals that are healthy
  • How to prepare snacks that are healthy
  • How to prepare quick lunches
  • How to prepare vegetables
  • How to prepare vegetable soups
  • How to prepare stir-frys
  • What herbs/spices to use with what foods
  • How to transform comfort foods into healthier foods
  • How to transform your favorite meals and desserts into healthier meals
  • How to reduce the fat and sugar in your meals but keep the meals tasty
For more details about meal planning, grocery-shopping, and meal preparation, get the Death to Diabetes cookbook, the Grocery Shopping PDF, or the 90-Day Meal Planner PDF.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Should We Take Nutritional Supplements?


An estimated 40 percent of the U.S. population uses nutritional and dietary supplements on a regular basis while 70 per cent uses supplements occasionally. Vitamin E and Vitamin C are among the most commonly used supplements.

So, are nutritional supplements really necessary?
In today’s fast-paced, hectic world, it is very difficult to eat nutritiously all day long every day. So, the short answer is “yes”. If you are relatively healthy and you are eating four to six super meals/snacks with primarily raw organic foods and superfoods every day, you may not need any nutritional supplementation until you get older.

On the other hand, if you are ill with a disease like diabetes, this should tell you that you are not consuming and absorbing enough of the proper nutrients. Because your body is very depleted in terms of nutrients, you need to supplement the super foods that you’ve begun to consume with some food-based nutritional supplements to help accelerate the body’s healing process.

You may find it difficult to obtain all the necessary nutrients from the food you eat due to the loss of soil quality, water quality, picking vegetables/fruits in unripened state, and how animals are fed and raised. But, as long as you are predominantly eating the “live” (raw) foods instead of the “dead” foods, you will be successful.

If finances are not an issue, you can buy organic food to ensure you are receiving the best quality foods, but for the most part this is not necessary. I did not eat organic food during my recovery. The reduction and elimination of eating the “dead” processed foods will have a more dramatic positive effect on your health, more so than any other single factor.

Because it may be difficult to eat four to six super meals consistently each day due to your work life, family, or lifestyle, some type of nutritional supplementation is necessary. In fact, medical institutions, such as the American Medical Association (AMA), agree that nutritional supplementation is necessary today.

Note: For more information about nutritional supplements, get the Nutritional Supplements PDF.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Benefits of the "Death to Diabetes" Wellness Program



Death to Diabetes (ISBN 0977360741), now one of the top-selling diabetes books in the U.S, is one of the few diabetes books that looks at diabetes at the cellular level and from several aspects of medical science, including pathology, etiology, and epidemiology. The book also looks at diabetes from the aspect of several engineering sciences including reverse engineering, failure modes & effects analysis, root cause analysis, statistical analysis, meta analysis, and process engineering. The book identifies more than 200 clinical studies that support the nutritional recommendations of the author.

As a result, the book provides a concise and easy-to-read set of procedures for a Type 2 diabetic to customize to his/her needs and get their diabetes under control within three months. As a result, many diabetics have been able to reverse their diabetes and beat the disease.

The key benefits to following the “Death to Diabetes” wellness program include:
  • Lower your blood glucose level to the normal range within days.
  • Increase your energy level, and avoid the cravings and highs and lows associated with eating processed foods.
  • Begin reversing and beating your diabetes within 30 days.
  • Lose weight (fat) by turning your body into a fat-burning machine.
  • Reduce the belly fat, which is hard to get rid of following conventional diets.
  • Save thousands of dollars from drugs, more drugs, surgeries, hospital stays, and high healthcare insurance premiums.
  • Save hundreds of dollars from grocery-shopping and food bills.
  • Learn how to transform your favorite foods into healthier foods, so that you can enjoy eating without the anxiety.
  • Enjoy weddings, picnics, birthday parties, and other social events – because the book teaches you how to eat before and after these events to limit the damage to your health.
  • Enjoy a better sex life, because the wellness program addresses circulatory issues that have proven to be one of the primary problems associated with sexual dysfunction.
  • Look younger and so much better that your friends think that you have had a facelift or liposuction!
  • Prevent the complications of diabetes, including heart attack, stroke, blindness, amputation, gum disease, and kidney failure.
  • Reverse your diabetes and its complications in 3 to 6 months
  • Lifetime subscription to the Death to Diabetes Newsletter (valued at more than $839)
More than 91% of Type 2 diabetics who followed this program have achieved some improvement in their diabetes and overall health, including lower blood pressure, lower A1C and lower BMI.

