Type 2 diabetics benefit from glucose monitoring

Type 2 diabetics can make improvements to their glucose control even if they aren't on insulin, according to research presented at the Americian Association of Diabetes Educators Annual Meeting and Exhibition.

The research indicates that by having a personalised glucose testing regime in place, Type 2 diabetics feel motivated to watch their diet more carefully and to take their medications. Glucose monitoring also encouraged Type 2 diabetics to be more active. This makes it possible for Type 2 diabetics to lower their blood sugar levels and to reap the benefits of improved glucose control.

Diabetes educator Dana Brackney, PhD, RN, CDE, assistant professor of nursing at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C, said:

"Participants in this study said that sticking to a regular SMBG schedule really helped them to know where their blood levels were and take appropriate action, such as adding physical activity or choosing a healthy snack."

“They said it helped them accept that they had diabetes, but also feel confident that they could control it rather than letting it control them.”

Although the study was small, the results are ecnouraging. The 11 participants were able to bring their A1C levels down from an average of 7.3 per cent to 6.2 per cent.

Type 2 diabetics are often told they do not need to test their glucose levels, but the study shows the value of glucose testing for Type 2 diabetics.

Source: http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/638062/?sc=mwhn

Researchers says Glucagon pathway could be new approach for type 2 diabetes

New research suggests that targeting glucagon may be a better approach in the treatment for type 2 diabetes, according to a new study published in Cell Metabolism.

As diabetics will understand, insulin is the hormone responsible for lowering blood sugar levels while glucagon is the hormone which raises your blood glucose.  The research shows that rather than targeting insulin, preventing glucagon from increasing your glucose levels may be a better approach.

Ira Tabas, MD, PhD, Richard J. Stock Professor and Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Medicine and professor of Anatomy & Cell Biology, led the study alongside Lale Ozcan, PhD, associate research scientist.

In a press release, Dr.Tabas said:

"What we’ve found is a way to reduce glucagon’s influence on blood sugar without the side effects of global glucagon repression."

Drugs that target glucagon have been tested previously but it was found that they also disrupted the other important roles that glucagon plays in the body.  This new study looked at the role that the enzyme CaMKII plays.  The researchers found that if they blocked this enzyme in diabetic mice, their blood sugars went down with no ill effects.  They also discovered that cholesterol levels went down, the liver wasn't so fatty and insulin sensitivity was improved.

 Dr. Tabas said:

"Even when their disease is well controlled, most patients with type II diabetes have excess glucagon action, so blocking CaMKII could potentially be a new way to lower blood sugar and better treat the disease."

“Until now, it has been difficult to block glucagon’s effect on blood sugar without interfering with glucagon’s other function but we think CaMKII is different.”

Dr. Tabas is now working on CaMKII inhibitor which could treat type 2 diabetes.

Low glycemic breakfast can help control blood sugars the rest of the day

New research shows that starting the day with a low glycemic breakfast can have a positive impact on blood sugars for the rest of the day, helping to prevent spikes in blood sugar through the morning and also after the next morning.  Details of the research were presented at the  Institute of Food Technologists’ Wellness 12 meeting.

The findings were presented by  Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., principal, Corvus Blue LLC, and Richard Mattes, M.P.H., R.D., distinguished professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University'  They also stated that low glycemic foods eaten at breakfast increased satiety and fullness making people less likely to over eat later in the day; previous research has established that low glycemic foods such as beans, pulses and oats make you feel fuller for longer.

The glycemic index measures how quickly a food raise your blood sugars: the quicker a food is digested, the quicker it raises your blood sugar.  Foods with a lower glycemic index have less of an impact on your blood sugar and give blood glucose a slower, steadier rise and are thought to be much better for you.

 Kantha Shelke, Ph.D., said:

“We can reverse pre-diabetes and prevent it from becoming diabetes. Food has become the reason for what’s ailing us, but it can actually be a solution in a number of different ways.”

Low glycemic breakfast foods include oatmeal or porridge or other oat-based cereal and rye or pumpernickel bread.

Drinking coffee could reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes

Previous studies have shown that drinking large amounts of coffee could reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.  The studies showed that people who drink four cups of coffee or more a day had a 50% lower risk of developing diabetes.

