Recent Advances in Diabetes Research

Diabetic Research News!

Scientists have been working on new techniques that have made this an exciting time in diabetes research. Previously, we only had a few promising approaches to finding a cure for diabetes. Now we have numerous possibilities related to prevention and even a cure for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

1. Insulin Producing Stem Cell Implants

In July 2017, ViaCyte, a California-based company began clinical trials which involve implanting type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients with the company’s PEC-Direct device. These credit card-sized implants carry cells that are derived from stem cells which are designed to mature into specialized pancreas cells. The implants are placed just below the patient’s skin and are designed to release insulin automatically whenever necessary. The hope is that when these cells mature, they’ll take the place of daily insulin injections by producing insulin when needed.

2. Existing Drug may Prevent onset of Type 1 Diabetes

Scientists from Florida and Colorado have found that a common blood pressure medication could prevent and even treat type 1 diabetes. While the cause of type 1 diabetes remains a mystery, researchers have found that around 60% of people who are at risk of developing T1D possess a molecule known as DQ8 which previous studies have linked to the onset of T1D. Therefore, researchers believe that blocking specifically the DQ8 molecule could help prevent the onset of type 1 diabetes.

Recent studies show that an existing drug known as Methyldopa which is often prescribed to treat hypertension and high blood pressure could also inhibit the DQ8 molecule without interfering with the immune functioning of other cells. The researchers have confirmed their findings in a clinical trial of 20 type 1 diabetes patients. According to the researchers, these findings could have major implications on both the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases including diabetes.

3. A New type of Insulin-Producing Beta Cell has been Discovered!

Scientists have found a brand new type of insulin-producing beta cell hiding within the pancreas. This discovery provides insight into how T1D works and also offers new hope into even treating the disease. T1D occurs when the immune system attacks and kills off insulin-producing beta cells. Since insulin helps regulate our blood sugar, T1D patients are left reliant on regular insulin injections.

While type 1 diabetes can be managed effectively, in order to properly treat the condition, scientists need to find a way to regenerate beta cells and prevent the immune system from attacking them in future. Although we are getting better at understanding the mechanisms behind type 1 diabetes and its management, effective treatment for the disease has eluded researches so far. However, the fact that ‘virgin beta cells’ exist opens an entirely new avenue of research on diabetes and potential treatments.

4. A Radical low-calorie diet may lead to diabetes remission.

A new study conducted at GP surgeries in Tyne, UK and Scotland has found that a radical low-calorie diet can help reverse T2D (type 2 diabetes). Following a low-calorie diet that involves consuming 850 calories per day for 3 to 5 months helps decrease fats in the pancreas and the liver hence improving functioning of the pancreatic beta cells, which produce and release insulin. In the study, 46% of the 149 type 2 diabetes patients who followed the weight loss plan achieved remission. However, more research is still needed to help established why some people followed the diet program and lost weight but did not achieve remission.

Try the 5:2 Diet for Diabetes!

5. Transplant of insulin-producing islet cells

A 43-year old woman with difficult-to-control T1D had insulin-producing cells transplanted into the fatty membrane in her stomach cavity. According to the University of Miami researchers, the islet cells started producing insulin at a very fast rate, and after just one year she is doing quite well and no longer needs insulin injections. The researchers are currently exploring ways to optimize insulin-producing islet cell therapy in order to use it on a larger population. This study offers a new transplant approach and is expected to aid research toward developing a new mini-organ known as the BioHub which would mimic the pancreas and act as a temporary home for the transplanted cells. This would help avoid the potential complications associated with using the liver for islet cell transplants.

Scientists believe that these findings will inform future research and help to make life-changing treatments and technologies a reality.

FDA Approved – Abbot’s FreeStyle Pro Bloodless Glucose Meter – Read about it HERE

What are Siren Diabetic Socks?

Siren Diabetes Socks To Help You Manage Your Diabetes

Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 just took place and Siren Diabetic Socks scooped an award for being one of the best innovations.

In a bid to help people through the power of prevention, siren smart diabetic socks help detect problems before they become big ones. These socks help prevent foot ulceration in an effort to prevent and reduce amputations in diabetics through early recognition of ulcerative and pre-ulcerative areas. Thanks to these socks, you can easily keep tabs on any kind of injury and inflammation in real time, all from your feet.

Diabetic Foot swelling is common in both type I and type II diabetes and this can serve as a prelude to serious problems. Therefore, early detection is vital and this is where these cozy socks come into play. Siren Care’s socks use temperature sensors that are woven into the fabric to detect temperature changes. Co-founders veronica Tran and Ran Ma believe they’ve created a novel solution to a serious problem.

