Antacids, commonly used to relieve heartburn and indigestion, may have an unexpected benefit for people with diabetes.
Recent research from the University of Maryland suggests that these over-the-counter medications can also help in managing blood sugar levels for those living with type 2 diabetes, a condition that affects nearly 10% of the global population.
Type 2 diabetes is a major public health issue worldwide. Managing this condition often involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and medications like insulin or other diabetes drugs.
However, new findings indicate that antacids might play a role in better blood sugar control when used alongside standard diabetes treatments.
In their study, the researchers found that adding antacids to the regular diabetes care routine led to better outcomes in controlling blood sugar.
Specifically, they observed a reduction in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, which is a key marker of long-term blood sugar control, as well as a decrease in fasting blood sugar levels.
These improvements suggest that antacids could be a helpful addition to the existing treatment options for people with diabetes.
The study focused on a specific type of antacid known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). These are widely used to treat conditions related to stomach acidity, such as heartburn.
The researchers conducted a meta-analysis, which is a method of combining results from multiple studies to get a clearer picture of an issue. In this case, they analyzed data from seven studies involving 342 participants with diabetes to assess the impact of PPIs on blood sugar levels.
Additionally, they looked at five studies with over 244,000 participants to see if these medications could reduce the risk of developing diabetes in the general population.
The findings were quite promising for those already living with diabetes. The data showed that using antacids, specifically PPIs, could lower HbA1c levels by 0.36% and reduce fasting blood sugar by 10 mg/dl.
These reductions, while modest, are significant enough to suggest that antacids could be a useful tool in managing diabetes, particularly when combined with other treatments.
For individuals without diabetes, the study found that taking antacids did not have a noticeable effect on their risk of developing the condition.
This means that while antacids may help those who already have diabetes, they are not likely to prevent the onset of diabetes in otherwise healthy individuals.
The researchers behind this study emphasize that people with diabetes should be informed about this potential benefit of antacids.
Healthcare providers might consider this glucose-lowering effect when prescribing these medications to their patients with diabetes, especially if they are already using antacids for other reasons, such as treating heartburn or indigestion.
This research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that commonly used medications might have additional benefits beyond their primary purpose.
For people with diabetes, managing blood sugar is crucial to preventing complications, and these findings offer a new avenue for improving control of the disease.
The study was conducted by a team led by Dr. Carol Chiung-Hui Peng and was published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.
This research opens up new possibilities for the use of everyday medications in managing chronic conditions like diabetes, potentially making life a little easier for those affected by this widespread disease.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies that pomace olive oil could help lower blood cholesterol, and honey could help control blood sugar.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that blueberries strongly benefit people with metabolic syndrome, and results showing eggs in a plant-based diet may benefit people with type 2 diabetes.
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