Paula Deen’s Diabetes Website Lists Some Scary Safety Info

by Michael dEstries January 17, 2012
Categories: Lifestyle
Tags: paula deen.

Have you visited Paul Deen’s “Diabetes in a New Light” site? Beneath her smiling face promoting Novo Nordisk and all their drug solutions is some glaring potential side-effects for the other drug she’s shilling – Victoza.

“In animal studies, Victoza® caused thyroid tumors—including thyroid cancer—in some rats and mice. It is not known whether Victoza® causes thyroid tumors or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in people which may be fatal if not detected and treated early. Do not use Victoza® if you or any of your family members have a history of MTC or if you have Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome type 2 (MEN 2). While taking Victoza®, tell your doctor if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.”

Holy Hell!

Apparently, the FDA issued a formal warning last summer on the drug based on those studies – since no one is really sure if what’s happening to mice and rats will translate to humans. Comforting.

Over on the site DiabetesMine.com, at least one commenter expressed their thanks to the FDA for addressing the drug.

“Its about time the FDA said something! If you read the blog “The Jury’s Still Out” on this site it is really scary how many doctors are automatically increasing patient doses to the maximum within three short weeks. There is no monitoring in many cases! I contacted the company about the .6 lowest dose and they said it is an ineffective dose and just used to get the body started on a new med. .6 works for many of us – me included!!. I don’t plan on increasing doses unless I absolutely have to. There are no follow up studies on people going off Victoza either.”

In light of the recent warnings, it appears that doctors have been stepping up their conversations with patients about the drug’s potential side effects. With Paula Deen now promoting it to a huge audience, that’s especially important.

”I tell my patients about the potential risks,” endocrinologist Mariela Glandt told the diabetic site A Sweet Life. They make an informed decision when they decide to start treatment with Victoza. A large majority of my patients are happy with it. Even the patients who experience side effects like nausea and vomiting will stay on the drug because they’re so pleased with its benefits and those side effects are usually temporary.”

Type 2 diabetes makes up roughly 90% of cases of diabetes. It is mainly caused by both lifestyle choices and genetics; with a sharp rise in worldwide obesity a suspected culprit. In 1985, there were only 30 million people with the disease. Today, an estimated 285 million suffer. Even worse, at least one in 10 adults worldwide could have diabetes by 2030, according to the International Diabetes Federation.

About Michael dEstries

Michael has been blogging since 2005 on issues such as sustainability, renewable energy, philanthropy, and healthy living. He regularly contributes to a slew of publications, as well as consulting with companies looking to make an impact using the web and social media. He lives in Ithaca, NY with his family on an apple farm.

View all posts by Michael dEstries →

Sam

I think she’s doing a lot of people a disservice by talking about how to manage or treat Type 2 diabetes. One of the lucky aspects of it is that, generally, Type 2 Diabetes is reversible. You can usually either eliminate or dramatically lessen the symptoms if you commit to changing your diet and activity level. By promoting this stuff, it’s like she’s just saying “well give up and just take the drugs.” It’s a dangerous message.
Banffboy55

Big Fat Southern money grubbing liar.
Linda

Paula, you should be ashamed of yourself – keeping your lifestyle-induced disease hidden for THREE years while you continued to tout fat and sugar laden foods on your programs, cookbooks, and appearances! Then, AFTER finalizing a deal with a drug company, you reveal your condition.
Seems that “this Southern girl” is just interested in making a buck – any way she can, even if that puts her fans at risk as they, and their families, consume food made using the recipes she promotes.
I have no interest in seeing your shows or those of your sons in the future – even if they attempt to shore up some of the damage you have done. It is way too late for that!!
Shame on you, Paula Deen, greed has become your master!
Makes own choices

Keep doing what you do Paula. I will take responsibilty for what I cook and what I eat. And your private medical info is just that, private. Let the liberal media cover some of our real issues and get off your back. My mom is a diabetic and you haven’t killed her yet.