Oral insulin, that’s a new way for taking the medication that‘s sorely needed. This is certainly good news for the millions of people who have diabetes. This method imitates the way the hormone is dealt with naturally by the body so it could become the first treatment option to take.
The treatment option for type 1 diabetes which is sometimes called juvenile diabetes is injection of insulin every day. It is different for type 2 diabetes which is the more common of the two types. Sometimes type 2 diabetes can be treated by diet and exercise. At times medication taken orally or insulin is needed.
Diabetes comes with serious complications so treating it is an option that should be taken seriously. Some of the complications that are linked to diabetes are blindness, kidney disease, heart disease and stroke but these can be avoided or at least delayed with diligent and persistent treatment of the condition.
CEO of Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc., Nadav Kidron, said that the treatment option of taking a capsule would be top in the list for the diabetics so this biotechnology company that is based in Israel produced and patented this oral insulin capsule to mostly treat type 2 diabetes.
The delivery of new innovation has been in the minds of those connected with diabetes. Patients who have an aversion to needles will welcome this and of course this is also good for the developers of drugs because the insulin market is huge. So many have insulin resistance.
This capsule created by Oramed imitates the way the body processes this hormone in the way it is produced, regulated and distributed. What the capsule does is that it makes the insulin enter the liver from the gastrointestinal track. The liver then processes the hormone intake before passing it to the circulatory system.
Alas, the latest I could find on the result of the research on this issue was that the clinical trial was finished three months ago. I went to their website but nowhere could I find the result. They just displayed what they did, the inclusions along with the exclusions. Don't you worry; I won't stop looking until they find the best oral insulin.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Blood Glucose Lowering Agent Approved by FDA
Blood glucose can be lowered by Welchol so the Food and Drug Administration approved its use. It would thus improve the glycemic control in adults who have type 2 diabetes. Mind you this will either have to be combined with sulfonylureas, metformin, insulin or alone or combined with other anti-diabetic agents.
This approval made Welchol the only and first medication to lower both LDL cholesterol and glucose levels. This is good news for there are about 20.8 million people who have diabetes, 90% of whom have type 2 and 40% of these people have high LDL cholesterol. This will give the doctors a distinctive way to treat their patients.
The result of the study was presented at the 67th Annual Scientific Sessions of ADA in Chicago. They said that patients who were unable to control their condition on metformin were divided into two groups. One group was given Welchol in addition to their metformin treatment while the other group received a placebo.
When they compared the two groups, the ones treated with metformin and Welchol significantly lowered their A1C levels than the ones on metformin alone. In addition the Welchol group also lowered their LDL levels considerably when compared to the placebo group.
There were two other studies that produced the same results when Welchol was added to the treatment based on sulfonylurea or insulin. This gives the doctors the option to treat both risk factors in cardiovascular events which are high cholesterol and high blood glucose.
Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami, Ronald B. Goldberg, MD who is also the Diabetes Research Institute's Associate Director at the aforementioned university said that the risk factors are a problem with type 2 diabetics because they have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Dr. Goldberg was one of the investigators of the studies.
The diabetics have to test their blood glucose level regularly. If the blood glucose levels are not within target level then something has got to change. Find out what it is, change and implement the strategy, check the level again and keep doing it until you find what works for you. You almost have to work like a detective.
It is important to monitor the blood glucose level because doing so can help in staying away from the complications. Studies after studies have shown that the risks for diabetes complications are significantly reduced when maintaining within the near normal level the blood glucose.
This approval made Welchol the only and first medication to lower both LDL cholesterol and glucose levels. This is good news for there are about 20.8 million people who have diabetes, 90% of whom have type 2 and 40% of these people have high LDL cholesterol. This will give the doctors a distinctive way to treat their patients.
The result of the study was presented at the 67th Annual Scientific Sessions of ADA in Chicago. They said that patients who were unable to control their condition on metformin were divided into two groups. One group was given Welchol in addition to their metformin treatment while the other group received a placebo.
When they compared the two groups, the ones treated with metformin and Welchol significantly lowered their A1C levels than the ones on metformin alone. In addition the Welchol group also lowered their LDL levels considerably when compared to the placebo group.
There were two other studies that produced the same results when Welchol was added to the treatment based on sulfonylurea or insulin. This gives the doctors the option to treat both risk factors in cardiovascular events which are high cholesterol and high blood glucose.
Professor of Medicine at the University of Miami, Ronald B. Goldberg, MD who is also the Diabetes Research Institute's Associate Director at the aforementioned university said that the risk factors are a problem with type 2 diabetics because they have a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Dr. Goldberg was one of the investigators of the studies.
The diabetics have to test their blood glucose level regularly. If the blood glucose levels are not within target level then something has got to change. Find out what it is, change and implement the strategy, check the level again and keep doing it until you find what works for you. You almost have to work like a detective.
It is important to monitor the blood glucose level because doing so can help in staying away from the complications. Studies after studies have shown that the risks for diabetes complications are significantly reduced when maintaining within the near normal level the blood glucose.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Eye Sight Threatened By Diabetes Awarded Grant For Research
Research to Prevent Blindness awarded $110,000.00 to Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals Case Medical Center's Department of Ophthalmology. Research to Prevent Blindness is the top voluntary group that supports research pertaining to the eyes.
The Department of Ophthalmology under the leadership of Jonathan H. Lass, MD, has been awarded grants of over $1.6 million during the past eleven years. Dr. Jonathan Lass said they are delighted that the Research to Prevent Blindness has continued to support and acknowledge their effort to keep on with the research.
It is essential to continue on with the research as the science of vision is constantly changing. The award will help them go on with the research to recognize why blindness happens and the ways to prevent and treat it. Among the conditions they are researching are macular degeneration, corneal cataracts, scarring, ocular inflammation, genetic eye diseases and retinopathy in diabetes.
The Research to Prevent Blindness was founded in 1960. Since its founding, it has awarded hundred of millions of dollars for research on eye diseases that lead to blindness. The grants have been awarded to medical organizations all over the United States.
If you want more information on Research to Prevent Blindness and the researches being funded, along with eye disorders and their grant program, you can go to http://www.rpbusa.org/
The leading cause of blindness among most adults is diabetes. A comprehensive eye exam can detect this but only 38% of those who do not wear glasses have been to see their eye doctor in the last two years. To think that almost 21 millions in the US have diabetes and more than six millions are not diagnosed.
Those who are at high risk for diabetes should have dilated eye exams regularly and those who are already diagnosed with diabetes should have this examination every year. This should be the first line of detection. In fact, sometimes diabetic retinopathy is the first sign of diabetes seen when drops are put in the eyes during a dilated eye exam.
Conditions that threaten health are sometimes discovered during the eye exam. This discovery may even save the lives of those concerned. The effects of both high blood cholesterol and blood pressure can be seen during the dilated eye exam because the only place in the body where the natural state of the blood vessels can be seen is in the eyes.
I am glad the researches are continuing for this is really a big help in the prevention of eye complications for diabetes. They are already finding ways to help prevent this condition and so the world will only be brighter for those who are at risk for diabetic retinopathy.
The Department of Ophthalmology under the leadership of Jonathan H. Lass, MD, has been awarded grants of over $1.6 million during the past eleven years. Dr. Jonathan Lass said they are delighted that the Research to Prevent Blindness has continued to support and acknowledge their effort to keep on with the research.
It is essential to continue on with the research as the science of vision is constantly changing. The award will help them go on with the research to recognize why blindness happens and the ways to prevent and treat it. Among the conditions they are researching are macular degeneration, corneal cataracts, scarring, ocular inflammation, genetic eye diseases and retinopathy in diabetes.
The Research to Prevent Blindness was founded in 1960. Since its founding, it has awarded hundred of millions of dollars for research on eye diseases that lead to blindness. The grants have been awarded to medical organizations all over the United States.
If you want more information on Research to Prevent Blindness and the researches being funded, along with eye disorders and their grant program, you can go to http://www.rpbusa.org/
The leading cause of blindness among most adults is diabetes. A comprehensive eye exam can detect this but only 38% of those who do not wear glasses have been to see their eye doctor in the last two years. To think that almost 21 millions in the US have diabetes and more than six millions are not diagnosed.
Those who are at high risk for diabetes should have dilated eye exams regularly and those who are already diagnosed with diabetes should have this examination every year. This should be the first line of detection. In fact, sometimes diabetic retinopathy is the first sign of diabetes seen when drops are put in the eyes during a dilated eye exam.
Conditions that threaten health are sometimes discovered during the eye exam. This discovery may even save the lives of those concerned. The effects of both high blood cholesterol and blood pressure can be seen during the dilated eye exam because the only place in the body where the natural state of the blood vessels can be seen is in the eyes.
I am glad the researches are continuing for this is really a big help in the prevention of eye complications for diabetes. They are already finding ways to help prevent this condition and so the world will only be brighter for those who are at risk for diabetic retinopathy.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Introduction to Type 2 Diabetes Provided By Iowa Health
Diabetes Express is introduced by Iowa Health - Des Moines. What is it? It is a free program that will help present Type 2 diabetes. The schedule of the first event of the Diabetes Express was held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The location of the presentation was 4114 Allison Ave., Des Moines which is the Westminster Presbyterian Church.
I am sure there will be future events where essential information and education will be made available regarding the importance of maintaining a healthy blood glucose control. And Diabetes Express will not stop there. It will offer strategies and ideas on how to maintain the blood sugar level.
Those who will participate in this program will learn a number of things. They will learn how to describe type 2 diabetes which is great because it is not easy to know the language that goes with this condition. Learning the importance of maintaining a healthy blood glucose level will protect future health.
The basic means of treating diabetes will be explained. And this includes planning healthy meals, doing more physical activity, losing weight and medication. The participants will be helped in identifying the goal in this regard and the strategies to reach the goal.
Planning healthy meals, for instance, is a must to help control the blood sugar. There’s help to get started from planning the meals to counting carbohydrates to exchanging lists. It does not mean it has to be complicated. Nor does it mean you have to have special foods. It just means eating a variety of real food.
So what does it mean then? It just means eating an assortment of foods in moderate quantity. The diet has to emphasize whole grains and fruits and vegetables. There has got to be consistency too. Why? Because the body responds to extra calories and fats by a rise in blood sugar level. So also, stick to regular meal schedule.
Sounds good, doesn't it? So every time there is a program like this, we should try to register especially if the venue is right in our backyard. If we can’t attend, at least they might provide some information where there is a presentation like this. So remember to try to find out if there are similar events in your community. This is a good example of community involvement.
I am sure there will be future events where essential information and education will be made available regarding the importance of maintaining a healthy blood glucose control. And Diabetes Express will not stop there. It will offer strategies and ideas on how to maintain the blood sugar level.
Those who will participate in this program will learn a number of things. They will learn how to describe type 2 diabetes which is great because it is not easy to know the language that goes with this condition. Learning the importance of maintaining a healthy blood glucose level will protect future health.
The basic means of treating diabetes will be explained. And this includes planning healthy meals, doing more physical activity, losing weight and medication. The participants will be helped in identifying the goal in this regard and the strategies to reach the goal.
Planning healthy meals, for instance, is a must to help control the blood sugar. There’s help to get started from planning the meals to counting carbohydrates to exchanging lists. It does not mean it has to be complicated. Nor does it mean you have to have special foods. It just means eating a variety of real food.
So what does it mean then? It just means eating an assortment of foods in moderate quantity. The diet has to emphasize whole grains and fruits and vegetables. There has got to be consistency too. Why? Because the body responds to extra calories and fats by a rise in blood sugar level. So also, stick to regular meal schedule.
Sounds good, doesn't it? So every time there is a program like this, we should try to register especially if the venue is right in our backyard. If we can’t attend, at least they might provide some information where there is a presentation like this. So remember to try to find out if there are similar events in your community. This is a good example of community involvement.
Friday, November 27, 2009
Is there a Link Between Diabetes and Alzheimer?
The hormone that is vigorously involved in metabolism and blood glucose is insulin. Too little insulin causes type 1 and too much of it causes type 2 diabetes. This is a condition that is called resistance to insulin. Scientists are more and more convinced that this is a master hormone that influences the other hormones.
Researchers know that diabetics have higher risk of developing Alzheimer by up to 65% than the general population without this condition. But they did not know the answer to why this is so until now. There is a new study on this very issue. This is also mentioned at this page where you can just hit control f and you will find Alzheimer.
Researchers from Boston's Joslin Diabetes Center and Cologne Germany conducted a study that suggests resistance to insulin in the brain cells can influence how it works. This can lead to the biochemical changes in people with Alzheimer.
It looks like the researchers have found out that the brain also produces insulin. And so they are now saying there is another form of diabetes which the team in Brown Medical School in the United States called type 3, but they do not think it affects the blood sugar. So now insulin could be significant to the brain.
The insulin levels are affected by this type 3 and seems to be connected with Alzheimer. This is what they published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. So let's make this clear. When the body is not able to produce insulin from the pancreas, type 1 and 2 diabetes occur. This type 3 diabetes which refers to lower insulin in the brain seems connected to Alzheimer.
The scientists also found out that many of those with type 2 diabetes have protein deposits in their pancreas that are the same as those in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer. That is why researchers are going on to find the link between the two conditions.
Rhode Island's neuropathologist Dr. Suzanne de la Monte and her team think the link is in the newly discovered type 3. This opens up new ways to treat the condition and the possibility of type 3 diabetes is raised. There is also proof that diabetes that is poorly controlled affects brain functioning. More research should be conducted to arrive at stronger conclusions.
Researchers know that diabetics have higher risk of developing Alzheimer by up to 65% than the general population without this condition. But they did not know the answer to why this is so until now. There is a new study on this very issue. This is also mentioned at this page where you can just hit control f and you will find Alzheimer.
Researchers from Boston's Joslin Diabetes Center and Cologne Germany conducted a study that suggests resistance to insulin in the brain cells can influence how it works. This can lead to the biochemical changes in people with Alzheimer.
It looks like the researchers have found out that the brain also produces insulin. And so they are now saying there is another form of diabetes which the team in Brown Medical School in the United States called type 3, but they do not think it affects the blood sugar. So now insulin could be significant to the brain.
The insulin levels are affected by this type 3 and seems to be connected with Alzheimer. This is what they published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. So let's make this clear. When the body is not able to produce insulin from the pancreas, type 1 and 2 diabetes occur. This type 3 diabetes which refers to lower insulin in the brain seems connected to Alzheimer.
The scientists also found out that many of those with type 2 diabetes have protein deposits in their pancreas that are the same as those in the brain tissue of people with Alzheimer. That is why researchers are going on to find the link between the two conditions.
Rhode Island's neuropathologist Dr. Suzanne de la Monte and her team think the link is in the newly discovered type 3. This opens up new ways to treat the condition and the possibility of type 3 diabetes is raised. There is also proof that diabetes that is poorly controlled affects brain functioning. More research should be conducted to arrive at stronger conclusions.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Diabetes and Alcohol Can Cause Hypoglycemia
Diabetes and alcohol is the topic of a study conducted by Karolinska Institutet. This is the leading medical university in Sweden had scientists who revealed how alcohol causes hypoglycemia. Alcohol can lead to inflated secretion of insulin which in turn can lead to too low sugar, otherwise known as hypoglycemia.
Now the scientists at this Swedish university are saying that alcohol consumption can do harm to the brain. How? By lowering the concentration of blood glucose to such low levels, that's how. They have published this finding in the journal called Endocrinology.
Although hypoglycemia brought about by alcohol consumption has been a clinical problem to people with diabetes, the logistics behind this has not been unearthed or explained until recently. Researchers at the Hospital Diabetes Center in Stockholm assessed the link between diabetes and alcohol.
How did they do this? They administered alcohol on the pancreatic islet and monitored its influence to the blood flow, blood glucose levels and secretion of insulin. This is what they found which may very well convince the diabetics not to consume alcohol.
The main investigator, Ake Sjoholm, said they found that alcohol affects the microcirculation in the pancreas by inducing huge redeployment of the blood flow to the part that produces insulin. This results in hypoglycemia. He further said that this finding is vital for patients with diabetes and alcoholics with liver failure.
