Category Archives: Diabetes

Living with Type 2 Diabetes forces many people to adjust their lifestyle and eating habits. In an effort to manage this disease, the body's blood sugar and insulin levels should be kept consistent and stable. And according to one recent study, Type 2 Diabetes patients who restrict their meals to certain times of the day could see fewer dramatic spikes and drops in their metabolic health.

As published in Diabetologia, researchers conducted a trial where 14 Type 2 Diabetes participants underwent a 3-week TRE, a time-restricting eating diet that keeps one's daily food intake within a 10-hour time period. The findings from the study were that patients on a specific TRE pattern had better-controlled glucose levels (otherwise known as sugar) and spent more time in a normal blood sugar range compared to when they were eating within at least 14 hours (or more).

Whether or not Type 2 Diabetes patients' insulin sensitivity is improved by time-restricted eating was found to be inconclusive, researchers from the trial noted.

Researchers claim that time-restricting eating helps create a safe and effective metabolic rhythm in the body that supports healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day that carries over to the next day too.

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Of course, trials and studies come with individual caveats, which is why it's important to recognize this study's findings were a "secondary outcome," says Dr. Mike Bohl, MD, MPH, CPH, MWC, ELS, Director, Medical Content & Education for Ro Healthcare Tech Company. Due to the discovery of decreased glucose levels at night, "the study did find that restricting eating to a 10-hour window results in decreased 24-hour glucose levels," however, he goes on to explain, "this is not a surprising finding, since glucose levels normally go up after eating, and participants were eating for a shorter period of the day."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Also, there were some mishaps during the trial that should be accounted for. "In one case, there was incomplete data due to technical issues, so only data from 10 of the volunteers were analyzed," Bohl says. This is in addition to many of the trial participants specifically taking glucose-lowering medications at the time, while others were not.

RELATED:The Definitive List of the Best Drinks for Diabetes

That's not to say this research didn't find a productive form of supporting treatment for some Type 2 Diabetes patients out there. In fact, Bohl says, "some research shows that intermittent fasting can lead to weight loss, which could be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes."

So while you cannot cure Type 2 Diabetes, restrictive eating that results in "weight loss will lead to improvement with insulin sensitivity, therefore, improvement in Type 2 diabetes," explains Dr. Deena Adimoolam, MD, who specializes in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes and you're considering a new diet to help you manage the day-to-day, start with discussing your options with a healthcare provider first, Bohl says. "Consistency can be key when it comes to keeping blood sugar levels controlledonce you've found the right combination of medication and eating timing, staying on the same daily schedule can make it so your levels stay well controlled without it being a constant stressor."

Jordan Summers-Marcouillier

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If You Have Type 2 Diabetes, This Eating Habit May Help - Eat This, Not That

When Cheria Moore looked in the mirror in August 2021, she didnt like who she was becoming. At 29 years old, the Huntsville, Ala. resident was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, had a complicated relationship with food and suffered from obesity. Her medical prognosis confirmed what she already knew. She needed to commit to a healthier lifestyle.

One day I looked in the mirror and tried to find one thing that I liked about myself and I just couldnt, Moore tells ESSENCE.

After being diagnosed, she set on a journey to make a change. In less than a year, Moore was able to lose 59 pounds and reverse her Type 2 diabetes.

She credits WW (Weight Watchers), specifically her coach, with motivating her to keep going while also providing tools to aid in weight loss and overall well-being. She also joined WWs Black Womens Virtual Workshops, which she considers instrumental in her journey. The groups are smaller communities of WW participants created to connect women with similar interests or locations.

Ill be honest, when I thought of WW, I didnt think it was for women who look like me, she admits. But having a large group of Black women to support me on the journey has been revolutionary.

In June, the sustainable weight-loss management company announced the results of a study that showed positive results from its six month clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of its program for those living with diabetes on weight management. According to the study, participants experienced reduction in diabetes distress by 9.8 percent the emotional burden and overall stress related to the condition. Per the study, participantsalso experienced an average weight loss of 5.7 percent.

