Were you diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and were told that losing weight should be your highest priority? Some patients have turned to common weight loss supplements like Lipozene to achieve their goals. Is that a good idea? Before you start shopping in the supplement aisle to fix your diabetes, take some time to learn how these pills work with your body.
What is Lipozene and How does it Work?
Lipozene is the product name of a popular weight-loss supplement. It is made out of the Konjac root, specifically, the compound called glucomannan. Glucomannan is a non-digestible fiber that absorbs other liquids and nutrients in your stomach and intestines, preventing calorie-laden foods from turning into fat. It also helps you feel full so that users are less likely to snack during the day. Some users report significant weight-loss while using the supplement. You can find it as a name-brand product, but there are a number of generic versions that use glucomannan as the identifiable ingredient for weight loss.
Diabetes Type 2: What You Need to Know
Type 2 Diabetes is diagnosed when your body has trouble using the insulin that it produces. Insulin helps glucose–or sugar–enter your cells and turns it into fuel. When you have Type 2 diabetes, too much sugar remains in your bloodstream and cannot be converted into energy. You may be prescribed a medication to restrict the amount of sugar that your body absorbs from your food in order to control your blood sugar levels.
Because Lipozene absorbs more of your food in your stomach and intestines, less sugar can be absorbed into your bloodstream. If you are being treated for Type 2 Diabetes, taking your medication and Lipozene can result in an extremely low blood sugar level, which can be life-threatening. There are a variety of different medications prescribed to treat diabetes and some are safe to use with a supplement like Lipozene. Your doctor is best equipped to determine if you should avoid this combination.
Is Lipozene Safe?
Lipozene is listed as a supplement, not a medicine. This means that it has not been tested by the Food and Drug Administration to treat any kind of illness or medical condition. This does not mean that it is harmless. Not only does Lipozene absorb foods, but it can also absorb your medications so that your body cannot take advantage of the entire dose.
The main ingredient in Lipozene can also cause blockages in your intestines if it absorbs too many solids. It is important that you follow dosing instructions and consult a doctor if you experience any abdominal pain after taking it.
After taking all that into consideration, there is no specific warning issued by the FDA regarding Lipozene or its active ingredients.
Why Lipozene could Cause Problems with Your Diabetes
There are two main potential problems that Lipozene can cause if you take it with your diabetes medication. The first is directly preventing your medication from being absorbed into your bloodstream via your stomach. The Lipozene may collect any other pills in your stomach and intestines and flush them out of your body before the medicine can do its job. For this reason, the timing of your diabetes and your Lipozene supplement doses is crucial.
The second problem can be lower blood sugar than expected because your body is absorbing less of the food that you eat. Your medication is actively lowering your sugar levels, so the Lipozene can serve as a double whammy to your system. It cannot be substituted for your diabetes medication as it has not been tested to produce the consistent and safe sugar level reduction associated with FDA-approved medicines.
Did your doctor recommend using Lipozene with your diabetes medication? Now is the time to consult with the Mann Law Firm and determine if you were given inappropriate medical advice.
Working with Your Physician to Lose Weight Safely
Diabetics commonly struggle with their weight due in part to dietary restrictions associated with their treatment. If you and your doctor agree that you need to lose weight to better control your blood sugar, you both need to be involved with every aspect of the weight loss process. Lipozene is often promoted as a magic pill that requires no change in diet or exercise to reap its benefits. The fact is that a lack of good nutrition and exercise may be the root cause of your diabetes.
If your doctor agreed to the use of Lipozene as part of your weight loss regimen, it should have been accompanied by their active supervision with weekly check-ins and regular office visits. If you had your diabetes medication changed while you were taking Lipozene and suffered unexpected side effects, you might be wondering if your doctor made a mistake.
If you need some support sorting out your medical situation but can no longer rely on the advice of your doctor, it may be time to bring in an attorney experienced in medical misconduct such as the Mann Law Firm. They can help you sort out where the mistake was made and take the steps needed to restore your health.