Alcohol consumption may aggravate persistent hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with sulfonylureas because many of these types of medications have a long half-life. Professor Sjoholm also said that most alcoholics are not properly nourished so they may not be able to respond to hypoglycemia appropriately.
Well, whether we like it or not the processing of alcohol in the body is similar to fat. Both contain almost the same amount of calories. Drinking alcohol can result in higher blood glucose level. That said and because I do not want to be such a kill-joy, you can drink it sometimes as a treat and when the blood glucose level is under control.
And if you are like me, about ten pounds overweight or more depending on whether I have just been to a buffet (my Waterloo) and have high triglycerides and blood pressure levels, then the smartest thing to do is to consult your doctor. I don't know about doctors these days. They get so panicky with 140-150 blood pressure level. So keep in mind the link between diabetes and alcohol.
Now the scientists at this Swedish university are saying that alcohol consumption can do harm to the brain. How? By lowering the concentration of blood glucose to such low levels, that's how. They have published this finding in the journal called Endocrinology.
Although hypoglycemia brought about by alcohol consumption has been a clinical problem to people with diabetes, the logistics behind this has not been unearthed or explained until recently. Researchers at the Hospital Diabetes Center in Stockholm assessed the link between diabetes and alcohol.
How did they do this? They administered alcohol on the pancreatic islet and monitored its influence to the blood flow, blood glucose levels and secretion of insulin. This is what they found which may very well convince the diabetics not to consume alcohol.
The main investigator, Ake Sjoholm, said they found that alcohol affects the microcirculation in the pancreas by inducing huge redeployment of the blood flow to the part that produces insulin. This results in hypoglycemia. He further said that this finding is vital for patients with diabetes and alcoholics with liver failure.
Alcohol consumption may aggravate persistent hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with sulfonylureas because many of these types of medications have a long half-life. Professor Sjoholm also said that most alcoholics are not properly nourished so they may not be able to respond to hypoglycemia appropriately.
Well, whether we like it or not the processing of alcohol in the body is similar to fat. Both contain almost the same amount of calories. Drinking alcohol can result in higher blood glucose level. That said and because I do not want to be such a kill-joy, you can drink it sometimes as a treat and when the blood glucose level is under control.
And if you are like me, about ten pounds overweight or more depending on whether I have just been to a buffet (my Waterloo) and have high triglycerides and blood pressure levels, then the smartest thing to do is to consult your doctor. I don't know about doctors these days. They get so panicky with 140-150 blood pressure level. So keep in mind the link between diabetes and alcohol.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Continuous Glucose Monitoring, How It Is Done
What is continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system? It is one that employs a tiny sensor which is inserted under the skin to check sugar levels in tissue fluid. This sensor stays in place for a week or several days after which it has to be replaced. Look for some improvement on this.
Through radio waves, a transmitter sends the data on blood glucose levels to a wireless monitor. This monitor is small and looks like a pager. The diabetic has to check the blood samples with a glucose monitor before programming the device.
These are more expensive than the traditional way of doing it but may help in better sugar control. They are FDA approved and give out real-time measurements displayed in one-minute or five-minute intervals. An alarm can be set to alert the user when the reading gets too low or too high.
The leading company for an insulin pump technology that one can wear is Insulet Corporation. Now this company has agreed to combine their wearable insulin pump with the continuous monitoring system of DexCom. What does this mean?
Combining the two will result in a handheld OmniPod System that will be wireless with Personal Diabetes Manager which can program the diabetic's delivery of insulin. It will display glucose readings continuously. The display will be glucose values that are real-time. In addition, this combo will alert the diabetics if the sugar levels are falling or rising.
Insulet Corporation's president and CEO, Duane DeSisto, said that this latest technology proves the company's dedication to improve the lives of the diabetics. Combining the DexCom's continuous monitoring system and making it into OmniPod Personal Diabetes Manager is easy to use and will prove the benefits of continuous monitoring and insulin pump therapy.
DexCom's president and CEO, Terrance H. Gregg, said his company is glad to work with Insulet Corporation in bringing about this combo that will make managing diabetes better for people with diabetes. The two technologies will certainly do that.
The combination of the two technologies will not only provide the diabetics with continuous data but also they will be able to track the trends that will make them know when to adjust their treatment. Alarms will sound off to alert the diabetics when their sugar levels are not within target levels.
The efforts to continue the development of this combo will go on through 2008 and should be ready to launch in the middle of 2009. Insulet Corporation's products for diabetes management will broaden as a result of this integration.
Through radio waves, a transmitter sends the data on blood glucose levels to a wireless monitor. This monitor is small and looks like a pager. The diabetic has to check the blood samples with a glucose monitor before programming the device.
These are more expensive than the traditional way of doing it but may help in better sugar control. They are FDA approved and give out real-time measurements displayed in one-minute or five-minute intervals. An alarm can be set to alert the user when the reading gets too low or too high.
The leading company for an insulin pump technology that one can wear is Insulet Corporation. Now this company has agreed to combine their wearable insulin pump with the continuous monitoring system of DexCom. What does this mean?
Combining the two will result in a handheld OmniPod System that will be wireless with Personal Diabetes Manager which can program the diabetic's delivery of insulin. It will display glucose readings continuously. The display will be glucose values that are real-time. In addition, this combo will alert the diabetics if the sugar levels are falling or rising.
Insulet Corporation's president and CEO, Duane DeSisto, said that this latest technology proves the company's dedication to improve the lives of the diabetics. Combining the DexCom's continuous monitoring system and making it into OmniPod Personal Diabetes Manager is easy to use and will prove the benefits of continuous monitoring and insulin pump therapy.
DexCom's president and CEO, Terrance H. Gregg, said his company is glad to work with Insulet Corporation in bringing about this combo that will make managing diabetes better for people with diabetes. The two technologies will certainly do that.
The combination of the two technologies will not only provide the diabetics with continuous data but also they will be able to track the trends that will make them know when to adjust their treatment. Alarms will sound off to alert the diabetics when their sugar levels are not within target levels.
The efforts to continue the development of this combo will go on through 2008 and should be ready to launch in the middle of 2009. Insulet Corporation's products for diabetes management will broaden as a result of this integration.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Carrot Cake, What Has This Got to do with Type 2 Diabetes?
Hammersmith Hospital's Department of Nutrition and Dietetics in London conducted a study on sugar. We know that diabetics are frequently advised to cut back on sugar intake but researchers have questioned this saying that a reasonable amount is safe to take, as part of the diabetes diet.
So this study added three slices of carrot cake to the every day diet of nine type 2 diabetics who were overweight for 24 days. They kept a record of the participants' blood glucose levels, weight, sensitivity to insulin and cholesterol levels at the start and at the end of the research.
The leader of this research, Professor Gary Frost, said that the intake of energy of the participants was balanced to their weight and they evenly distributed the sucrose consumption over a day. What they found they published. There's more information at this other site on fats and sweets.
The participants did not gain weight. Nor did their sensitivity to insulin and their blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels change. Professor Frost further added that while their study is small and short term, their findings support other scientific researches on the same issue.
This study demonstrated that increased daily sucrose consumption with carrot cake did not show any unfavorable effect on the diabetics' blood glucose who retained a steady body weight. So the revised approach on the diabetes diet with some flexibility on increased sugar intake is here.
In fact, Kirk et al reviewed other studies in 2000 and found that adding sugar could help lower the consumption of fat. This is of course good for the general health. The findings of this research is also agreeable to the 2007 dietary guidelines of the American Diabetes Association.
ADA says that sucrose does not have a greater bad effect on blood sugar level than the same amount of starch. It should therefore be regarded the same way as the other foods that contain carbohydrates. It can be a replacement for other carbohydrate foods but of course monitored so diabetes medication can be used correctly. Watch out, carrot cake, here I come!
So this study added three slices of carrot cake to the every day diet of nine type 2 diabetics who were overweight for 24 days. They kept a record of the participants' blood glucose levels, weight, sensitivity to insulin and cholesterol levels at the start and at the end of the research.
The leader of this research, Professor Gary Frost, said that the intake of energy of the participants was balanced to their weight and they evenly distributed the sucrose consumption over a day. What they found they published. There's more information at this other site on fats and sweets.
The participants did not gain weight. Nor did their sensitivity to insulin and their blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels change. Professor Frost further added that while their study is small and short term, their findings support other scientific researches on the same issue.
This study demonstrated that increased daily sucrose consumption with carrot cake did not show any unfavorable effect on the diabetics' blood glucose who retained a steady body weight. So the revised approach on the diabetes diet with some flexibility on increased sugar intake is here.
In fact, Kirk et al reviewed other studies in 2000 and found that adding sugar could help lower the consumption of fat. This is of course good for the general health. The findings of this research is also agreeable to the 2007 dietary guidelines of the American Diabetes Association.
ADA says that sucrose does not have a greater bad effect on blood sugar level than the same amount of starch. It should therefore be regarded the same way as the other foods that contain carbohydrates. It can be a replacement for other carbohydrate foods but of course monitored so diabetes medication can be used correctly. Watch out, carrot cake, here I come!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Proof of Transplantation Technology Cure
There is proof that Tissera's pancreatic xenotransplantation has just reached an important target in its quest for treatment of type 1 diabetes. After successful pancreatic transplantation in the past, Tissera went on to investigate further the value of their treatment approach.
The Weizmann Institute of Science research team treated human primates with streptozotocin to make them diabetic and dependent on the administration of insulin to maintain sensible blood glucose levels. After a stabilization period, the research team transplanted a pig embryonic pancreatic tissue into these primates.
The scientists then followed these cases up. They reduced the amount of insulin they administered. By the fourth month after they transplanted the pancreatic tissue, only 10% of insulin was needed to maintain near normal blood glucose levels. And by the fifth month, the diabetic primates reached complete independence.
For this research, the scientists also addressed the issue of graft rejection. They were able to reduce the immune suppression treatment to counteract the rejection of the graft. The dose is down to the level adequate for humans with less side effects.
Even with the lower dose of immune suppression treatment, the primate achieved complete insulin independence 18 weeks after the transplantation. After 31 weeks from transplantation, the primate is well and is still completely independent from the administration of insulin.
This is an important achievement in the company's plan to reduce the immune suppression procedure which could make it possible to use on humans. There is therefore proof that this company's way to treat type 1 diabetes has therapeutic value.
Chairman and CEO of Tissera said they are so encouraged by the results of their study that they are having more studies to move forward with their goal of making this future treatment possible for people with type 1 diabetes in the very near future.
I researched this company because of its reported success on the pancreatic transplantation in the hope that they have finally zeroed in on a permanent cure for diabetics. The last I heard was that they are still basking on the significant milestone they accomplished on the large animal diabetic model experiments.
The Weizmann Institute of Science research team treated human primates with streptozotocin to make them diabetic and dependent on the administration of insulin to maintain sensible blood glucose levels. After a stabilization period, the research team transplanted a pig embryonic pancreatic tissue into these primates.
The scientists then followed these cases up. They reduced the amount of insulin they administered. By the fourth month after they transplanted the pancreatic tissue, only 10% of insulin was needed to maintain near normal blood glucose levels. And by the fifth month, the diabetic primates reached complete independence.
For this research, the scientists also addressed the issue of graft rejection. They were able to reduce the immune suppression treatment to counteract the rejection of the graft. The dose is down to the level adequate for humans with less side effects.
Even with the lower dose of immune suppression treatment, the primate achieved complete insulin independence 18 weeks after the transplantation. After 31 weeks from transplantation, the primate is well and is still completely independent from the administration of insulin.
This is an important achievement in the company's plan to reduce the immune suppression procedure which could make it possible to use on humans. There is therefore proof that this company's way to treat type 1 diabetes has therapeutic value.
Chairman and CEO of Tissera said they are so encouraged by the results of their study that they are having more studies to move forward with their goal of making this future treatment possible for people with type 1 diabetes in the very near future.
I researched this company because of its reported success on the pancreatic transplantation in the hope that they have finally zeroed in on a permanent cure for diabetics. The last I heard was that they are still basking on the significant milestone they accomplished on the large animal diabetic model experiments.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Encourage the Diabetics and Their Families
The diabetics and their families have to be given encouragement for what they are doing to keep healthy. They are able to do this in conferences like the one held at the Indianapolis Convention Center. "Taking Control of Your Diabetes" was the title of that conference and it is designed to inform and support the diabetics and their families.
David Marrero, PhD, Paris Roach, M.D. and Melinda S. Kelly, R.N. who is a diabetes educator are the co-directors of this program. They are from the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the School of Medicine at Indiana University.
Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study program coordinator, Melinda Kelly, spoke on diabetes issues. Other speakers included specialists on diabetes from the School of Medicine at Indiana University as well as from the Diabetes Research and Training Center at the University of Michigan. There were also other speakers from the community.
Director and founder of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, Steven V. Edelman, M.D. was at the conference. He is also School of Medicine professor at the University of California in San Diego. The founder of the Disabled Business Persons Associated (helps with the education and rehabilitation of disabled people), Urban Miyares was the luncheon speaker.
There were important topics during this conference. Among them were: The Truths and Myths About Insulin and Type 2 Diabetes, What's Driving You Crazy About Your Caregivers and Living with Diabetes, Raising Kids With Diabetes and Home Glucose Monitoring: Knowing Your Numbers and What to Do with Them.
David Marrero, PhD, Paris Roach, M.D. and Melinda S. Kelly, R.N. who is a diabetes educator are the co-directors of this program. They are from the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the School of Medicine at Indiana University.
Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study program coordinator, Melinda Kelly, spoke on diabetes issues. Other speakers included specialists on diabetes from the School of Medicine at Indiana University as well as from the Diabetes Research and Training Center at the University of Michigan. There were also other speakers from the community.
Director and founder of Taking Control of Your Diabetes, Steven V. Edelman, M.D. was at the conference. He is also School of Medicine professor at the University of California in San Diego. The founder of the Disabled Business Persons Associated (helps with the education and rehabilitation of disabled people), Urban Miyares was the luncheon speaker.
There were important topics during this conference. Among them were: The Truths and Myths About Insulin and Type 2 Diabetes, What's Driving You Crazy About Your Caregivers and Living with Diabetes, Raising Kids With Diabetes and Home Glucose Monitoring: Knowing Your Numbers and What to Do with Them.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Advancement Reported on Cholesterol and Fatty Acids Reduction
A way to reduce the bad cholesterol and fatty acids have been uncovered by researchers in Edmonton, Canada's University of Alberta. We know that this bad cholesterol and the fatty acids end up in the blood when the body metabolizes the food.
This is an important discovery in the sense that it could lead to a new therapy to treat and stop the effects of heart disease and type 2 diabetes which is linked to obesity. We also know that lack of physical activity and too much sugar and fat intake lead to diabetes and heart disease. The school can also do something about nutrition and diabetes.
The above reasoning led the University of Alberta's researchers to study the mechanism behind it. Dr. Richard Lehner and his team were successful in reducing the low density lipids (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood of hamsters and mice. How did they do this?
What they did was influence a particular enzyme to find out how exactly do eating too much fat and sugar and lack of physical activity lead to bad cholesterol. In so doing they found out how an enzyme lets the fatty acids in the liver and fat cells go to the blood and more importantly how to prevent this from happening.
This is an important finding because at the present what is employed to reduce the bad cholesterol are drugs called statins. But this does not treat obesity which is a risk factor in developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So the discovery on how to stop the enzyme from releasing the fatty acids into the blood could trigger effort at discovering what can stop this enzyme from doing this.
Dr. Lehner said there is a need for further testing. Also, it should be noted that whatever therapy they discover from this to treat obesity should not be regarded as a magical breakthrough. People should still make wise choices as to what they eat and to exercise in order to achieve optimum health.
This is an important discovery in the sense that it could lead to a new therapy to treat and stop the effects of heart disease and type 2 diabetes which is linked to obesity. We also know that lack of physical activity and too much sugar and fat intake lead to diabetes and heart disease. The school can also do something about nutrition and diabetes.