Here are several of the hundreds of testimonials from diabetics and non-diabetics:

“My doctor told me that all signs of my diabetes were gone! And, the pain in my foot from the neuropathy is gone.” D. Carter, ex-diabetic

“I got this book “Death to Diabetes” for a relative and she loved it so much she got one for her doctor! Her doctor loves “Death to Diabetes” too! Her glucose readings have been steadily returning to normal ranges and she is off oral diabetic meds and is no longer on daily insulin injections. All this within 6 months of reeducating herself to the truth. This is truly DEATH to DIABETES!!! Follow it, don’t question it, and see the results for yourself!!” V. Koehler

“My husband has diabetes and up until recently it has been uncontrollable, so we've been reading book after book on the subject. When I purchased "Death to Diabetes", it was like none other in scope … This is the one book that every diabetic should read.” G. Martin (Houston, TX)

“My daughter sent me two books and while I refer to the other occasionally, this book “Death to Diabetes” set me in the direction of getting off my meds and reversing my diabetic condition. A MUST READ for all diabetics, newly diagnosed or long term. I loved it.” Janeice Pennington (Hawaii)

“I recommend this book (“Death to Diabetes”) not only to all diabetics but to anyone who is suffering from his or her unhealthy lifestyle. Although McCulley's theories are not strictly in line with current medical thinking, his advice for changing our lives for the better is right on. Over half of all Type 2 diabetics who strictly follow his advice will be cured of their diabetes problem, as well as lowering their cholesterol and blood pressure. Don't miss out on this book.” Dr. William Bayer, MD (Rochester, NY)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes:
This book has coined several new phrases that are spreading across America, e.g. ex-diabetic, the 5 super foods, the 5 dead foods, The Super Meal Model, The Death to Diabetes Diet, super carbs, super fats, the 7 diabetes wellness factors, victor of wellness vs. victim of illness, diabetes engineer, engineer1337, 6-stage diabetes program, etc.

McCulley’s workshops and seminars have been well-received because of the thoroughness of his lectures and his ability to use humor and his personal stories to bring hope and connect with other diabetics.

McCulley states during his lectures: “You can beat your diabetes, and you can reverse the complications of Type 2 diabetes – if you are armed with the knowledge and the drive to want to live a healthier life. Just follow the Super Breakfast protocol on my website.”

McCulley says emphatically: “You can become a victor of knowledge & wellness, and stop being a victim of ignorance & illness – it’s all up to you.”

Web Site Reference: Diabetes Abstract (with supporting data from diabetics who followed the program)

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Death to Diabetes Book (ISBN 09773607412)

The Death to Diabetes book (Version 3.0)  is available in the online store.
Note: Don't forget that when you order the book from the online store, you get the latest version, plus a free CD, subscription to the newsletter, and a 30-minute health consultation.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Diabetic Drugs

Western Medicine uses diabetic drugs such as metformin (Glucophage), glyburide (Micronase, DiaBeta) and glipizide (Glucotrol) to "treat" your diabetes.

So, do these drugs work? It depends on your point of view.

These drugs help to lower your blood glucose level, but they do absolutely nothing to help your body get rid of the disease!
In fact, these drugs cause long-term side damage that leads to gastrointestinal problems, kidney failure, liver failure, and other health issues that your doctor may not mention to you.

In addition, these drugs do not stop the development of diabetic complications such as amputation, kidney failure or heart attack.

If you find this hard to believe, just visit any of the pharmaceutical websites or google on "diabetic drug expenses" or "diabetic drug side effects" to verify for yourself. Or, if you know someone with diabetes who's taking any of these diabetic medications, you will see that their health is not improving. In fact, they're probably taking more and more medications as their diabetes worsens.

