BY WILLIAM T CEFALU: As detailed in the American Diabetes Association’s new “Economic Costs of Diabetes in the U.S. in 2017” report, 1 in every 4 health care dollars spent in 2017 (24 percent) was for the care of people with diabetes, and 1 of every 7 health care dollars (14 percent) can be attributed directly to care for diabetes. In 2017, $327 billion was spent on diagnosed diabetes. During our March 22 audience with Sens. Susan Collins and Jeanne Shaheen to release the report, it was clear the report’s results sound the alarm bell once again about the devastating fiscal impact of diabetes on our nation: $237 billion in direct medical costs and $90 billion in reduced productivity; plus, diabetes resulted in 277,000 premature deaths. (read more)
Can a Diabetes Drug Help Obese People Lose Weight?
BY GINGER VIEIRA: A pharmaceutical drug initially used to treat people with type 2 diabetes is now showing promise in helping obese people without diabetes lose weight.
Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide compound, under the brand name Ozempic, is designed to act in the body similarly to the hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
Traditionally taken once a week via injection, this GLP-1 hormone receptor agonist works in the body by regulating insulin secretion and suppressing appetite. (read more)
Siren unveils socks with microsensors that detect diabetes problems
BY DEAN TAKAHASHI: San Francisco-based Siren has unveiled socks with microsensors woven in that can detect whether a person faces a diabetic foot problem. The company is also announcing it has raised $3.4 million in seed funding from DCM, Khosla Ventures, and Founders Fund.
More than 100,000 people lose feet or legs to diabetes each year due to ulcers that become infected. About 56 percent of diabetic foot ulcers become infected, and 20 percent of those with infected foot wounds end up with some type of amputation. And 80 percent of the people with diabetes who have foot amputations pass away within five years. (read more)
Diabetes and Antioxidant Stress: Using Vitamin Supplementation
BY JEANNETTE Y WICK: Although it’s unclear how many people who have diabetes use complementary and alternative medications to lower blood glucose, researchers indicate that this is an ‘emerging trend.’ A number of complementary and alternative medications can potentially lower blood sugar, and many patients look at these substances as more natural than synthetic drugs. In fact, many vitamins have antioxidant potential that may augment synthetic antihyperglycemic medications.
Many researchers believe that diabetes increases blood concentrations of the end products of lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and serum malondialdehyde). This causes stress and increases cell membrane leaking. It can also inactivate membrane-bound enzymes and surface receptors. (read more)
Diabetes diet: Eat flaxseeds to control blood sugar and reduce heart disease risk
BY COLLEEN LAST: Flaxseeds are one of the best foods when it comes to controlling diabetes.
The seeds help manage blood sugar levels, and together with lifestyle changes and medication as required, can help diabetics more easily manage their disease.
Also known as linseeds, flaxseeds can improve insulin sensitivity. As they keep blood glucose stable, diabetics should experience less major spikes throughout the day.
This blood sugar-lowering effect is due to flaxseeds’ insoluble fibre content, reports medical website Healthline. (read more)