The above reasoning led the University of Alberta's researchers to study the mechanism behind it. Dr. Richard Lehner and his team were successful in reducing the low density lipids (LDL) and triglycerides in the blood of hamsters and mice. How did they do this?
What they did was influence a particular enzyme to find out how exactly do eating too much fat and sugar and lack of physical activity lead to bad cholesterol. In so doing they found out how an enzyme lets the fatty acids in the liver and fat cells go to the blood and more importantly how to prevent this from happening.
This is an important finding because at the present what is employed to reduce the bad cholesterol are drugs called statins. But this does not treat obesity which is a risk factor in developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. So the discovery on how to stop the enzyme from releasing the fatty acids into the blood could trigger effort at discovering what can stop this enzyme from doing this.
Dr. Lehner said there is a need for further testing. Also, it should be noted that whatever therapy they discover from this to treat obesity should not be regarded as a magical breakthrough. People should still make wise choices as to what they eat and to exercise in order to achieve optimum health.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Patients May Participate in a Walking Program
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a complication that could come along with diabetes. So many millions are living with diabetes and the number is still rising. In fact, it is expected to rise to more than 25 million Americans by 2010.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy can lead to foot ulcers which sometimes will require amputation. While before the recommendation of scientists and physicians is for those with foot ulcers to stay off their feet, now there is a new graduated walking program where these people can participate and therefore prevent some illnesses that could threaten life.
Due to numbness or loss of feeling in the foot, diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects the feet and the legs. It leads to pain and ulceration. Ulcers could be the result because of loss of muscle. This exposes the bones to a lot of pressure under the foot.
Doctors recommend exercise for the diabetics because there has been proof that it lessens the mortality risk as well as the occurrence of a cardiovascular disease. Joseph LeMaster who is University of Missouri's associate professor of community and family medicine said that type 2 diabetics can increase their mortality risk by 39% and their risk for cardiovascular disease by 34% if they do not do some form of exercise of moderate intensity regularly.
The diabetics are known to be less active than the regular population and those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are found to be even less physically active. So in a study at the University of Missouri, LeMaster checked the effects of exercise involving the lower extremity and walking program on the development of foot ulcer.
Here's how he did it. He assigned the diabetic subjects with this nerve condition into two groups. One group was monitored often and given exercises to strengthen the legs and a walking program that was graduated. In addition, this group received a telephone call every two weeks to motivate them. The other group is the control group. Both groups received eight sessions with a physical therapist and also some form of diabetic foot care education.
What did LeMaster find? He observed an increase in the total of foot lesions and ulcers during the first six months. But guess what he found after a year? Drum roll, please! The number of foot lesions and ulcers has started to go down in the first group compared to the control group. This shows that the risk has gone down too.
What is the moral lesson of this finding? Since weight-bearing exercise did not result in in increase of foot ulcers, it follows that this type of exercise should be safe for diabetics provided the walking program is closely supervised by a medical professional and that they have no ulcers at the start and have appropriate footwear. This type of exercise therefore is recommended for those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy can lead to foot ulcers which sometimes will require amputation. While before the recommendation of scientists and physicians is for those with foot ulcers to stay off their feet, now there is a new graduated walking program where these people can participate and therefore prevent some illnesses that could threaten life.
Due to numbness or loss of feeling in the foot, diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a nerve disorder that affects the feet and the legs. It leads to pain and ulceration. Ulcers could be the result because of loss of muscle. This exposes the bones to a lot of pressure under the foot.
Doctors recommend exercise for the diabetics because there has been proof that it lessens the mortality risk as well as the occurrence of a cardiovascular disease. Joseph LeMaster who is University of Missouri's associate professor of community and family medicine said that type 2 diabetics can increase their mortality risk by 39% and their risk for cardiovascular disease by 34% if they do not do some form of exercise of moderate intensity regularly.
The diabetics are known to be less active than the regular population and those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are found to be even less physically active. So in a study at the University of Missouri, LeMaster checked the effects of exercise involving the lower extremity and walking program on the development of foot ulcer.
Here's how he did it. He assigned the diabetic subjects with this nerve condition into two groups. One group was monitored often and given exercises to strengthen the legs and a walking program that was graduated. In addition, this group received a telephone call every two weeks to motivate them. The other group is the control group. Both groups received eight sessions with a physical therapist and also some form of diabetic foot care education.
What did LeMaster find? He observed an increase in the total of foot lesions and ulcers during the first six months. But guess what he found after a year? Drum roll, please! The number of foot lesions and ulcers has started to go down in the first group compared to the control group. This shows that the risk has gone down too.
What is the moral lesson of this finding? Since weight-bearing exercise did not result in in increase of foot ulcers, it follows that this type of exercise should be safe for diabetics provided the walking program is closely supervised by a medical professional and that they have no ulcers at the start and have appropriate footwear. This type of exercise therefore is recommended for those with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Blood Glucose Level Target Ranges, New Ones For UK
Blood glucose level target ranges that are new have been adopted. Diabetes UK has updated this in light of the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommendations. Before this, the IDF (the International Diabetes Federation suggested that changes be made to the target ranges after a meal. This was in November 2007.
Then in 2008, NICE prepared and published their rules on the blood glucose level target ranges for type 2 diabetes. Since Diabetes UK continually updates their own data, they decided to follow NICE recommendations and so has also made the changes to reflect the new changes.
In order to understand the new guidelines, it is good to see what is to target for. Of course the best target is to aim for the blood glucose level that is as close to normal ranges as possible like for those who do not have diabetes. And this is their reading before meals: 3.5-5.5 mmols/L before meals while for two hours after meals, it is less than 8 mmols/L.
Opinions as to the blood sugar target to aim for vary. This is understandable because each individuals has his own needs. Therefore, the target should be one that is agreed by both the person with diabetes and his diabetes care team. Read this page for more on blood glucose.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. the blood glucose targets for most people with diabetes is 70 to 130 for before meals. For 1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal, it is below 180.
In 2004, NICE recommendations for children with type 1 diabetes before meals is 4-8 mmols/L. Two hours after meals, the recommendation is less than 10 mmols/L. For adults with type 1 diabetes, it is 4-7 mmols/L and for two hours after meals, it is less than 9 mmols/L.
In 2008 NICE recommendations for type 2 diabetes have changed to 4-7 mmol/L for before meals and less than 8.5 mmols/L for two hours after meals. So you see it is important to self-monitor the blood sugar level as part of the routine every day. This way, we can watch for symptoms for either hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia as well as those of possible complications. That's how important it is to check one's blood glucose level.
Then in 2008, NICE prepared and published their rules on the blood glucose level target ranges for type 2 diabetes. Since Diabetes UK continually updates their own data, they decided to follow NICE recommendations and so has also made the changes to reflect the new changes.
In order to understand the new guidelines, it is good to see what is to target for. Of course the best target is to aim for the blood glucose level that is as close to normal ranges as possible like for those who do not have diabetes. And this is their reading before meals: 3.5-5.5 mmols/L before meals while for two hours after meals, it is less than 8 mmols/L.
Opinions as to the blood sugar target to aim for vary. This is understandable because each individuals has his own needs. Therefore, the target should be one that is agreed by both the person with diabetes and his diabetes care team. Read this page for more on blood glucose.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health. the blood glucose targets for most people with diabetes is 70 to 130 for before meals. For 1 to 2 hours after the start of a meal, it is below 180.
In 2004, NICE recommendations for children with type 1 diabetes before meals is 4-8 mmols/L. Two hours after meals, the recommendation is less than 10 mmols/L. For adults with type 1 diabetes, it is 4-7 mmols/L and for two hours after meals, it is less than 9 mmols/L.
In 2008 NICE recommendations for type 2 diabetes have changed to 4-7 mmol/L for before meals and less than 8.5 mmols/L for two hours after meals. So you see it is important to self-monitor the blood sugar level as part of the routine every day. This way, we can watch for symptoms for either hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia as well as those of possible complications. That's how important it is to check one's blood glucose level.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Diabetes Leg Pain Symposium On Advanced Wound Care And Wound Healing
Diabetes leg pain symposium of this kind is something I am glad to have come across as it will provide us with new connections to the world of Wound Care and Wound Healing, so crucial to diabetic patients. This 22nd annual meeting of wound care specialists from different disciplines met this year at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Convention Center in Dallas.
What is important is that at this meeting they are adding a limb preservation track to address the concerns of vascular surgeons and doctors of podiatric medicine. These are the people who treat the diabetics who have diabetes leg pain and are at risk for amputation.
From Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Kazu Suzuki said that about one-third of diabetics suffer from diabetes leg pain and foot wounds and poor circulation. Apparently, these lead to over 100,000 leg amputation each year and often these are preventable. How?
When the wound is detected and treated early, amputation could be avoided. That is why it is important to examine feet and legs for sores and wounds as the diabetics may not feel them and not know early enough that they are there. Examining the feet and legs every day should be part of the diabetes care plan.
There are limb preservation efforts through proper care of the wound and revascularization. These could save life and limb and are part of looking after the diabetic patients especially knowing that quality of life deteriorates after amputation.
My prayer is for no diabetic will ever need to use wheel chairs but if they do they should get Power Wheelchairs that are at low or no cost, free delivery, free training & setup! Medicare recipients, get your free consultation. ClickOnHealth
This is a big help when they will deliver it for free and set it up too. I don't know about you but I am a technically challenged person so a company that gives free training and setup gets a big thumbs up from me!
So this spring meeting addressed the diagnostic tests and treatment to help prolong the lives of the diabetics. It is their aim to raise awareness of the symptoms, care and treatment options for diabetic leg wounds. It will lower the cost of complications because early detection is cheaper than leg amputations which will require hospitalization and rehabilitation.
It is my fervent hope that some experts will share what they have discovered at this symposium. I followed this up as I can't wait for new ways and treatment options for the diabetics but could not find any update on that meeting. Surely by now they must have something for the diabetics who suffer so much from their diabetes leg pain.
What is important is that at this meeting they are adding a limb preservation track to address the concerns of vascular surgeons and doctors of podiatric medicine. These are the people who treat the diabetics who have diabetes leg pain and are at risk for amputation.
From Los Angeles' Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dr. Kazu Suzuki said that about one-third of diabetics suffer from diabetes leg pain and foot wounds and poor circulation. Apparently, these lead to over 100,000 leg amputation each year and often these are preventable. How?
When the wound is detected and treated early, amputation could be avoided. That is why it is important to examine feet and legs for sores and wounds as the diabetics may not feel them and not know early enough that they are there. Examining the feet and legs every day should be part of the diabetes care plan.
There are limb preservation efforts through proper care of the wound and revascularization. These could save life and limb and are part of looking after the diabetic patients especially knowing that quality of life deteriorates after amputation.
My prayer is for no diabetic will ever need to use wheel chairs but if they do they should get Power Wheelchairs that are at low or no cost, free delivery, free training & setup! Medicare recipients, get your free consultation. ClickOnHealth
So this spring meeting addressed the diagnostic tests and treatment to help prolong the lives of the diabetics. It is their aim to raise awareness of the symptoms, care and treatment options for diabetic leg wounds. It will lower the cost of complications because early detection is cheaper than leg amputations which will require hospitalization and rehabilitation.
It is my fervent hope that some experts will share what they have discovered at this symposium. I followed this up as I can't wait for new ways and treatment options for the diabetics but could not find any update on that meeting. Surely by now they must have something for the diabetics who suffer so much from their diabetes leg pain.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Blood Glucose Levels Study Suggests Lowering A1C Levels Could Reduce Decline In Cognitive Function
Blood glucose levels that are higher in type 2 diabetics are associated with lower cognitive functioning, that is worse functioning on three cognitive tasks. These will be any responsibilities that need speed, memory and the ability to do multitasking.
There were two ongoing studies on the relationship between high blood sugar levels and lower cognitive performance. One is called MIND (Memory in Diabetes) while the other is named ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes). What did these two researches find?
They both found that higher A1C levels are closely related to poorer functioning cognitively. As we know A1C is the measure that tells the average of the blood glucose levels over a period covering 2-3 months. The higher reading on this also shows a link with lower result on a global cognitive function test.
Before these ongoing studies, it has been found out that the diabetics have a 1.5 times more risk to decline cognitively and experience dementia than people who do not have diabetes. The results of MIND show that diabetes may also be related to cognitive impairment although mild.
Although the cognitive function is only mildly impaired, still it is a concern to those with type 2 diabetes. So said Dr. Tali Cukierman-Yaff who is the leader of the research team. He works at the School of Medicine of Israel's Tel-Aviv University. If you want more help in lowering your blood sugar, Click Here!
It is not known whether the higher blood glucose leads to the cognitive impairment or whether it is the other way around. Does the impairment lower the ability to control the blood sugar level? Here is where the sub study Accord comes in.
In this research, there will be follow-up on the patients and they will be tested three times. This will let the researchers know whether the lower sugar levels will result in better cognitive functioning. And it looks there is improvement in cognitive functioning with the lower or near normal blood glucose levels.
The lesson of the story? Work hard at getting those blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. I know you can do it. Will do it in fact. Knowing the ramifications in terms of complications will spur all of us into action to make sure we reach the normal reading for the blood glucose levels.
There were two ongoing studies on the relationship between high blood sugar levels and lower cognitive performance. One is called MIND (Memory in Diabetes) while the other is named ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes). What did these two researches find?
They both found that higher A1C levels are closely related to poorer functioning cognitively. As we know A1C is the measure that tells the average of the blood glucose levels over a period covering 2-3 months. The higher reading on this also shows a link with lower result on a global cognitive function test.
Before these ongoing studies, it has been found out that the diabetics have a 1.5 times more risk to decline cognitively and experience dementia than people who do not have diabetes. The results of MIND show that diabetes may also be related to cognitive impairment although mild.
Although the cognitive function is only mildly impaired, still it is a concern to those with type 2 diabetes. So said Dr. Tali Cukierman-Yaff who is the leader of the research team. He works at the School of Medicine of Israel's Tel-Aviv University. If you want more help in lowering your blood sugar, Click Here!
It is not known whether the higher blood glucose leads to the cognitive impairment or whether it is the other way around. Does the impairment lower the ability to control the blood sugar level? Here is where the sub study Accord comes in.
In this research, there will be follow-up on the patients and they will be tested three times. This will let the researchers know whether the lower sugar levels will result in better cognitive functioning. And it looks there is improvement in cognitive functioning with the lower or near normal blood glucose levels.
The lesson of the story? Work hard at getting those blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. I know you can do it. Will do it in fact. Knowing the ramifications in terms of complications will spur all of us into action to make sure we reach the normal reading for the blood glucose levels.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Cardiovascular Disease: Taxus Liberte Gets CE Mark to Use for Diabetics
Cardiovascular disease is one complication the diabetics may have to face so it is with much anticipation to read Senior vice president of Boston Scientific International, David McFaul announcing that Taxus Liberte stent has been given a CE Mark approval to use for diabetics. He further said that clinical trials and real life statistics have shown it has benefited patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Taxus Liberte is the drug-eluting stent technique most often used in Europe. Getting the approval for use in diabetic patients is quite a milestone for Boston Scientific whose aim is to offer patients the latest treatment option for cardiovascular disease.
Since the diabetics are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, this is a helpful solution. The patients they examined, 1529 of them, were treated with Taxus Liberte stent system at their clinical trial. Of this number, 413 were diabetics. Four trials showed the effectiveness and safety of this system for diabetics. But don't forget that you can protect the heart by exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
About 50% of patients with CAD (coronary artery disease) in Europe are diabetics. These patients showed worse results after revascularization due to their blood vessels that show a tendency to have more plaque. Their CAD also develops more rapidly and so is the most frequent cause of death among those with diabetes in Europe.
Taxus Liberte is not available yet in the United States but Boston Scientific is waiting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve it. For now, it is available outside the United States. It comes in a wide variety of sizes to treat a range of lesion lengths and vessel sizes in patients suffering from coronary artery disease.
