Remember, Big Pharma’s goal is to get you on as many drugs as possible, so many widely used ones cause injuries that require more pills. Let’s just look at BP, cholesterol, and diabetes.
Blood pressure
Take blood pressure. It looks like we have it backwards. High BP is a symptom, not a cause of arterial damage. Did you know that there is no evidence that aggressively lowering blood pressure saves lives and that a BP meds have a lot of side effects—including death. Yet, approximately 94.9 million Americans are recommended by a clinician to take prescription medications for their high blood pressure.
When arteries get sick, blood gets stuck, organs starve and blood pressure goes up. That's why lowering BP doesn't prevent heart disease and 20% BP meds users get side effects (including death). "High" BP causing heart attacks was made up to sell pills. https://t.co/YE1dBL7Fpi
— A Midwestern Doctor (@MidwesternDoc) July 30, 2024
Cholesterol
Between 28 and 45 million Americans are currently taking statins to reduce cholesterol.
“We Consider A Cholesterol Level Of 350 To Be Perfectly Fine.”
Barbara O’Neill
“Doctors Tell Us Cholesterol Cannot Go Over 190 & Many Doctors Want Levels Less Than 150.”
“We Are Being Lied To, We Are Being Deceived.” Cholesterol Does Not Cause Atherosclerosis, Heart Attack Or Stroke.
"We Consider A Cholesterol Level Of 350 To Be Perfectly Fine."
— Valerie Anne Smith (@ValerieAnne1970) January 4, 2025
Barbara O'Neill
"Doctors Tell Us Cholesterol Cannot Go Over 190 & Many Doctors Want Levels Less Than 150."
"We Are Being Lied To, We Are Being Deceived."
Cholesterol Does Not Cause Atherosclerosis, Heart Attack Or… pic.twitter.com/9kNSOxoZ7l
Cholesterol Is Essential, Without It Our Body Cannot Make:
Testosterone
Aldosterone
Cortisol
DHT Dihydrotestosterone
DHEA Dehydroepiandrosterone
Estradiol
Estriol
Estrone
Progesterone
Vitamin D
Healthy Cholesterol Is Crucial For A Thriving Life.
Top 15 Cholesterol Benefits:
Protects against chemicals, toxins & heavy metals.
Prevents dementia & cognitive decline.
Protects against all cause mortality.
Production of all steroid hormones.
Bone density & Osteoporosis prevention.
Protective against stroke & heart disease.
Important for lungs & airways.
Building block of all cells & mitochondria.
Absorption of Vitamins A, D, E & K.
Critical for digestion & bile acids.
Immune system protection against infections.
Lowers risk of cancer & death.
Lowers risk of depression & suicide.
Lowers stress, cortisol & anxiety.
Optimal brain is 60% fat & 25% cholesterol.
A low carbohydrate diet prioritizing nutrient dense animal foods, eliminating harmful seed oils & excess sugar, provides the best healthy cholesterol profile.
Diabetes
Approximately 37 million Americans have diabetes, and while not all require medication, a large portion does. The CDC has reported that around 7.4 million Americans use insulin to manage diabetes, and when including oral medications and other treatments, the number of people on diabetes medications would be substantially higher. However, exact figures for all types of diabetes medications together are not commonly cited in one source, but given the prevalence of diabetes, this number is certainly in the millions.
We all know that losing weight, eating clean, and regular exercise can eliminate diabetes. And yet, we take the drugs.
Side effects of drugs
Diabetes drugs can vary widely in their mechanisms of action, thus leading to different side effects depending on the type of medication. Here’s a brief overview of common side effects associated with various classes of diabetes medications:
Diabetes medications, including newer injectable options, can have various side effects. Below is an overview of common side effects associated with different classes of diabetes drugs, including the newer injectable treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists.
