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New Research May Mean Change in Diabetic Treatment

What would happen if medical science could put a tight reign on blood glucose levels? Would it have a significant impact on those living with diabetes? If so, how would it help? A five-year study provides some interesting insight.

According to Voice of America (VOA), “The government-funded study is called ACCORD, which stands for Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes. The study included high-risk diabetes patients – typically older and obese, with a history of complications.”

Conventional medical wisdom has been that tight control of blood glucose is helpful in all phases of diabetic self-management. However the findings pointed in a different direction, “Some patients got medicine to aggressively reduce cholesterol or blood pressure or their blood sugar levels. They were compared with patients in a control group who got standard treatments.

“None of the aggressive treatments significantly reduced the risk of heart attacks, strokes, or other cardiovascular complications,” reported the VOA.

Voice of America cited ACCORD researcher William Cushman who said, “Our composite cardiovascular outcome of dying from cardiovascular events or having a non-fatal heart attack or a non-fatal stroke, that combined outcome was not significantly reduced.”

We have reported similar finding in the past, but this research did uncover a benefit that perhaps they had not anticipated from tight blood glucose control. The VOA report stated, “One positive outcome from the ACCORD study was evidence supporting ways to improve what doctors call diabetes patients’ microvascular conditions. The disease affects small blood vessels in a way that can damage nerves, kidneys and the eyes. So, Emily Chew of the National Eye Institute noted that aggressive lowering of blood sugar or cholesterol levels helped control the progression of eye disease.”

Since one of the major long-term symptoms of diabetes is blindness and retinopathy this is actually very significant. In many cases diabetics must undergo eye surgery to save their vision as diabetes progresses. This new information suggests it is possible to either delay or perhaps even stop the advance of retinopathy and blindness in diabetics through effective blood glucose control.

As we reported earlier the VOA report confirms yet again, “In another part of the ACCORD study, patients got intensive therapy to lower their blood sugar. After three and a half years, the group getting intensive therapy was switched into the control group, to standard therapy, because they were dying at a higher rate.”

Some researchers suggest that the study should be expanded to see what results might be seen in younger patients who live with diabetes. Perhaps, it is theorized, there can be positive results from very tight control when a patient is younger. The treatment could then be altered as they age.

What most are concluding from the new information found in recent editions of The Lancet and The New England Journal of Medicine is that tight blood glucose control may be problematic for those who are known to have cardiovascular issues. The same is true for those who have diagnosed kidney disease.

As medical science continues to explore the causes and control of diabetes more becomes known about the treatment of the disease. While this information is counter to general thought it can and should result in better long-term care for diabetic patients.

As with all of life working toward a better balance of control and outcome is the best-case scenario for diabetes.

New Links Connecting Diabetes and Fast Food

Diabetes and fast food can co-exist but count your carbs & get exercise. What is true in the United States seems to be true of many other nations when it comes to diabetes. When the population as a whole gains weight the instances of diabetes increases. Research in one Asian country seems to blame western fast food for the dramatic rise in diabetes.

Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Australia’s Garvan Institute of Medical Research conducted the study in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The BBC reported that, “about 11% of men and 12% of women… had undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.” This didn’t count the 4% who had already been confirmed as having diabetes.

Professor Tuan Nguyen of the Garvan Institute told the BBC, “Dietary patterns have been changing dramatically in Vietnam in recent years, particularly in the cities as they become more Westernized.”

It seems that studies in various other Asian countries point to the potential of fast food and a change in lifestyle as the predominant reason for the spread of diabetes.

I suppose the greatest difficulty for leaders of any country is that food is the one area that can be hard to police and may be viewed as a harsh and unusual form of control. Many choose fast food for convenience while other choose it for taste. In all cases it is a sense of freedom that predicates the choice of what food is ultimately consumed.

Diabetes and Fast Food in the US

In America where the financial system is built on capitalism it can be hard to deny paying customers the food items for which they are willing to pay. If a fast food restaurant moved toward a position of only serving health food they may find that their customer base would shrink dramatically. In fact the success of U.S. fast food chains has convinced them they have a formula that works. From a business standpoint it makes sense to export the product and increase their profitability.

Most people do not want someone telling them what they can and can’t eat. Fast food restaurants certainly aren’t going to be the ones to force you to eat something you don’t want. However, they will change direction when customers demand changes.

Any changes that we are going to see in fast food restaurants will be because we, as consumers, make different choices. If restaurants discover that a healthier product will sell they will begin offering healthier foods in general. The menu of virtually every restaurant is consumer driven.

Restaurant owners want to be successful in business so they will be responsive to consumer demand.

To put this in perspective you need to know that as a diabetic or pre-diabetic the changes you need to make will be changes you personally make. Fast food restaurants will not change their menu simply because you have dietary restrictions. You will be responsible for your own diet and lifestyle.

At some point one has to think that when/if diabetes becomes an epidemic it will become the best interest of the fast food restaurants to alter their menu because at that point it is conceivable those with diabetes will sadly become a group large enough to tip the balance in favor of healthy foods and adjusted portion sizes.

