Just had a chance to go through the latest edition of Diabetes Forecast. I love this magazine, which comes with your membership to the American Diabetes Association. They also have great information that I quite frankly don’t seem to get from my doctor. Often I’ll read about something in the magazine and then go talk to him.

This issue of Diabetes Forecast had Randy Jackson on the cover. One thing I liked about his interview was that he talked about being over 350 pounds. He said when you get to that kind of weight, it isn’t about food anymore. It’s more than that.

That’s very true. People eat for a number of different reasons. They gain weight because of factors like not enough exercise, too many carbs, and stress. In order to truly change your life you have to take a look at these things to determine how to change them for the better.

If you don’t receiveDiabetes Forecast, I encourage you to visit the ADA website to see how you can get your copy.

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Randy Jackson Talks to Diabetes Forecast

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you might have in respect to the above mentioned problems. Do not be embarrassed- this is a common problem.

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Low testosterone a common theme among young diabetic men- talk to your doctor

What gene is being examined and how does this pertain specifically to diabetics? The gene adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase, AMPK, which controls the amount of energy in our cells by becoming active when fuel stores start to deplete such as in extreme exercise. The mutation showed a doubling of the energy use in the cells. In diabetics there are high levels of fat stored in the muscle have been linked to insulin resistance, so increased energy production would be a leg up in the right direction.

In addition, as metformin, a drug commonly used to both prevent and treat diabetes, acts by increasing AMPK activity, this discovery provides valuable information for pharmaceutical research.

Could a new drug come out of this discovery? Who knows at this point but it is promising indeed.

via Science Daily

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Gene Mutation Thought To Control Energy Levels In Cells Promising For Diabetics

Was I good? Nope, not even the slightest bit. Did I gorge myself on sugar filled goodies? Oh yeah and I enjoyed every last minute.

I will not check my sugar this evening, as I do not want to know the results. Now, I should state that even when I am “bad” my blood sugar has never gone above 156. I am lucky I guess.

With easter right around the corner, I am sure there will be more than enough candy in my house. Since I have made myself sick today on that ol’ milk chocolate, I venture to say that it is out of my system.

I am going to chant, “no more chocolate” over and over again!

Post from: Blisstree

Should A Diabetic Really Eat This Much Chocolate?

Diabetes is not usually a controversial topic and does not raise eyebrows on a regular basis. But did you know that stem cell research is linked to the disease? Developments of new treatments and therapies could be on the horizon.

Such research continues to this day as scientists seek new treatments for a variety of diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, heart disease and kidney failure. But government funding for human embryo and fetal research is another matter altogether, one that as a political issue is inextricably linked to the controversy over abortion.

I am not stating my political views or my religious preferences. Do I agree or disagree with stem cell research? You can deduce that answer for yourself.

Being a diabetic, as well as health care professional, I welcome new advancements in diabetic medications and treatments. It is important that scientists have every opportunity to explore and research what could potentially be the “missing link”.

President Bush used his veto power Wednesday for the first time since taking office 5 1/2 years ago, saying that an embryonic stem-cell research bill “crossed a moral boundary.

Without stem cell research, will scientists be able to study such diseases to the fullest capacity? With stem cell research, would there be new advancements in diabetes that would have otherwise been unattainable?

Also in a statement, Lawrence T. Smith, chairman of the American Diabetes Association, called the veto “a devastating setback for the 20.8 million American children and adults with diabetes — and those who love and care for them.”

Research using this technology is strongly supported in a number of countries, including Australia, Israel, the Czech Republic, Singapore, Korea, and the United Kingdom. Others in the world appreciate the potential of this technology. If we continue to prevent federal funds from being used to support this research in the United States, the ability of our biomedical scientists to compete with other research teams throughout the world will be undermined.

Only time will tell if stem cell research is federally funded. I hope that all aspects of this debate are looked at from a neutral point of view with science and research being at the center of the discussion.

via The New England Journal of Medicine

CNN.com

Guttmacher Institute

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Is Stem Cell Research Beneficial To Diabetics?