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Tight Blood Sugar Control Does Not Save Lives

People with type 2 diabetes are often urged to get their blood sugar as close to normal as possible. But several studies have not shown that such tight control has advantages. Now, an analysis of 14 clinical trials including more than 28,000 participants confirms that intensive blood sugar control does not save lives.

Complications involving the kidney or the retina were less common under intensive blood sugar treatment, but the difference was not significant. Patients in the intensive blood glucose treatment groups were, however, at significantly higher risk of having their blood sugar drop to dangerously low levels.

The fact that there was no obvious benefit to outweigh this potential harm might spur doctors and patients to think twice about this approach to diabetes treatment. BMJ, online Nov. 24, 2011

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About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
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