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Research Tips

Scott King

Mar 1, 1999

I recently spoke to 200 people at the Desert Diabetes Club in Palm Springs, California. The talk went great, and the Question & Answer part of the speech was the best part for me because it gave me an opportunity to see what was on the minds of people with diabetes. I learned that what people with diabetes wanted the most was tips and information they could use for the treatment of their diabetes.

Here is a summary of some published research findings that have appeared in recent issues of DIABETES HEALTH:

Neuropathy

Patients with diabetic neuropathy experienced dramatic pain reduction in their feet after four months of wearing socks with magnets sewn into them.

-Mar 1999 (p. 27)

Patients with type 2 diabetes who suffer from neuropathy experienced relief after being treated with electrotherapy and the drug amitriptyline.

-Oct 1998 (p. 11)

Eye Care

Increased HbA1c levels are associated with increased risk of nuclear cataracts.

-Feb 1999 (p. 11)

The American Optometric Association says that people with diabetes should get yearly eye exams to reduce the risk of developing neuropathy.

-Dec 1998 (p. 10)

Drug Therapy

ProBeta, an herbal drug remedy extracted from Gymnema sylvestre, demonstrated beta cell regeneration in diabetic rats, and reduced mean blood sugar levels by 32 percent in people with type 1 diabetes.

-Jan 1998 (p. 1)

Xenical, a diet drug that limits absorption of fat from foods and lowers blood sugar and pressure, helped patients with diabetes lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight.

-Dec 1998 (p. 11)

Vanadyl sulfate, given in low doses over a period of three weeks, increased insulin-mediated glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis, and helped lower blood glucose levels.

-Feb 1999 (p. 12)

Better BG Control

Type 2s over the age of 70 demonstrate better control when they use insulin versus drug treatment for their diabetes (HbA1c= 7.3% vs. 9.3%).

-Sept 1998 (p. 10)

According to a study conducted by Tore Julsrud Berg, MD, at the Aker Diabetes Research Center in Oslo, Norway, insulin pump therapy is the best way to maintain blood glucose control, which, in turn, is the best way to avoid vascular complications related to diabetes.

-Oct. 1998 (p. 12)

Most type 2s are not in good control of their blood sugar levels. Fifty percent of physicians only prescribe new therapies when BGs are over 200 mg/dl. The ADA guidelines say 140 mg/dl is the "take action" level for considering new therapies.

-Jan 1999 (p. 10)

A USDA study found that chromium picolinate, a trace mineral that helps insulin attach to cell membranes, helps to significantly lower blood sugars when taken is doses of 1000 mcgs.

- Dec 1997 (p. 1)

Adolescents who learned coping skills demonstrated a 42 percent improvement in their diabetes control over a group of adolescents who did not learn coping skills.

-Nov 1998 (p. 12)

Other Information

Walking at least 30 minutes a day can increase your body's sensitivity to insulin.

-Apr 1998 (p. 10)

People with diabetes showed better circulation in the cells that line blood vessels after receiving vitamin C.

-May 1998 (p. 6)

Two-thirds of people with type 2 diabetes experience high blood sugars after eating, but not after fasting. Thus, a fasting glucose test fails to identify this type of diabetes.

-Oct 1998 (p. 12)

DIABETES HEALTH will continue to stay on top of all the published diabetes research, so that you have access to the latest information.

Categories: A1c Test, Blood Glucose, Blood Sugar, Diabetes, Food, Insulin, Insulin Pumps, Losing weight, My Own Injection, Type 1 Issues, Type 2 Issues

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Mar 1, 1999

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