Updated 3/10/20: Have you heard the radio commercial for Diabetes44.com? I did and was curious because the commercial talked about “1 weird spice” that reverses diabetes”. I knew exactly what spice they were referring to was, but I wanted to check out the website and see what it was all about. What follows in this review is what I was able to determine after going to the Diabetes44.com website.
Diabetes44.com Website
If you go to Diabetes44.com, look at your browser. If you look closely you'll notice that you were redirected to another website called, DiabetesReversed.com. You also are immediately hit with a video – that you can't pause or see how long it is – that discusses diabetes and the product they are selling.
I looked up Diabetes44.com and DiabetesReversed.com and found that they are both owned by another company called BartonPublishing.com. According to Whois.com a website that gives information about other websites, Diabetes44.com was created on December 3 2013. It was only registered for 1 year. The person who registered the website is Joe Barton who provides as an address, a PO Box in South Dakota.
I also looked up a website called DiabetesReversed.com. It was also registered by Joe Barton but this is an older site. It was registered in 2008 and it doesn’t expire until 2021. This makes sense, because I'd imagine that a name “DiabetesReversed” is a highly coveted and valuable website name.
Most “good”/valuable website names are already taken. In fact, I'd bet your own name has already been gobbled up. This is why MY website has a dash (-) between supplement and geek. I believe, it's because all the good website names were taken, that the number 44 is in the address “diabetes44.com”. Also, I have to admit, it is a catchy and easy to remember name – good for those like me, who heard the commercial while driving.
BartonPublishing.com is a website that publishes natural health reports. The Better Business Bureau gives Barton Publishing a rating of “A-“. See the BBB file for updates and additional information.
Contact Barton Publishing
According to the Better Business Bureau file, Barton Publishing is located at PO Box 50 Brandon, SD 57005-0050
They list a phone number of 888-356-1146.
Calling outside the US call 617-603‑0085
Diabetes44.com Video
The video on the website is narrated by someone named “Lon.” I'm not sure who that is. There is no last name given. Just “Lon.” On the Barton Publishing website, I saw nobody named Lon either.
At the end of the video you discover that they are not selling supplements, but actually books – electronic books – to educate people on how to help their diabetes. The ebooks they are selling are:
- Natural Remedies for Diabetes
- Your Personal Meal and Exercise Planner
- Carb Counting Cheat Sheet
- Low Blood Sugar Cook Book
- Diabetes Reversal Resource Guide
- Diabetic Grocery List
If you order these resources, you will be granted a free 21-day trial to read them for a $2.97 processing fee. They also say “days from today” you will then pay $17.21. I could not tell how long after the 21-day trial, the $17.21 would be charged. I'll assume it's at the end of 21 days.
What's The Weird Spice?
The “weird spice” hinted at during the Diabetes44.com radio commercial is cinnamon. It turns out there is some evidence that cinnamon can help blood sugar levels.
That said, as this review mentions, not all research shows cinnamon works.
Here is a highly ranked cinnamon supplement on Amazon.
If you read the Amazon comments, you see that while many say its help, not everybody is happy with it.
Cinnamon has been in several supplements I've previously reviewed including:
- NutraBullet Fat Burning Boost (weight loss supplement)
- Glucotor V2 (diabetes supplement)
- Right Size Smoothies (weight loss shake)
See those reviews for additional information. Notice that some of these reviews are for weight loss supplements. Cinnamon is popular in some weight loss supplements because many people who need are looking for weight loss, also have blood sugar problems. Some also have diabetes.
Can Diabetes Be Reversed?
While I admit, I didn’t like that Diabetes44.com redirected me to another website and I also didn’t like that I was stuck watching the meanderings of that never-ending video, I agree with Barton Publishing that type II diabetes can be reversed in most people. I even go as far as to say that in most people, type II diabetes can be “cured.”
I want to point out we are discussing type II diabetes – the most common type – and not type I diabetes, when I say diabetes can be cured. Currently there is no cure for type I diabetes, although I am hopeful one day there will be. That said, the same things that can help type II diabetes can also help (although not “cure”) type I diabetes.
I know some don't like the word cure so feel free to substitute “reversed” if you like. I prefer to use “cure” because its a word that many with diabetes have never heard before. I believe most feel that once they got diabetes, they have it for life. For many, that is just not the case.
While I can appreciate the efforts to spread awareness, the cure for diabetes is free. It consists of:
- Eat fewer calories
- Regular exercise
I know this is true because I'm an exercise physiologist. I've studied diabetes. More impotently than that, I've personally met diabetics who used to take not only pills – they also injected insulin.