How Do Siren Diabetic Socks Work?

Temperature sensors embedded in the socks monitor temperature changes from 6 spots on the feet and transmit them via BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) to a smartphone. The temperature at each of these specific spots is compared between your feet and if there’s a significant difference, you’ll receive an alert on your smartphone. This helps to reduce false alarms.

Data collected by the socks is stored on your phone and in the cloud in order to ensure that you can monitor your health from any source and from anywhere. Anytime the wearables detect a high-temperature difference, they send data to its companion smart app which will alert you to the potential issue and prompt you to check your feet. This could be as simple as a shoelace that is tucked to your shoe and you can’t feel it and you can easily get injuries from that.

How Long do These Socks Last?

Each wearable lasts 6 months and once you take them off they go to sleep mode to avoid wasting energy. Moreover, they can be thrown to the wash without destroying the sensors and their smart capabilities. According to Ma, the SirenSmart Textile technology can incorporate a wide range of electronics and sensors, including pressure sensors, moisture sensors, light sensors, RFIDs, BLE, MCU, LED’s, etc. seamlessly into fabric.

How Should I Use and Care for the Socks?

Siren Diabetic Socks are sold in a pack of seven pairs to ensure that you have a clean pair of socks each day. Moreover, the socks are waterproof and thus dryer safe and machine washable. You can either connect the sensor data to your smartphone or buy a Siren Plug that you can plug into a wall outlet.

The Siren Plug sends data wirelessly to your wearables to a team of professionals who will notify you of any injuries or potential injuries by texting or calling you. The batteries should last the six months you use the socks without need for replacement. You need to purchase another pack of socks after 6 months.

These socks are designed to comfortably fit your feet and guarantee the highest comfort. They are produced using Neurofabric technology and they feature a padded footbed that cushions the soles of your feet. They are also non-binding to ensure optimum circulation. These socks can be worn at any time with or without shoes just like a normal sock. They can also be worn when exercising.

Is the sock lumpy?

The anklet disk and embedded sensors do not make the socks lumpy because the temperature sensors are incorporated into the fabric and they are designed to send data to the Siren Plug or thee companion app in your phone. The anklet on the sock holds the BLE chip and battery. The anklet has a thin profile and is designed to cover the smallest surface area possible.

Right now Siren Care is calling for all interested parties to join the company’s wait list in order to be among the first to purchase and try their Siren diabetic socks.

Read more about : swelling feet, Foot Pain, Smartphone Diabetes Management Apps

New Type 2 Diabetes Drug

New medication for Diabetes – What is Ertugliflozin?

FDA Approves Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) For Treatment of Diabetes

Ertugliflozin, which will be sold under the brand name Steglatro, is a drug for treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Although more than 30 million Americans suffer from diabetes, about 90% of these patients have type 2 diabetes.

Ertugliflozin is a sodium-glucose co transporter (SGLT2) Inhibitor. It was developed by Merck &Co and Pfizer Inc. and it is classified under drugs commonly known as glifloins. Ertugliflozin recently won USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) for treatment of type 2 diabetes.

How does Ertugliflozin Work?

Being a sodium- glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitor, Ertugliflozin works by increasing secretion of glucose in the urine.

It mainly works as part of two fixed-dose combinations which will constitute – dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor sitagliptin (Steglujan) ; available as five milligram of Ertugliflozin per a hundred milligram of sitagliptin and fifteen milligram per a hundred milligram of sitagliptin ) to be taken once daily and with metformin ( Segluromet ; two and half milligram of Ertugliflozin per five hundred milligram of metformin; two and a half milligram per a thousand milligrams) to be taken twice daily.

For the drug to get approval by the FDA two trials have been conducted; the VERTIS MET and VERTIS SITA trials. These trials show that Ertugliflozin has been able to meet its primary goals and is actually able to regulate blood sugar in the patients who participated in the study.

VERTIS MET was conducted over a twenty six week period. It evaluated the efficiency and safety of the drug in patients with Type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted by administering Ertugliflozin in combination with metformin in comparison to taking placebo and metformin alongside those taking just metformin.

Patients who took Ertugliflozin had lower blood sugar, had lost more weight and had low blood pressure.

In the VERTIS SITA trial, Ertugliflozin was administered in combination with sitagliptin in comparison to placebo with sitagliptin. Lower blood sugars were reported in Diabetes Type 2 patients who were taking Ertugliflozin.

Do the Drugs have any Side Effects?

Patients treated using drugs in Ertugliflozin’s class, sliflozin, have exhibited a few side effects. One of the effects reported is a condition known as KETOACIDOSIS. This is a serious life-threatening condition reported in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes patients. This is a condition that also requires urgent hospitalization.

