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| - Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by Dr Priyamvada
Quick Take
A Facebook video claims there’s a miracle drug to cure diabetes in 7 days only. Our fact check reveals it is False.
The Claim
We came across a Facebook video which says there’s a permanent cure for diabetes. The video alleges that there’s a miracle cure for diabetes and it can treat diabetes within 7 days. It suggests that the blood glucose levels can stay within a range of 80-100 only.
Fact Check
Why does diabetes happen?
Diabetes happens when our body has a problem in regulating blood sugar (glucose). This can occur for two main reasons:
- Lack of insulin or insulin resistance: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps your body absorb glucose from the bloodstream and use it for energy. In diabetes, either the pancreas doesn’t make enough insulin (type 1 diabetes) or the body’s cells become resistant to insulin’s effects (type 2 diabetes). This leads to excess sugar circulating in the blood.
- Other factors: Although the above are the main causes, there can be other contributing factors depending on the type of diabetes. Genetics, ethnicity, weight, physical activity level, and even certain medications (hydrochlorothiazide and metolazone) can play a role.
What are the recommended treatments of diabetes?
Diabetes treatment focuses on managing blood sugar levels and preventing complications. The recommended approach depends on the type of diabetes you have:
Type 1 Diabetes:
- Insulin therapy: Since the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, people with type 1 require lifelong insulin injections or an insulin pump to deliver insulin and manage blood sugar.
Type 2 Diabetes:
- Lifestyle changes: These are often the first line of defence. They include:
- Healthy eating: A balanced diet low in processed carbs, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats helps control blood sugar.
- Regular exercise: Physical activity improves insulin sensitivity and helps manage weight.
- Weight management: Losing weight, especially belly fat, can significantly improve blood sugar control.
- Medications: If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, various oral medications can help lower blood sugar levels. These include metformin, sulfonylureas, DPP-4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, and others. Your doctor will determine the most suitable medication(s) based on your specific needs.
- Insulin therapy: In some cases, particularly when lifestyle changes and medications aren’t enough, insulin therapy might be necessary alongside them.
General recommendations for both types:
- Blood sugar monitoring: Regularly checking blood sugar levels helps you and your doctor assess treatment effectiveness and make modifications as and when needed.
- Doctor visits and education: Regular check-ups with your doctor are crucial to monitor your condition, address any concerns, and receive ongoing education about managing diabetes.
Additional Considerations:
- Bariatric surgery: For some people with severe type 2 diabetes and obesity, bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery) can be an option to promote weight loss and improve blood sugar control.
- Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM): This technology provides real-time blood sugar readings. This allows better management and reduces the need for finger pricks.
What is the latest clinical research for a diabetes drug?
Recent clinical research on diabetes drugs has shown several promising advancements:
- Lixisenatide: This drug, part of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1R agonists) class, shows potential beyond blood sugar control. A phase 2 clinical trial (LixiPark study) demonstrates that lixisenatide might slow the progression of motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, a significant finding given the established link between Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. The study indicates a statistically significant slowing of symptom progression over a year compared to a placebo.
- Inceptor-blocking drugs: Research from Helmholtz Munich unveils the potential of targeting the inceptor receptor to enhance insulin sensitivity and beta-cell health. This approach could lead to breakthrough treatments for diabetes by protecting beta cells and improving glucose regulation. This in turn can potentially reduce the need for intensive insulin therapies that come with risks of hypoglycemia and weight gain.
- Dapagliflozin: This sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor shows promise in treating acute heart failure in patients with diabetes. A 2024 study demonstrates that early administration of dapagliflozin in hospitalised patients with acute heart failure improved diuresis and reduced hospital stay duration without increasing adverse events.
- Oral nanotherapeutic insulin: Researchers from UiT The Arctic University of Norway have developed an oral formulation of insulin using nanotechnology. This new formulation can reduce the episodes of hypoglycaemia, offering a needle-free alternative to traditional insulin injections.
These developments represent significant steps forward in both diabetes management and the possible repurposing of diabetes medications for other health conditions.
Is there a miracle drug to treat diabetes invented by Indian scientists?
No, there is no miracle drug for diabetes invented by Indian scientists. However, significant advancements in diabetes treatment have been made globally. For example, Semaglutide, a drug initially developed for diabetes, has been repurposed for weight loss due to its additional benefits. Researchers are also working on an oral insulin formulation using nanotechnology, which could reduce the need for injections. Additionally, inceptor-blocking drugs are being explored to enhance insulin sensitivity and beta-cell health.
Is Sudhir Chaudhary, an Indian news anchor, promoting diabetes miracle drug?
No, Sudhir Chaudhary, the famous news anchor, has not endorsed any such claim. There’s no such news, and it’s fake and manipulated. The video lacks lip-sync and uses identical comments by two women, who speak incorrect Hindi. The customer reviews also lack credibility and are manipulated as they, too, lack lip-sync. There is no miracle drug for diabetes, and diabetes cannot be cured. One so-called reviewer claims that a single dosage balanced blood sugar levels to normal, which is highly exaggerated. Such a drug does not exist, and if it did, pharmaceutical companies would cite clinical trials, and it would be widely reported, as there is currently no cure for diabetes.
In a previous interview with THIP Media, renowned diabetologist Dr V Mohan discussed the various diabetes reversal products and programs promoted on social media. He stated, “Most of the individuals running these programs are not doctors, but businessmen employing unproven methods for diabetes reversal. Many of these methods are unsustainable and some can even be harmful.”
In conclusion, do not fall for miracle cure for diabetes or the claims that say you can treat diabetes without medicine. As of now, you can manage your diabetes through lifestyle modifications and medicines if necessary.
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