I tried to update this but could not find any additional information except to say the TAXUS Liberte has more CE Mark-approved indications than any other drug-eluting stent. We already know that Boston Scientific Corporation that the system received CE Mark approval for the diabetic patient use.
Boston Scientific also reported that the Taxus Liberte has done well for patients with diabetes who also has coronary artery disease. The benefit is not only authenticated by clinical trials but also by real world reports. No wonder it is the most frequently used system in Europe. This is good information for the diabetics who also suffer from cardiovascular disease.
Taxus Liberte is the drug-eluting stent technique most often used in Europe. Getting the approval for use in diabetic patients is quite a milestone for Boston Scientific whose aim is to offer patients the latest treatment option for cardiovascular disease.
Since the diabetics are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, this is a helpful solution. The patients they examined, 1529 of them, were treated with Taxus Liberte stent system at their clinical trial. Of this number, 413 were diabetics. Four trials showed the effectiveness and safety of this system for diabetics. But don't forget that you can protect the heart by exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
About 50% of patients with CAD (coronary artery disease) in Europe are diabetics. These patients showed worse results after revascularization due to their blood vessels that show a tendency to have more plaque. Their CAD also develops more rapidly and so is the most frequent cause of death among those with diabetes in Europe.
Taxus Liberte is not available yet in the United States but Boston Scientific is waiting for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve it. For now, it is available outside the United States. It comes in a wide variety of sizes to treat a range of lesion lengths and vessel sizes in patients suffering from coronary artery disease.
I tried to update this but could not find any additional information except to say the TAXUS Liberte has more CE Mark-approved indications than any other drug-eluting stent. We already know that Boston Scientific Corporation that the system received CE Mark approval for the diabetic patient use.
Boston Scientific also reported that the Taxus Liberte has done well for patients with diabetes who also has coronary artery disease. The benefit is not only authenticated by clinical trials but also by real world reports. No wonder it is the most frequently used system in Europe. This is good information for the diabetics who also suffer from cardiovascular disease.
Alzheimer's Disease a Type 3 Diabetes?
I wrote this last week but I think someone was giving trouble to Google and I couldn't input this so this week I will have two posts unless the same thing happens again. Scientists started naming Alzheimer's disease a type 3 diabetes. Why? Because they think there's a strong relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. They have found new proof linking resistance to insulin and the disorder of the brain.
Northwestern University in the United States declare that when the brain stops the insulin from doing its job correctly, the result is chemical imbalance. This disproportion of the chemicals then could help out in activating Alzheimer's disease.
The research undertaken is suggesting that patients with dementia have brains with protein that ties to the tips of the end of nerves. This leads to resistance to insulin which plays a role and therefore important for the brain in order for it to learn, accumulate information and knowledge and then remember them along with the memories.
The leader of this study is Dr. William Klein who said that type 2 diabetes drugs may be helpful in treating Alzheimer's disease. Even Diabetes UK Care advisor, Libby Dowling, said there are other researches that link diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
There is a need though for more studies on this matter in order to arrive at a more definitive conclusion as to the relationship between Alzheimer's and diabetes. There is no doubt for this because the speed at which change in medical science occurs is breathtaking.
Just look at the latest announcement regarding the stem cells resulting from adult skin cells that were genetically engineered. We all need these weapons so we can win the battle with diseases including diabetes. These are imbedded in the minds of these researchers who are tireless in their quest for new ways to make things better for all, regardless of motivation.
Now they're saying that insulin's importance to the body of type 1 diabetics and some type is also equally important to the mind. That is why they are thinking that Alzheimer's loss of memory is because of a new form of diabetes which they call the third form.
I repeat that researchers have discovered the reasoning why the signaling of the brain insulin which is important for memory would cease working in Alzheimer's disease. They found a toxic protein in the brains of those who have Alzheimer's that removes from the nerve cells the insulin receptors. This makes the neurons resistant to insulin.
Northwestern University in the United States declare that when the brain stops the insulin from doing its job correctly, the result is chemical imbalance. This disproportion of the chemicals then could help out in activating Alzheimer's disease.
The research undertaken is suggesting that patients with dementia have brains with protein that ties to the tips of the end of nerves. This leads to resistance to insulin which plays a role and therefore important for the brain in order for it to learn, accumulate information and knowledge and then remember them along with the memories.
The leader of this study is Dr. William Klein who said that type 2 diabetes drugs may be helpful in treating Alzheimer's disease. Even Diabetes UK Care advisor, Libby Dowling, said there are other researches that link diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.
There is a need though for more studies on this matter in order to arrive at a more definitive conclusion as to the relationship between Alzheimer's and diabetes. There is no doubt for this because the speed at which change in medical science occurs is breathtaking.
Just look at the latest announcement regarding the stem cells resulting from adult skin cells that were genetically engineered. We all need these weapons so we can win the battle with diseases including diabetes. These are imbedded in the minds of these researchers who are tireless in their quest for new ways to make things better for all, regardless of motivation.
Now they're saying that insulin's importance to the body of type 1 diabetics and some type is also equally important to the mind. That is why they are thinking that Alzheimer's loss of memory is because of a new form of diabetes which they call the third form.
I repeat that researchers have discovered the reasoning why the signaling of the brain insulin which is important for memory would cease working in Alzheimer's disease. They found a toxic protein in the brains of those who have Alzheimer's that removes from the nerve cells the insulin receptors. This makes the neurons resistant to insulin.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Amputations Linked to Mental Health
Amputations was the topic of a study that reported in the magazine General Hospital Psychiatry issue on the American veterans who are diabetics. This group was found to have an increased chance of major amputations when they score low on a mental health functioning test. That is why mental assessment should be a part of the overall management of diabetes.
This news item suggests the need to evaluate patients for mental health issues as this seems to be a risk factor. This way, some suitable intervention can be undertaken to reduce the risk for amputation. So did the senior authors of the VA Health Care System in New Jersey report.
Dr. Tseng and his team studied almost 115000 diabetics at Veteran Health Administration Clinic during the period of 1998-2000. These patients completed a mental health functioning test. They then evaluated the results of the test. Hopefully my readers on diabetes leg pain will take note of this.
Here's what they found. They found that 450 patients underwent amputations of the ankle which are considered major while 431 had toes to ankle amputations which are considered minor. They then compared this with the findings on the measurement of the mental health functioning.
The ones who scored lower showed a greater risk for amputation. This was the finding after taking into account the other factors like obesity, less health care, poor diabetes control and smoking. The major amputation rate was .5% among those who scored below average, .3% for those who obtained above average and .2% for those who have the highest score in the test.
It goes to show that increase in mental health functioning score of five points was linked to a reduced risk of major amputation by 5%. And when adjustment was made, mental health functioning stopped being a major risk for amputations that are minor.
My prayer is for no diabetic to need wheel chairs but if they do they should get Power Wheelchairs that are at low or no cost, free delivery, free training & setup! Medicare recipients, get your free consultation. ClickOnHealth
This is a big help when they will deliver it for free and set it up too. I don't know about you but I am a technically challenged person so a company that gives free training and setup gets a big thumbs up from me!
The link between mental health functioning was mentioned before but this is the first time that it has been formally studied. Mental health issues may get in the way with the care of people with diabetes including complications with the foot care. Being aware of this could lead to better care for diabetics and fewer amputations.
This news item suggests the need to evaluate patients for mental health issues as this seems to be a risk factor. This way, some suitable intervention can be undertaken to reduce the risk for amputation. So did the senior authors of the VA Health Care System in New Jersey report.
Dr. Tseng and his team studied almost 115000 diabetics at Veteran Health Administration Clinic during the period of 1998-2000. These patients completed a mental health functioning test. They then evaluated the results of the test. Hopefully my readers on diabetes leg pain will take note of this.
Here's what they found. They found that 450 patients underwent amputations of the ankle which are considered major while 431 had toes to ankle amputations which are considered minor. They then compared this with the findings on the measurement of the mental health functioning.
The ones who scored lower showed a greater risk for amputation. This was the finding after taking into account the other factors like obesity, less health care, poor diabetes control and smoking. The major amputation rate was .5% among those who scored below average, .3% for those who obtained above average and .2% for those who have the highest score in the test.
It goes to show that increase in mental health functioning score of five points was linked to a reduced risk of major amputation by 5%. And when adjustment was made, mental health functioning stopped being a major risk for amputations that are minor.
My prayer is for no diabetic to need wheel chairs but if they do they should get Power Wheelchairs that are at low or no cost, free delivery, free training & setup! Medicare recipients, get your free consultation. ClickOnHealth
The link between mental health functioning was mentioned before but this is the first time that it has been formally studied. Mental health issues may get in the way with the care of people with diabetes including complications with the foot care. Being aware of this could lead to better care for diabetics and fewer amputations.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Oral Treatment for Diabetes Discovered?
University of Haifa researchers in the Biology Department of Faculty of Science and Science Education uncovered a matter that may treat diabetes and its accompanying complications orally. This substance is a derivative of a yeast called GTF, an acronym for Glucose Tolerance Factor.
They tested this substance on rats that had diabetes which subsequently have been found to have lowered the lipids and sugar levels in their blood. The one conducting the research is Dr. Nitsa Mirsky who said that the next step is to assess if GTF will work successfully as well on people.
Acknowledged as a world-wide health crisis, diabetes has an effect on 5-10% of people in developed countries and has been declared an epidemic in developing countries. A lasting illness with no cure, it has many complications like blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and others.
About half of people with diabetes are injected with insulin while the others take oral medications that are not easy to control and frequently with side effects. Treatment with insulin may not be effective because resistance to it can slowly develop.
There is another problem with insulin in the sense that it has to fit the diabetic's activities and sometimes it doesn't to the point that taking a large dose before meals could trigger hypoglycemia which could lead to coma and even death.
Dr. Mirsky's research involved two levels, first on rats that were diabetic and on the molecular cells. The findings showed that GTF reduced the glucose level and the bad cholesterol and raised the good cholesterol. This glucose tolerance factor kept back the process of oxidation that could lead to atherosclerosis that in turn could result in heart attacks and strokes.
And here's even better news. If GTF is given early, it could stop or at least slow down renal problems. It has also shown to stop damage to the retina and could help prevent cataracts. It also helps improve the efficacy of insulin. There is a need though for more research to combine both insulin and GTF treatment for diabetics.
I tried to get updated information on this discovery and found that glucose tolerance factor is an agent for diabetic treatment and healing development. Chromium which is considered the central part of Glucose Tolerance Factor improves the effect of insulin in the body.
Chromium is known as a trace element that is necessary for human nutrition because it improves insulin efficacy as well the glucose tolerance. It can be obtained from the diet but inadequate amount is said to lead to symptoms that are found in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The over processing of foods makes for less dietary consumption of chromium. Many diets have less than 60% of the recommended consumption. The estimated and safe everyday consumption of chromium is 50 to 200 micrograms. There is more info on this at Treatments for Diabetes.
Those with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance when given supplemental chromium have shown improvement in blood sugar, insulin and lipids. Reaction depends on the amount and form of supplement. Over the past thirty years there has not been any report of chromium toxicity in studies on the supplements.
They tested this substance on rats that had diabetes which subsequently have been found to have lowered the lipids and sugar levels in their blood. The one conducting the research is Dr. Nitsa Mirsky who said that the next step is to assess if GTF will work successfully as well on people.
Acknowledged as a world-wide health crisis, diabetes has an effect on 5-10% of people in developed countries and has been declared an epidemic in developing countries. A lasting illness with no cure, it has many complications like blindness, heart disease, kidney failure and others.
About half of people with diabetes are injected with insulin while the others take oral medications that are not easy to control and frequently with side effects. Treatment with insulin may not be effective because resistance to it can slowly develop.
There is another problem with insulin in the sense that it has to fit the diabetic's activities and sometimes it doesn't to the point that taking a large dose before meals could trigger hypoglycemia which could lead to coma and even death.
Dr. Mirsky's research involved two levels, first on rats that were diabetic and on the molecular cells. The findings showed that GTF reduced the glucose level and the bad cholesterol and raised the good cholesterol. This glucose tolerance factor kept back the process of oxidation that could lead to atherosclerosis that in turn could result in heart attacks and strokes.
And here's even better news. If GTF is given early, it could stop or at least slow down renal problems. It has also shown to stop damage to the retina and could help prevent cataracts. It also helps improve the efficacy of insulin. There is a need though for more research to combine both insulin and GTF treatment for diabetics.
I tried to get updated information on this discovery and found that glucose tolerance factor is an agent for diabetic treatment and healing development. Chromium which is considered the central part of Glucose Tolerance Factor improves the effect of insulin in the body.
Chromium is known as a trace element that is necessary for human nutrition because it improves insulin efficacy as well the glucose tolerance. It can be obtained from the diet but inadequate amount is said to lead to symptoms that are found in cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
The over processing of foods makes for less dietary consumption of chromium. Many diets have less than 60% of the recommended consumption. The estimated and safe everyday consumption of chromium is 50 to 200 micrograms. There is more info on this at Treatments for Diabetes.
Those with diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance when given supplemental chromium have shown improvement in blood sugar, insulin and lipids. Reaction depends on the amount and form of supplement. Over the past thirty years there has not been any report of chromium toxicity in studies on the supplements.
Friday, August 14, 2009
USA's Top Diabetes Magazine on its 62nd Year
Diabetes Forecast starts the 60th year by releasing its annual supplement, the 2008 Resource Guide on diabetes. To help the diabetics, the supplement offers the readers with a summary of new and established products. This overview will provide the information needed for diabetes care. I wonder if they will release the 2009 Resource Guide.
The 2008 Resource Guide has different sections. There are news on new products such as new medications, blood glucose monitors that continuously keep track of blood sugar levels. It provides ways to control type 2 diabetes with drugs especially now that there are six classes of pills and a number of combinations of pills.
For insulin users, the supplement provides an overview of the chief characteristics of insulin and the ones used in the US and helpful guidelines on labeling, shipping and storage. In addition, it gives data on pumps, pens, jet injectors, syringes and infusers. It helps users decide which tools match their needs.
The diabetics will also learn to determine which blood glucose monitor is the best tool. There are tips on how to handle hypoglycemic episodes and how to prevent them from happening. It gives information on how to test for ketones as well. Meanwhile, to get alerts and tips, sign up at the top of this page on diabetes like hypoglycemia symptoms.
There is an alphabetical list of distributors and manufacturers of diabetes goods. And this is not all. There will be eight steps on how to make good on the resolutions to lose weight. The hints help anyone to stick to this resolution.
I will try to report on all of these in more detail as I believe this is an important resource for people who have diabetes. It is good to have such information handy within one's reach at all times. Self-care will be more manageable with such resource on hand.
The 2008 Resource Guide has different sections. There are news on new products such as new medications, blood glucose monitors that continuously keep track of blood sugar levels. It provides ways to control type 2 diabetes with drugs especially now that there are six classes of pills and a number of combinations of pills.
For insulin users, the supplement provides an overview of the chief characteristics of insulin and the ones used in the US and helpful guidelines on labeling, shipping and storage. In addition, it gives data on pumps, pens, jet injectors, syringes and infusers. It helps users decide which tools match their needs.
The diabetics will also learn to determine which blood glucose monitor is the best tool. There are tips on how to handle hypoglycemic episodes and how to prevent them from happening. It gives information on how to test for ketones as well. Meanwhile, to get alerts and tips, sign up at the top of this page on diabetes like hypoglycemia symptoms.
There is an alphabetical list of distributors and manufacturers of diabetes goods. And this is not all. There will be eight steps on how to make good on the resolutions to lose weight. The hints help anyone to stick to this resolution.
I will try to report on all of these in more detail as I believe this is an important resource for people who have diabetes. It is good to have such information handy within one's reach at all times. Self-care will be more manageable with such resource on hand.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Black Community Urged to Make Lifestyle Change
Diabetes among African Americans is on an all-time high. It is one of the most serious health problems facing the community. More than 30 million of them suffer from this condition. Approximately 1.6 African Americans get diabetes for every white American diagnosed with it.
