Diabetes is caused by the removal of essential fats and oils from our food, and their replacement with toxic substitutes. Diabetes Medication merely treats symptoms, while the underlying cause is uncorrected.

In order to avoid the agonizing complications of diabetes, it is necessary to keep the body's blood sugar in balance. Let's look at the claims and side-effects of four of the major drug types: Acarbose, Sulfonylurea drugs, Metformin, and Rezulin, and see if they achieve this balance.

Acarbose, the latest type of diabetes drug, works by slowing carbohydrate digestion in the small intestine. This reduces the amount of sugar released into the blood after eating, by blocking enzymes that break down carbohydrates. Acarbose is intended to lower blood sugar levels but it can cause cramps, gas, diarrhea and damage the kidneys. It has also been linked to cancerous kidney tumors in rats.

Sulfonvlurea drugs work by stimulating the pancreas to make more insulin. They decrease the liver's production of glucose and improve the use of insulin and sugar for energy. However, they can remove too much blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia. Also, they tend to cause weight gain and increase the risk of heart disease. Less serious side effects include nausea, vomiting, gas, heartburn, diarrhea, and constipation.

Metformin lowers blood sugar by suppressing the liver's glucose production. It also increases the sensitivity of the cells to insulin. Unlike the sulfonylurea drugs, it does not stimulate insulin production, so there is less chance of hypoglycemia, and it tends to cause weight loss instead of weight gain. There is increased risk of digestive problems. It can impair kidney and liver function and cause lactic acid buildup in the blood which can be fatal. It also decreases B-12 absorption which can lead to many problems including elevated homocysteine levels and it can increase your chances of dying from cardiovascular problems by 250%.

Rezulin was used by over a million diabetics before it was recalled from the market. Experts estimate that 4% of those patients can expect to have significant liver damage (about 40,000 people.) And no one knows how many of those people will die from damaged livers. Thirty-three people have so far died due to liver damage after taking this drug. As with all diabetes drugs, there is no proof that it reduces the complications of diabetes or prolongs life.

Drugs are made by removing the active ingredient from herbs and leaving behind the wisdom; hence the unpleasant side effects. As alternatives, you may wish to consider using herbs with few if any side effects. See Diabetes Diet and Cure.