For Moore, the commitment to change proved to do more than just mitigate distress; she was able to reverse her diabetessomething she still finds surrealand feel a great sense of accomplishment.

For the first time in a while I had set my mind on something and completed it, she says. I have struggled with my weight since elementary school. My weight was something I could never overcome. I am a first-generation college graduatenot once but twiceand have had to overcome a lot of obstacles; but my weight is the one I always struggled with.

Pointing out that she comes from a long line of overweight men and women, many who have diabetes or other health conditions, Moore assumed her weight issues were just a part of her genetic makeup and couldnt be altered. But after her diagnosis, she decided to change the narrative she was telling herself.

When I found out I had diabetes, it was the confirmation I needed that it was time to change, Moore says. And not just for myself but for an entire generation. My family.

Diabetes affects approximately 11.3 percent of the U.S. population. Black women and men are 60 percent more likely than white adults to be diagnosed. Black women are the group most likely to be affected.

Moore didnt want to be defined by those numbers, so she put in the work, which was strenuous.

It was scary, especially in the beginning. There were times I wanted to give up because it wasnt easy, she says.

Along with working with her WW coach, she was able to change her eating habits, allowing herself moments to splurge on her favorite foods, like cheesecake, without going overboard. And working in property management, shes hardly sedentary at work, which allows her to make sure she gets in a lot of steps.

Its been a year since Moore set out on her weight-loss journey. She now chronicles her experiences via her social media pages, including Instagram. She frequently mentions that its not the reversal of her diabetes or even the substantial loss of weight that has been the most rewarding. In the end, its been her overall journey to self-love.

When I looked in the mirror about a year ago, it was scary because I didnt realize how much Id let myself go, says Moore. But now when I look in the mirror, I am proud of what Ive been able to do to get healthy. I feel like I finally have my life back.

TOPICS: Diabetes weight loss ww

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How Cheria Moore Dropped 59 Pounds And A Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis In Less Than A Year - Essence

August 10, 2022

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded $4 million to support a collaboration betweeen the Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC) at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and the North Carolina Diabetes Research Center (NCDRC) that will provide career advancement for nutrition, obesity and diabetes researchers from underrepresented groups, and ultimately, diversify the research workforce dedicated to investigating these chronic disease conditions.

Dr. Elizabeth Mayer-Davis

Dr. Elimelda Ongeri

The grant will help to establish the North Carolina Consortium for Diversity Career Development in Nutrition, Obesity, and Diabetes Research. The NC consortium is a five-year collaboration between the UNC NORC and the NCDRC and will be co-led by Elizabeth Mayer-Davis, PhD, the Cary C. Boshamer Distinguished Professor of Nutrition and Medicine at the Gillings School, and Elimelda Moige Ongeri, PhD, professor and dean of the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University (NC A&T). It will support 20 researchers from six institutions across the state: Duke University, NC A&T, North Carolina Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Wake Forest University and Winston-Salem State University.

Im excited and honored to be part of this collaboration because here in N.C., we have many communities at very high risk for diseases like diabetes that are the topic of research by the program trainees, said Mayer-Davis. Having funding to provide a solid start to the careers of bright, talented new investigators will be immensely helpful so that we can more quickly improve health care in the state of N.C.

This award is great for the state of N.C., said Ongeri. The new mentoring consortium builds on existing regional partnerships that optimize utilization of resources and expertise. A diverse workforce significantly impacts research efforts in chronic disease conditions that disproportionately burden minority communities and will contribute to alleviating health disparities and building healthier communities. I am really excited to be part of the leadership.

The consortiums cohorts will include postdoctoral scholars and early-career faculty who conductresearchinnutrition,obesity,diabetes,andrelatedconditions. Each researcher will be paired with a dedicated mentor and a mentoring team and have access to professional development programs to enhance their research and competitiveness with NIH grant proposal development. The consortium will also provide Pilot and Feasibility Program funding to investigators from across the consortium.