Because of the damage that some drugs can cause to your liver and kidneys, ensure that you get the critical blood tests to determine your current state of health, and also to ensure your health is not being damaged by the drugs. Don't assume that your doctor is getting all the right tests done for you. Some people have died suddenly because they didn't get a complete set of blood tests and, therefore, were not diagnosed properly.

If you want to know more about the drug companies and their kickback payments to the doctors, go to this link on the web site: Drug Companies and Kickbacks

For more information about the dangers of high blood pressure and cholesterol drugs, go to this link on the web site: High Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Drugs

Note!: Just because you don't feel any discomfort such as an upset stomach or headache, does not mean that your body is not experiencing any side effects!! Most side effects such as liver/kidney damage go undetected for years!

Health Impact of Drugs
Just like any other drug, these diabetic drugs create biochemical and hormonal dependencies within your body that can lead to
long-term damage to your cells and organs.

If you are taking one of these drugs, it may be difficult to believe this, because you feel fine, you do not feel any discomfort or side effects.

However, many of the side effects will not be felt for several years, maybe even longer. But, eventually the following scenario will occur:
  1. The drug loses its effectiveness and your blood glucose level starts to rise.
  2. Your doctor increases the dosage to bring your blood glucose level back to the normal range.
  3. If this doesn't work, your doctor adds a new drug.
  4. Eventually when the oral drugs lose their effectiveness to lower your blood glucose level, your doctor will put you on insulin.
I know that you're probably thinking that if you keep taking the oral drugs and watch what you eat, you won't have to go on insulin.

But, that's not true. Why? Because while you were taking the drugs, the diabetes continued to progress (silently) and cause damage to more and more cells in your body. Eventually, the damage becomes so widespread that your doctor has to either increase your dosage, add another drug, or put you on insulin.

Read Chapters 3, 12, 14 and 15 of Death to Diabetes to learn how to decrease the damage caused by the long-term use of these drugs.

Sidebar:
The author has nothing against drugs -- in fact, drugs saved his life! He believes that drugs are important and especially critical in acute life-threatening situations, such as what he experienced.

However, long-term use of these drugs causes too much damage to the organs and tissues.
Consequently, a non-drug solution would provide the best opportunity for optimum health.

Oral Diabetes Medications (Diabetes Pills)
Oral diabetes medications -- diabetes pills -- help control blood sugar levels in people whose bodies still produce some insulin (the majority of people with type 2 diabetes).

These diabetes drugs are usually prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes along with recommendations for making specific dietary changes and getting regular exercise.
However, most people do not make the dietary changes! And, for the people who do make the dietary changes, the drugs cancel out the benefits of eating healthy!

Diabetes pills work in one of three ways:
1. Stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin (causing you to gain weight)
2. Increase the body's sensitivity to the insulin that is already present (but causes damage to the liver/kidneys)
3. Slow the breakdown of foods (especially starches) into glucose (but doesn't really work that well).

Diabetes pills are grouped into the following categories:

Sulfonylureas:
These diabetes pills lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. The first drugs of this type that were developed -- Dymelor, Diabinese, Orinase and Tolinase -- are not as widely used since they tend to be less potent and shorter-acting drugs than the newer sulfonylureas.
Second generation sulfonylureas include Glucotrol (glipizide), as well as Micronase, Diabeta, and Glynase (all contain glyburide).
A third generation called Amaryl (glimepiride) is also available.

Sulfonylureas work best when taken at the same time each day. Glyburide and glipizide are shorter-acting versions. Glyburide (Micronase and Diabeta), and glipizide (Glucotrol) are usually taken twice a day, half before breakfast and half before dinner. Sustained-release versions called Glynase or Glucotrol XL are also available.

Glucotrol (glipizide): Glucotrol controls diabetes by stimulating the pancreas to secrete more insulin. Treatment with Glucotrol may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

Glimepiride (Amaryl): Amaryl lowers blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin. Amaryl is often prescribed along with the insulin-boosting drug Glucophage. It may also be used in conjunction with insulin and other diabetes drugs.