In this connection, it is good to know what are the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. The same factors that increase the risk for the other populations are the culprits for the African Americans developing this condition. These are genetics, medical risk factors and lifestyle factors.
Genetics include inherited traits. They inherited what they call the thrifty gene from their ancestors which enabled them during famine and feast cycles to adjust when food was scarce. Now that that these cycles are fewer if ever, the thrifty gene makes it harder to control the weight.
Speaking of this, allow me to let you read one doctor's take on this issue. She believes that it is not what we eat nor our lack of exercise that is responsible for us getting overweight but something else. Find out why everyone is so mad at this doctor. She will tell you all about it herself.
The second risk factors are medical and include impaired glucose tolerance, obesity and hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia refers to higher than normal fasting insulin levels. This often occurs several years before diabetes comes in for good.
The third risk factors are the ones that have something to do with lifestyle. The scientists think that lack of physical activity contributes to high diabetes rates among older African-American women. They say that adequate physical activity protects one against diabetes so it‘s best to counteract this by getting enough exercise.
Representative Cummings wrote in Louisiana Weekly urging the black community to make lifestyle changes to stop the threat of diabetes from them. It is now the fourth main cause of death among the blacks who have almost twice the rate with this disease than the whites. There is more information on diabetes risk factors here.
He said that a lot of the factors leading to diabetes are preventable. The traditional diet the blacks have contribute to this disease and this should change now in order to save lives later. What we eat, he says, is frequently linked to how we die.
Changing the lifestyle by eating less and moving more will spell the difference. He said there's a national movement for every American child to get healthy foods and they're working on it in the congress. However, passing laws is not enough. The community has to work together to educate every one of the risk linked to the every day diet so we can all prevent diabetes.
In this connection, it is good to know what are the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. The same factors that increase the risk for the other populations are the culprits for the African Americans developing this condition. These are genetics, medical risk factors and lifestyle factors.
Genetics include inherited traits. They inherited what they call the thrifty gene from their ancestors which enabled them during famine and feast cycles to adjust when food was scarce. Now that that these cycles are fewer if ever, the thrifty gene makes it harder to control the weight.
Speaking of this, allow me to let you read one doctor's take on this issue. She believes that it is not what we eat nor our lack of exercise that is responsible for us getting overweight but something else. Find out why everyone is so mad at this doctor. She will tell you all about it herself.
The second risk factors are medical and include impaired glucose tolerance, obesity and hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Hyperinsulinemia refers to higher than normal fasting insulin levels. This often occurs several years before diabetes comes in for good.
The third risk factors are the ones that have something to do with lifestyle. The scientists think that lack of physical activity contributes to high diabetes rates among older African-American women. They say that adequate physical activity protects one against diabetes so it‘s best to counteract this by getting enough exercise.
Representative Cummings wrote in Louisiana Weekly urging the black community to make lifestyle changes to stop the threat of diabetes from them. It is now the fourth main cause of death among the blacks who have almost twice the rate with this disease than the whites. There is more information on diabetes risk factors here.
He said that a lot of the factors leading to diabetes are preventable. The traditional diet the blacks have contribute to this disease and this should change now in order to save lives later. What we eat, he says, is frequently linked to how we die.
Changing the lifestyle by eating less and moving more will spell the difference. He said there's a national movement for every American child to get healthy foods and they're working on it in the congress. However, passing laws is not enough. The community has to work together to educate every one of the risk linked to the every day diet so we can all prevent diabetes.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Research Reports Camel Milk May Help Diabetics
Diabetes prevention should at least heed the report from Jaipur saying that although India has the most number of diabetics in the world, there are camel breeders in Rajasthan who are immune to diabetes. They say this is due to camel milk which is the main item in their every day meal. Sorry, but I am not going to drink camel milk.
Diabetes Care conducted the research at the SP Medical College Bikaner and found that a liter of camel's milk has around 52 units of insulin. This is different from other forms of insulin that is dispensed orally in the sense that the stomach's acidic juices do not neutralize the camel milk.
By now, we know there are type 1 and type 2 kinds of diabetes. Type 2 could still be treated with changing to a healthy lifestyle while the option for type 1 is to take insulin shots Now they have proven that drinking camel milk every day would add 60 to 70% of insulin to Type 1 diabetics.
This translates to the Type 1 diabetics who require a yearly supply of 20 units of insulin to reduce this need to six to seven units if they take camel milk regularly. This result came after a first survey that indicated low diabetes prevalence among the camel milk drinkers when compared to those who do not like camel milk.
The initial survey was followed by successfully testing albino rats and then 50 type 1 and type 2 diabetics for over two years. The blood glucose levels of these people fell dramatically. This has been published before with the American Diabetes Association even recommending it.
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has newly acknowledged this discovery but most are still not aware of this. Other countries like Japan and USA have shown interest in this finding which Dr. Agrawal said that scientists are crediting the camel milk feature as due to phytonutrient from plants that are the staple of the camel's diet every day. Should this then be considered for diabetes prevention?
Diabetes Care conducted the research at the SP Medical College Bikaner and found that a liter of camel's milk has around 52 units of insulin. This is different from other forms of insulin that is dispensed orally in the sense that the stomach's acidic juices do not neutralize the camel milk.
By now, we know there are type 1 and type 2 kinds of diabetes. Type 2 could still be treated with changing to a healthy lifestyle while the option for type 1 is to take insulin shots Now they have proven that drinking camel milk every day would add 60 to 70% of insulin to Type 1 diabetics.
This translates to the Type 1 diabetics who require a yearly supply of 20 units of insulin to reduce this need to six to seven units if they take camel milk regularly. This result came after a first survey that indicated low diabetes prevalence among the camel milk drinkers when compared to those who do not like camel milk.
The initial survey was followed by successfully testing albino rats and then 50 type 1 and type 2 diabetics for over two years. The blood glucose levels of these people fell dramatically. This has been published before with the American Diabetes Association even recommending it.
ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) has newly acknowledged this discovery but most are still not aware of this. Other countries like Japan and USA have shown interest in this finding which Dr. Agrawal said that scientists are crediting the camel milk feature as due to phytonutrient from plants that are the staple of the camel's diet every day. Should this then be considered for diabetes prevention?
Friday, July 24, 2009
Kidney Disease Cause at Early Stage Uncovered?
Kidney disease cause of its early stage has been thought of as discovered. This is significant as worldwide, 100 million people are affected by the early stage kidney disease. Massachusetts General Hospital , the largest training hospital for Harvard Medical School, conducted a study where they identified a molecular pathway that seems to be the cause of urinary protein loss. If this is blocked, then the kidney failure can be slowed down.
The senior author of this study who is also the director of the Program in Glomerular Disease at MGH, Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, said they have information on this in both animal and human models. It appeared in Nature Medicine but is also available online.
Changli Wei, MD, PhD said that targeting the mechanism with molecule compounds or antibodies can stop or lower the urinary protein loss. This may then become a new way to treat kidney disease like diabetic nephropathy.
The filtering activity of the kidney is done in the blood vessels where there are extensions called podocytes that sift extra water out while keeping the larger proteins in. Some kidney diseases show these podocytes as having shrunk thus unable to do the filtering properly and allowing the proteins to seep out of the urine.
The researchers studied this situation and for the first time found what was capable of the motion that contributes to the breakdown of the podocytes. They focused on this and found uPar as linked to the movement. These are the same molecules associated with the healing of wounds, inflammation, metastasis and invasion of tumor.
There is a need for more studies to find out how uPar interacts with the others that are involved in the filtering of the protein and its leakage to the urine. They are now carrying out a clinical trial to block the uPar. Hopefully this will be the first step to intervene in these diseases.
I tried to get the latest research on the early kidney disease but didn't find any. Meantime, there is something we can do. After consulting with the doctor a special diet may help reduce the kidneys' workload and control the build up of fluid and waste products. This may help in slowing down the kidney function loss. Generally, this diet controls the, quantity of protein, sodium and phosphorus but make sure you get enough calories.
Sometimes there are no symptoms of the early stages of this condition so it is important that one who is at risk like those with diabetes and hypertension be tested. Usually they use the urine and blood test to find the creatinine in the blood. This way we can protect ourselves until they find the cause of early kidney disease.
The senior author of this study who is also the director of the Program in Glomerular Disease at MGH, Jochen Reiser, MD, PhD, said they have information on this in both animal and human models. It appeared in Nature Medicine but is also available online.
Changli Wei, MD, PhD said that targeting the mechanism with molecule compounds or antibodies can stop or lower the urinary protein loss. This may then become a new way to treat kidney disease like diabetic nephropathy.
The filtering activity of the kidney is done in the blood vessels where there are extensions called podocytes that sift extra water out while keeping the larger proteins in. Some kidney diseases show these podocytes as having shrunk thus unable to do the filtering properly and allowing the proteins to seep out of the urine.
The researchers studied this situation and for the first time found what was capable of the motion that contributes to the breakdown of the podocytes. They focused on this and found uPar as linked to the movement. These are the same molecules associated with the healing of wounds, inflammation, metastasis and invasion of tumor.
There is a need for more studies to find out how uPar interacts with the others that are involved in the filtering of the protein and its leakage to the urine. They are now carrying out a clinical trial to block the uPar. Hopefully this will be the first step to intervene in these diseases.
I tried to get the latest research on the early kidney disease but didn't find any. Meantime, there is something we can do. After consulting with the doctor a special diet may help reduce the kidneys' workload and control the build up of fluid and waste products. This may help in slowing down the kidney function loss. Generally, this diet controls the, quantity of protein, sodium and phosphorus but make sure you get enough calories.
Sometimes there are no symptoms of the early stages of this condition so it is important that one who is at risk like those with diabetes and hypertension be tested. Usually they use the urine and blood test to find the creatinine in the blood. This way we can protect ourselves until they find the cause of early kidney disease.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Therapy for Cancer and Arthritis May Be Good as Diabetes Treatment
Researchers for Yale School of Medicine report that an antibody used for treatment of some cancers and arthritis seem to holdup type 1 diabetes when they tried it on mice. They say that even after stopping the administration of the antibody, it continues to be of benefit.
They say that rituximab, the antibody they used, reduces the B cells. There is evidence that B cells have a part in autoimmune disease by interrelating with the immune system's T cells. The T cells are the ones that destroy the cells that produce insulin.
Li Wen, the division of endocrinology's senior research scientist, said that after successfully depleting the B cells, regulatory cells come out which can hold back the autoimmune and inflammatory reaction even after the return of the B cells. Li Wen and team were stunned by the fact that there were both T and B cells in the regulatory cells.
What Li Wen and her Yale collaborator, Mark Shlomchik, M.D. did to find out whether the depletion of the B cells would be a treatment for type 1 diabetes, was develop a mouse model. They engineered these mice to be predisposed to diabetes and put the molecule retuximab on surface of the B cells of these mice.
The investigators found that the drug therapy considerably delayed diabetes by 10 to 15 weeks than their mice counterparts which were treated with a placebo. This translates to about 10 to 15 years in humans. Five of the 14 mice who had already diabetes stopped requiring insulin for two to five months while their counterparts stayed being diabetic. So it has some promise as a form of diabetes treatment.
What does this mean? Shlomchik said that it looks like the B cells play two parts in diabetes and perhaps in other autoimmune disease as well. At the start the B cells may encourage the disease to appear but after depletion with rituximab, they stop the disease. This shows there may be no need for multiple medications to further deplete the B cells.
I hope they will continue on with this research but in my search for new development, I didn't find any. However, this did not diminish my admiration for the researchers for I have no idea nor want to find out how to engineer mice to be susceptible to diabetes. Why, I did not even do well at my chemistry class in the university and I am terrified of mice. So despite my overwhelming desire to help the diabetics, I will not go near those creatures. I draw the line there, so sorry guys!
They say that rituximab, the antibody they used, reduces the B cells. There is evidence that B cells have a part in autoimmune disease by interrelating with the immune system's T cells. The T cells are the ones that destroy the cells that produce insulin.
Li Wen, the division of endocrinology's senior research scientist, said that after successfully depleting the B cells, regulatory cells come out which can hold back the autoimmune and inflammatory reaction even after the return of the B cells. Li Wen and team were stunned by the fact that there were both T and B cells in the regulatory cells.
What Li Wen and her Yale collaborator, Mark Shlomchik, M.D. did to find out whether the depletion of the B cells would be a treatment for type 1 diabetes, was develop a mouse model. They engineered these mice to be predisposed to diabetes and put the molecule retuximab on surface of the B cells of these mice.
The investigators found that the drug therapy considerably delayed diabetes by 10 to 15 weeks than their mice counterparts which were treated with a placebo. This translates to about 10 to 15 years in humans. Five of the 14 mice who had already diabetes stopped requiring insulin for two to five months while their counterparts stayed being diabetic. So it has some promise as a form of diabetes treatment.
What does this mean? Shlomchik said that it looks like the B cells play two parts in diabetes and perhaps in other autoimmune disease as well. At the start the B cells may encourage the disease to appear but after depletion with rituximab, they stop the disease. This shows there may be no need for multiple medications to further deplete the B cells.
I hope they will continue on with this research but in my search for new development, I didn't find any. However, this did not diminish my admiration for the researchers for I have no idea nor want to find out how to engineer mice to be susceptible to diabetes. Why, I did not even do well at my chemistry class in the university and I am terrified of mice. So despite my overwhelming desire to help the diabetics, I will not go near those creatures. I draw the line there, so sorry guys!
Friday, July 10, 2009
What Drug Lowers Risk for Cardiovascular Disease Among Diabetics with Kidney Disease?
Cardiovascular disease and diabetes are linked in the sense that the diabetics have a higher risk for heart troubles than their counterpart who do not have diabetes. The question therefore that begs an answer is what can we do to lower that risk?
That risk can be reduced by maintaining the ABC's of diabetes at acceptable level. How do we do this? This can be done by eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking medication as prescribed. Losing weight if applicable is also part of maintaining the ABC.
Every little step you take will help maintain the ABC. Once the numbers come nearer the target levels, the chance to prevent heart attack is higher, much higher. Smoking is a great no, no. If you are smoking, quit. It is as simple as that. Now what do these ABC stand for anyway?
A is for A1C which tells the story of where your average blood sugar is up to in the preceding two to three months. In fact, this is now what they advocate as the way to diagnose diabetes instead of that fasting glucose test. The recommendation is to target the A1C of below 7.
B is for blood pressure that tells the story of how hard your heart has to work because it measures the force of blood in the blood vessels. The recommendation is to keep the blood pressure reading to below 130/80 mmHg.
Now how about the C? Well it stands for cholesterol which is the amount of fat in the blood. Just to get us confused, there are two kinds. There's the HDL which is our friend because it aids in protecting the heart. And there is the LDL which we can call frenemy (This is a new word just added recently to the dictionary) which means a fake friend because it clogs our blood vessel.
The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reports in the January issue that treating patients with CKD (chronic kidney disease) with pioglitazone may lower the risk for cardiovascular disease. A new study on this confirms this.
University of Cologne's Dr. Christian A. Schneider of Germany said that this drug reduced death and cardiovascular occurrence when they studied more than 5000 type 2 diabetics who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease due to damage to the large blood vessels.
The patients treated with pioglitazone showed a lower risk for cardiovascular occurrence when compared to those assigned to take the placebo. The rate of death and cardiovascular events was reduced by 33.33%. It was noted that the decrease happened among those with lower stage of kidney function.
Dr. Schneider said their findings may not apply to diabetics with lower risk for cardiovascular events. Caution should be exercised when looking at the result of their study until it is further confirmed. This research was supported by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Let’s just follow the recommendation to lower the cardiovascular disease.
That risk can be reduced by maintaining the ABC's of diabetes at acceptable level. How do we do this? This can be done by eating healthy, exercising regularly and taking medication as prescribed. Losing weight if applicable is also part of maintaining the ABC.
