Intensive exercise and diet reduce diabetes meds dependence
BY LIAM DAVENPORT: An intensive aerobic exercise program and dietary intervention can not only improve glycemic control over standard care in individuals with type 2 diabetes but also reduce the need for glucose-lowering medication, the results of a randomized trial indicate.
Mathias Ried-Larsen, PhD, Center of Inflammation and Metabolism, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, and colleagues found that, as well as having small improvements in HbA1c levels, almost three-quarters of patients assigned to an intensive lifestyle intervention could reduce their diabetes medication usage.
The research was published in the August 15 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. (read more)
Diabetes tops health care cost drivers, as employers seek solutions
BY KATIE KUEHNER-HEBERT: As more workers battle diabetes, cancer, heart disease, mental illness and other health conditions, employers are finding ways to help them reduce health care costs and focus on overall worker health and well-being, according to a new report.
The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans’ Workplace Wellness 2017 Survey Report surveyed 530 U.S. and Canadian organizations, and found that diabetes is the number one condition impacting benefit plan health costs for 41 percent of the respondents. (read more)
Quiz: Do you have pre-diabetes?
BY MINNEAPOLIS WCCO: According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 30 million Americans are living with diabetes. Another roughly 84 million adults have pre-diabetes. That includes about 35 percent of the population in Minnesota. As part of an effort to raise awareness around diabetes prevention, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is launching a campaign called “Reverse It.” (read more)