If Ketoacidosis is detected, Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) should not be administered again. Patients should undergo keen examination before Steglatro is administered. Before initiating Steglatro risk factors such as pancreatic insulin deficiency from any cause, caloric restriction, and alcohol abuse should be taken into account.

Moreover, intravascular volume contraction has been reported in patients using Steglatro. It can also cause renal impairment. Acute kidney injury has also been reported in patients receiving sodium- glucose co-transporter (SGLT2) inhibitors. Factors that may predispose patients to acute kidney injury have to be considered before initiating steglatro. Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) should be discontinued immediately if acute kidney injury occurs and treatment should also be administered urgently.

Renal function should be evaluated before Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) is administered. This is because Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) increases serum creatinine and decreases eGFR which causes renal impairment.

Serious urinary tract infections including urosepsis and pyelonephritis have been reported in patient treated with Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) in clinical trials. Patients should be examined for urinary tract infection symptoms and should be treated urgently.

Even though Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) has not been linked to increased risk of lower limb amputation, factors that may predispose a patient to lower limb amputation should be considered and patients should be informed about it. This is because it has been observed that there is an increased risk of lower limb amputation in patients using SGLT2 inhibitors.

A lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue should be administered. This is because Ertugliflozin (Steglatro) may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue. Other risks and side effects include genital mycotic infections.

European Medicines Agency is still reviewing Ertugliflozin (Steglatro). However, it’s expected to be available in the USA in early 2018.

Benefits of Chia Seeds for Diabetes

Several reports suggest that chia seeds are highly beneficial for diabetics. But, how does it really work?

If you have a loved one who is diabetic or you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you must have heard about the importance of exercise and diet for diabetes. There are numerous reports and evidence about people who have been able to control type 2 diabetes or at least improve their health by adhering to the right diet and exercise. Therefore, we cannot deny the fact that proper nutrition helps improve the health of diabetics.

What is Chia Seed?

Chia is one of a few complete protein plants and is commonly found growing naturally in Central America, Guatemala, and Mexico. It is also known as California Sage, California Chia or Salvia Hispanic.

Chia seeds are very rich in minerals, proteins, vitamins, antioxidants, omega-3 fats and fiber. This is the main reason why it’s considered a super-food. This basically means that it’s a nutrient-rich food with numerous health benefits. More and more people are consuming chia seeds as they come aware of its benefits resulting from its nutritional value.

The number of people (including children) being diagnosed with diabetes worldwide is growing at an alarming rate. However, rather than resigning yourself to simply live with this debilitating disease, you should understand that there are ways to control and manage this diabetes and eating chia seeds is just one of them.

Chia Seeds Nutritional Profile

One of the main reasons why chia is so beneficial is because it’s rich in minerals, omega-3, vitamins, protein and fiber.

For instance 28 grams (one ounce) of chia seeds contains:

6 grams fiber
137 calories
4 grams protein
3 grams carbohydrates
6 grams fat
65 milligrams phosphorus (27% DV)
6 milligram manganese (30% DV)
1 milligram copper (% DV)
8 milligrams potassium (1% DV)
1 milligram copper (3% DV)

Chia seeds are also a rich source of antioxidants and they also contain essential fatty acids linoleic and alpha-linoleic acid; vitamins A, B, E and D; mucin; strontium; and minerals including magnesium, niacin, manganese, iodine, sulphur and iron.

What are the Benefits of Chia Seeds for Diabetes?

Improves Insulin and Glucose Tolerance

In a study in diet-induced obese rats, a high fructose, high fat diet was fed to one group of rats and the other group of rats was fed a high fructose, high fat diet along with chia oil and chia seeds. The group of rats that was fed a high fat, high fructose (sugar) diet developed insulin resistance, oxidative stress and glucose intolerance just like humans would if they fed on a typical diet high in sugar and processed foods.

However, the other group which was fed a high fructose, high fat diet along with chia oil and chia seeds didn’t develop such problems. In fact, it was the opposite and quite remarkable. Chia seeds helped improve insulin and glucose resistance and restore their bodies’ antioxidant system.

Reduce Diabetes Swelling – Chia Reduces Inflammation

Numerous studies show that inflammation is the main cause of many health conditions including diabetes. One of the main nutrients that have been extensively studied for anti-inflammatory effects is omega-3. Chia seed is rich in Omega -3 which comes from alpha-linoleic acid. Although alpha-linoleic acid does not convert to EPA and DHA (usable forms), as well as eating fish such as salmon, it still provides benefits.

On the other hand, chia is rich in dietary fiber which is also an anti-inflammatory agent and this contributes to chia’s anti-inflammatory power.