Buildingonthe existing systems for success within these six institutions and with support fromNIDDK, the consortium will enhancethediversityofthe research workforce and prepare scholars to make substantial scientific contributions to the field of nutrition for years to come.

The consortium launches this month and will run until July 2027. The N.C. consortium is one of three programs funded by the NIDDK under this new mentoring initiative.

Contact the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health communications team at sphcomm@unc.edu.

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UNC, NC A&T receive $4M from NIH to increase diversity in nutrition, obesity and diabetes research - UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health - UNC...

The following article was written by Dr. Alaa Diab as a CardioNerds Conference Scholar for The American Society for Preventive Cardiology 2022 Congress on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is becoming more prevalent in the United States, with an estimate of 37.3 million Americans living with diabetes according to the 2020 CDC statistics. Whats worrisome about this data? Adults with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) with rates 2 to 4 times higher than in adults without diabetes.1 In addition patients with diabetes have a 1.8 to 6-fold greater risk of stroke.2 Given the increasing prevalence of diabetes and its inherent CVD risks, we must ask: how are we managing diabetes to prevent CVD, and most importantly how to eliminate disparities in diabetes care?

The STENO-2 study enrolled 160 patients with type 2 diabetes with signs of kidney disease (microalbuminuria) in Denmark and randomly assigned them to either receiving intensive therapy (i.e., tight glucose regulation with the use of reninangiotensin system blockers, aspirin, and lipid-lowering agents) or conventional diabetic therapy.3 The primary endpoint was time to death from any cause and secondary end points were death from CVD causes and CVD comorbidities, such as stoke and myocardial infarction.

Over a mean follow-up of 13.3 years, 24 patients (30%) in the intensive therapy group died in comparison to 40 patients (50%) in the conventional therapy group, meaning that there was an absolute risk reduction of 20% (P=0.02).3 Intensive therapy was associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.94; P=0.04) and of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.67; P<0.001).3 Nowadays, there are more potent drugs for managing diabetes towards CVD prevention, such as the SGLT2-Inhibitors and GLP1-Receptor Agonists.

Erin Michos, MD, MHS Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Department of Medicine and Director of Womens Cardiovascular Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine highlighted the importance of eliminating disparities in diabetes care at the ASPC 2022. Disparities exist in their utilization by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, may contribute to worse morbidity and mortality in these populations said Dr. Michos. Addressing such disparities will require a multipronged approach; we must address Social Determinants of Health, optimize self-management by free diabetes classes, remove barriers for new therapies by eliminating prior authorizations for diabetic patients, and educate the underrepresented populations on the risk of complications she added.

Diabetic care is being held up at the stop signs on the prevention highway. The road to reducing diabetes-associated CVD morbidity, mortality, and health inequalities is clear if we stand together with a multifaceted systems approach to address known barriers.

References:

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Diabetic Care Held Up at Stop Signs on the Prevention Highway - DocWire News

Doctors have identified a protein in the blood they believe could serve as an early warning sign for patients who are at risk of diabetes and death from cancer.

Researchers in Sweden and China analysed two decades of health records from more than 4,500 middle-aged adults on the Malm diet and cancer study. They found that those with the highest levels of prostasin, a protein that circulates in the blood, were almost twice as likely to have diabetes than those with the lowest levels.

Some of those enrolled on the study already had diabetes, so the scientists looked at who among those without the disease went on to be diagnosed later. People in the top quarter for prostasin levels turned out to be 76% more likely to develop diabetes than those in the bottom quarter.

Dr Xue Bao, the first author on the study at the Affiliated hospital of Nanjing University medical school in China, said prostasin was a potential new risk marker for diabetes, but also death from cancer, particularly in people who have high blood sugar.

Prostasin plays several roles in the body, such as regulating blood pressure and blood volume, and it also suppresses the growth of tumours that are fuelled by high blood sugar. While type 2 diabetes is known to raise the risk of certain cancers, including pancreatic, liver, bowel and endometrial tumours, the biological mechanisms are far from clear.

After investigating the link between prostasin and diabetes, the researchers looked at whether people with high levels of the protein were at greater risk from cancer.