Every little step you take will help maintain the ABC. Once the numbers come nearer the target levels, the chance to prevent heart attack is higher, much higher. Smoking is a great no, no. If you are smoking, quit. It is as simple as that. Now what do these ABC stand for anyway?
A is for A1C which tells the story of where your average blood sugar is up to in the preceding two to three months. In fact, this is now what they advocate as the way to diagnose diabetes instead of that fasting glucose test. The recommendation is to target the A1C of below 7.
B is for blood pressure that tells the story of how hard your heart has to work because it measures the force of blood in the blood vessels. The recommendation is to keep the blood pressure reading to below 130/80 mmHg.
Now how about the C? Well it stands for cholesterol which is the amount of fat in the blood. Just to get us confused, there are two kinds. There's the HDL which is our friend because it aids in protecting the heart. And there is the LDL which we can call frenemy (This is a new word just added recently to the dictionary) which means a fake friend because it clogs our blood vessel.
The Journal of the American Society of Nephrology reports in the January issue that treating patients with CKD (chronic kidney disease) with pioglitazone may lower the risk for cardiovascular disease. A new study on this confirms this.
University of Cologne's Dr. Christian A. Schneider of Germany said that this drug reduced death and cardiovascular occurrence when they studied more than 5000 type 2 diabetics who were at high risk for cardiovascular disease due to damage to the large blood vessels.
The patients treated with pioglitazone showed a lower risk for cardiovascular occurrence when compared to those assigned to take the placebo. The rate of death and cardiovascular events was reduced by 33.33%. It was noted that the decrease happened among those with lower stage of kidney function.
Dr. Schneider said their findings may not apply to diabetics with lower risk for cardiovascular events. Caution should be exercised when looking at the result of their study until it is further confirmed. This research was supported by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company. Let’s just follow the recommendation to lower the cardiovascular disease.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Disabled Diabetics May Collect Social Security Benefits
The main cause of disability in the US is diabetes. Its complications are many among which are blindness, kidney failure, nerve problems and blindness rendering diabetics disabled. Now there is news they are entitled to full disability benefits from Social Security.
One who is unable to work or earn enough income due to these complications and the condition has gone on or may continue for a year may be able to collect full benefits on disability insurance from Social Security. Apply at the Social Security Office.
Remember if you become disabled due to diabetes and unable to hold a job, you may be qualified to collect full social security disability benefits. So don't forget to head down to the social security office nearest to where you live and apply for benefits.
Be careful when you apply because if the person is not following a treatment plan, the Social Security Office will deny the claim. On what ground is this decision made? It is on the grounds that following the prescribed treatment plan will not make one disabled for 12 consecutive months.
Adults and children will be considered disabled due to severe kidney problem. They are also considered disabled for 12 months after a kidney transplant. A person who has had diabetes for long will have disabling complications due to retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney troubles.
Don't be disheartened if you get turned down. As far as I know that is what usually happens. Be tenacious and insist on it. You will have 60 days to appeal. Then contact a lawyer who is knowledgeable about social security disability right away. Find out if the lawyer's clients are happy with his services. That is how you know that he will be of help.
If the application is turned down, the social security lawyer who is experienced with disability insurance may be of help. These lawyers usually win cases on appeal when the client's application has been rejected. But consult the lawyer as soon as the application is turned down.
For those who are not disabled from diabetes, please continue the regimen of eating healthy, being physically active and taking the medication as prescribed. It looks like only about 50% gets disabled from these complications although I doubt if the number gets that high because most diabetics are taking good care of themselves.
One who is unable to work or earn enough income due to these complications and the condition has gone on or may continue for a year may be able to collect full benefits on disability insurance from Social Security. Apply at the Social Security Office.
Remember if you become disabled due to diabetes and unable to hold a job, you may be qualified to collect full social security disability benefits. So don't forget to head down to the social security office nearest to where you live and apply for benefits.
Be careful when you apply because if the person is not following a treatment plan, the Social Security Office will deny the claim. On what ground is this decision made? It is on the grounds that following the prescribed treatment plan will not make one disabled for 12 consecutive months.
Adults and children will be considered disabled due to severe kidney problem. They are also considered disabled for 12 months after a kidney transplant. A person who has had diabetes for long will have disabling complications due to retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney troubles.
Don't be disheartened if you get turned down. As far as I know that is what usually happens. Be tenacious and insist on it. You will have 60 days to appeal. Then contact a lawyer who is knowledgeable about social security disability right away. Find out if the lawyer's clients are happy with his services. That is how you know that he will be of help.
If the application is turned down, the social security lawyer who is experienced with disability insurance may be of help. These lawyers usually win cases on appeal when the client's application has been rejected. But consult the lawyer as soon as the application is turned down.
For those who are not disabled from diabetes, please continue the regimen of eating healthy, being physically active and taking the medication as prescribed. It looks like only about 50% gets disabled from these complications although I doubt if the number gets that high because most diabetics are taking good care of themselves.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Oral Insulin Reduced Glucose Levels in Pre-Clinical Trials
Oral Insulin Cobalamini has been shown to considerably reduce sugar levels when tested on animals. This is as per announcement of Access Pharmaceuticals. They used some formulas of Cobalamini that are based on the body's natural absorption of Vitamin B12. They plan to do more pre-clinical tests.
Hopefully, this will be a success especially for people who have to do multiple insulin injection daily. This emerging company already has patents on Vitamin B12 to carry drugs. It will transfer this to the blood for easier absorption. Cobalamini therefore has the potential to deliver insulin orally or improve the delivery system currently in use.
Senior Vice President of Access Pharmaceuticals' Research and Development, Dr. David P. Nowotnik said that the company has data to use this method with different proteins but the result of the pre-clinical trials delighted them as there is indication that desired effect can be attained.
Access Pharmaceuticals plans to collaborate with other companies in the development of this oral delivery device. They have conducted studies with top pharmaceutical companies but are looking for partners to do more research on the availability of oral insulin.
CEO and Access Pharmaceutical Stephen R. Seiler said they're excited by the results of the research they conducted on animals. The potential for an oral delivery system for insulin is indicated. The Cobalamini technology, he said, can be applied to some cancer products as well.
People with diabetes I am sure will just be too happy not to have anymore of insulin resistance if they could take it by mouth as this will eliminate the irritation to the skin due to multiple injection. In another study, The American Chemical Society has known of this issue since their 222nd national meeting.
They were told at the meeting that the material is a polymer, the consistency of which is gel-like. This will offer another way or in place of injecting the insulin every day. A graduate student named Aaron C. Foss of Purdue University conducted a study on this issue with the guidance of the professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, Nicholas A. Peppas, ScD.
You see, the polymer is supposed to protect the insulin until it enters the small intestine. There, the blood will absorb it without it being exposed to the acidic hazards in the mouth first, then onto the throat and stomach. Researchers before this had only a minimum amount of insulin left for the blood to absorb but Peppas is confident this will not happen with their own research.
Why? Because the small intestine is less acidic than the other places where the insulin has to pass through So once the insulin gets to the small intestine, the polymer swells up. In addition, the polymer intercepts the calcium which is a good thing because the walls of the small intestine need to have the pores tightly sealed. Then as soon as they open up, the insulin can slip through to the blood. Sneaky, huh?
They have been working on this for some time so I looked for any report on the progress but I failed. So if any good soul out there who will be successful in this detective work, please let me know as I am truly interested to know the result of this investigation on oral insulin.
Hopefully, this will be a success especially for people who have to do multiple insulin injection daily. This emerging company already has patents on Vitamin B12 to carry drugs. It will transfer this to the blood for easier absorption. Cobalamini therefore has the potential to deliver insulin orally or improve the delivery system currently in use.
Senior Vice President of Access Pharmaceuticals' Research and Development, Dr. David P. Nowotnik said that the company has data to use this method with different proteins but the result of the pre-clinical trials delighted them as there is indication that desired effect can be attained.
Access Pharmaceuticals plans to collaborate with other companies in the development of this oral delivery device. They have conducted studies with top pharmaceutical companies but are looking for partners to do more research on the availability of oral insulin.
CEO and Access Pharmaceutical Stephen R. Seiler said they're excited by the results of the research they conducted on animals. The potential for an oral delivery system for insulin is indicated. The Cobalamini technology, he said, can be applied to some cancer products as well.
People with diabetes I am sure will just be too happy not to have anymore of insulin resistance if they could take it by mouth as this will eliminate the irritation to the skin due to multiple injection. In another study, The American Chemical Society has known of this issue since their 222nd national meeting.
They were told at the meeting that the material is a polymer, the consistency of which is gel-like. This will offer another way or in place of injecting the insulin every day. A graduate student named Aaron C. Foss of Purdue University conducted a study on this issue with the guidance of the professor of biomedical and chemical engineering, Nicholas A. Peppas, ScD.
You see, the polymer is supposed to protect the insulin until it enters the small intestine. There, the blood will absorb it without it being exposed to the acidic hazards in the mouth first, then onto the throat and stomach. Researchers before this had only a minimum amount of insulin left for the blood to absorb but Peppas is confident this will not happen with their own research.
Why? Because the small intestine is less acidic than the other places where the insulin has to pass through So once the insulin gets to the small intestine, the polymer swells up. In addition, the polymer intercepts the calcium which is a good thing because the walls of the small intestine need to have the pores tightly sealed. Then as soon as they open up, the insulin can slip through to the blood. Sneaky, huh?
They have been working on this for some time so I looked for any report on the progress but I failed. So if any good soul out there who will be successful in this detective work, please let me know as I am truly interested to know the result of this investigation on oral insulin.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Diabetics Taken Off From Avandia Most Likely to Use New Agents
Diabetes Dynamics USA reports on new research that shows just over 50% of diabetics withdrawn from Avandia were changed to new anti=diabetic drugs Januvia or Byetta when news spread that something was wrong with the drug they were taking. Can you imagine the worry and concern that caused?
International Client Services director Philip O'Hagan said that TNS Healthcare observed a rise in Avandia withdrawals and an increase in pioglitazone withdrawal as well. With the pioglitazone withdrawal only 10% were due to cardiac problems while those with the Avandia withdrawals, 20% were due to cardiac issues.
Only half of the Avandia change resulted in the switch to another drug. In 40% the change was only in the dosage. In the other 10% the doctors withdrew their patients from Avandia but did not make any other treatment change.
Diabetes Dynamics will continue to track the changes. They will note which of the drugs will lose or gain. They know that the prescription pattern will be volatile for a period of time. They will check what happens to the patients who changed their treatment.
Why would this have to happen anyway? Had there been more care in the clinical trials instead of rushing through it for financial gain, perhaps the side effects did not occur and then these changes the diabetics will not have to go through. Don't get me wrong, I am all for changes myself, but done the right way!
Rushing through the clinical trials and getting the FDA approval on the fast track is not the way to go, in my humble opinion. It smells something fishy. It is almost akin to changes in the computer operating system with not all the bugs ironed out. The end users are left to find this out and report the bug themselves. The powers-that-be then work on it to correct the system.
At least changes in the computer system are not life-threatening which is the opposite is true with the medications. Something could go horribly wrong if not all aspects of the medication are addressed and worked on before the release. Let us not rush through things and think more of the diabetics who will have to suffer more if we do.
International Client Services director Philip O'Hagan said that TNS Healthcare observed a rise in Avandia withdrawals and an increase in pioglitazone withdrawal as well. With the pioglitazone withdrawal only 10% were due to cardiac problems while those with the Avandia withdrawals, 20% were due to cardiac issues.
Only half of the Avandia change resulted in the switch to another drug. In 40% the change was only in the dosage. In the other 10% the doctors withdrew their patients from Avandia but did not make any other treatment change.
Diabetes Dynamics will continue to track the changes. They will note which of the drugs will lose or gain. They know that the prescription pattern will be volatile for a period of time. They will check what happens to the patients who changed their treatment.
Why would this have to happen anyway? Had there been more care in the clinical trials instead of rushing through it for financial gain, perhaps the side effects did not occur and then these changes the diabetics will not have to go through. Don't get me wrong, I am all for changes myself, but done the right way!
Rushing through the clinical trials and getting the FDA approval on the fast track is not the way to go, in my humble opinion. It smells something fishy. It is almost akin to changes in the computer operating system with not all the bugs ironed out. The end users are left to find this out and report the bug themselves. The powers-that-be then work on it to correct the system.
At least changes in the computer system are not life-threatening which is the opposite is true with the medications. Something could go horribly wrong if not all aspects of the medication are addressed and worked on before the release. Let us not rush through things and think more of the diabetics who will have to suffer more if we do.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wockhardt UK Says There’s Still Insulin Available
Insulin therapy is an important part of treatment for type 1 diabetics and for some who have type 2 diabetes. The aim of insulin therapy is to keep the blood glucose levels within the target range. The insulin therapy that is best for you depends on many factors, like the type of diabetes, one's lifestyle and how much the blood glucose rises and falls throughout the day.
There are many available types. The following are for your information only and should be checked for the latest available data. Here they are but know that the doctor may prescribe a mixture of types:
Remember that depending on when you read this, the data may have changed and that the doctor has the final say on this as he will know the overall health condition of the person in question. You can read more about insulin at this site where you can sign up for free to get alert and tips delivered right to your email inbox. While there you can also access the home page for the disclaimer.
Bovine insulin and Hypurin porcine will still be supplied for diabetics as soon as Novo Nordisk extracts its pork insulin. This is why Wockhardt UK says they’ll be able to provide the diabetics this option for treatment.
Diabetes UK Care advisor Cathy Moulton says it is good for the diabetics to have a choice of treatment because no two diabetics are alike so they want to still provide animal insulin. The other point is that switching to human insulin from the animal type is not simple because of serious reaction to the change.
Diabetes UK had a report specially made for this issue that was published in the magazine Diabetic Medicine. Although many can deal with their diabetes well with human insulin, few have problems with hypoglycemia when treated with it. So the Department of Health agrees that some diabetics are more suited to bovine insulin and should therefore be made available.
There are many available types. The following are for your information only and should be checked for the latest available data. Here they are but know that the doctor may prescribe a mixture of types:
- The rapid acting ones are absorbed faster than the short-acting ones but wears off earlier like Insulin aspart, insulin glulisine, insulin lispro. They start working either after 15 minutes, with peak times of 30 minutes to three hours and effect lasts from two to five hours.
- The short-acting ones work faster but the effects do not last as long as the intermediate ones like Humulin R, Novolin R. It begins to work 30 to 60 minutes with peak times of 2 to four hours and effect lasts for 3 to 8 hours.
- The intermediate-acting ones begin working later than the short-acting ones but the effects last longer like the NPH human (Humulin N, Novolin N). It starts working later than the short-acting ones. It starts working one to four hours, with peak times at 4 to 12 hours and the effect lasts for 12 to 18 hours.
- The long-acting ones take several hours to work but it supplies the insulin at a steady level for one whole day or 24 hours like Insulin glargine (Lantus) and the Insulin detemir (Levemir). It starts working in one to ten hours, with no clear peak and the effect lasts for up to 24 hours.
Remember that depending on when you read this, the data may have changed and that the doctor has the final say on this as he will know the overall health condition of the person in question. You can read more about insulin at this site where you can sign up for free to get alert and tips delivered right to your email inbox. While there you can also access the home page for the disclaimer.
Bovine insulin and Hypurin porcine will still be supplied for diabetics as soon as Novo Nordisk extracts its pork insulin. This is why Wockhardt UK says they’ll be able to provide the diabetics this option for treatment.
Diabetes UK Care advisor Cathy Moulton says it is good for the diabetics to have a choice of treatment because no two diabetics are alike so they want to still provide animal insulin. The other point is that switching to human insulin from the animal type is not simple because of serious reaction to the change.
Diabetes UK had a report specially made for this issue that was published in the magazine Diabetic Medicine. Although many can deal with their diabetes well with human insulin, few have problems with hypoglycemia when treated with it. So the Department of Health agrees that some diabetics are more suited to bovine insulin and should therefore be made available.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Erectile Dysfunction: More Info and What To Do With This Problem
Erectile dysfunction or impotence occurs in approximately 35-75% of diabetic men. They will go through at least some degree of this condition during their life. They tend to develop this 10 to 15 years ahead of men who do not have diabetes.