But, after they started eating fewer calories (not a lot, just a little bit fewer) and began a regular exercise program (even walking helps), their diabetes went away. Their blood sugar returned to normal and their hemoglobin A1C levels also went back to normal.
Here is an interview I did with a woman who got off all her medications – including insulin – by doing what I am suggesting.
I personally know a man who got off metformin, lowered his A1c and blood sugar and did all this while being in a wheelchair.
Is this “cure” easy? No. But it will work for the majority of people who have type II diabetes and stick to it.
Are there some people where diabetes has a genetic link? In other words, diabetes runs in their family? Yes. In these individuals, I'm not sure if exercise and weight loss will completely reverse diabetes.
I've met those people too – they do everything right, and yet they are still taking metformin. Are they still a diabetic? Yes. Are they still healthier and less likely to suffer from diabetes complications because they remain healthy? Yes also.
So can cinnamon ―the “weird spice” that Diabetes44.com talks about ―help? Sure, it might help some, but it WON'T work if taking cinnamon is the only thing you do.
Diabetes is hard-core. It takes no prisoners. That's why it has to be attacked by not only eating fewer calories but also exercise.
Eating a few less calories per day by eating healthier foods, coupled with weight loss, I feel is the most important -and hardest thing to do.
If downloading the ebooks by Barton Publishing to help people control their diabetes helps you take that first step, then I say go ahead and do it, as long as you read the books and it motivates you to the other things. Paying about $20 is not much if it spurs people to do what they need to do.
For those who are going to think there is a simple solution to diabetes-like taking cinnamon, chromium or magnesium supplements – then I must be honest and say that alone won't work for most people.
If you have questions, leave a comment below and I'll try to help.
For more info see my post: Can Diabetes Be Cured? and the Diabetes section of My Resources Page.
Hi. Wondering if you know of the supplement “Glucogone”? My daughter got hold of some several years back. Made her feel better than ever. I believe Opunitia cactus is main component. She is a type 1 diabetic. Is there anything similar that might help?
Hi Kari, Ive never heard of it but the word sounds a lot like “glucagon” the hormone that raises blood sugar. What is your daughter trying to accomplish?
Joe,
I do not mean any offence but you are not telling me anything new. I’ve read many books and looked into sites regarding diabetes.
It runs in my family. My grandfather, may father, my uncle and my brother all got diabetes. Since I was told that sugar causes diabetes and saw my father struggle with the disease, I avoided sugar since I was young and I always exercised. So it was very shocking to hear I also got diabetes and told to start taking metformin.
That triggered me to start studying about diabetes and learned refined carbohydrates are practically the same as sugar. So I gave up rice, noodles, bread, cracker and so on. I adapted Atkins diet and since I started consume more protein, I started to lift weight on top of my usual exercise.
I work out pretty hard 5~7 days a week. My diet seems so strict that my wife wonders how I can keep it up but I do because I don’t want to lose my extremities.
My A1C level came down to normal and my doctor made me reduce the amount of metformin from 1000 mg to 500 mg. My blood sugar is definitely higher than when was taking 1000 mg right now.
What I am trying to get at is that I probably am far more strict about my diet and exercise than normal people and I still struggle to control my diabetes.
It’s not as simple as eating fewer calories and do moderate exercise.
Still struggling, I hear what you are saying and it sounds like diabetes does run in your family. I know there is a genetic aspect to both type I and type II diabetes. I know for some people, working out, weight loss, and eating better might not completely work. I have met people like yourself. I believe most people though do not have diabetes because of genetics. I believe its acquired. We live in a society where food is available the time as as the temptation to eat and over eat (TV commercials etc.).
It frustrates me when I encounter type II diabetics who don’t know even the basics of their condition. That’s why when I can, I try to help them. You sound like a very educated person who has diabetes. Because of your higher education, I know you are less likely to deal with diabetic complications. Its the other 90% or so out there who dont know what you do, that I wanted to try to reach with this post.
I hope that clears things up and I congratulate you on all you continue to do to help manage your diabetes.
Joe,
I understand. I also suspected you were referring to those who develop insulin resistance due to their life style. I just got frustrated about my own condition of continuous struggle to control my blood sugar; and had to let it out for the sake of others like myself who inherited the tendency to become diabetic with no hope of reversing it. As I wrote, I meant no offense.