Writing in Diabetologia, they describe how those in the top quarter for prostasin levels were 43% more likely to die from cancer than those in the bottom quarter.

Participants with high levels of both prostasin and blood sugar were at significantly higher risk of dying from cancer, according to the study. For every doubling in prostasin concentration, the risk of cancer death rose by 24% in those without high blood sugar, and by 139% in those with high blood sugar. Particular attention should be paid to these individuals, the authors write.

It is unclear whether a high prostasin level plays a part in disease or is merely a biological marker that ramps up as the condition develops. One possibility, the authors suggest, is that prostasin levels rise in an attempt to suppress high blood sugar levels, but are not able to stop or reverse the damage caused.

The relationship between diabetes and cancer is poorly understood and this protein could provide a possible shared link between the two conditions, said Prof Gunnar Engstrm, a senior author on the study at Lund University.

We now need to examine to what extent prostasin is causally related to these diseases or whether it is a valuable marker of increased disease risk, Engstrm added.

It might also be possible to identify individuals with increased risk of diabetes and cancer, and offer preventive measures.

Because the findings are drawn from people in one city, they may not apply to wider populations. The researchers also point out that prostasin was measured from frozen blood taken at only one time point, and that the study was unable to distinguish between different types of diabetes.

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Jessica Brown, at Diabetes UK, said: We know there is a connection between diabetes and some types of cancer, and this study suggests levels of a particular protein, called prostasin, is linked to both conditions.

Gaining a better understanding of the changes inside the body that may put people at risk from diabetes and cancer will help scientists find ways to protect people from these serious conditions, but theres still much to discover.

We need further research to find out if prostasin is playing a direct role in the development of type 2 diabetes and poorer cancer outcomes in people with high blood sugar levels.

More:
Blood protein levels may flag risk of diabetes and death by cancer, shows study - The Guardian

If youre a beach-goer, you know that theres nothing quite like the sand, sun, and surf on a bright summer day. But before you grab your towel and flip-flops and head out, make sure youre prepared to deal with any potential challenges that can ruin your fun in the sun.

It may go without saying, but well say it anyway: wear sunscreen! Even if you stay under the umbrella most of the time, youll still get some exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. And this means a high risk of getting a painful sunburn, but longer term, your risk of skin cancer is greatly increased. Heres how to protect yourself:

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Keep your cool! There are a lot of reasons to make sure you dont get overheated at the beach:

Sunlight and heat can affect certain types of diabetes medicines: insulin and non-insulin injectables, such as GLP-1 agonists (e.g., Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, Byetta), and injectable glucagon. These medicines need to be kept cool or at room temperature in order to work properly. Light and heat can reduce their effectiveness.

Heat can also damage blood glucose meters and test strips, CGM (continuous glucose monitors), and insulin pumps. Again, keep these devices out of direct sunlight to prevent overheating.

While some people plant themselves in their beach chair once they hit the sand, you might prefer to be more active. Swimming, surfing, boogie-boarding, volleyball, running, or strolling on the beach are some ways to enjoy your beach day. But realize that an increase in physical activity, combined with hot temperatures, may impact your blood sugars. Heres how to help keep your blood sugars more stable:

Youre bound to get hungry and thirsty when youre at the beach. Instead of hitting the snack bar or packing bags of less-than-healthy snack foods, plan ahead and bring some healthier (and cheaper) options. The American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggests these healthy snacks:

Other good options are:

Make sure to bring a cooler with an ice pack to keep perishable food nice and cool.

Also, stay hydrated. The sun, heat, and swimming can be dehydrating, even if you dont feel thirsty or arent sweating much. Pack plenty of water or no-carb drinks, and remember that vegetables and fruits are good sources of water, too (especially watermelon, and 1 cup of watermelon has just 12 grams of carb!).

Go easy with alcohol. A cold beer can seem refreshing, but alcohol has a diuretic effect, which means that it causes you to urinate more, which can lead to dehydration, depending on how much alcohol you drink. Plus, too much alcohol and swimming are a dangerous combination, as your risk of drowning can increase with the more alcohol that you drink.

