Fact Check: Can the supplement ‘Gluzabet’ cure diabetes?
The World Health Organization recommends proper diet, exercise, and medication to manage diabetes.
By Sunanda Naik Published on 20 Sep 2023 11:20 AM GMT
An advertisement for a diabetes control supplement Gluzabet has gone viral on social media claiming it to be Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and controls blood sugar.
The caption to the ad reads, ‘Don't waste a bit of money but let diabetes turn to the complication stage. Gluzabet - American technology - cure diabetes -FDA certified. Just 2 cups a day, stabilize blood sugar to 5-6 Mol/L. Add many essential nutrients. Stay away from dangerous symptoms. Improve your body and improve your spirit. Unprecedented anti-diabetes campaign.’
One of the advertisements of the same supplement, it is being claimed that it cures diabetes in just 14 days.
(Source: Screengrab from the viral post)
Diabetes is a chronic health problem and a major cause of death in most of the countries. Diet management plays an important role in controlling diabetes and its complications along with insulin and drugs.
Fact Check
NewsMeter found the claim false.
First of all, the purported supplement Gluzabet is not FDA approved. FDA has issued a warning against the use of this product. According to an FDA Advisory Philippines, the FDA warns all healthcare professionals and the general public NOT TO PURCHASE AND CONSUME the following unregistered food products and food supplements:
1. GLUZABET NUTRITION Special Nutrition for Diabetics
2. A1 PROTEIN BENCHMARK 100% Whey Protein Concentrate – Caramel Macchiato
3. A1 PROTEIN BENCHMARK 100% Whey Protein Concentrate – Dark Chocolate
Moreover, FDA further said, ‘As the number of people diagnosed with diabetes continues to grow, illegally marketed products promising to prevent, treat, and even cure diabetes are flooding the marketplace’.
‘The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to use such products—for many reasons. For example, they may contain harmful ingredients or may improperly be marketed as Over-The-Counter (OTC) products when they should be marketed as prescription products. Illegally marketed products carry an additional risk if they cause people to delay or discontinue effective treatments for diabetes. Without proper disease management, people with diabetes are at a greater risk for developing serious health complications.’ it added.
According to Medical News Today, ‘No cure for diabetes currently exists, but the disease can go into remission. When diabetes goes into remission, it means that the body does not show any signs of diabetes, although the disease is technically still present.’ It further said that even if a person maintains regular blood sugar levels for 20 years, a doctor would still consider their diabetes to be in remission rather than cured.
Always remember that switching between types of insulin should be done in consultation with a physician and requires medical supervision, and if possible, closely monitor blood glucose.
