Chiropractors adjusting Diabetes Control
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Research, Support
Researchers are finding evidence that chiropractic adjustments could enhance diabetes control.
The study focused on the positive response chiropractic adjustments contributed in the care of a patient with adult onset diabetes. The chiropractic care was directed toward correcting misalignments in the spine, called vertebral subluxations. Vertebral subluxation is a chiropractic term to describe a myriad of symptoms thought to occur as a result of a misaligned spinal segment. However, specifically for this patient, it was the vertebral relationship governing his nervous system and endocrine organs. After one month of being on the program, the patient's glucose levels had normalized in both the blood and urine. His medical doctor, who monitored his progress, said the patient would not need insulin if the condition remained stable.
The study was one of several projects exploring the impact of vertebral subluxations on human health and well-being. For more than 100 years, chiropractors have maintained that what they do affects organ system function and general health. Case studies like this demonstrate the urgency for more research on chiropractic and its effects beyond neck and back pain.
Non-prescription Diachrome(R) improves glycemic control for type 2 diabetics
Filed under: Type 2, Drugs, Research
You don't even need a prescription for this one. Nutrition 21, Inc., a nutritional bioscience company, markets drugstore supplements such as selenium and omega-3 fish oil. They recently announced new published results of a clinical study of their patented product Diachrome(R), a combination of chromium picolinate and biotin (a B vitamin).
Here's the skinny on the study. In a 447 subject, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, type 2 diabetics taking Diachrome(R) realized significant improvements in glycemic control (an absolute decrease in A1C of 0.54%). More dramatic decreases were seen for type diabetics with terrible glycemic control levels (A1C levels equal or greater than 10%). These diachrome(R)-takers saw an additional absolute A1C decrease of 1.76%, and they were already taking one or more prescriptions to treat their type 2 diabetes. Improvements were also seen in fasting glucose levels and triglycerides to high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios.
Is a nutritional supplement honestly going to help people with type 2 diabetes? I checked out the Diachrome(R) website and found the product has been around at least since 2004, possibly even longer. The FDA has deemed it safe. Perhaps it does enhance insulin function, but the website clearly states it should never replace medications already being prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes.
[RESEARCH] Efficacy of self monitoring of blood glucose in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (ESMON study): randomised controlled trial
Objectives To assess the effect of self monitoring of blood glucose concentrations on glycaemic control and psychological indices in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Design Prospective randomised controlled trial of self monitoring versus no monitoring (control).
Setting Hospital diabetes clinics.
Participants 184 (111 men) people aged <70 with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes referred to the participating diabetes clinics. Major exclusion criteria were secondary diabetes, insulin treatment, previous self monitoring of blood glucose.
Interventions Participants were randomised to self monitoring or no monitoring (control) groups for one year with follow-up at three monthly intervals. Both groups underwent an identical structured core education programme. The self monitoring group received additional education on monitoring.
Main outcome measures Between group differences in HbA1c, psychological indices, use of oral hypoglycaemic drugs, body mass index (BMI), and reported hypoglycaemia rates.
Results 96 patients (55 men) were randomised to monitoring and 88 (56 men) to control. There were no baseline differences in mean (SD) age (57.7 (11.0) in monitoring group v 60.9 (11.5) in control group) or HbA1c (8.8 (2.1)% v 8.6 (2.3)%, respectively). Those in the monitoring group had a higher baseline BMI (34 (7) v 32 (6.2)). There were no significant differences between groups at any time point (12 months values given) in HbA1c (6.9 (0.8)% v 6.9 (1.2)%, P=0.69; 95% confidence interval for difference –0.25% to 0.38%), BMI (33.1 (6.4) v 31.8 (6.0); adjusted for baseline BMI, P=0.32), use of oral hypoglycaemic drugs, or reported incidence of hypoglycaemia. Monitoring was associated with a 6% higher score on the depression subscale of the well-being questionnaire (P=0.01).
Conclusions In patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes self monitoring of blood glucose concentration has no effect on glycaemic control but is associated with higher scores on a depression subscale.
Trial registration ISRCTN 49814766.
Signs of kidney disease may also signal pre-diabetes risk
Researchers at the University of Buffalo recently found that a blood component once used to test for early-stage kidney problems may also help detect risk for the development of pre-diabetes.
