This is exactly the conclusion of a massive 10,000 patient ACCORD trial that was brought to screeching halt by the government. It appeared that diabetics lowering their blood sugars to desired levels were dying at a faster rate from heart disease. Maybe it’s not the fact that the diabetics were lowering their blood sugar levels, but the drugs that were being used. It is known that for 1 percent reduction of glycosylated hemoglobin that long-term complications, such as blindness and kidney failure, are reduced by 25 to 40 percent. Many diabetics have glycosylated levels that are 8 or 9 percent, whereas the normal population has levels that are about 5 percent.
But rather than using drugs, what if you lower the glycosylated hemoglobin levels to the normal range by diets like the Zone Diet? First, the patient will have virtually no diabetic complications, and probably a definite reduction in fatal heart attacks (especially if they are also taking high-dose fish oil). Drugs have their uses, but apparently in diabetes they are second-class citizens when it comes to a truly anti-inflammatory diet.