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A new commentary published in “BMJ’s Evidence-Based Nursing” reports that women who eat high amounts of red and processed meats have a higher-than-average risk of contracting gestational diabetes than other women do. This commentary was based upon information contained in several reports that have been conducted by researchers across the globe, some of which also claim that eating red meat leads to an increased risk of Type-2 diabetes as well.

Doctors have become increasingly aware of the link between eating red meat and the development of Type 2 diabetes for some time, but are just now becoming aware of its affect on pregnant women. Although there is a connection, scientists are still not sure as to the exact mechanisms that cause red meat consumption to pose an increased risk. As a result, more research is still needed in order to learn more.

This discovery is actually good news for women who plan to conceive, as it can help them reduce their odds of contracting gestational diabetes far in advance of becoming pregnant. Studies show that women who modify their diets either before or during pregnancy see their risk of developing gestational diabetes decrease significantly.

In order to reduce their risk, women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should substitute red meat for fish or poultry instead. They may also substitute red meat for other types of protein such as soy or nuts. According to the publication, eating half a serving of nuts per day can reduce the risk of gestational diabetes by 40%. Consuming more vegetables during pregnancy also helps to mitigate the risk as well.

Healthy eating along with exercise and weight control can reduce a woman’s odds of developing gestational diabetes. For more tips on managing diabetes, contact us.

According to the CDC’s research, diabetes is one of the top five leading causes of death among America’s Latino population. The majority of those that find themselves in that high risk category tend to have type 2 diabetes. Because of that, some members of the scientific research community have long believed that the disease’s prevalence in the Latino community is connected to genetics. So they’ve been conducting research over the last few years to either prove or disprove their assumptions. On December 25, 2013, one of those research groups published their latest findings in Nature magazine.

The study’s test subjects included several groups known to have a high risk for developing diabetes, including those with Latin American ancestors. The scientists examined the subjects’ genetic makeup in the hopes of finding a common denominator that could be linked to the disease’s development. They did find such a genetic connection among Latin American participants.

The genetic marker shared by the study’s Latino participants is known as SLC16A11. It is a gene that is found in the liver and has an impact on lipid metabolism. In the test subjects, the gene had a variant, which caused it to function differently in Latin American test subjects as opposed to others.

Over the years, various studies have shown that the way a person’s body handles lipid metabolism may lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance, as you probably know, is one of the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes. That’s why the researchers’ discovery of the gene variant was deemed so vital to ongoing, type 2 diabetes research. It is hoped that having an understanding of which genes play a role in the disease’s development will eventually lead to the creation of new diabetes testing supplies and treatment options.

To learn more about diabetes testing supplies, disease development and treatment options, please contact us. As a nationally accredited pharmacy, we have an array of diabetes resources that we are more than happy to share with those impacted by the disease. We also deliver reasonably priced, diabetic testing supplies throughout the nation.

According to a recent report by Fox News, more women than ever are experiencing gestational diabetes. This news report was based on data from the American Diabetes Association, and claims that around 18% of all pregnancies currently result in this condition.

The reason for the increase in gestational diabetes is largely due to more women being overweight before they become pregnant. Poor nutrition along with the fact that more women are waiting until after age 35 to conceive are contributing factors as well.

Certain ethnic groups tend to be at higher risk than others are. The American Diabetes Association claims that Asian, Hispanic, Native American and African American women are more likely to contract gestational diabetes. Those who have previously given birth to a baby that weighed more than nine pounds are also at a higher risk during subsequent pregnancies.

Gestational diabetes can be dangerous for the mother because it can also lead to high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease later in life. These mothers are also more likely to suffer complications during delivery, and are at a higher risk of requiring a c-section. The disease can also cause problems for the baby, resulting in a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes or childhood obesity.

In order to reduce their odds of developing gestational diabetes, those who plan to conceive should try to maintain a healthy weight and perform regular exercise before becoming pregnant. They should also avoid processed foods and opt instead for fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains, as these foods are easier for the body to convert to sugar.

According to the International Diabetes Foundation’s figures, more than 380 million people around the world are coping with a diabetes diagnosis. That’s a lot of people that must alter their way of living and use type 1 diabetes testing supplies. However, if the researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health are correct, that number may drop in the future.