BTW, I really enjoy your analyses. I ran into your site while I was trying to figure out if Force Factor was worth the money I was paying. Thanks to your articles, I stopped using Force Factor and I save money buying arginine + ornithine, taurine and citrulline from Vitamin Shoppe when they have buy one get one @50% sale.
Regards,
Still struggling
Still Struggling, I totally understand and I appreciate your kick in the butt to me to add more to my review about who I was referring to better. I added a few extra sentences today so I thank you for that!
Glad you are finding my little piece of the Internet helpful 🙂
Hi, Diabetes runs in the family, mom has it. Does this mean I will get it too?
Pjlcs, there is a genetic link to both type I and type II diabetes. My guess is that you are referring to type II diabetes as that is most common. There are things you can do to reduce your risk of getting it. If you are overweight, you need to lose weight. eating fewer processed foods with simple sugars can also help a lot. If the food comes in a can, a bag or a box, it probalby is processed and has a lot of simple sugars. eat more fruits and vegetables and lean (no fatty) proteins like tuna, chicken and turkey. you should exercise as well. I dont mean run a marathon but rather just go for a daily walk if that’s all you can do.
Have you ever had a blood test for diabetes? if not, your doctor can do this for you. he/she will check your blood sugar and you should also ask for the “A1C test.” too. Doctors know what that means. its another test for diabetes. its a simple blood test.
Just because your mom has it does not mean you have to get diabetes too. Here is something else I wrote on diabetes that I hope will help you: http://www.joe-cannon.com/can-type-ii-diabetes-be-cured/
Joe, I have to agree with Lowell. I was diagnosed about 6 months ago with type 2. I was given metformin. I was instructed to eat no more than 30 carbs per meal. I did exactly that. Within 2 weeks I went from taking two pills per day down to one half a day.
I stopped taking the half pill after one day and haven’t taken another since. My A1C went from 9 to 5.7 after 3 months. I still maintain a low card diet to this day. All is under control. I did not exercise. I did do some walking early on in my diagnosis and watched my blood sugar drop 10 points from just a 20 min walk.
I am starting to do a exercise program now in hopes to reduce the A1C even more. I totally agree with diet and exercise one can control diabetes. I want to encourage anyone with type 2 to watch your carb intake. Reduce carbs and calories will also be reduced. You will lose weight and blood sugar will lower.
Best to all.
Glenn
Glen, I am SO GLAD your A1c is lower. You are doing fantastic!
I recommend watching the video documentary called “Raw for 30″…. it was pretty amazing… especially what happens with Kirt at the end. : )
AeronM, Thanks for that video! it sounds a lot like the documentary on netflix where the guy juices for 90 days. By juicing and eating better foods – and fewer calories – weight comes down and this helps improve diabetes. Either way, I’m all for it!
Here is an interesting -and revealing – interview with a woman who had type II diabetes and how she got off insulin. What her doctor says to her when she says she wants to get off her insulin is chilling: http://www.joe-cannon.com/interview-yolanda-bowles-diabetes-exercise-nutrition-cure-type-ii-diabetes/
A low carbohydrate diet should be the first approach to treating diabetes. Feinman, et al 2015.
The how to do it is in the book Diabetes Solution by Richard Bernstein MD.
Your followers who have severe, difficult to control or longstanding type 1or type 2 DM and who are taking insulin or medications will want to do this with the supervision of a health care provider who understands this therapeutic diet to normalize blood glucose. It does not necessarily “cure” diabetes because most will “relapse” if they go back to their former lifestyle and eating habits.
Lowell, I hear ya that this is basically a semantic issue. While I do like to try to be as scientifically correct as possible, I think when it comes to type Ii diabetes, I think a better approach is to use the word “cure.” Diabetes is such a devastating disease that that I feel is not taken seriously by people who have it. I want to arm people with the knowledge that many of them have the ability to get off all their medications, reduce their risk of many diseases, and lengthen their life.
Joe
I read your review with great interest. I’m not diabetic at present. I have normal fasting blood sugar levels and normal glucose levels in my one and two hour glucose tolerance test. However my tests show I am insulin Resistant. I have seen a specialist who has told me this is a pre diabetes stage and I will end up with type two diabetes.
I am not overweight but have gained 5kg since having my children (youngest is two). The weight is around the middle section as with most women that have had kids. This specialist believes it’s nothing to do with having kids that it’s insulin resistance. I also have high cholesterol which I take a statin for. The specialist believes insulin is behind that as well and part of a bigger picture metabolic syndrome that will see me with cardiovascular issues a small I age.
