A weighty decision
While weight-loss surgery may not be for everyone, it has helped Stuart Reich shed nearly 100 pounds and allowed him to better control his diabetes. read more »
Tea’s potential benefits for diabetes
Can a cup of tea help treat diabetes? A recent study found that certain compounds in black tea, called theaflavins and thearubigins, act similarly to insulin in the body. read more »
Vitamin D may improve insulin resistance
Having low levels of vitamin D in the blood has recently been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. read more »
Diabetes complications found to run in families
If your mom, dad, sister, or brother has diabetes, you’re more likely to develop the disease. Now a new study shows that heredity may affect the likelihood of developing diabetes complications as well. read more »
Food substitutions: tasty alternatives to your favorites
When it comes to diabetes, carbohydrates count. But what do you do when all your favorite foods seem to fall into the high-carb category? Learn how to find lower-carb substitutes for the foods you love. read more »
Heart-protecting drugs important for older people with diabetes
Heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease is a common complication in older adults with diabetes. However, many men and women over age 65 with type 2 diabetes may not be getting the treatment they need to protect their heart. read more »
Avoid a miscoded glucose meter
When people with diabetes use miscoded blood glucose meters to determine their blood sugar level and how much insulin to take, errors often result that can lead to short and long-term health problems. read more »
“Good” cholesterol levels need to be healthy
Treatment for people with type 2 diabetes, who are at special risk for cardiovascular disease, often aims to reduce high blood levels of “bad” LDL (low-density lipo-
protein) cholesterol. read more »
Cautions placed on rosiglitazone
The findings of a large study released this year indicated that the diabetes pill rosiglitazone (Avandia) can increase the risks of heart attack and early death from other heart-related causes. read more »
FDA approves first drug of its kind for diabetes
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first diabetes treatment in a new class of drugs known as DPP-4 inhibitors. Januvia (sitagliptin phosphate) tablets help improve blood glucose (sugar) control in people with type 2 diabetes. The drug works by blocking the enzyme DPP-4. This enzyme breaks down proteins that raise insulin levels after glucose levels rise, such as after a meal. By blocking the enzyme’s action, Januvia prolongs the activity of proteins that increase insulin release. read more »
Painful nerve damage threatens quality of life in type 2 diabetes
A recent study done in Wales looked at the prevalence and impact in that country of painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage in the legs and arms). All 300 people participating in the study had type 2 diabetes. About 20% of them were found to have painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy, with pain below the knees in both legs, unrelated to activity and often worse at night. In most cases (80%), the pain was moderate or severe. Quality of life was found to be lower for those with that type of pain than for those with pain not related to nerve damage or those with no pain. read more »