As they age, erectile dysfunction even becomes more common. They will experience difficulties with an erection about 50 - 60% when they reach the age of over 50. When they hit above 90, the likelihood of having this difficulty, rises to approximately 95%. Please sign up at the top of the page to receive an ongoing free weekly alerts and tips at the top of the page of the above link.
This begs the question why men with diabetes suffer from impotence. Would you believe the causes are multifaceted? This condition includes impairment in blood vessel, nerve and muscle function. Men need healthy nerves, blood vessels, male hormones and the desire to be sexually aroused.
Therein lies the problem for diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels. So even if men have the desire and the correct amounts of male hormones, they may not be able to have firm erection. Diabetes could have damaged the nerves and blood vessels that control the erection.
Now let's go to the solution part for there are treatments available but you have to check with your doctor. Why? Because taking oral medication like Cialis, Viagra and Levitra which can help with the problem may not be appropriate because they may interact dangerously with heart medicine.
However, there are other treatment options like vacuum constriction devices, injection therapy, sex therapy, intracavernous injection therapy, and intraurethral therapy. Is there a best one? It depends on your condition and how much you can endure. Get your doctor to refer you to a urologist who is an expert on this.
Professors Dr. Pedro Vendeira and Dr. Carla Costa were awarded an ESSM Award of Excellence for their study on erectile dysfunction in diabetics at Lisbon, Portugal during the 10th yearly Congress. The title of their study is Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction.
This condition appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for Sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health, particularly on the issue of erectile dysfunction.
As they age, erectile dysfunction even becomes more common. They will experience difficulties with an erection about 50 - 60% when they reach the age of over 50. When they hit above 90, the likelihood of having this difficulty, rises to approximately 95%. Please sign up at the top of the page to receive an ongoing free weekly alerts and tips at the top of the page of the above link.
This begs the question why men with diabetes suffer from impotence. Would you believe the causes are multifaceted? This condition includes impairment in blood vessel, nerve and muscle function. Men need healthy nerves, blood vessels, male hormones and the desire to be sexually aroused.
Therein lies the problem for diabetes can damage the nerves and blood vessels. So even if men have the desire and the correct amounts of male hormones, they may not be able to have firm erection. Diabetes could have damaged the nerves and blood vessels that control the erection.
Now let's go to the solution part for there are treatments available but you have to check with your doctor. Why? Because taking oral medication like Cialis, Viagra and Levitra which can help with the problem may not be appropriate because they may interact dangerously with heart medicine.
However, there are other treatment options like vacuum constriction devices, injection therapy, sex therapy, intracavernous injection therapy, and intraurethral therapy. Is there a best one? It depends on your condition and how much you can endure. Get your doctor to refer you to a urologist who is an expert on this.
Professors Dr. Pedro Vendeira and Dr. Carla Costa were awarded an ESSM Award of Excellence for their study on erectile dysfunction in diabetics at Lisbon, Portugal during the 10th yearly Congress. The title of their study is Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction.
This condition appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for Sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health, particularly on the issue of erectile dysfunction.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Erectile Dysfunction, Everything You Want To Know and Ashamed to Ask
Professors Dr. Pedro Vendeira and Dr. Carla Costa were awarded an ESSM Award of Excellence for their study on erectile dysfunction in diabetics at Lisbon, Portugal during the 10th yearly Congress. The title of their study is Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health.
The inability of a man to maintain an erection is called erectile dysfunction. It was formerly called impotence and considered a psychological issue but has now changed because it is more frequently caused by physical problems. It can be embarrassing to talk about but it is worth the effort to do so.
Nowadays this can be treated through medication or surgery. A heart problem or diabetes and other conditions may cause this so it is good to consider this a serious matter. As for the symptoms indicated of not being able to maintain an erection, this is so if it happens at least 25% of the time. An occasional lapse is normal.
Regarding the causes, male arousal involves hormones, brain, nerves, emotions, blood vessels and muscles so anything amiss in any of these can lead to erectile dysfunction. A chronic health problem or side effects of medication, a combination of things can lead to ED as well.
The risk factors include age, chronic health problem, medications, injuries and surgeries, smoking, obesity. stress, substance abuse, too much bicycling, and metabolic syndrome. Seek help for this condition to rule out other chronic health problems. After tests and diagnosis, there are treatment options available.
The treatment options range from medications to surgery and medical devices. The treatment of choice depends on the gravity and cause of the conditions. See if the treatment cost will be covered by your health insurance. Hope you got to know the things you want about erectile dysfunction.
Erectile dysfunction appears earlier due to the peripheral vascular difficulty that changes the normal blood flux to the organ. This impedes the normal erectile capacity. The study’s chief goal is to revascularize the diabetic penile tissue. This is through the use of cellular therapy which is done in diabetic rats. Healthy animal cells are transplanted to the diabetic animal’s penis.
This research was conducted at the University of Oporto’s Faculty of Medicine. The researchers received financial help for this earlier and the ESSM Award came with financial reward as well. This award was formed by the European Study for sexual Medicine to help with the development and research in sexual health.
The inability of a man to maintain an erection is called erectile dysfunction. It was formerly called impotence and considered a psychological issue but has now changed because it is more frequently caused by physical problems. It can be embarrassing to talk about but it is worth the effort to do so.
Nowadays this can be treated through medication or surgery. A heart problem or diabetes and other conditions may cause this so it is good to consider this a serious matter. As for the symptoms indicated of not being able to maintain an erection, this is so if it happens at least 25% of the time. An occasional lapse is normal.
Regarding the causes, male arousal involves hormones, brain, nerves, emotions, blood vessels and muscles so anything amiss in any of these can lead to erectile dysfunction. A chronic health problem or side effects of medication, a combination of things can lead to ED as well.
The risk factors include age, chronic health problem, medications, injuries and surgeries, smoking, obesity. stress, substance abuse, too much bicycling, and metabolic syndrome. Seek help for this condition to rule out other chronic health problems. After tests and diagnosis, there are treatment options available.
The treatment options range from medications to surgery and medical devices. The treatment of choice depends on the gravity and cause of the conditions. See if the treatment cost will be covered by your health insurance. Hope you got to know the things you want about erectile dysfunction.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Best Donor of Islets for Diabetes Treatment
The solution to the scarcity of islets for transplantation is to get the islet cells from living donors. This is according to the new report in Clinical Transplantation's new study. Samples of these cells obtained from living donors showed a 94% viability for transplantation against 42% from the dead donors. Clinical Transplantation is a journal for those who care for people requiring tissue or organ transplant.
The author of the study, Dr. Kwang-Won Kim said that the only known treatment for the diabetics who are dependent on insulin is transplantation of islet cells. The trouble is there is not enough supply from dead donors especially sometimes they need two such donors to obtain adequate cells to treat just one diabetic. Living donors will solve this problem because islet cells weakens right after death.
There is a downside to this because the procedure to obtain islet cells from live donors is not free from risk. There is a chance for the donors themselves to develop diabetes and who wants that? There is therefore a need for more research on this issue in order to make certain the donors will be safe and at the same time meet the demand for islet cells.
Last year UK's Department of Health announced funding from the government for a new type 1 diabetes treatment. It will spend 2.34 million euros the first year and increase this to a maximum of 7.32 million euros as it meets the demand for the service.
Previously, this type of service was offered to twelve patients in England which were funded from charitable organizations but chiefly by Diabetes UK. The new funding from the government will allow around 20 transplants in six centers that will be ready 24/7 to receive pancreas from donors and prepare the islet cells for transplantation. This will further expand to 80 transplants a year.
Won't it be grand if we had this option in the US as well.? I've tried to look around for this so that I can broadcast it from my website to give my readers the option to study and see if this fits their treatment plan. I did the same thing in Canada but the best I could find there was the pioneering islet transplantation in Edmonton, Alberta that paved the way to the current success.
The author of the study, Dr. Kwang-Won Kim said that the only known treatment for the diabetics who are dependent on insulin is transplantation of islet cells. The trouble is there is not enough supply from dead donors especially sometimes they need two such donors to obtain adequate cells to treat just one diabetic. Living donors will solve this problem because islet cells weakens right after death.
There is a downside to this because the procedure to obtain islet cells from live donors is not free from risk. There is a chance for the donors themselves to develop diabetes and who wants that? There is therefore a need for more research on this issue in order to make certain the donors will be safe and at the same time meet the demand for islet cells.
Last year UK's Department of Health announced funding from the government for a new type 1 diabetes treatment. It will spend 2.34 million euros the first year and increase this to a maximum of 7.32 million euros as it meets the demand for the service.
Previously, this type of service was offered to twelve patients in England which were funded from charitable organizations but chiefly by Diabetes UK. The new funding from the government will allow around 20 transplants in six centers that will be ready 24/7 to receive pancreas from donors and prepare the islet cells for transplantation. This will further expand to 80 transplants a year.
Won't it be grand if we had this option in the US as well.? I've tried to look around for this so that I can broadcast it from my website to give my readers the option to study and see if this fits their treatment plan. I did the same thing in Canada but the best I could find there was the pioneering islet transplantation in Edmonton, Alberta that paved the way to the current success.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Diabetes Study on Dog Owners with Type 1 Diabetes
Diabetes study has been funded by Diabetes UK to research anecdotal records on the dogs' reaction to the changes of their owners' blood sugar levels. Researchers asked type 1 diabetics who are also dog owners to participate in the study. I am revisiting this because of my interest for the diabetics to get earlier help before the hypoglycemic episode sets in.
The researchers from University of London and Queen's University in Belfast were going to investigate whether the dogs could detect the change in their owners' blood sugar level. They were therefore looking for 100 people to take part in this study.
Dr. Deborah Wells of Queen's University said they knew of anecdotal records that show dogs that were able to notice a drop in their owners' blood sugar level. The next issue of Balance was going to feature Dr. Wells' research. It would be the highlight of that issue. I looked all over the internet but couldn't find it. Maybe you did? Let me know then at this page
where you can join for free to receive alert and tips. There at the bottom of the page, you'll also see a contact form.
Those who wanted to be part of this study would have to fill out a questionnaire by mail or through the internet. Their response to the questionnaire would be confidential. They did not have to submit their names nor any personal matter. Check out the website of the Queen's University Belfast.
I found the results of another study where 138 dog owners reported that their dog showed a behavioral reaction to at least one event of hypoglycemia. Those who reported their dog reaction to the same episode to 11 or more events are in the 31.9% group.
It looked like too that their dog's age, sex, length of ownership and breed did not play a role to the response. Around 36% of owners claim that their dogs reacted when their blood sugar level went low before the owners noticed that they were exhibiting signs of low blood glucose level.
How did these dogs react? Well the responses were varied. Around 49.2% licked them, 61.5% vocalized, 30.4% jumped on them, 40.6$ nuzzled them and 41.3% stared at them intently. There was smaller proportion of dogs responding by hyperventilating, trembling or running away from the owners.
What conclusion can we derive from these reactions? It can be said that the reaction to the hypoglycemic events of the type 1 diabetic owners of these dogs happen to dogs that are not trained. This is important as who knows what kind of reaction will these dogs show after they are trained? Let us see what is the result if not of this but of another diabetes study.
The researchers from University of London and Queen's University in Belfast were going to investigate whether the dogs could detect the change in their owners' blood sugar level. They were therefore looking for 100 people to take part in this study.
Dr. Deborah Wells of Queen's University said they knew of anecdotal records that show dogs that were able to notice a drop in their owners' blood sugar level. The next issue of Balance was going to feature Dr. Wells' research. It would be the highlight of that issue. I looked all over the internet but couldn't find it. Maybe you did? Let me know then at this page
where you can join for free to receive alert and tips. There at the bottom of the page, you'll also see a contact form.
Those who wanted to be part of this study would have to fill out a questionnaire by mail or through the internet. Their response to the questionnaire would be confidential. They did not have to submit their names nor any personal matter. Check out the website of the Queen's University Belfast.
I found the results of another study where 138 dog owners reported that their dog showed a behavioral reaction to at least one event of hypoglycemia. Those who reported their dog reaction to the same episode to 11 or more events are in the 31.9% group.
It looked like too that their dog's age, sex, length of ownership and breed did not play a role to the response. Around 36% of owners claim that their dogs reacted when their blood sugar level went low before the owners noticed that they were exhibiting signs of low blood glucose level.
How did these dogs react? Well the responses were varied. Around 49.2% licked them, 61.5% vocalized, 30.4% jumped on them, 40.6$ nuzzled them and 41.3% stared at them intently. There was smaller proportion of dogs responding by hyperventilating, trembling or running away from the owners.
What conclusion can we derive from these reactions? It can be said that the reaction to the hypoglycemic events of the type 1 diabetic owners of these dogs happen to dogs that are not trained. This is important as who knows what kind of reaction will these dogs show after they are trained? Let us see what is the result if not of this but of another diabetes study.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Insulin Resistance Cause Discovered
This new discovery could pave the way to the development of new treatment to beat type 2 diabetes. Researchers at the UCSD (University of California in San Diego) School of Medicine have discovered the cause of insulin resistance.
They say that inflammation aggravated by the immune cells cause insulin resistance which leads to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity which is the world’s most common metabolic disease. The theory for sometime now is that the inflammation related to obesity leads to insulin resistance.
Now with the use of mouse models, the scientists at UCSD provided evidence that by stopping inflammatory pathway, resistance to insulin and type 2 diabetes can be avoided. I am revisiting this issue hoping that they have been successful at finding treatment based on this discovery.
The lead investigators of this study are Michael Karin, PhD who is pharmacology professor at UCSD and Jerrold Olefsky, who is the Scientific Affairs’ Associate Dean and also a renowned professor of medicine. Their findings are featured in the Cell Metabolism‘s November 7 issue.
Olefsky said that their research demonstrates that insulin resistance can be disconnected from fatty fat increase that is linked to obesity. When immune cells get into fat, they release a substance called cytokines. These cause fat cells to become resistant to insulin which could lead to type 2 diabetes.
The UCSD research team demonstrated that by knocking out the component responsible for making the fat cells resistant to insulin, they were able to interrupt insulin resistance. They also used a control group of mice. Both groups of mice were fed with high fat diet. The control group diet resulted in obesity and inflammation. This in turn caused insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
The other group whose component that led to inflammation was knocked out also became obese. But herein lies the importance of this research. This group did not show insulin resistance at all. This led the scientists to conclude that disarming the inflammatory pathway could break off the surge that leads to insulin resistance and ultimately to type 2 diabetes.
They say that inflammation aggravated by the immune cells cause insulin resistance which leads to type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity which is the world’s most common metabolic disease. The theory for sometime now is that the inflammation related to obesity leads to insulin resistance.
Now with the use of mouse models, the scientists at UCSD provided evidence that by stopping inflammatory pathway, resistance to insulin and type 2 diabetes can be avoided. I am revisiting this issue hoping that they have been successful at finding treatment based on this discovery.
The lead investigators of this study are Michael Karin, PhD who is pharmacology professor at UCSD and Jerrold Olefsky, who is the Scientific Affairs’ Associate Dean and also a renowned professor of medicine. Their findings are featured in the Cell Metabolism‘s November 7 issue.
Olefsky said that their research demonstrates that insulin resistance can be disconnected from fatty fat increase that is linked to obesity. When immune cells get into fat, they release a substance called cytokines. These cause fat cells to become resistant to insulin which could lead to type 2 diabetes.
The UCSD research team demonstrated that by knocking out the component responsible for making the fat cells resistant to insulin, they were able to interrupt insulin resistance. They also used a control group of mice. Both groups of mice were fed with high fat diet. The control group diet resulted in obesity and inflammation. This in turn caused insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
The other group whose component that led to inflammation was knocked out also became obese. But herein lies the importance of this research. This group did not show insulin resistance at all. This led the scientists to conclude that disarming the inflammatory pathway could break off the surge that leads to insulin resistance and ultimately to type 2 diabetes.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Double Use of Diabetes Drugs
Diabetes drugs have been in use but between 2002 and 2005, girls in the range of 10 and 14 years old showed a 166% increase in the use of type 2 diabetes medications. They say the reason is obesity which is linked to type 2 diabetes. This was reported at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association.