Many insulin pumps and CGMs are water-resistant (meaning, you can go in the water with them), but make sure to read the user manual to make sure that swimming is OK. Also, keep in mind that water and sweating can cause your pump insertion set or CGM sensor to not stick well. You might need an additional adhesive, such as:

Dont forget to protect your feet while youre at the beach. This is especially important if you have neuropathy or circulation issues in your legs or feet. Hot pavement, sand, shells, rocks, and broken glass are all hazards that you might encounter, and can cause irritation, burns, blisters, or cuts. Left untreated, these can escalate into more serious foot problems.

Avoid or limit the amount of time that you go barefoot. Wear sturdy sandals or beach shoes, and be sure to check your feet regularly during the day and after you get home. If you notice any cuts or sores that arent healing, or areas of redness, warmth, or swelling after a day at the beach (or at any time), see your health care provider promptly.

Want to learn more about managing diabetes in the summer? ReadSummertime: Hazardous for People With Diabetes?,Diabetes In Hot Weather 12 Things to Know, Six Ways to Stay Cool When the Temperature Soars, and Summer Portion Control: From Beach to Barbecue.

Visit link:
Diabetes at the Beach: Tips to Stay Safe - Diabetes Self Management

American Diabetes Association updates recommendations regarding SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP-1 RA, and finerenone for cardiovascular and renal comorbidities.

In late May 2022, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) released revisions to its previous guidelines. Although the core structure of diabetic treatment has remained the same, recommendations regarding sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), and finerenone for cardiovascular and renal comorbidities have been significantly updated.1

SGLT-2 Inhibitors, GLP-1 RAs, and Finerenone: Roles in Treatment

Previously, an SGLT-2 inhibitor or a GLP-1 RA was only recommended for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with current or high-risk potential for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) if additional glucose lowering was needed. Current guidelines now recommend these agents for any T2DM patient with current or high risk ASCVD, chronic kidney disease (CKD), or heart failure (HF).2 This guideline stands regardless of the need for additional glucose lowering and/or metformin use.

If patients with ASCVD remain above goal A1C despite the addition of an SGLT-2 inhibitor or GLP-1 RA, then the addition of a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor, basal insulin, or sulfonylureas as adjuncts should no longer be considered. Instead, either a GLP-1 inhibitor or SGLT-2 inhibitorwhichever agent the patient is not currently onis recommended to add.3 Combined use of an SGLT-2 inhibitor and GLP-1 RA can produce an additive risk reduction for cardiovascular and renal adverse events.2

For renal benefit, finerenone use for patients with advanced CKD (i.e., moderately elevated albuminuria, eGFR of 25- 60 mL/min/1.73m2, and diabetic retinopathy or severely elevated albuminuria and eGFR of 25-75 mL/min/1.73m2) is encouraged.4,5

Patients with less-advanced CKD (i.e., stages 1-2 CKD with severely elevated albuminuria or stages 3-4 CKD with moderately elevated albuminuria) do not receive any benefit for CKD.6 Regardless of severity of CKD, SGLT-2 inhibitors remain first-line therapy.

Finerenone use for T2DM patients with CKD is limited as an adjunct to SGLT-2 inhibitors or for those intolerant to the first-line agent. Table 1 summarizes the clinical trials supporting these guidelines.

Finerenone (Kerendia) selectively blocks sodium reabsorption and overactivation of mineralocorticoid receptors within epithelial and non-epithelial tissues. This, in turn, reduces fibrosis and inflammation of both the kidneys and blood vasculature.

Barriers in use may include increased risk of hyperkalemia, hypotension, and high-cost ($22.76/tablet). For Mayo Health Plan members, finerenone is a tier 2R drug with prior authorization approvals limited to the FDA approved indication, CKD with T2DM.