Glyburide + Metformin (Glucovance): is a combination of 2 drugs —glyburide and metformin — that attack high blood sugar levels in several ways. The glyburide component stimulates the pancreas to produce more insulin and helps the body use it properly. The metformin component also encourages proper insulin utilization, and in addition works to decrease sugar production and absorption.

WARNING: Glucovance has been known to cause a dangerous condition called lactic acidosis, a buildup of lactic acid in the blood. Lactic acidosis is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment in the hospital. Notify your doctor without delay if you experience any of the following symptoms:
A slow or irregular heartbeat; a cold, dizzy, or light-headed feeling; a weak, tired, or uncomfortable feeling; stomach discomfort; trouble breathing; unusual muscle pain

Side Effects:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Upset stomach
Skin rash or itching
Weight gain

Biguanides: These diabetes pills improve insulin's ability to move sugar into cells especially into the muscle cells. They also prevent the liver from releasing stored sugar. Biguanides should not be used in people who have kidney damage or heart failure because of the risk of precipitating a severe build up of acid (called lactic acidosis) in these patients. An example includes metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Riomet, Fortamet and Glumetza).

Two drugs from the biguanide class, metformin and phenformin, were developed in 1957. Unfortunately, phenformin reached the U.S. market first and resulted in several deaths from lactic acidosis. When this risk surfaced, phenformin was pulled from drugstore shelves worldwide. Metformin was eventually found to be 20 times less likely to cause lactic acidosis, but it was tainted by the history of its cousin. Metformin first became available in France in 1979 and has been widely used in Europe since then, but it was not cleared for use in Type 2 diabetes in the U.S. until 1994.
Dosage Range: 500 - 2550 mg, 2-3 times a day

WARNING: Metformin can rarely cause a serious (sometimes fatal) condition called lactic acidosis. Stop taking metformin and seek immediate medical attention if you develop any of the following symptoms of lactic acidosis: unusual tiredness, severe drowsiness, chills, blue/cold skin, muscle pain, fast/difficult breathing, unusually slow/irregular heartbeat.

Lactic acidosis is more likely to occur in patients who have certain medical conditions, including kidney or liver disease, conditions that may cause a low oxygen blood level or poor circulation (e.g., severe congestive heart failure, recent heart attack, recent stroke), heavy alcohol use, a severe loss of body fluids (dehydration), X-ray or scanning procedures that require an injectable iodinated contrast drug, recent surgery, or a serious infection. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these conditions occur or if you notice a big change in your overall health. You may need to stop taking metformin temporarily. The elderly are also at higher risk, especially those older than 80 years who have not had kidney tests.

Side Effects of Glucophage:
Nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, or a metallic taste in the mouth may occur at first as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. If stomach symptoms return later (after you are on the same dose for several days or weeks), tell your doctor immediately. Stomach symptoms that occur after the first days of your treatment may be a sign of lactic acidosis.

Precautions:
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: kidney disease, liver disease, conditions that may cause a low level of oxygen in the blood or poor circulation (e.g., severe congestive heart failure, recent heart attack, recent stroke), metabolic acidosis (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis), serious infection, severe loss of body fluids (dehydration).
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: adrenal/pituitary gland problems, severe breathing problems (e.g., obstructive lung disease, severe asthma), blood problems (e.g., anemia, vitamin B12 deficiency), fertility problems (e.g., ovulation problems), alcohol use.

Thiazolidinediones: These diabetes pills improve insulin's effectiveness (improving insulin resistance) in muscle and in fat tissue. They lower the amount of sugar released by the liver and make fat cells more sensitive to the effects of insulin. Actos and Avandia are the two drugs of this class. These drugs may take a few weeks before they have an effect in lowering blood sugar. They should be used with caution in people with heart failure. Your doctor will do periodic blood testing of your liver function when using this diabetes medicine.

These drugs include Actos (pioglitazone), Avandia (rosiglitazone), and Avandamet (rosiglitazone and metformin).