I don’t know what to make of this but he has prescribed 3 metformin tablets a day to control insulin. He has also said not to worry about diet and exercise as that won’t do anything to cure such horribly high insulin levels
For someone who eats pretty well I know I can eat better and I know I can exercise more than I do and lose the 5kg. I’ve put his script in the bin and refuse to accept a life of medication from 32 years age until I die!
I believe diet and exercise can reverse my issue and hence I’m looking at natural remedies to combine with this regime and then test to see what happens. What is your opinion?
Melly, diabetes can be a challenging disorder (does anyone in your family have diabetes?) and while I am not a doctor I can tell you that I’ve seen get off all their medications. For example, I know someone – who is a quadriplegic – who, last year, was diagnosed with metabolic syndrome (pre-diabetes). He’s been in in wheelchair for 12 years and even though he worked out 5 times a week for an hour, he still got this disorder. I tell you this so you know that exercise alone might not work. It was only after he started watching his diet – paying attention to the calories and carbohydrates he was eating – did his blood sugar (and hemoglobin A1C) start to decrease. He also lost some weight due to his change in diet. He is down to 1 metformin a day and his doctor tells him that if his blood sugar and A1C are still low at his next check up, that she will take him off metformin.
Here is an interview I did with a woman who is off her medications after changing her lifestyle:
http://www.joe-cannon.com/interview-yolanda-bowles-diabetes-exercise-nutrition-cure-type-ii-diabetes/
Here is something else I’ve written about type II diabetes that might help:
http://www.joe-cannon.com/can-type-ii-diabetes-be-cured/
I would say take the metformin for now as it will help you – but also work to reduce your calories and watch your simple carbohydrates. Eat more fruits and vegetables too. I believe exercise, watching carbs and calories and weight loss can beat diabetes in many cases.
If you need to work with a registered dietitian to do this, than that can only help you. EatRight.org is where you can find an RD in your area. Here is the link (click agree at the disclaimer) : http://www.eatright.org/find-an-expert
While I’m surprised that the specialist said diet and exercise cant help you, I wonder if he/she said this because so few stick with what I’m suggesting? I think some doctors get discouraged with people who don’t do what it takes. For some, I wonder if prescribing a medication is the best answer for those people.
Thanks Joe for your reply and links. I must say it’s encouraging to see people turn their conditions around.
I went to see my GP and we discussed what the specialist had to say. I’m lucky my GP strongly agrees with diet and exercise regimes so she supports my experiment and will allow me to stay off metformin but only for ten weeks.
That’s right. The challenge is ten weeks to change my diet, exercise and lose 5-6kg and then have my insulin levels retested.
She proposed I cut carbs out except for one wholemeal/low gi serve at one sitting per day. Eg at lunch have a sandwich but that’s it no other carbs for the day. Diet is to be loaded with protein and veggies with 2 low fat dairy serves a day. No more than 2 fruits a day. Exercise at 3-4 times per week, haven’t decided yet what type of exercise regime.
She agrees that it’s likely the specialist was tired of seeing overweight people that won’t put the hard yards in and do easier to dish out a script.. But in any case, 3 tablets a day seemed excessive to my GP and she’d like to get that down to 1 tablet at most daily. I must admit I was the thinnest person in the waiting room.
So the challenge starts tomorrow. I’m going to try my hardest at this…
Melly, I’m glad your GP is supporting you on this. I know you can do it. As for exercise, remember the “best” exercise is the type that you will do regularly. If you have not done it before, Id say walking is great. If you can eventually work up to 60 minutes a day that would be great. 90 minutes would be even better – and it doesn’t have to be all at the same time either. Remember, consistency is the key. Start with 2-3 times a week and try to do 4-5 times a week if you can eventually. Don’t push yourself too hard. give your body time to adapt to the exercise. Remember we get stronger when we rest after exercise.
If you belong to a gym and they have exercise machines, do “circuit strength training” which means you move from one machien to the next with little rest. that will help you burn the most calories and maximize your time in the gym. If you do this, you will be in and out of the gym in about 45 minutes or less. Also no need to lift heavy weights either.
Let me know how things are going or if you need encouragement or have any questions.
I know you can do this. I have faith in you!
Sorry Joe forgot to mention. No one in my family has diabetes.
Melly, that is good news! That says to me that this might be more about your environment than your genes. You don’t have much weight to lose so don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t all come off fast. slow and steady wins the race.
Thanks Joe!
I do believe it is lifestyle related and I may have a predisposition or sensitivity to it as both pregnancies I did have gestational Diabetes and was on a strict diet. However I did control with diet and did not need insulin and that was testing blood sugar 4 times a day! Both kids were born at just over 3kg so small and no issues with their health. I attribute this to my good diet.