About the Authors

Author: Jana Kay Lacanlale, PharmD Candidate, Drake University Class of 2024

Preceptor: Amanda Davis, PharmD, BCACP

References

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Notable Revisions in Diabetes Treatment According to ADA Guidelines - Pharmacy Times

ABBOTT PARK, Ill., Aug. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and WW International, Inc. ("WeightWatchers" or "WW") today announced a strategic partnership that will help people living with diabetes better understand and manage their diabetes and weight. The companies are working together to integrate WeightWatchers' diabetes-tailored weight management program with Abbott's portfolio of FreeStyle Libre products to create a seamless mobile experience that will give people living with diabetes the information and insights needed to make healthy adjustments to their diet, improve their glucose levels, and, ultimately, gain more control of their health.

Maintaining a healthy body weight and having proper nutrition are critical to living well with diabetes.3 Yet, for many people living with diabetes, determining what to eat and following a meal plan is the most challenging part of diabetes management.4Through this partnership, participants can receive glucose insights from Abbott's FreeStyle Libre sensor-based technology that show the impact of food choices, alongside the empirically validated5 WeightWatchers' diabetes-tailored nutritional guidance to help them achieve their healthier living goals.

"We strive to put our customers at the heart of everything we do, and that includes forming strategic partnerships with key industry leaders, like WeightWatchers, to provide new services and offerings that can greatly improve the quality of life for people living with diabetes," said Jared Watkin, senior vice president of Abbott's diabetes care business. "Bycombining our world-leading1 FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring technology with WeightWatchers' number one doctor-recommended weight loss program,2 people withdiabetes, in particular, those with Type 2 diabetes and less intensively managed by doctors, can have the insights they need to take control of their health."

The two companies will work together to allow Abbott's FreeStyle Libre continuous glucose monitoring systems and the WeightWatchers mobile app to share information so that people living with diabetes can see their glucose data alongside WeightWatchers' diabetes-tailored program.

"It's proven that lifestyle changes, including shifts in patterns of eating and activity routines, are a crucial component of diabetes management and can help improve glycemic control,6" said Sima Sistani, chief executive officer of WeightWatchers. "We've partnered with Abbott, a leader in diabetes care, to make it possible for people with diabetes to reach their weight and healthy living goals while enjoying the foods they love and better managing their glucose levels."

The partnership will initially focus on solutions for people living with diabetes within the United States in 2023.

About AbbottAbbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 113,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with Abbott atwww.abbott.com, on LinkedIn atwww.linkedin.com/company/abbott-, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

About WW International, Inc.WeightWatchers is a human-centric technology company powered by the world's leading commercial weight management program. For nearly six decades, we have inspired millions of people to adopt healthy habits for real life. Through our comprehensive tools, expert Coaches and community, members follow our proven, sustainable, science-based program focused on weight loss. To learn more about the WeightWatchers approach to healthy living, please visit ww.com. For more information about our global business, visit our corporate website at corporate.ww.com.

Indications and Important Safety Information

FreeStyle Libre 14 day system:Failure to use FreeStyle Libre 14 day system as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at855-632-8658orFreeStyleLibre.usfor safety info.

FreeStyle Libre 2 and FreeStyle Libre 3 systems:Failure to use FreeStyle Libre 2 or FreeStyle Libre 3 systems as instructed in labeling may result in missing a severe low or high glucose event and/or making a treatment decision, resulting in injury. If glucose alarms and readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a fingerstick value from a blood glucose meter for treatment decisions. Seek medical attention when appropriate or contact Abbott at855-632-8658orFreeStyleLibre.usfor safety info.

