Antacids are drugs that help relieve heartburn, indigestion, or an upset stomach by neutralizing stomach acidity.
People with type 2 diabetes, which affects almost 10 percent of people worldwide, have a hard time managing their blood sugar levels.
Doctors usually recommend lifestyle changes, medications, or insulin to help them manage their diabetes, but a recent study found that antacids can also help improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
The University of Maryland researchers studied the effects of antacids on blood sugar levels.
They found that prescribing antacids as an add-on to standard care were better than just standard therapy in lowering hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and fasting blood sugar in people with diabetes.
However, taking antacids did not strongly affect the risk of developing diabetes in people without the disease.
The researchers analyzed seven clinical trials that involved 342 participants and found that antacids can reduce HbA1c levels by 0.36% and lower fasting blood sugar by 10 mg/dl in people with diabetes.
On the other hand, five studies involving 244,439 participants found that antacids had no effect on reducing the risk of developing diabetes in people without the disease.
The researchers suggest that people with diabetes should be aware of the glucose-lowering effect of these commonly used antacid medications.
Healthcare providers should consider this effect when prescribing these medications to their patients.
How to lower blood sugar if you have diabetes
If you have diabetes, there are several ways you can lower your blood sugar levels. Here are some tips:
Follow a healthy diet: Eating a balanced diet that includes lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates can help manage blood sugar levels. Avoid processed and sugary foods and opt for whole foods.
Exercise regularly: Physical activity can help lower blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
Take your medication as prescribed: If your healthcare provider has prescribed medications for your diabetes, it is important to take them as directed.
Check your blood sugar regularly: Monitoring your blood sugar levels regularly can help you manage your diabetes and adjust your treatment plan as needed.
Manage stress: Stress can raise blood sugar levels, so finding ways to manage stress such as exercise, meditation, or deep breathing can help keep blood sugar levels in check.
Get enough sleep: Lack of sleep can cause blood sugar levels to rise, so aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Work with your healthcare provider: Your healthcare provider can help you develop a personalized treatment plan to manage your diabetes and lower your blood sugar levels.
The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism and conducted by Carol Chiung-Hui Peng et al.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about how COVID-19 is linked to diabetes, and scientists find a new way to detect fatty liver disease accurately.
For more information about diabetes, please see recent studies that the Keto diet could benefit overweight people with diabetes, and results showing the Mediterranean diet could help reduce the diabetes risk by one-third.
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