Common Diabetes Medications (Oral and Injectable) and Their Side Effects – Grok
1. Metformin (Biguanide – Oral)
- Common Side Effects:
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, loss of appetite)
- Metallic taste in the mouth
- Less Common but Serious:
- Lactic acidosis (rare but serious, especially in those with kidney issues)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency with long-term use
2. Sulfonylureas (e.g., Glimepiride, Glipizide, Glyburide – Oral)
- Common Side Effects:
- Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
- Weight gain
- Less Common but Serious:
- Allergic reactions (skin rash, itching)
- Increased risk of cardiovascular events (controversial, varies by drug)
3. DPP-4 Inhibitors (e.g., Sitagliptin, Saxagliptin – Oral)
- Common Side Effects:
- Upper respiratory infections, sore throat, headache
- Gastrointestinal discomfort
- Less Common but Serious:
- Pancreatitis (rare)
- Joint pain (reported with some DPP-4 inhibitors)
4. SGLT-2 Inhibitors (e.g., Canagliflozin, Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin – Oral)
- Common Side Effects:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) and genital yeast infections (due to increased glucose in urine)
- Dehydration, leading to low blood pressure
- Less Common but Serious:
- Normoglycaemic ketoacidosis (elevated ketones without high blood sugar)
- Increased risk of lower-limb amputation (noted in some studies, rare, requires monitoring of feet)
- Acute kidney injury (especially in those with dehydration)
5. Thiazolidinediones (e.g., Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone – Oral)
- Common Side Effects:
- Weight gain
- Fluid retention (edema), which can worsen heart failure
- Less Common but Serious:
- Increased risk of bone fractures
- Possible increased risk of bladder cancer (with pioglitazone, though evidence is debated)
6. Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (e.g., Acarbose, Miglitol – Oral)
- Common Side Effects:
- Gastrointestinal issues (gas, bloating, diarrhea)
- Less Common but Serious:
- Liver enzyme elevation (rare)
7. Insulin (Injectable)
- Common Side Effects:
- Hypoglycemia
- Weight gain
- Injection site reactions (redness, swelling)
- Less Common but Serious:
- Severe allergic reactions
- Lipodystrophy (changes in fat tissue at injection sites)
Newer Injectable Diabetes Medications
These include GLP-1 receptor agonists (e.g., Semaglutide [Ozempic, Wegovy], Liraglutide [Victoza, Saxenda], Dulaglutide [Trulicity]) and dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists (e.g., Tirzepatide [Mounjaro]).
1. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists (Injectable or Oral [e.g., Rybelsus])
- Common Side Effects:
- Gastrointestinal issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain) – often more pronounced when starting or increasing doses
- Loss of appetite
- Injection site reactions (redness, itching)
- Less Common but Serious:
- Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
- Risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (thyroid cancer) – based on animal studies, rare in humans, but a boxed warning exists
- Acute kidney injury (often linked to dehydration from nausea/vomiting)
- Worsening of diabetic retinopathy (eye complications, especially with rapid blood sugar improvement)
- Hypotension (low blood pressure) and syncope (fainting) – noted in some studies, requiring monitoring
- Increased heart rate (mild tachycardia)
2. Dual GLP-1/GIP Receptor Agonists (e.g., Tirzepatide [Mounjaro] – Injectable)
- Common Side Effects:
- Similar to GLP-1 agonists: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, abdominal discomfort
- Injection site reactions
- Less Common but Serious:
- Pancreatitis
- Risk of medullary thyroid carcinoma (similar to GLP-1 agonists, based on animal studies)
- Acute kidney injury (due to dehydration)
- Gallbladder problems (e.g., gallstones, inflammation)
- Increased heart rate
3. Amylin Analogs (e.g., Pramlintide [Symlin] – Injectable)
- Common Side Effects:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Hypoglycemia (especially when used with insulin)
- Less Common but Serious:
- Severe hypoglycemia if not dosed correctly with insulin
General Notes on Side Effects
- Variability: Side effects can vary widely between individuals, and many diminish over time as the body adjusts to the medication.
- Monitoring: Regular monitoring by healthcare providers is crucial, especially for serious side effects like pancreatitis, thyroid cancer, or kidney issues.
- Combination Therapy: When combining medications (e.g., GLP-1 agonists with insulin or sulfonylureas), the risk of hypoglycemia or other side effects may increase, requiring careful dose adjustments.
- Lifestyle Considerations: Many of these medications work best when combined with dietary and lifestyle changes, which can also help mitigate some side effects like gastrointestinal discomfort.
Diabetes is a state of excess carbs/calories, body fat, and sedentary lifestyle: no acute stressors, no hormesis
— P.D. Mangan Health & Freedom Maximalist
Metformin, the top line antidiabetic drug, works by hormesis.
Its mechanism is therefore the same as exercise, fasting, cold exposure, sauna. pic.twitter.com/ivsdsKyHuf(@Mangan150) January 27, 2024