Are your Diabetic Medicines depleting your body of important nutrients ? As Physicians , we often prescribe medicines for Diabetes without thinking twice . But are these medicines also causing us some harm and discomforts in certain ways ? Among the most ignored side effects which is quite common and can give rise to a host of other health problems , is nutrient depletion. As a doctor of Holistic Health and working on Diabetes Reversal I felt compelled to understand the nutritional deficiencies caused by anti diabetic drugs , as many patients complain of unexplained weakness , lethargy , lack of sleep, etc . So how do drugs affect nutrient balance ? Let's look at some of the common first drugs of choice for Diabetes . 1. Metformin depletes Vitamin B12 and folic acid . The longer the duration of metformin, and higher the dose , the greater the depletion of B12 . Folic acid depletion causes homocysteine levels to rise which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetics are anyway more prone to heart disease . Metformin also depletes Coenzyme Q10 which is a cardiovascular protector and anti oxidant , and that is another of the reasons why a person could be complaining of weakness and lethargy . Coenzyme Q10 is important for cellular energy production. 2. Sulfonylureas : glimepiride( Amaryl), glypizide (glucotrol), glyburide(Glynase)- These are suspected to cause depletion of Coenzyme Q10 again. It's important to overcome these nutrient depletion through supplements , to improve the quality of life and avoid cardiovascular risk. A high quality multivitamin with appropriate amounts of Vitamin B12, folic acid and B vitamins is what I recommend for diabetics . Multivitamin should further include minerals like chromium , magnesium and selenium which has a role in Diabetes and prevention of its complications. Vit D is a very important vitamin for Diabetics as inadequate amounts decrease insulin sensitivity. Medicines like pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, acarbose do not cause nutrient depletion. However all drugs cause some side effects , therefore the first choice of advise for diabetics should be diet , exercise and stress management . Through the right attitude towards ones health and the right habits ,one can reverse Diabetes especially in the pre diabetic stage . Dr. Sanchita Holistic Health Physician for Chronic Diseases MBBS, Preventive and Promotive Medicine , Apollo Hospitals Education Research Foundation New Delhi +91 981190356
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