“There’s a fair amount of evidence that starch-based foods don’t cause weight gain like sugar-based foods and don’t cause the metabolic syndrome like sugar-based foods,” said Dr. Richard Johnson, the senior author of the report, which reviewed several recent studies on fructose and obesity. “Potatoes, pasta, rice may be relatively safe compared to table sugar. A fructose index may be a better way to assess the risk of carbohydrates related to obesity.”

Ok, so this is not the answer to your holiday munchies given that most cakes, pies and cookies are loaded full of fructose, but it does offer up the idea that a slice of bread or baked potato here and there might not be the worst thing ever. Yee-ha! I do hope, yes I said hope, that there is more research and funding put into this. Just think of how many people, maybe even including you, live on a very low carb, no “white stuff” type diet. This does include me for the most part.

Why is fructose more dangerous then glucose, which on a very elementary level is what most carbs turn in to?

Eating too much fructose causes uric acid levels to spike, which can block the ability of insulin to regulate how body cells use and store sugar and other nutrients for energy, leading to obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes, said Johnson, the division chief of nephrology and the J. Robert Cade professor of nephrology in the UF College of Medicine. UF researchers first detailed the role of uric acid on insulin resistance and obesity in a 2005 study in rats.

Hmm… so what do you think? Will this prove to ring true through and through or is it just new fluff? Hey- it’s an honest question considering this could change diet and nutrition teaching across the board.

via Science Daily

Post from: Blisstree

What Did They Just Say? Bread Isn’t A Great Big No-No???

The clear winner: metformin, sold as Glucophage and generically for about $100 a year. It works as well as other diabetes pills but does not cause weight gain or too-low blood sugar, the analysis found. It also lowers LDL or bad cholesterol. Consumer Reports also published a guide of the results. Besides metformin, it rates glipizide and glimepiride, sold as Amaryl and Glucotrol, as best bets.

This is clearly great news for the many diabetic sufferers that struggle at the pharmacy counter. A much cheaper alternative that still has positive effects in the treatment of diabetes is both welcomed and coveted!

via Delaware Online

Post from: Blisstree

The Older, Cheaper Diabetic Drugs Are Just As Effective As New

• Patients receiving BYETTA achieved a significant A1C reduction of 1.2% at Week 30 and 1.1% at 2.5 years¹
• Patients with a baseline A1C of >9% experienced, on average, a 2.1% reduction in A1C at 2.5 years¹

Isn’t it easier to take oral medication? Why would a type 2 diabetic want an injectable medication? The drug is very expensive, will insurance cover the cost? These are all questions that came to my mind while researching BYEETA.

BYEETA has to be used as adjunct therapy with other oral medications, like metformin. The medicine works after you eat to lower blood glucose levels by acting in harmony with your stomach, pancreas, liver and brain.

BYEETA also promotes weight loss in most of its patients. That is one side effect I would welcome!

With BYETTA, you may feel less hungry and eat less. In fact, research studies have shown that most patients lost weight. Some medicines for type 2 diabetes, such as sulfonylureas and insulin, can cause weight gain, while other drugs, such as metformin, do not affect weight.

Patients treated with BYETTA lost an average of 5.5 lb by Week 30, which further decreased to11.2 lb at 2.5 years¹

I haven’t personally seen BYEETA used in practice at the hospital that I work, which is an east coast facility. Nor have many of my RN friends at other institutions in the area. Apparently the medication is being prescribed though, I found many blogs dedicated to patients that use this medication with mixed thoughts.

Post from: Blisstree

Is BYETTA The Answer For Type 2 Diabetics?