Side Effects:
Elevated liver enzymes (liver damage)
Liver failure
Respiratory infections and sinusitis
Headache
Fluid retention (This may lead to heart failure)
Mild anemia
Increased risk for upper arm or foot fractures (women)

WARNING: The thiazolidinedione medication troglitazone (Rezulin) has been removed from the market in the United States and some European countries. Troglitazone has been shown to cause severe liver problems in a small number of people who take it.

Alpha-glucosidase inhibitors: include Precose and Glyset. These drugs block enzymes that help digest starches, slowing the rise in blood sugar. These diabetes pills may cause diarrhea or gas. They can lower hemoglobin A1c by 0.5%-1%.
Side Effects:
Stomach upset (gas, diarrhea, nausea, cramps)

Meglitinides: include Prandin and Starlix. These diabetes medicines lower blood sugar by stimulating the pancreas to release more insulin. The effects of these diabetes pills depend on the level of glucose. They are said to be glucose dependent. High sugars make this class of diabetes medicines release insulin. This is unlike the sulfonylureas that cause an increase in insulin release, regardless of glucose levels, and can lead to hypoglycemia.
Side Effects:
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
Stomach upset
Sore throat

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors: include Januvia. The DPP-IV inhibitors (Januvia) work to lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes by increasing insulin secretion from the pancreas and reducing sugar production. These diabetes pills increase insulin secretion when blood sugars are high. They also signal the liver to stop producing excess amounts of sugar. DPP-IV inhibitors control sugar without causing weight gain. The medication may be taken alone or with other medications such as metformin.

Combination therapy: There are several combination diabetes pills that combine two medications into one tablet. One example of this is Glucovance, which combines glyburide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin. Others include Metaglip, which combines glipizide (a sulfonylurea) and metformin, and Avandamet which utilizes both metformin and rosiglitazone (Avandia) in one pill.

Studies have been done showing that some diabetes pills may fuel the diabetes and its complications. Both metformin and Precose have been shown to increase a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetic complications, particularly when lifestyle changes of a proper diet and regular exercise are not implemented. Actos has been shown to increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and premature death in those with type 2 diabetes.

PLEASE NOTE:
This list is not complete as there may be other drugs that can interact with Januvia and can potentially lower blood sugar, such as:
probenecid (Benemid);
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs);
aspirin or other salicylates (including Pepto-Bismol);
sulfa drugs (Bactrim and others);
a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI);or
beta-blockers (Tenormin and others).

Note: Go to the following web pages for more information about the dangers of prescription drugs:


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Insulin

Background Information about Insulin
When we eat, our bodies break food down into organic compounds, one of which is glucose. The cells of our bodies use glucose as a source of energy for movement, growth, repair, and other functions. But before the cells can use glucose, it must move from the bloodstream into the individual cells. This process requires insulin.

Insulin is produced by the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. When glucose enters our blood, the pancreas should automatically produce the right amount of insulin to move glucose into our cells. People with type 1 diabetes produce no insulin. People with type 2 diabetes do not always produce enough insulin.

Types of Insulin
The following is a list of some of the more common insulin preparations available today.
-- Rapid-acting
-- Short-acting (Regular)
-- Intermediate-acting (NPH)
-- Intermediate and short-acting mixtures
-- Long-acting

Rapid-acting Insulin
-- Humalog (lispro)
-- Eli Lilly
-- NovoLog (aspart)
-- Novo Nordisk

Short-acting (Regular) Insulin
-- Humulin R
-- Eli Lilly
-- Novolin R
-- Novo Nordisk

Intermediate-acting (NPH) Insulin
-- Humulin N, L
-- Eli Lilly
-- Novolin N, L
-- Novo Nordisk

Intermediate and short-acting mixtures Insulin
-- Humulin 50/50
-- Humulin 70/30
-- Humalog Mix 75/25
-- Humalog Mix 50/50
-- Eli Lilly
-- Novolin 70/30
-- Novolog Mix 70/30
-- Novo Nordisk

Long-acting Insulin
-- Ultralente
-- Eli Lilly
-- Lantus (glargine)
-- Aventis


Go to the following web site pages for more information about the dangers of prescription drugs: