The increasing prevalence of Type 2 diabetes has emerged as a significant global healthcare challenge, with far-reaching implications for both individuals and the healthcare system at large.

This chronic condition is not only a major concern for public health but also exerts a substantial impact on healthcare expenditures, placing a considerable burden on healthcare budgets worldwide.

Article At-A-Glance

• A comparison of four common drugs for treating type 2 diabetes showed that two outperformed the others in maintaining target blood sugar levels.
• The five-year trial followed more than 5,000 people with type 2 diabetes who were already taking metformin.
• Participants were randomly placed into one of four treatment groups. Three groups took metformin plus a medicine that increased insulin levels: sitagliptin, liraglutide, or glimepiride. The fourth group took metformin and insulin glargine U-100, a long-acting insulin.
• Although average blood sugar levels decreased "during the study", three of four participants were unable to maintain the blood glucose target over the study period.
• The findings offer new insights for the long-term management of type 2 diabetes.

Global Diabetes Epidemic: A Looming Public Health Crisis

The global diabetes epidemic is a growing concern that demands attention. Over the last three decades, the number of people with type 2 diabetes has more than doubled. By 2030, it's projected to affect a staggering 439 million individuals, constituting 7.7% of the world's adult population aged 20–79 years.

In the United States, data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) is alarming; more than 37 million Americans grapple with diabetes, roughly translating to 1 in 10 individuals. Among them, approximately 90-95% are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. While this condition typically emerges in those over 45, its incidence is increasingly observed among children, teenagers, and young adults. Astonishingly, research from Tuffs University reveals a grim reality: less than 7% of the U.S. adult population enjoys good cardiometabolic health. 

Understanding Type 2 Diabetes: Causes and Management

Type 2 Diabetes is a condition primarily driven by insulin resistance, where your blood glucose (sugar) levels become elevated because the cells in your muscles, fat, and liver no longer respond effectively to insulin. Insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas, plays a crucial role in converting glucose into energy. Initially, the body compensates by producing more insulin, but over time, it struggles to keep up with the growing resistance.

While some individuals with type 2 diabetes can achieve nearly normal blood sugar levels through diet and exercise alone, many require additional support through diabetes medication or insulin therapy. The choice of treatment depends on various factors, including blood sugar levels and the presence of other health issues associated with type 2 diabetes.

• Metformin: is a drug in the Biguanide group designed to lower blood sugar levels by reducing the amount of sugar produced by the liver. 
• Sitagliptin: Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors or DPP-4 inhibitors are needed by the body to produce more insulin and lower blood sugar without causing hypoglycemia. Examples of other drugs in this group include allogliptin, linagliptin, saxagliptin and are most often used in combination with Metformin.
• Liraglutide: Liraglutide is available under the following different brand name Victoza for use with type 2 diabetes. Since there is no generic brand of this drug it is very expensive, even with insurance. 
• Glimepiride: Sulfonylureas work by stimulating beta cells in the pancreas to produce more insulin. Some other examples of these diabetes medications include gliclazide, glyburide, chlorpropamide and tolazamide.
• Insulin glargine U-100: U-100 is an insulin injection to cover blood sugar increases, which means it can cover insulin needs for meals eaten within 30 minutes.

Findings were described in a pair of papers that appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine on September 22, 2022: N Engl J Med 2022; 387:1063-1074

Key NIH Study Insights: Optimizing Type 2 Diabetes Management

The NIH Study Findings offer crucial insights into the management of type 2 diabetes:

After approximately five years of meticulous observation, the research team noted that all four medications yielded improvements in blood glucose levels when added to metformin. However, those who combined metformin with liraglutide or long-acting insulin not only achieved but also sustained their target blood glucose levels for an extended period, enjoying approximately six more months within the desired range compared to those using sitagliptin, which demonstrated the lowest effectiveness.

It's worth noting that none of the medication combinations exhibited overwhelming superiority over the others. While average blood sugar levels decreased throughout the study, nearly three out of four participants struggled to maintain their blood glucose within the target range over the study's duration. This underscores the inherent challenge that many individuals with type 2 diabetes face when striving to meet recommended targets.

Dr. Henry Burch, the project scientist overseeing the study at NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, emphasizes the study's significance for healthcare providers. He sees it as a vital step towards precision medicine for diabetes care, allowing healthcare professionals to tailor treatment decisions based on each patient's specific glucose control, medication tolerance, and overall health considerations.

While acknowledging the role of diet and lifestyle in type 2 diabetes, it's noteworthy how the medical focus primarily revolves around disease management with pharmaceuticals. The study's conclusion, revealing that nearly three-quarters of the over 5,000 participants struggled to maintain blood glucose targets over the 5-year period, underscores the ongoing challenges in diabetes management.

Unlocking Natural Solutions: The Feel Great System for Diabetes Management

The pharmaceutical industry and the NIH have predominantly focused on managing blood glucose with medications, which often fall short in providing long-term solutions. What's often overlooked is the potential of an all-natural, science-based approach to maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

The Feel Great System offers a refreshing alternative. Upon embarking on this journey, you receive a 30-day supply of two science-backed food products, supported by published clinical studies, listed in the Prescribers Digital Reference (PDR), and endorsed by medical professionals worldwide.

The first product, Unicity Unimate, is a yerba mate drink, while the second is Unicity Balance, a fiber matrix designed to regulate the rate at which your body converts food into glucose. Balance effectively limits the amount of insulin required, ensuring that instead of storing glucose as fat, your body efficiently utilizes it for energy. For comprehensive guidance on integrating the Feel Great System products into your type 2 diabetes management, you can access the Feel Great Diabetes Guide to unlock the best experience.

Healthcare Professionals' Endorsements: Unicity Balance for Type 2 Diabetes

For over 35 years, Unicity Balance has undergone comprehensive scrutiny, peer review, and publication in esteemed medical journals. It remains the top-recommended natural health supplement for type 2 diabetes by healthcare professionals worldwide.

Judy Gilman, RN, a Certified Diabetes Educator, affirms, "In my years of experience, I've never encountered anything that matches the effectiveness of Unicity Balance in diabetes management. The ability to stabilize glucose, cholesterol, and weight is a tremendous gift for individuals dealing with diabetes."

Jennifer Armendariz, RN, shares, "On a daily basis, I witness individuals grappling with diabetes, high blood pressure, and metabolic syndrome. With confidence, I've referred over 400 people to this system. The transformational results I've seen in patients, family members, and friends are nothing short of life-changing."

Your Path to Health with the Feel Great System

Don't leave your health to chance or misinformation. Put your trust in the Feel Great System for all your holistic health requirements.

Are you ready to embark on a transformative journey? Take the plunge into the Feel Great System now. For in-depth insights, seize the opportunity to download my complimentary Feel Great eBook.

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• Metformin vs. Unicity Balance: Which Is a Better Choice for Blood Glucose?
• Fiber Benefits in the Control of Glucose for Type 2 Diabetes
• How to Reverse Type 2 Diabetes Naturally