The reporters were the researchers from the School of Medicine of Saint Louis University and pharmacy manager Express Scripts. They also examined patterns for cholesterol, asthma, blood pressure and depression medications.
Emily R. Cox, PhD, the senior director of Express Scripts said that in the four years they studied there was an increase use of medication. Males between 15 and 19 years old increased their blood pressure medication by 15.4% while the females of the same age group decreased their use of antihypertensives by 1.6%.
It was different though for the same females with regards to taking an anti-depressant because this increased by 6.8%. All in all, the patterns show the changing prescribing actions by physicians, the rising risk factors for chronic conditions like prescribing type 2 anti diabetics, antihyperlipidemics, more office visits and therefore screening rates especially for females. The trend is for the greater use of drugs as the preferred way to treat children with these chronic conditions.
Newer research work has shown the increase in medications prescribed for children that were usually given to adults who suffer from chronic conditions. And now more and more children are given the same medicines to treat cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
This should wake all of us up into getting into the habit of eating healthy. The children are so used to eating pastries and donuts that there is really no other way but to get fat. And where did they learn this from? Of course, they learned that from us. It is our job therefore to reverse that habit and learn to choose healthier fare among the diabetes-food-list.
The researchers said this may be due the improved awareness of these conditions being present in children including the increased risk of the factors related to heart problems due to the epidemic of obesity. It looks like that about 20% of adolescents and children are obese or overweight.
The reporters were the researchers from the School of Medicine of Saint Louis University and pharmacy manager Express Scripts. They also examined patterns for cholesterol, asthma, blood pressure and depression medications.
Emily R. Cox, PhD, the senior director of Express Scripts said that in the four years they studied there was an increase use of medication. Males between 15 and 19 years old increased their blood pressure medication by 15.4% while the females of the same age group decreased their use of antihypertensives by 1.6%.
It was different though for the same females with regards to taking an anti-depressant because this increased by 6.8%. All in all, the patterns show the changing prescribing actions by physicians, the rising risk factors for chronic conditions like prescribing type 2 anti diabetics, antihyperlipidemics, more office visits and therefore screening rates especially for females. The trend is for the greater use of drugs as the preferred way to treat children with these chronic conditions.
Newer research work has shown the increase in medications prescribed for children that were usually given to adults who suffer from chronic conditions. And now more and more children are given the same medicines to treat cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes.
This should wake all of us up into getting into the habit of eating healthy. The children are so used to eating pastries and donuts that there is really no other way but to get fat. And where did they learn this from? Of course, they learned that from us. It is our job therefore to reverse that habit and learn to choose healthier fare among the diabetes-food-list.
The researchers said this may be due the improved awareness of these conditions being present in children including the increased risk of the factors related to heart problems due to the epidemic of obesity. It looks like that about 20% of adolescents and children are obese or overweight.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Complex Carbohydrates and Avoiding Sugar - Still the Health Protectors?
The following is an article we wrote yesterday and submitted to article directories:
Complex carbohydrates are touted to protect one from a number of diseases and conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. So knowing that we have these weapons to protect ourselves, why do some people not still see the light?
North Americans’ intake of refined sugar is estimated at 33 kg plus 20 kg more of syrup high in fructose per person each year. Fructose is used to sweeten syrups, low-fat food and beverages. The trouble with taking too much of this is that the liver changes too much sugar in the diet into lipid. The increased lipid closes down a gene namely, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
This shutting down of the SHBG reduces the quantity of SHBG protein in the blood. This is not good as this protein plays an important part in regulating the quantity of estrogen and testosterone. With the less amount of SHBG comes higher risk for a number of conditions like uterine cancer.
The reduced SHBG amount also affects the metabolic state of the liver. Thus SHBG levels are employed to show a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is therefore good to follow the advice to avoid eating sugar and to eat complex carbohydrates.
This leads us to the question as to what complex carbohydrates we can eat. Basically, these are foods in the form of whole grain like brown rice, muesli, oats and wholegrain breads. These complex carbohydrates are broken down more gradually than those of their cousins, the simple carbohydrates. That is why they are able to provide a slow but steady source of energy during the day.
Some more examples of complex carbohydrates are bran, maize, peas, pasta, macaroni and spaghetti. These are really starch or sugar that are bonded together forming a chain so the digestive enzymes have a harder job of breaking them down making them longer to digest. This has also an added bonus in the sense that it restricts the quantity of sugar that is converted into fat.
Complex carbohydrates should be a main part of the diet. In fact it should form half of the calories each day like the aforementioned foods plus cereals, fruits and vegetables. Simple sugar should only form a few of the calories allotted each day. This is some kind of tip you will get at Free Diabetes Alert when you sign up for free newsletter.
Dr. Hammond who is scientific director of Vancouver, Canada’s Child and Family Research Institute said that SHBG can be used to monitor the functioning of the liver way before the symptoms appear. This is good news because quite a number of people who have diabetes do not even know they have it. This puts them at a disadvantage because they cannot work on strategies to beat diabetes and stop the complications.
The new findings can also be used to find out whether the drugs and dietary strategies are effective in treating the conditions. This also dismisses the assumption that SHBG is reduced by too much insulin. Insulin therefore is not to blame for the low SHBG levels but rather the sugar metabolism in the liver is what counts. So what is the moral of the story? Eat complex carbohydrates.
Complex carbohydrates are touted to protect one from a number of diseases and conditions including cancer, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. So knowing that we have these weapons to protect ourselves, why do some people not still see the light?
North Americans’ intake of refined sugar is estimated at 33 kg plus 20 kg more of syrup high in fructose per person each year. Fructose is used to sweeten syrups, low-fat food and beverages. The trouble with taking too much of this is that the liver changes too much sugar in the diet into lipid. The increased lipid closes down a gene namely, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).
This shutting down of the SHBG reduces the quantity of SHBG protein in the blood. This is not good as this protein plays an important part in regulating the quantity of estrogen and testosterone. With the less amount of SHBG comes higher risk for a number of conditions like uterine cancer.
The reduced SHBG amount also affects the metabolic state of the liver. Thus SHBG levels are employed to show a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. It is therefore good to follow the advice to avoid eating sugar and to eat complex carbohydrates.
This leads us to the question as to what complex carbohydrates we can eat. Basically, these are foods in the form of whole grain like brown rice, muesli, oats and wholegrain breads. These complex carbohydrates are broken down more gradually than those of their cousins, the simple carbohydrates. That is why they are able to provide a slow but steady source of energy during the day.
Some more examples of complex carbohydrates are bran, maize, peas, pasta, macaroni and spaghetti. These are really starch or sugar that are bonded together forming a chain so the digestive enzymes have a harder job of breaking them down making them longer to digest. This has also an added bonus in the sense that it restricts the quantity of sugar that is converted into fat.
Complex carbohydrates should be a main part of the diet. In fact it should form half of the calories each day like the aforementioned foods plus cereals, fruits and vegetables. Simple sugar should only form a few of the calories allotted each day. This is some kind of tip you will get at Free Diabetes Alert when you sign up for free newsletter.
Dr. Hammond who is scientific director of Vancouver, Canada’s Child and Family Research Institute said that SHBG can be used to monitor the functioning of the liver way before the symptoms appear. This is good news because quite a number of people who have diabetes do not even know they have it. This puts them at a disadvantage because they cannot work on strategies to beat diabetes and stop the complications.
The new findings can also be used to find out whether the drugs and dietary strategies are effective in treating the conditions. This also dismisses the assumption that SHBG is reduced by too much insulin. Insulin therefore is not to blame for the low SHBG levels but rather the sugar metabolism in the liver is what counts. So what is the moral of the story? Eat complex carbohydrates.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Body-Weight Regulation Experts Report on Research Related to Obesity
Obesity makes body parts begin to fail when the body is overloaded with extra nutrients. This is when obesity increases the risk for developing such diseases as heart problems and diabetes. Because so many parts are affected and studies focus on a particular organ at a time, what’s occurring throughout the body is overlooked.
There is an article in the November issue of Science entitled “An Integrative View of Obesity” that recommends a wider approach should be employed to find out the causes and effects of obesity. The authors are Dr. Francis Kim, Dr. Michael Schwartz and Dr. Brent E. Wisse, all of the University of Washington.
These authors investigated related studies on this issue especially the one by the Harvard University School of Public Health’s Dr. Gordon S. Gokhan S. Hotamisligil. These researches reported on what happens when the body consumes more energy in food than what it needs. This fact triggers harmful responses in body cells.
The Science article points out similarities in how different cells respond to extra nutrients. This might show why many people put on too much weight and then are not able to lose it. The authors said that the body protects its stores of fat.
Obesity they said does not happen because of the extra fat but through the defense of the raised level of fat and this should be taken into account when trying to find out why people get fat. This might also lead to the understanding why animals on low-calorie diet live longer.
It is good to know that scientists are starting to see the pattern of the cell response to extra nutrients. Among this is the way the cell responds by producing plenty of molecules that create trouble. This can harm the structures of the cells and also inhibits the last stages of protein production. The end result of this is inflammation.
This inflammation can stop insulin action and as this progresses so does the inflammation making it hard to break the cycle. Rodents fed with a diet rich in energy show impaired reaction to insulin and other signals to control the appetite.
Their brains reveal inflammation and resistance to insulin. This may make the brains unable to see they are gaining fat reserves with their brains unable to control their appetite. On the contrary, they seem hungry and keep consuming more food. It is good to see alert like this so we can act accordingly so see if you want to join us for free to see such diabetes alerts once a month.
Extra nutrients also causes inflammation to the pancreas and the authors could not help but wonder if this sets the onset for type 2 diabetes. The investigators stressed the fact this is not the only explanation for obesity and its link to diseases like heart problems and diabetes but it does show how different troubles in a variety of organs may be due to cellular reaction that is common to other parts of the body.
It is therefore imperative that an integrative approach be employed in studying the diseases that occur in tissues and cells in the whole body rather than studying just one body part or system at a time. This approach could lead to better prevention and treatment of obesity.
There is an article in the November issue of Science entitled “An Integrative View of Obesity” that recommends a wider approach should be employed to find out the causes and effects of obesity. The authors are Dr. Francis Kim, Dr. Michael Schwartz and Dr. Brent E. Wisse, all of the University of Washington.
These authors investigated related studies on this issue especially the one by the Harvard University School of Public Health’s Dr. Gordon S. Gokhan S. Hotamisligil. These researches reported on what happens when the body consumes more energy in food than what it needs. This fact triggers harmful responses in body cells.
The Science article points out similarities in how different cells respond to extra nutrients. This might show why many people put on too much weight and then are not able to lose it. The authors said that the body protects its stores of fat.
Obesity they said does not happen because of the extra fat but through the defense of the raised level of fat and this should be taken into account when trying to find out why people get fat. This might also lead to the understanding why animals on low-calorie diet live longer.
It is good to know that scientists are starting to see the pattern of the cell response to extra nutrients. Among this is the way the cell responds by producing plenty of molecules that create trouble. This can harm the structures of the cells and also inhibits the last stages of protein production. The end result of this is inflammation.
This inflammation can stop insulin action and as this progresses so does the inflammation making it hard to break the cycle. Rodents fed with a diet rich in energy show impaired reaction to insulin and other signals to control the appetite.
Their brains reveal inflammation and resistance to insulin. This may make the brains unable to see they are gaining fat reserves with their brains unable to control their appetite. On the contrary, they seem hungry and keep consuming more food. It is good to see alert like this so we can act accordingly so see if you want to join us for free to see such diabetes alerts once a month.
Extra nutrients also causes inflammation to the pancreas and the authors could not help but wonder if this sets the onset for type 2 diabetes. The investigators stressed the fact this is not the only explanation for obesity and its link to diseases like heart problems and diabetes but it does show how different troubles in a variety of organs may be due to cellular reaction that is common to other parts of the body.
It is therefore imperative that an integrative approach be employed in studying the diseases that occur in tissues and cells in the whole body rather than studying just one body part or system at a time. This approach could lead to better prevention and treatment of obesity.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Telemedicine Shows Potential Benefit for Treating Eye Diseases
Telemedicine may play an important role in diagnosing eye diseases and increasing access to excellent care and compliance of patient. This is the topic of the two studies being reported at 2007 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
The first study looked at patients who had retinal examination before the telemedicine remote imaging system was installed. They also looked at diabetics who had retinal examination two years after the same device was installed.
Telemedicine is not new. In fact it has been noted as technically possible but this study revealed the true impact of telemedicine on the diabetics who ended up having diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmology assistant professor Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, M.D. of John Hopkins School of Medicine’s Wilmer Eye Institute said that the system considerably increased the number of yearly retinal assessments.
Out of 1257 diabetics during the first year only 15% had the annual retinal exam. Two years after the device was installed, 71% of 1395 diabetics had the retinal exam. It should be noted that of the increase, 66% was done by a local ophthalmologist and only 33% was the result of the assessment by remote. This is indeed very encouraging as it means more diabetics are aware of the need for the annual retinal exam.
This increased awareness is vital because diabetic retinopathy affects about 5.3 million people in the US, among whom one-third do not know they have the disease. Since diabetics are twenty-five more times likely to become blind than their counterpart without the disease, early discovery and treatment will help avoid the loss of vision.
The second study involved the use of telemedicine and ophthalmology for premature babies. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons’ Michael Chiang, M.D. who is also assistant professor of biomedical informatics and ophthalmology reported that the birth of premature babies is rising around the world.
The doctors gathered info on 206 eyes of 67 premature babies and performed two sets of exams. One was through ophthalmoscopic exam and the other through capturing retinal images of the same babies. After four to twelve months, the two results were compared and 86% showed the results were the same.
You can read more about this at the site below but find out first if you want to join us or not for free to receive news alert about once a month on diabetes or get them in the website as well with this free newsletter. Then you can find out more regarding Facts About Diabetes on eye complications in the Diabetes Complications Section of the website or in the sitemap.
The first study looked at patients who had retinal examination before the telemedicine remote imaging system was installed. They also looked at diabetics who had retinal examination two years after the same device was installed.
Telemedicine is not new. In fact it has been noted as technically possible but this study revealed the true impact of telemedicine on the diabetics who ended up having diabetic retinopathy. Ophthalmology assistant professor Ingrid Zimmer-Galler, M.D. of John Hopkins School of Medicine’s Wilmer Eye Institute said that the system considerably increased the number of yearly retinal assessments.
Out of 1257 diabetics during the first year only 15% had the annual retinal exam. Two years after the device was installed, 71% of 1395 diabetics had the retinal exam. It should be noted that of the increase, 66% was done by a local ophthalmologist and only 33% was the result of the assessment by remote. This is indeed very encouraging as it means more diabetics are aware of the need for the annual retinal exam.
This increased awareness is vital because diabetic retinopathy affects about 5.3 million people in the US, among whom one-third do not know they have the disease. Since diabetics are twenty-five more times likely to become blind than their counterpart without the disease, early discovery and treatment will help avoid the loss of vision.
The second study involved the use of telemedicine and ophthalmology for premature babies. Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons’ Michael Chiang, M.D. who is also assistant professor of biomedical informatics and ophthalmology reported that the birth of premature babies is rising around the world.
The doctors gathered info on 206 eyes of 67 premature babies and performed two sets of exams. One was through ophthalmoscopic exam and the other through capturing retinal images of the same babies. After four to twelve months, the two results were compared and 86% showed the results were the same.
You can read more about this at the site below but find out first if you want to join us or not for free to receive news alert about once a month on diabetes or get them in the website as well with this free newsletter. Then you can find out more regarding Facts About Diabetes on eye complications in the Diabetes Complications Section of the website or in the sitemap.
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