Archive for May, 2011

Diabetics May Have Super-Sticky Cholesterol

May 30, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes Research and News, Oral Diabetes Medication 
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Artery cross section

As if having diabetes isn’t troubling enough, the British Heart Foundation is now warning that type 2 diabetics are more likely to have a newly discovered super-sticky “ultra bad” form of cholesterol. This extra sticky cholesterol is more likely to adhere to and build up in the arteries, forming dangerous artery-narrowing plaque. These narrowed or blocked arteries are the cause of coronary heart disease and resulting heart attacks and strokes.

The super-sticky cholesterol, called MGmin-LDL, is formed by the bonding of a sugar molecule (such as glucose or fructose) to a lipid molecule (such as low density lipoprotein) in a process called glycation. Glycation changes the shape of LDL molecules, making them smaller and denser and creating more exposed areas that are likely to stick to artery walls.
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New Recommendations for Diagnosing Diabetes in Children

May 27, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes in Children, Diabetes Research and News 
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Unfortunately, the easiest way to measure long-term glucose levels to diagnose diabetes in children – the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test, may not be the most effective method.

An article in the Journal of Pediatrics comparing HbA1c screening and the fasting plasma glucose test (which must be administered after an 8 hour fast) warns that the HbA1c test is less sensitive in children than it is in adults.

“You don’t want to rely on just this test to diagnose a child with diabetes,” says pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Joyce Lee, “The HbA1c test just doesn’t perform as well in children as it does in adults.”  Lee worries that cases of diabetes in children could be missed, and advices the test be used only in conjunction with other tests to diagnose juvenile diabetes.

The HbA1c test is quite accurate in adults, but it’s believed that changing hormone levels could skew the results in boys and girls. Although more difficult to administer, the glucose tolerance test is still the “gold standard” to detect diabetes in children, says Dr. Gerald Bernstein of the Beth Israel Medical Centre’s Friedman Diabetes Institute.

To read more about the latest information on diagnosing  children with diabetes on WebMD, >CLICK HERE.<

Software Allows Cars to Monitor Driver’s Blood Sugar Levels

May 26, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes Monitoring and Supplies, Diabetes Research and News, Glucose Monitoring 
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Photo: Marcin Mincer

The Ford Motor Company is working with Medtronic Inc, a leading manufacturer of blood glucose monitors, to expand Ford’s onboard Sync communication system to provide blood sugar monitoring for diabetic drivers. The prototype software monitors blood sugar, displays readouts on the dashboard, and warns the driver if his or her blood glucose is approaching dangerously high or low levels.

The driver can also request blood sugar updates using voice commands. The system can also be used to monitor the blood sugar levels of the vehicle’s passenger, such as a diabetic child.

The blood sugar monitoring software uses a Bluetooth connection on the driver’s phone to transmit information to the dashboard from a continuous glucose monitor worn on the body. If the driver’s blood glucose levels dip to the point where it could cause symptoms like lightheadedness, disorientation, loss of coordination and blurry vision, a robotic voice alerts the driver. Read the full article

Nutrition and Diabetes Control

May 25, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes and Diet, Diabetes and Weight Management, Diabetes Control, Diabetic Recipes 
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Photo: Ambro/FreeDigitalPhotos

Nutrition is vitally important in diabetes management and blood sugar control. About.com’s Nutrition and Diabetes page editors have compiled a wealth of information on healthy eating for diabetics including facts on carbs, calories, fiber and the all-important glycemic index; advice on surviving restaurant meals and holiday dinners, and even diabetes-friendly recipes and meal plans.

For those with an interest in alternative approaches, the Nutrition and Diabetes page also provides information on less conventional diets such as vegetarian, raw food and vegan. Other articles give you the lowdown on foods believed to have a positive affect on blood sugar and insulin resistance, such as fenugreek, prickly pear cactus and omega 3 fatty acids.

There are articles on sugar substitutes and hidden sugars, and nutrition facts and carb and calorie counts for individual foods like avocados, pomegranates, eggplant and watermelon (warning – very high carb!). The page also links to articles with recommendations for losing weight, specific diet tips for those with kidney disease, and even advice on healthy eating on a budget.

When making any major changes to your diet and/or activity levels, bear in mind they may impact your blood sugar levels and need for diabetes medication. Consult your healthcare provider about possible changes to your insulin dosage or other diabetes medicine.

To view About.com’s Nutrition and Diabetes page, >CLICK HERE.<

Dietary Supplement Could Replace Diabetes Medication

May 24, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes Medication, Diabetes Research and News 
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grapefruit

Photo credit: tamafanta

Could the common grapefruit hold the key to avoiding or treating both type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol?  A pre-meal supplement currently in clinical trials in the US could change the way your body reacts to both fats and sugars.