Reporting in the July 2007 issue of Diabetic Care, the University of Buffalo researchers reported that elevated levels of cystatin C were linked to a much greater risk of progression to pre-diabetes. Currently, there are over 54 million Americans who have been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, which, if not addressed through proper diet and exercise, oftentimes results in the development of type 2 diabetes.
Lead researcher on the study, Richard P. Donahue, Ph.d., stated that "If further studied support our finding, testing for cystain C could become an important part of a standard physical examination. Preventative measures could be in place before glucose intolerance has a chance to develop and take its toll."
Taking Control of Your Diabetes
Filed under: Type 1, Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Lifestyle, Research, Events, Support
A brilliant doctor, a motivational mission, and the biggest names of the industry -- success is the only option. Taking Control Of Your Diabetes is a diabetic conference designed to educate and motivate people about diabetes.
Through informative expos, packed with field experts, enlightening workshops and crowds swarming with curiosity -- taking a more proactive role in your diabetes is as easy as showing up. A few hours at a TCOYD expo will cover a lot of territory. Whether you're interested in the latest developments in research, new medications, fresh ideas on diet and exercise, or legal and insurance guidance-- you're bound to find somebody who has an answer. TCOYD health fairs give you the chance to personally engage major manufacturers, doctors, entrepreneurs and innovators looking to help diabetics live a healthier life. Ask your questions. Try their products. They are there to help you. Tell them what you think. Tell them what you need.
Medical advances in diabetes care continue to out-pace improvements in patient care. Share something new with your doctor next visit. TCOYD delivers the information to the people who need it most. The mission of TCOYD is motivating, educating, and empowering diabetics and their loved ones. The success of this mission is defined by what you make of it.
Boost glycemic control with Vitamin C
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Diet, Research, Products, Allie Beatty, Care
Insulin not only moves glucose into the cells, but it also escorts Vitamin C. Blood sugar hogs the seats on the bus in most diabetics, therefore reducing the amount of Vitamin C we can absorb. This is the premise of The GAA Theory: high glucose levels hinder vitamin C entry into cells.
Vitamin C is vitally important for many functions throughout the body - a big one being metabolism. Glucose and Vitamin C are similar in the way they enter the cells. Both molecules require help from insulin. The name for the process that brings glucose and Vitamin C through cell membranes is insulin-mediated uptake. The insulin-mediated uptake of glucose and vitamin C uses white blood cells. White blood cells have more insulin pumps and they may contain 20 times the amount of vitamin C as ordinary cells.
So does increasing your Vitamin C help boost your glycemic control? Diabetes Health cited a study that confirms daily doses of 2,000 mg of absorbic acid improved both fasting blood glucose and HbA1c readings in patients with type 2 diabetes. Next time you swing by the store - see if some Emergen-C can help you achieve better glycemic control. With 1,000 mg of Vitamin C per packet - their homepage says: Feel The Good. Little did they know how good it could be for Type 2 diabetics!
Gestational diabetes linked to oral contraceptives with a high androgenic progestin
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Research
Results from a recent study reveal oral contraceptives are not all alike.
Researchers from the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program of Northern California recently released evidence linking oral contraceptives containing a highly androgenic progestin to a 43% increased risk of gestational diabetes, when used for five years leading up to pregnancy. Interestingly, oral contraceptives with a low androgenic progestin were associated with a 16% decreased risk of gestational diabetes.
Gestational diabetes develops in about 4% of pregnant women who have never had diabetes, but exhibit high blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Untreated, it can be dangerous for both mother and baby.
The study selected 356 women with gestational diabetes and 368 women without the condition from a multiethnic cohort of 14,235 women who delivered a baby between January 1996 and June 1998. The women were members of Kaiser Permanente for a minimum of five years before pregnancy and screened for the condition between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy. Medical records and pharmacy data were utilized to determine contraceptive use.
Researchers state their results support other related studies that confirm more androgenic oral contraceptives can impact glucose tolerance.
[RESEARCH] Pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance: systematic review and meta-analysis
Objective To quantify the effectiveness of pharmacological and lifestyle interventions to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance.