Rich in Anti-Oxidants

The high antioxidant capacity of chia seeds prevents the sensitive fats from going rancid. Anti-oxidants also help prevent oxidative stress and free radicals and damage to the body. Remember, free radicals damage body cells and lead to the development of various conditions. Chia seeds donate stable molecules to free radicals in order to make them normal once again and prevent further damage and decline in health.

Improves Cardiovascular Risk Factors

A randomized control trial conducted in 2007 took two groups of people with type 2 diabetes and gave one group 37 grams of wheat and the other group was given 37 grams of chia seeds per day for 12 weeks.

The group that was given chia had a reduction hs—CRP of 40 percent (an inflammatory agent that is commonly seen in cardiovascular disease), a reduction in SBP (systolic blood pressure) and a decrease in A1C. Reductions in CRP and SBP indicate significant improvements especially in cardiovascular risk factors.

Research shows that chia does not have any harmful effects for diabetics. Therefore, it’s perfectly fine to include it in your every other day or every day diet routine.

Check out some other natural remedies for diabetes here!

Worms for Treatment of Diabetes

Worms Could Be The Weapon In The Fight Against Diabetes

Parasitic worms (helminths) could help fight autoimmune diseases such as lupus, type 1 diabetes (TID), rheumatoid arthritis, and crohn’s disease. Worms are small multicellular organisms that reside in human intestines.

Rutgers immunologist William Gause published an article in Nature Reviews Immunology reporting that the presence of the worms through centuries of human evolution has led to humans developing an immune response known as type 2 immunity.

This immune response includes immune regulator pathways that control harmful inflammatory responses that can contribute to various autoimmune diseases.

How can Parasitic Worms help Prevent Autoimmune Diseases?

According to the researchers, the immune response seems to have developed as a way for the body to rapidly heal wounds caused by the parasites. Components of type 2 immunity may be the future weapon for enhancing the wound healing process. This response also triggers vital regulatory networks that prevent harmful immune responses and inflammation that tend to worsen tissue injury.

The researchers now want to find a way to harness the components of type 2 immunity in order to target the control of inflammation that contributes to autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and diabetes.

Gause says that the harmful inflammation responses also contribute to other diseases such as metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. Inflammation has also been linked to fibrosis and allergic reactions that may be caused by titanium shavings flaking away from artificial joints and settling in the body.

Therefore, finding a new way to stimulate the regulatory components of type 2 immunity may provide a new set of tools to prevent and control harmful inflammatory responses associated with different diseases.

The Hygiene Hypothesis

According to the study by Gause and his colleagues, helminth byproducts or even live helminthes may be introduced into the patient’s body on a short-term basis in order to train weak or compromised immune systems. According to a study conducted by Gause and his colleagues in 2012, the introduction of parasitic helminthes in mice for 2 weeks stimulated their immune systems to produce signaling molecules or cytokines which gave them protection against T1D (Type 1 Diabetes).

These findings mirror human experience especially in developing world where worm (helminth) infection is quite common but the incidence if type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases is extremely low.

This means that the low incidence of helminth infection in industrialized nations may compromise the development of vital regulatory networks that are responsible for controlling harmful inflammation.

According to Gause, the end result of this process is increased incidence of a wide variety of diseases associated with harmful inflammatory responses.

Therefore, if we find a controlled and effective way to tap the benefits that worms seem to provide to the immune system, it’s possible that we wouldn’t have to endure the tradeoff between inflammatory diseases and clean living.

World-first Clinical Trial to Cure Diabetes with Hookworms

This word-first clinical trial will be conducted in Cairns and it aims to combat type 2 diabetes by infecting young overweight women with parasitic worms.

Researches from James Cook University are recruiting young female volunteers for this new research project in which hookworms will be used as possible therapy to improve the overall health for people at risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes. This comes after research in mice found that infecting the animals with helminth can protect them against diabetes by stimulating the immune system to release anti-inflammatory molecules.

The 2-year study will be carried out by scientists from the Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and JCU’s Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine. The study aims to examine the effect of hookworm infestation on young women at risk of diabetes in an attempt to replicate similar results in humans.

The researchers will inoculate young overweight women (aged 18 to 44) with hookworm larva and monitor their health through regular medical assessments.

According to Dr. Paul Giacomin, the worms are masters of controlling inflammation. He believes that this clinical trial is critical especially for determining whether researchers should start studying the active molecules that helminth release into the body to help control metabolism and whether these molecules can be used as a drug for preventing metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

The researchers also said that type 2 diabetes and obesity are increasing at an alarming rate in Australia’s population hence leading to disability and death from infections, kidney failure and heart disease.

Read about the Best Natural cures for Diabetes HERE!