1Data on file, Abbott Diabetes Care. Data based on the number of users worldwide for the FreeStyle Libre portfolio compared to the number of users for other leading personal use, sensor-based glucose monitoring systems.2 Based on a 2020 IQVIA survey of 14,000 doctors who recommend weight-loss programs to patients.3 Evert AB, Dennison M, Gardner CD, Garvey WT, Lau KHK, MacLeod J, Mitri J, Pereira RF, Rawlings K, Robinson S, Saslow L, Uelmen S, Urbanski PB, Yancy WS Jr. Nutrition Therapy for Adults With Diabetes or Prediabetes: A Consensus Report. Diabetes Care. 2019 May;42(5):731-754. doi: 10.2337/dci19-0014. Epub 2019 Apr 18. PMID: 31000505; PMCID: PMC7011201.4 American Diabetes Association. "5. Facilitating behavior change and well-being to improve health outcomes: standards of medical care in diabetes2021." Diabetes care 44, no. Supplement 1 (2021): S53-S72.5Apolzan JW, LaRose JG, Anton SD, et al. A Weight Management Program Tailored for Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: Effects on Glycemic Control. Poster presented at: American Diabetes Association 82nd Scientific Sessions; June 5-6, 2022; New Orleans, LA.6 American Diabetes Association. Lifestyle Management: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes2019. Diabetes Care. 2019;42(1):S46S60. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc19-S005

SOURCE Abbott

Link:
Abbott and WeightWatchers Partner to Support People Living with Diabetes in Attaining their Health Goals - PR Newswire

The link between diabetes and reproductive health starts from the prevalence of diabetes in reproductive-age women. We know that 3% to 7% of women of reproductive age who could become pregnant have diabetes. So this is not an uncommon condition in this age group or in pregnancy.

Less than one-third of women with diabetes seek pre-pregnancy counseling. Approximately 50% of pregnancies in the United States are unintended or unplanned. So having an understanding of diabetes and how it can affect pregnancy and optimize and control of diabetes prior to pregnancy and in general in life is important. But the last thing that I would say about these important linkages has to do with equity and health disparities. Diabetes, especially type 2, has higher rates in women of color, including Black women, Native American women, and Latina women.

Some of the main consequences and risks associated with diabetes and pregnancy include:

We are still in the middle of an incredibly devastating global pandemic with COVID-19, and I think providers should have conversations with patients about COVID-19 vaccination. We know that people with pre-existing conditions are at highest risk for having severe COVID-19 infection, and we also know that women who become pregnant, who develop COVID-19, are at incredible risk for having complications.

A number of these things are only captured and diagnosed by frequent outpatient monitoring. This is why we really focus on having these conversations with patients about pre-pregnancy hemoglobin A1C levels. What are the best levels that can help reduce these risks?

Any woman with diabetes seeking pregnancy should be referred to a maternal fetal medicine specialist for a preconception consultation. At a visit like this, the maternal fetal medicine physician will have a conversation about what blood sugar control looks like in pregnancy, and also have a conversation about invoking the type of resources that they utilize to guide patients through this journey of diabetes management and pregnancy, not the least of which are nutritional counselors and registered dietitians who have this experience. There will also be a discussion about what prenatal care and monitoring looks like specific to the woman who has diabetes, and how we mitigate some of the risks that can be present or higher in women who have diabetes in pregnancy. It should also include an incredibly comprehensive inventory of the medications that patients take.

Postpartum is an incredibly important time frame for women who have diabetes. There has been over time some debate about contraception and what are safe contraceptives for women who are postpartum. I want to emphasize that the overwhelming majority of hormonal contraceptives are incredibly safe for women who have diabetes, and we should be supporting women to utilize the most effective contraceptives that they wish to use.

Another consideration in the postpartum timeframe for women who have diabetes is supporting them and their desires to breastfeed. There are a lot of outstanding lactation consultants who support women in their breastfeeding goals, and they are a wonderful resource for women who might be struggling or just need general support.

This is an area of significant optimism. There are a number of investigators nationally who are highly dedicated to understanding

So, lots of investigators doing work that is federally sponsored and making incredible contributions to the field of diabetes and understanding how we can improve the lives of women and make their pregnancies as safe as possible.