Data sources Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library searched up to July 2006. Expert opinions sought and reference lists of identified studies and any relevant published reviews checked.
Study selection Randomised controlled trials that evaluated interventions to delay or prevent type 2 diabetes in individuals with impaired glucose tolerance.
Results 21 trials met the inclusion criteria, of which 17, with 8084 participants with impaired glucose tolerance, reported results in enough detail for inclusion in the meta-analyses. From the meta-analyses the pooled hazard ratios were 0.51 (95% confidence interval 0.44 to 0.60) for lifestyle interventions v standard advice, 0.70 (0.62 to 0.79) for oral diabetes drugs v control, 0.44 (0.28 to 0.69) for orlistat v control, and 0.32 (0.03 to 3.07) for the herbal remedy jiangtang bushen recipe v standard diabetes advice. These correspond to numbers needed to treat for benefit (NNTB) and harm (NNTH) of 6.4 for lifestyle (95% credible interval, NNTB 5.0 to NNTB 8.4), 10.8 for oral diabetes drugs (NNTB 8.1 to NNTB 15.0), 5.4 for orlistat (NNTB 4.1 to NNTB 7.6), and 4.0 for jiangtang bushen (NNTH 16.9 to NNTB 24.8).
Conclusions Lifestyle and pharmacological interventions reduce the rate of progression to type 2 diabetes in people with impaired glucose tolerance. Lifestyle interventions seem to be at least as effective as drug treatment.
Asian herb aids in blood sugar control
Filed under: Type 2, Childhood, Adult Onset, Research
I've dabbled with herbal remedies over the years -- astragalus for good health, arnica for muscle soreness, echinacea for immune support, I even sent away for a bag of some wild grown herbal tea leaf when I was trying to get pregnant with our second child. That stuff was disgusting to drink, but I immediately noticed it whisked away some hormonal imbalances I experienced after the birth of our first child. A naturopathy novice, I haven't read any herbal medicine books nor met with a naturopathic doctor. But even my guarded respect for allopathy (Western medicine) cannot prevent herbal medicine from speaking to my soul. Whenever I read good news about an herb, I am downright enthused.
A new study suggests the herb Salacia oblonga may help men and women with type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar. Researchers from Abbott Laboratories reported S. oblonga reduced post-meal blood sugars in 66 men and women with type 2. Participants guzzled high-carbohydrate liquid meal replacements three separate times. One day they had only the meal, and the other two days 240 mg or 480 mg of S. oblonga extract was added. On average, the lower S. oblonga dose decreased peak blood sugar response by 19 percent, and the higher dose by 27 percent. S. oblonga also reduced the typical increase in insulin post-meal.
Researchers suspect the herb blocks the body's absorption of carbohydrates, similar to type 2 meds called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. They call for more research to study S. oblonga's long-term impact on blood sugar control. S. oblonga grows in the forests of India and Sri Lanka. The roots and stems are used to treat obesity and diabetes in Ayuvedic and traditional Indian medicine.
Chromium Improves Glycemic Control
Filed under: Type 2, Adult Onset, Research, Products
Chromium picolinate is one of the most widely debated supplements in diabetes health. A study has shown that it improves glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes not adequately controlled while taking sulfonylurea, a drug that increases insulin release from the beta cells in the pancreas.
A 40-week study was designed to examine the effect of adding daily chromium picolinate supplementation to an antidiabetic medication, sulfonylurea. A commonly prescribed treatment for type 2 diabetes was given to 29 subjects for 24 weeks, in conjunction with either chromium picolinate or a placebo. Blood sugar levels of study participants taking chromium picolinate dropped significantly compared to the placebo group. In addition, insulin sensitivity for participants taking the chromium picolinate was increased when compared to those in the placebo group. Study participants taking chromium picolinate also experienced significantly lower abdominal body fat accumulation than the placebo group, and experienced less overall weight gain.
This study demonstrates that chromium picolinate supplementation for type 2 diabetes who are taking sulfonylurea agents significantly improves insulin sensitivity and glucose control. In addition, chromium picolinate was shown to reduce weight gain and fat accumulation compared with the placebo group. The results of this study were first published in August 2006 - but knowing about chromium picolinate today leaves you with ample time to adjust for greater insulin sensitivity and less fattening days to come!