Polypill For Diabetes and Syndrome X
Diabetes - particularly Type II diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Diabetes also contributes substantially to cardiovascular risk. Unfortunately, some of the ingredients in Wald and Law's original polypill may not be advisable for patients with diabetes (for example : beta-blockers - which can lead to weight gain, and thiazide diuretics). The polypill for diabetes includes :
- A Statin. To reduce LDL cholesterol and they also have recently been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties.
- An ACE inhibitor (for blood pressure control AND to protect the kidneys).
- Aspirin (antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory properties), and
- Metformin - an excellent medication for diabetes that is also associated with weight loss.
Many people who are overweight are diabetic without knowing it. Many additional people have prediabetes and may benefit from active intervention. Overall, people who have diabetes or prediabetes, high cholesterol and /or high blood pressure and are overweight are considered to have metabolic syndrome X, and may benefit substantially from the Diabetes polypill.
Perhaps, as the polypill strategy becomes widely adopted, people over 55 with a "normal" body mass index or waist circumference will take the Wald and Law polypill, and the obese or substantially overweight will take the Diabetes / Syndrome X polypill.
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