First, I apologise if there's a thread identical in vein, my computer is so slow on this site that it'd be impossible for me to utilise the search functions.

Someone I know has been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes for about a decade now, and, ever since (person's now 66), they've been taking Metformin, 500 mg 3x daily, as well as Actos, 30 mg 1x daily. Of course, there's the weight gain, which sucks the big one, and I'm sure there are additional possible side effects (anyone care to list their personal ones?), but we're looking into treating this disease as holistically as possible, first while combining the 2 methods, and then slowly wean off the meds. Keep in mind while doing this the person I know will eat as organically as possible, will reduce the blatant sugar and carb intake as much as possible, will exercise (walk, stretch, etc.), and of course will monitor sugar levels. Does anyone have any experience with this? Care to share? The person has started taking chromium picolinate, 200 mcg 3x daily. I know New Chapter makes an excellent cinnamon tablet, which we plan to introduce. Anyway I'm rambling and just want this person to reduce their dependency on the meds and battle it as naturally as possible - any info would be appreciated.

hi there


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The first goal for any person with diabetes is to maintain normal glucose levels (less than 5.5 mmol fasting, less than about 8 two hours after the start of a meal).

There are people who are able to acheive this with diet, exercise, and in some cases supplements. Keep in mind, that T2 diabetes is a progressive disease, and since this person has had the disease for about a decade, the diet/exercise ship may already have sailed. But it is never a bad thing to try to take the best care of yourself that you can. And if less medication is a benefit of that, then great.

Keep in mind as well that herbal supplements are also medications, they are just not prescription medications. So check with a pharmacist to make sure that there are no interactions between these supplements and existing medicaitons.

Best of luck.

Cora

I've been diabetic for about six years. At first I got it under control in three months with diet and exercise, (7.2 to 6.2) plus alpha lipoic acid and chromium and green tea and gradually lost weight. a1c contiuned to go down. (5.5) Then I was given a HBP med that raised BS and I regained weight and a1c went back up to 7.2. Got 5 mg glipizide which causes weight gain, and it helped lower BS a little. Dr put me on 250 mg Metformin 2X a day and it dropped back to 6.2 He increased it to 500 mg 2X a day and it went up to 6.8 so he went to 1000 2X a day and then I had diahrea and he said to stop for a while. Diahrea stopped but he said to take it anyway. I never asked what the a1c test showed. About that time I got fed up with huge problems with HPB med and quit taking it and going to the dr. BS went down, so I dropped back to 500 mg Metformin, but readings were pretty high in the morning. The first thing I tried was cinnamon - in coffee, in tea and finally caps before meals and it helps. I tried fenugreek and it seems to help. Finally tried Memordica which is bitter melon and it lowers readings (even after 80 mg carb meals) to around 100 1 1/2 to 2 hrs after a meal. My back is bad so I don't get the exercise I know I should, especially in winter, but I'm very pleased with my readings. I also switched to chromium GTF 200 mcg (glucose tolerance factor-polynicotinate) which may or may not be a factor.

I look up all the reputable research I can find before I try anything. I managed to get BP under fairly good control, but now that the BS is under good control and BP is usually under 125/70. I haven't been to my dr to be tested for quite a while. I'm going soon and will see what's going on when I get a1c test.

My regimin isn't for everybody but I have had problems with most medications (plus bad or stuborn drs) all my life (I'm 66) so the only option I have is find nutrients or herbs if I want to feel decent. It's taken a while and BS may not have been under really good control MY way long enough for it to show on test, but as long as I see very low 100's, I will continue it. I still take glipizide and take 500 mg Metformin about every other day or third day, because I get diahrea if I take it every day. I've stayed away from the expensive combinations sold on the internet. You don't have to pay $50 a month to buy the ala and chromium that's in most of them and they both have been proven to help lower BS.