In December 2013, researchers connected with the school’s Hotamisligil Laboratory released the results of a study that revealed a potential way to prevent the disease from occurring. The potential solution to the longstanding disease rests with our endoplasmic reticulum (ER). For those that are unfamiliar with ER, it is an organelle found in some human cells. There are two types. They are referred to as rough and smooth. The rough one aids in protein synthesis. In those with type 1 diabetes, those cells are not functioning properly.

What researchers discovered is that there is an ambiphilic bile acid that has the capability of offsetting that dysfunction in laboratory mice. As a result of that offsetting, the onset of type 1 diabetes may effectively be delayed or stopped altogether. Of course additional research and type 1 diabetes testing must be conducted in the coming years to determine whether or not the same results may be possible to obtain in humans.

Until then, those living with the disease must continue with their type 1 diabetes testing regimens and insulin injections to ensure their quality of life. At this time, failure to properly manage the disease often results in the development of assorted comorbidities. Those comorbidities include vision loss, kidney failure, strokes, heart attacks and blood vessel disease.

In November 2013, a study related to gestational diabetes appeared in The Endocrine Society’s publication, the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. It was titled Diabetes and Pregnancy: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Upon its release, obstetricians undoubtedly started to question how they’ve been treating diabetic and pre-diabetic pregnant women for years.

The study was actually designed to come up with best practices that physicians could use to treat diabetic women of child bearing age. It looked at pregnant women with a pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes diagnosis as well as those who developed gestational diabetes.

What the researchers found out during the study prompted them to recommend that obstetricians order specific diabetes testing during the initial prenatal visit as well as throughout the pregnancy. The diabetes testing methods that the researchers are calling for are the type that can detect very low blood glucose levels. The tests are considered the best course of action because of their extreme sensitivity. It is believed that they will be able to detect any insulin related issues far earlier than less sensitive diabetes testing supplies.

The new diabetes testing guidelines were not all that came out of the study. Researchers are also advocating that patients with gestational diabetes be encouraged to exercise a minimum of 30 minutes a day and undergo nutrition therapy. It is also recommended that in order to achieve the best outcomes, the patient’s nutrition therapy should be completed with medical oversight.

Interestingly enough, this news about the new guidelines hit the stands around the same time as the birth of a rather large baby in Utah. At birth, the baby weighed in at 14 pounds and was diagnosed as having type 1 diabetes. Large babies are not uncommon in cases where expectant mothers are already diabetic or develop gestational diabetes during gestation. Such births can cause both the mothers and children to experience health problems. Hopefully, the new guidelines will help minimize or prevent those health risks from occurring in the future.

To learn more about gestational diabetes and diabetes testing supplies, please contact us.

In late October 2013, news stories about the assumed connection between naps and a person’s diabetes risk started to surface again. You may have even read one of reports on Fox News. Because of the resurgence in interest, we wanted to weigh in on the topic as well.

Although scientists continue to debate why, it is no secret that our bodies need sleep. Some claim that it gives our bodies time to rejuvenate, grow and heal. Others associate it with evolutionary issues. Regardless of one’s theory choice, the activity’s impact on our overall health is clear. Too much and too little sleep can lead to a variety of health consequences, including the development of diabetes.

One of the reasons behind sleep duration’s connection with diabetes has to do with metabolism and hormones like leptin. Leptin plays a role in everything from maintaining our bodies’ insulin levels to achieving sympathovagal balance. In addition, the hormone’s effectiveness can be altered by our sleep patterns. We know this for certain because many studies have been conducted on the topic, including one that appeared in a 2010 issue of Diabetes Care.

The study referenced in the October 2013 news articles was one of the most recent. It was conducted, in part, by representatives from Tongji Medical College. The results were initially published in Sleep Medicine magazine. They indicated that people who continuously opt to nap daily for extended periods of time tend to be at risk for developing two things. Those two things are diabetes and impaired fasting plasma glucose levels.

Therefore, those that have a tendency to nap often may want to mention it to their primary care physicians and invest in diabetes testing supplies. After all, the diabetes testing supplies could be used to monitor one’s insulin levels both before and after sleep. To learn more about diabetes testing supplies and lifestyle factors that impact diabetics, please contact us.

