To Cut Diabetes Heart Risks, Diet and Exercise May Beat Drugs

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To Cut Diabetes Heart Risks, Diet and Exercise May Beat Drugs? What would make us think proper diet and regular exercise wouldn't trump drugs? We've already been told that proper diet and regular exercise are the best ways to manage diabetes and that it is the best way to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, of course it's going to help with the risks of heart complications in diabetics. In fact, it's one of the best ways to avoid type II diabetes all together. Drugs should never be a substitute for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Casey Schuler of ND 10:38AM April 26, 2010

Well i think that if people took car of there selfs like they are supposed to that they would not have as many health problems as they do. Well thats all i have to say but doctors just keep up the good work on helping people

HAHA 22 of IN 1:49PM April 20, 2010

your numbers are outstanding, why are you on Metformin? My dr. told me an A1C below 6 is non-diabetic range. Have you been larger and less active in the past and what is your age?

dave of IL 11:36AM March 16, 2010

I agree that exercise, improved diet and weight loss should be the first line in dealing with pre diabetes. But as a reminder: diabetes does not only occur with the overweight and sedentary and/or those who eat poorly (there is also genetic propensity). I have a 5.7 AIC, am 5 ' 5" weigh 114 pounds (have no body fat), exercise (swim several miles a week) and eat an extremely healthy diet (lots of veggies, lean meat, fish, low fat cheese, olive oil, few carbs, no sugar, raretly eat refined food, etc). So I believe metformin keeps my A1C from getting any higher? Any comments?

tina of MD 10:29AM March 16, 2010

Call it what you will, but our bodies recognize all carbohydrates as sugar. A diet high is carbs is not good for diabetes and is not good for your heart.
Look for the evidence that saturated fat is the culprit. I've never found it. There was no such thing as vegetable oils 100 years ago. Sugars and refined grains are very new foods for humans too. These are not natural. Common sense says these are bad for us and animal fats, which we've been eating since the dawn, cannot be.
I've switched to a whole food diet of grass-fed meats, wild fish, lots of veggies, especially the green leafy ones, and high natural fats. Natural yogurts, nuts, and cheeses all have a place. My HDL has soared, tryglicerides have plummeted, and LDL looks fine. My HDL:LDL ratio is 1:1. My A1C of 5.9% is not bad for a type 1!

John 9:53AM March 16, 2010

I quit taking BP med 2 months ago because I was getting dizzy. Is my BP to low? After hard 30 min workout on treadmill Friday my BP was 150/70 & HR 130. I also take Avandia until VA makes the switch to Actos. All very confusing.

Dave of IL 9:34AM March 16, 2010

i am a dibatic and feel that u live a normal life .Never believe the drugs but Control is the only way .eat less ,no sugar exercise.1) strike jump -150,pt=15 minutes,walk =2km is inclined plane or 4 km,lot of water,and most important be happy.

rajiv of HI 8:06AM March 16, 2010

Actually part of the concerning data in recent studies has been that statins used to lower cholesterol levels may promote diabetes. In addition the whole notion of lowering cholesterol is being questioned. The Framingham study evidence underlying the “lipid hypothesis” was never strong to start with. Since then a massive lipid lowering campaign has shown no effect on heart disease rates. While an elegant and seemingly intuitive hypothesis, more and more openly people are rightly questioning the wisdom of the cholesterol lowering campaign. http://healthjournalclub.blogspot.com/

Paul of MD 2:43AM March 16, 2010

I need to know a diet for creatinin and blood pressure

amira of NY 2:39AM March 16, 2010

Over the years, we have worked with doctors teaching them to truly use effective first line lifestyle modifications for treating hypertension, obesity, heart disease, etc. Initially it was difficult because doctors were so indoctrinated to use medications first and they had not been taught effective ways to accomplish this. Now it is much easier as the studies are overwhelmingly corroborating our thesis: lifestyle changes can predictably work.

Dr. Kelly Sennholz of CO 12:13AM March 16, 2010