I am planning on starting a blog of my insulin resistance journey and I’ll track what happens now over the next ten weeks. If interested I will send you the details.
The ten weeks may fail and the blog may be a failure but either way it will provide some answers and may help other young people like me that want to treat their condition as naturally as possible.
Melly, while its true gestational diabetes does increase the risk of future diabetes, I don’t believe that is engraved in stone. That said, this will be long term thing you will have to do to keep your the diabetes at bay and keep its effects to a minimum. Even if you do one day have to take medications, remember that being healthy will still be better for you in the long run
I think making a website to help others and chronicle your journey is a great idea! I can’t tell you how fulfilling it has been to me to be able to reach out to others via the web. If you don’t know how to do this let me know, I’ve written something about this that can help get you started.
Thank you for your article. It was very informative and right to the point! I appreciate all the research you shared.
Bruce, you are very welcome. Thanks for writing.
agent orange from Vietnam gave me type2 diabetes. Can fewer calories and exercise help me to*.
Charles, yes I believe it will. Here is an interview I did with a woman who used to be a diabetic.
http://www.joe-cannon.com/interview-yolanda-bowles-diabetes-exercise-nutrition-cure-type-ii-diabetes/
It has links to other things about diabetes I’ve written.
I hope this helps. If you have any other questions, just ask.
This post is my first reading of your diabetes section. I have had type II for over 10 years and now I am really struggling with blood glucose control. Diabetes is a complex problem. Thanks for all your work to dispel misleading supplement hype.
Charles, you are very welcome. You are right, diabetes is complex. What is your A1C level? that will give you the best idea of how well you are controlling your diabetes. Remember that exercise alone will probably not do the trick. we have to reduce the calories we are eating as well.
Here is a link to my personal site that discusses different health issues Ive looked at. There are several diabetes reviews there also. I hope it helps:
http://www.joe-cannon.com/category/health-problems/
Hmmmm…
I’m leery of words like “reversed” and “cured”. Either way, thank you for pointing out the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes when it comes to a “cure”. Prior to the discovery of insulin in 1922, Type 1 Diabetes carried a 100% mortality rate — worse than any malignant illness ever known to man at that time. Today Type 1 Diabetes can be managed with insulin; and, while a healthy diet is good for EVERYONE, a healthy diet alone will not be enough to manage blood sugar levels in a person with Type 1 Diabetes. On that note, a cinnamon supplement probably won’t do much either.
I do believe that people with Type 2 Diabetes can achieve a normal A1c and reduce or eliminate the risk of long term complications. Don’t get me wrong – it takes a lot of work and dedication to making healthy choices through diet and exercise. But I’m not sure they’re ever “cured”, because the insulin resistance that lead to their Type 2 diagnosis doesn’t go away.
If they “fall off the wagon” so to speak, they will see increased blood sugar levels again. Therefore, I’d say they can MANAGE their Type 2 Diabetes with lifestyle changes (which could include a cinnamon supplement, I suppose), but to me a “cure” means the problem is gone, never to be heard from again. Much like cancer doesn’t get labeled as “cured” very often — instead it’s labeled as “being in remission”.
Cinnamon isn’t going to “reverse” your diabetes, people. For the most part, I don’t think it would be harmful to take a supplement, but make no mistake…YOU are going to have to do the hard work to manage your blood sugar levels. Don’t give some expensive supplement all the credit for the hard work you’re doing!
Wendy, glad you enjoyed my review and I do agree what what you said about cinnamon. While it wont hurt to try it (in moderation) its not a cure-all and what I saw about it showed cinnamon didn’t help A1C levels. Another reason to do the other stuff – the harder stuff – like exercise and watching calories.
As for words like reverse, cure and manage, I hear what you are saying. I like to use the word “cure” when I speak to Type II diabetics because it shocks (and I hope empowers) some, who’ve never been told that they can exert some control over their diabetes. Yes, if they do stop doing those healthy things, it will come back. I get pretty passionate about diabetes as I know you do (I like your website) so I’m not afraid to shock/scare and give hope (eg use the word cure) to people who have type II diabetes.
Wendy, if you go to the website ReachMD.com and search in the diabetes section, you can listen to a very interesting podcast where a researcher has cured type I diabetes in mice. Apparently beta cells grow back after the immune system attack is halted. Its fascinating and preliminary but gives me hope for a “people cure” one day.