When I first heard the words gestational diabetes I sat on the examination table and blinked at the doctor. What proceded out of his mouth was a flow of words, reasons, statistics and information that was a lot to take in and to take in pregnant...even harder. I went to my scheduled appointments, recieved my monitor and papers to chart my numbers, my diet, my activity, my life basically. I went from trying to eat healthy, splurging from time to time, to now almost feeling obsessed with what I was eating. How much I ate, how many carbs were in what, making sure I had my snacks. It was overwhelming in the beginning. On top of that change, I now woke up not to a cup of coffee or breakfast, but to this little machine telling me to put my droplet of blood on the strip sticking out of it. I had to test my fasting blood sugar first thing. It was hard. I had trouble wrapping my mind around it to remember to do it each morning. Having been through the gestational diabetes machine four times now, I have found some things that no one really told me but became helpful to me and allowed me to work within this diagnosis without it becoming consuming.

*It's a diagnosis, it's not you. Don't forget that amidst all the testing, extra appointments, medicines, and diet. You are still in the captains chair and you have the ability to optimize your health and well being.

*Never underestimate the power of a good dietician. I thought it would be boring or unnecessary to see a dietician. Little did I know that she would become one of my best allies. I received so much encouragement and help from learning about what diet worked best for me. On follow up visits, she helped me adjust my plan and reassured me about the healthy choices I was making. Some foods are hard to just stop. Dieticians have a grab bag of great substitute foods that can curb cravings like my salty/sweet addiction, and help you not feel like you had to give up everything you loved about food.

*Glucose Monitors have help numbers to call when you need assistance. Use them. Beginning a new diet, new routines, and now add checking your blood sugar can be an overwhelming time. I got the basics of my machine when they showed me in the office, but once home I went blank on some things. Use the number for customer assistance the monitor company provides. There is no reason to add stress to this situation when there are people ready and able to direct you in using your glucose monitor.

I hope this small list of tips and encouragement will help you go through the rest of your pregnancy with confidence. Here's to normal sugar levels and happy, healthy new babies!

The week of October 10, 2013, the periodical Diabetologia published the surprising results of a study recently completed in the field of type 1 diabetes research. Once released, it quickly made headlines around the world.

The noteworthy research was conducted by a series of professionals affiliated with the National Institute for Health Research Exeter Clinical Research Facility. It is located at the University of Exeter Medical School in the United Kingdom. One of the lead researchers involved with the study was Dr. Richard A. Oram.

The venerable Dr. Oram and his cohorts studied 74 participants in the hopes of obtaining additional information on C-peptides and insulin production in type 1 diabetics. They tested the subjects using ultrasensitive assays over a period of several years. What they uncovered as a result of that testing was quite stunning.

They determined that contrary to long held beliefs, type 1 diabetics’ bodies do continue to produce insulin via beta cells. However, those insulin levels are extremely low. Beta cells, for those who may be unaware, are found in a healthy person’s Islet’s of Langerhans. The Islet’s of Langerhans is situated in a person’s pancreas. It helps human’s store and release insulin as needed.

Now that the researchers have proven the existence of insulin production in type 1 diabetics, they are hoping to expand their work further. One of the topics that they hope to work on in the future is the creation and transplant of new beta cells. It is presently believed that the creation and transplant of such cells may eventually pave the way towards a highly sought after cure.

On September 27, 2013, national headlines were filled with news about a recent advancement in the treatment of diabetes. It was an advancement that those in the healthcare industry have been fervently working on for years. The diabetes treatment making all of the recent headlines is Medtronic’s APDS, also known as the MiniMed530G.

It is an artificial pancreas device system that the company finally received partial U.S. FDA approval on in September. The approval enables the system to be used with adult populations. The company is hoping to expand upon that approval in the future to include juveniles under the age of 16. At this point, the product itself is anticipated to be available for purchase in the coming weeks.

The company’s new system consists of a CGM integrated insulin pump that has been outfitted with a hypersensitive glucose sensor, bolus wizard, automatic alerts and a preset, threshold suspension feature. Because of those features, it is said to be helpful for maintaining blood sugar levels during non-waking hours. In addition, the APDS is designed to be used with CareLink software and Bayer’s CONTOUR NEXT LINK. Those systems, in case you are not familiar with them, are partially designed to foster communication between healthcare providers and diabetes patients. We should also mention that the new Medtronic system is said to be appropriate for use with certain type 1 and type 2 diabetics.

Prior to the company’s APDS invention, type 2 diabetics commonly used insulin delivery systems like the V-Go. It is a disposable system that is capable of being repositioned every 24 hours. Furthermore, it offers users access to on-demand mealtime bolus dosing and a preset basal rate. The costs of purchasing either the MiniMed530G or V-Go may be covered by private and government insurances.