Q: I was troubled with recurrent canker sores for a while. The only thing that had changed was my toothpaste. I wanted whiter teeth, so I was using whitening toothpastes.
I got canker sores when there was sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) in the toothpaste. As soon as I switched to toothpaste without SLS, the mouth sores went away.
A: Many readers report that if they avoid toothpaste with SLS, mouth ulcers are less troublesome. Nevertheless, a randomized controlled trial of SLS-free toothpaste did not result in a change in outbreaks. It did cut healing time and reduce pain (Oral Diseases, October 2012).
Q: Several years ago, my HbA1c test was 5.39. A recent test indicated it has ticked up to 6.0. My medical provider wants to retest it in six months. If the retest does not show a reduction, he is suggesting diabetes medication.
I am averse to taking prescription medications that have the potential to cause pancreatitis or pancreatic cancer. I understand that might be a risk with some of the newer diabetes drugs.
Is there a natural way to lower my HbA1c using dietary supplements? I’d really appreciate your guidance.
A: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is a measure doctors use to assess average blood sugar over the prior three months. At under 5.6, your previous result was normal; your current level of 6 puts you in the prediabetic range.
Luckily, there is a good deal that you can do to get your blood sugar back under control naturally. Coffee, cinnamon, dark chocolate, stevia, vitamin D, exercise and a low-carb diet all can be helpful. To learn more about the details of these and many other nondrug approaches to blood sugar control, we offer our book “Best Choices From The People’s Pharmacy” (online at www.PeoplesPharmacy.com).
Metformin, an older drug that lowers blood sugar, also may reduce the risk of common cancers. Some newer drugs such as Byetta, Januvia, Onglyza, Tradjenta and Victoza have been linked to pancreatitis, but the risk remains controversial.
Q: When the prescription label says take before meals, what does that mean?
A: Such instructions are meaningless. You need to know if your medicine works best when taken on an empty stomach (at least an hour before eating or two hours after a meal) or with food. Ask your prescriber or pharmacist to provide detailed instructions for this specific drug.
Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”
