More medical magic for Type 2 diabetes
The alphabet soup that's being dished out for the newer Type 2 diabetes medications can be pretty confusing. So let me spell it out for one of them: SGLT-2 inhibitors. These sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors are prescribed to treat diabetes, although they may be associated with some weight loss. They work by making the kidneys remove excess glucose through urine rather than reabsorbing it into your bloodstream. But, it turns out, they do much, much more.
A study in JAMA Network Open found that for folks with diabetes-associated kidney and liver disease and cardiovascular problems, they slash the risk of progressing to end-stage kidney disease and experiencing major cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke, acute kidney injury and late-stage liver cirrhosis. They also reduce the risk for all-cause mortality over a stretch of seven years.
Unfortunately, another 2024 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed that while 63% of 700,000 folks with diabetes were candidates for SGLT-2 inhibitors, only around 12% were taking the life-saving medication. And use by folks with kidney and heart disease (without diabetes) is limited too.
So, if you have Type 2 diabetes and are developing or have kidney, heart or liver issues, ask your doctor about taking a commonly prescribed SGLT-2: Bexagliflozin (Brenzavvy), Canagliflozin (Invokana), Dapagliflozin (Farxiga), Empagliflozin (Jardiance), or Ertugliflozin (Steglatro). And for more info on how SGLT-2s can benefit you, check out my free newsletter, "Benefits of Side Effects," at michaelfroizenmd.substack.com, and to reverse Type 2 diabetes, read "This is Your Do-Over."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.4YOUngevity.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@4YOUngevity.com.
(c)2026 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2026 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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