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Managing Diabetes Before, During, and After Pregnancy | NIDDK - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Malnutrition-related diabetes is a puzzling form of diabetes that affects tens of millions of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

Malnutrition-related diabetes is a mysterious form of diabetes that affects tens of millions of individuals in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Rarely do its victims, who are mostly skinny and poor teens and young adults, survive more than a year following diagnosis. Their young age and frail appearance point to type 1 diabetes (T1D), yet insulin shots often are ineffective and may even result in low blood sugar deaths. Additionally, none of the individuals seem to have type 2 diabetes (T2D), which is often linked to obesity. Despite the fact that the illness was originally documented about 70 years ago, physicians are still unaware of how to treat it due to a lack of research on the condition.

The founding director of Einsteins Global Diabetes Institute, Meredith Hawkins, M.D., M.S., has led an international collaborative effort for the past 12 years to identify the underlying metabolic defects that result in malnutrition-related diabetes, which is an essential first step in developing effective treatments. Dr. Hawkins and colleagues have shown that malnutrition-related diabetes is significantly metabolically distinct from T1D and T2D and should be regarded as a distinct type of diabetes in the first thorough examination of patients with this poorly known condition. Their research was recently published in the journal Diabetes Care.

Current scientific literature offers no guidance on managing malnutrition-related diabetes, which is rare in high-income nations but exists in more than 60 low- and middle-income countries, said Dr. Hawkins, professor of medicine and the Harold and Muriel Block Chair in Medicine at Einstein. The doctors in those countries read Western medical journals, so they dont learn about malnutrition-related diabetes and dont suspect it in their patients. We hope our findings will increase awareness of this disease, which is so devastating to so many people and will pave the way for effective treatment strategies.

In cooperation with Dr. Hawkins and other members of the Global Diabetes Institute, the study was carried out at the renowned Christian Medical College in Vellore, India. The researchers conducted comprehensive metabolic assessments on 20 males aged 19 to 45 who were selected as likely to develop malnutrition-related diabetesusing cutting-edge methods for measuring insulin secretion and action. The same metabolic tests were performed on groups of people with T1D, T2D, and healthy controls for the sake of comparison. Males make up roughly 85% of those who acquire diabetes from malnutrition, hence the studys subjects were exclusively male to reduce sex-specific variability.

We used highly sophisticated techniques to rigorously and carefully study these individualsand our conclusions differ from earlier clinical observations, said Dr. Hawkins.

More specifically, earlier findings had suggested that malnutrition-related diabetes stemmed from insulin resistance. (The hormone insulin enables glucose in the blood to enter the bodys cells to be used for energy; in insulin resistance, glucose in the blood rises to toxic levels because cells no longer respond to a persons own insulin.) But it turns out, said Dr. Hawkins, that people with malnutrition-related diabetes have a very profound defect in insulin secretion, which wasnt recognized before. This new finding totally revolutionizes how we think about this condition and how it should be treated.

The good news, according to Dr. Hawkins, is that many new drugs have recently become available for treating T2D, some of which boost insulin secretion from the pancreasraising the possibility of finding safe and effective ways of treating the condition.

Diabetes has become a true global pandemic, Dr. Hawkins noted. One in 10 adults worldwide has the disease, and three-quarters of themsome 400 million peoplelive in low- and middle-income countries, she said. In those countries where its been studied, the prevalence of malnutrition-related diabetes among people with diabetes is about 20%, meaning that about 80 million people may be affected worldwide. For comparison, an estimated 38 million people are now living with HIV/AIDS. So we clearly need to learn a lot more about malnutrition-related diabetes and how best to treat it.

Reference: An Atypical Form of Diabetes Among Individuals With Low BMI by Eric Lontchi-Yimagou, Riddhi Dasgupta, Shajith Anoop, Sylvia Kehlenbrink, Sudha Koppaka, Akankasha Goyal, Padmanaban Venkatesan, Roshan Livingstone, Kenny Ye, Aaron Chapla, Michelle Carey, Arun Jose, Grace Rebekah, Anneka Wickramanayake, Mini Joseph, Priyanka Mathias, Anjali Manavalan, Mathews Edatharayil Kurian, Mercy Inbakumari, Flory Christina, Daniel Stein, Nihal Thomas and Meredith Hawkins, 27 May 2022, Diabetes Care.DOI: 10.2337/dc21-1957

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