Q. My husband has been on metformin and glyburide to control his blood sugar. After several years on this combination he started getting increasingly severe digestive upset, especially heartburn, gas and diarrhea. Some days he has to run to the bathroom half a dozen times.
He would like some other ways to get his diabetes under control. Are there any natural approaches that might help?
A. One of the more serious side effects of metformin is something called lactic acidosis. Symptoms include nausea and stomach pain, along with fatigue and rapid heart rate. His doctor should rule this out promptly.
In addition to exercise and a low-carb diet, your husband may wish to consider some natural approaches to blood sugar control. They might include cinnamon, mustard, vinegar, oolong tea, bitter melon, fenugreek or nopal cactus. He should not undertake such a project without careful medical supervision and blood sugar monitoring several times a day.
He’ll find more information on diet, exercise, drugs and alternative approaches in our Guide to Diabetes so he can discuss this with his doctor.
The People's Perspective on Medicine