Now, a new study by a team of scientists has offered a new explanation to why this may be.  Researchers Ling Zheng, Kun Huang and their colleagues investigated whether coffee may block  human islet amyloid polypeptide ( hIAPP), a substance which some scientists believe can contribute to Type 2 diabetes.

The scientists found that coffee did indeed contain compounds which inhibit hIAPP and thus reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

In conclusion, the researchers said:

“A beneficial effect may thus be expected for a regular coffee drinker.”

However, patients with Type 1 diabetes  need to be cautious when drinking too much coffee as caffeine can have a negative effect on blood sugars and send them skywards as caffeine is a stressor and stress can increase glucose levels. 

LifeScan Verio Pro glycaemic management system

Last year, LifeScan released a meter called OneTouch^® Verio^® Pro glycaemic self-management system. According to their website, it offers “close-to-lab accuracy”. What I especially like about it is the idea of the GlucoFilter which filters out substances which can affect the accuracy of test results.

Another idea that sounds good is the high and low pattern tool. I have days when I run low and can find no obvious reason for it so something that can help me read low patterns more easily would be an advantage.

The meter is suitable for people with type or type diabetes and comes with a tagging function for before meals, after meals, before bed. There’s also no coding, which is always a good thing.

I like the meter I currently use but I do occasionally get the odd result from it and I’d like to try something that could help me figure out the low patterns so I think this meter would be worth trying.
You can find out more about the meter on the following link:

http://www.lifescan.co.uk/ourproducts/meter/one-touch-verio-pro

For people in the UK, there is a free meter offer available at this link:

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/promotions/onetouch-verio-pro-giveaway.html

New study: Fish oils and anti-diabetic genes

New research carried out on mice shows that polyunsaturated fatty acid fish oils could have a positive effect on fat cells and glucose levels.

Study results found that oils such as EPA and DHA could help to regulate glucose intake.

Taking fish oils as a supplement could also lead to reduced levels of glucose in the blood.

You can find more details of the research here:

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Fish-oils-may-help-to-activate-anti-diabetic-genes-Study/?utm_source=Newsletter_Product&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Newsletter%2BProduct


Fish oil has long been thought to be beneficial for your heart, cholesterol levels etc so whether you are diabetic or not, this is an important supplement, and as a diabetic, it is one that I take often.

Supplements which might help your Blood Sugar

I use the word 'might' in the title because I can't promise you anything and everyone is different so I'm just giving you some of things that, from experience, have worked for me and a few other things I have tried which are supposed to help your blood sugars and other people swear by.

The first I'd recommend is Chromium. I can guarantee my blood sugars are a damn sight more difficult to control if I don't take it, usually on the low side and if you're a diabetic, then you know how bad that can make you feel. The one supplement I wouldn't be without.

Digestive Enzymes. My blood sugars are brilliant on these. I use the Solgar brand,that's not an advertisement, just a fact. They help your body better breakdown carbs and proteins etc and from what I can tell, that reflects in my blood sugars.

Cinammon. Now this is one which is supposed to lower your BS and a lot of people attest that it in fact does. I haven't noticed any difference although I don't mind it on my porridge in the morning so I keep taking it. Who knows, my BS's which are well-controlled, might be higher without it.

Ginseng: I take it, especially when I need an energy boost mid afternoon but I've yet to notice any real difference.

Cider Vinegar: Some people say how much better their BS levels are if they take this before a meal or last thing at night. I've noticed no difference and I would, at a guess, put any improvement down to it's acid content which is meant to curb your blood sugar to a degree. Worth a try but I imagine any acid containing food would have the same affect but you probably don't want too many of those.

Before trying any of these supplements I've got to tell you that you should talk to your Doctor. (Even if I didn't). Some of them may reduce your need for insulin and you don't want to be low all of the time now do you?

Want to use this post? Then please do, just e mail me to let me know that you'll be using it and put the link back to this blog at the bottom of your post/website.

Any tips? Share them with me.

Need advice? Really you should speak to your Doctor but I'm worth a try and I will help if I can.