Type 2 diabetes is one of the biggest killers and maimers of adults in the United States and, increasingly, is also becoming a major health threat to children.

Most people are aware that blindness, amputation, erectile dysfunction, cancer, even death are predictable, once a diagnosis of this terrible disease is made.

Increasingly, when a doctor tells a patient Youve got diabetes, one of their first reactions (after the shock recedes) is to go on the Internet and Google phrases like fast-acting diabetic treatment or overnight diabetes cure.

Americans no longer want to take the longer road of doctor-prescribed diet and exercise to lose weight and lower blood sugar level. That could take months to see results.

Instead, the baby boom generation (the over 50 crowd accounts for most diagnosed Type 2 diabetes cases) seeks an immediate remedy on the web.

And thousands of unscrupulous, web-enabled suppliers are waiting for this anxious-for-results, now generation.

Alternative health supplements fall under the control of the U.S Food and Drug Administration. Unfortunately, the severely limited resources of the USFDA are no match for the seemingly unlimited resources of wired snake oil salespeople.

A random search for diabetic treatments on the Internet yields an amazing display of scientific prowess much of it coming from unknown, unheard of manufacturers.

Lower blood sugar levels by 50 points in days, screams one site.

All natural herbal remedy makes your pounds vanish while you sleep, states another.

Its only a matter of time before these charlatans are detected and shut down by the FDA. But, because of their miniscule budgets, they arent able to prevent damage from being done. Thousands will have thinner wallets and little else to show for their purchases.

To prevent this from happening, six rules of the Internet road are recommended to keep you from being a victim of unethical vendors:

Avoid products with what the FDA calls quick fix claims. Diabetes took years, in most cases, to develop. It cant be cured or controlled overnight. Manufacturers claiming results in days are highly suspect.
Look for verifiable clinical documentation, substantiated product patents or independent verification (such as USP or NF certification) to support legitimate products
Consider the country of manufacture origin. Not all countries are as well-protected as the U.S. against unethical manufacturers. Non-U.S. suppliers should be closely scrutinized
If in doubt about any Internet provider of products, go to the FDAs website at www.cfsanfda.gov. Youll find guidelines, recall warnings, and frequently asked questions and answers about alternative health supplements

There are many reliable, ethical providers of diabetic supplements. But you need to be aware of the pitfalls before buying a diabetic treatment online.