A nano-dietary supplement which substantially reduces the amount of fat and sugar the body absorbs from a meal has been developed in a collaboration between Boston’s Harvard University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

The supplement contains naringenin, the flavonoid that gives grapefruit its bitter taste. In studies with rats, a single dose of naringenin taken just before a high fat and high sugar meal increased insulin sensitivity by an impressive 64%, and reduced the generation of bad cholesterol by a substantial 42%. Read the full article

Insulin Therapy Can Help Avoid Diabetic Neuropathy

May 19, 2011 by · 4 Comments
Filed under: Diabetes Control, Diabetic Neuropathy, Insulin Injections 
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Photo: Norman Desjardins

Diabetic neuropathy is a common complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, especially in those who have had diabetes for some time. Diabetic neuropathy, or nerve pain, is nerve damage related to high blood sugar levels. Up to 70 percent of diabetics will develop some sort of neuropathy.

There are four types of diabetic neuropathy – peripheral, proximal, autonomic and focal. The symptoms will vary depending on the type you have, but the first signs are usually numbness, tingling and/or pain in the outer limbs – hands, feet, legs and arms.

Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type. Symptoms get worse at night, and include muscle pain and cramping, loss of sensitivity to temperature or pain, and increased sensitivity to touch. Uncontrolled peripheral neuropathy increases the risk of foot ulcers, infection, and even amputation.

The one and only way to treat diabetic neuropathy is to control your blood sugar levels. A major long-term study established that neuropathy was less common in those diabetics controlling their condition through insulin injections. For a comprehensive overview of diabetic neuropathy, including tips on how to prevent and control it, read The Complete Guide to Diabetic Neuropathy at endocrineweb.

Diabetics Advised Against Lowering Their Blood Sugar Too Much

May 18, 2011 by · 1 Comment
Filed under: Glucose Monitoring 
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Researchers in England are saying that diabetes patients not only receive no advantage, but could actually experience a disadvantage, from lowering their blood sugar below 7 or 7.5 percent hemoglobin A1c. Hemoglobin A1c is a form of hemoglobin used to identify the average plasma glucose concentration over a period of two to three months.

After reviewing the results of several studies, the researchers are advising type 2 diabetics and their healthcare providers to avoid overly aggressive treatment requiring a lot of intervention or diabetes medication. To view a WebMD video on the possible health risks of lowering your blood sugar too much on >CLICK HERE<.

Gene Discovery Has Great Potential in Diabetes Control

May 17, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes Research and News, It's Complicated 
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Photo Credit: Plociam

Could the discovery of a “master regulator” gene that controls the activity of other genes linked to diabetes, obesity and heart disease lead to a treatment to address all three conditions at once?

A groundbreaking major study has great therapeutic potential in treating not only diabetes, but also the equally serious and widespread conditions obesity and heart disease. A team of researchers led by the University of Oxford and King’s College London in Britain have found a “master regulator” gene in fat tissue that controls the activity of other genes in body fat.

The gene, called the KLF14 gene, had already been linked to both type 2 diabetes and cholesterol levels, but the role it played was unknown. The research team examined over 20,000 genes from biopsies of the subcutaneous fat of 800 UK female twin volunteers and, later, an additional 600 Icelandic volunteers. They discovered an unexpected interconnectedness between the KLF14 gene and other genes found in fat that are linked to metabolic traits such as obesity, cholesterol, and glucose and insulin levels.
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What’s the Best Exercise to Control Blood Sugar in Diabetics?

May 16, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes Control, Diabetes Research and News 
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Researchers analyzing the results of 24 separate clinical trials involving over 8400 participants have determined the best type of exercise program to control blood sugar in diabetics. It turns out that engaging in moderate exercise for longer periods of time is more effective at stabilizing blood glucose than shorter bursts of intensive physical activity.

As well, diabetes patients given a structured exercise routine by their health care provider do better than those simply told to get more physical activity. “We always tell patients, even those without diabetes, to get more exercise,” says Dr. Joel Zonszein, the Director of the clinical diabetes centre at New York’s Montefiore Medical Center, “It would be good if we were able to prescribe an exercise program for them to follow.”

Current guidelines suggest type 2 diabetics get at least 2 ½ hours of moderate to intense exercise every week, including aerobic activity and some sort of resistance training such as working out with weights. “Exercise improves insulin activity,” stresses Zonszein, “it makes insulin work better.”

Some diabetics discover regular work outs reduce their need for diabetes medication, so be sure to consult with your healthcare provider if you are beginning or revving up an exercise program. To read more about the study and the researchers’ recommendations on HealthDay, >CLICK HERE.<

Enzyme Discovery May Lead to New Diabetes Medication

May 13, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Diabetes Medication, Diabetes Research and News, Oral Diabetes Medication 
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Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have discovered a mechanism that stimulates glucose production in the liver in response to a drop in blood sugar. Histone deacetylasses (HDACs) are a group of enzymes that respond to what researchers call “fasting signals”.

Fasting signals kick in after long periods without food, such as overnight. HDACs are situated in liver cells, usually outside of the nucleus. The Salk researchers discovered that they move rapidly into the cell in response to fasting signals, and turn on the genes that produce glucose.
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