However, instead of waiting for this scenario to happen you can take control of your health and begin making personal changes today – on your own. This self-disciplined approach frees you from having to wait until a universal change takes place in what truly would be a worse case scenario.

Pay for Performance: Medicare Hurting Diabetics

The idea of paying for high performing health care providers seems like a good idea, but new laws spelled out in the Health Care overhaul could mean that some diabetics on Medicare could find even limited services cut.

According to a press release in ScienceDaily.com, “The planned nationwide implementation of institutional bonuses mandated under federal health care reform threatens to … [cause] hospitals in less-advantaged regions to lose funds to health care facilities in more affluent areas of the country, according to a study published in the academic journal PLoS Medicine.”

Researchers from New York University, Cornell University, and Harvard University say, “Pay-for-performance assumes that providers have adequate economic and human resources to perform, or improve their performance, within a short time frame. Yet the prevailing distribution of resources in the U.S. health care system makes it difficult for some providers to operate effectively as it is. Payment based on performance may worsen inequalities, as hospitals in under-resourced areas lose funds to their better-off counterparts, with the government acting as a sort of ‘reverse Robin Hood.’ ”

In essence what this policy does is potentially penalize rural health care centers because they don’t have the staff or patient volume to fairly compete with larger medical centers. When they can’t match performance the already struggling rural counterpart is penalized as extra Medicare funds are shifted to the high performance medical centers. The end result would appear to be a lack of quality care for rural residents – unless they are willing to travel to larger clinics in more urban areas. Often this is inconvenient and impractical.

The ScienceDaily.com release explains more about how the new system would work, “Offering bonuses to doctors when they reach pre-determined targets, such as for the regularity of blood sugar checks for patients with diabetes, is a practice that has been adopted widely over the past decade by countries with rapidly aging populations and rising health costs, among them the UK, Australia and Taiwan. Pay-for-performance has also been used in the United States, albeit in a piecemeal fashion. Now, however, the U.S. is poised to evaluate hospitals in Medicare’s “Value Based Purchasing” (VBP) program, and, based on results, to reward those that improve, and reduce reimbursements for those that fail to show progress toward performance targets. The first wave of nationwide evaluation under this federally mandated effort, slated to begin in 2012, will focus on hospital performance on process-of-care measures for common conditions such as heart attack and pneumonia. Later, VBP will likely be extended to other metrics such as risk-adjusted patient death rates.”

This report does point out that there is a window of opportunity “to modify and improve upon the current version” of the new mandate before implementation in 2012. The study concludes, “”Holding providers accountable is not an unreasonable approach to quality improvement, but it must be done in a way that attends to the profound inequalities in local circumstances that shape life in the twenty-first century.”

Critics indicate that this plan could lead to health care rationing while others suggest the language should be addressed and will likely be changed. Those who view this as detrimental to Medicare patients in rural or under-served areas find the prospect less than ideal for patients who have come to rely on local care in familiar surroundings.

Health care remains a critical topic to all Americans, but the notion of decreased services for under-performing medical centers could potentially create significant gaps in care for Medicare patients struggling with diabetes.

Health Committee Overview

Recently the U.S. Government Subcommittee on Health convened to discuss the overall progress on diabetes in the United States.

Recently the U.S. Government Subcommittee on Health convened to discuss the overall progress on diabetes in the United States. What follows are highlights from that subcommittee meeting.

Ann Albright, PhD, RD
Director, Division of Diabetes Translation

“Several research studies… have demonstrated that a structured lifestyle program, which results in a modest weight loss of 5 to 7 percent while encouraging a healthy diet and increasing physical activity, can reduce risk for type 2 diabetes by 58 percent in those at high risk for diabetes or who have pre-diabetes. Based on the findings of the Diabetes Prevention Program clinical trial and subsequent NIH-supported studies that have translated these research findings into real world settings, CDC and our partners are implementing the National Diabetes Prevention Program. This program focuses on delivering the proven intervention in-group settings for a cost of about $250 to $300 per person per year. The National Diabetes Prevention Program takes a four-pronged approach: training the workforce, a recognition program for quality assurance, funding sites to deliver the intervention, and health marketing to increase the program’s utilization.”

Judith E. Fradkin, M.D.
Director, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases

“One approach to combat the diabetes epidemic in the U.S. is to prevent the disease. The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) clinical trial showed that people with pre-diabetes-defined as having blood glucose levels that are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes–can dramatically reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes that achieve modest weight loss or through treatment with the drug metformin, although the metformin intervention was much less effective than the lifestyle intervention. The interventions worked in all ethnic and racial groups studied, in both men and women, and in women with a history of gestational diabetes. Research now shows that, after a 10-year period of following DPP participants, the interventions result in long-term benefits: people still had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and those who made lifestyle changes also had reduced cardiovascular risk despite taking fewer drugs to control their heart disease risk factors?”

Robert A. Goldstein, M.D. PH.D.
Senior Vice President, Scientific Affairs for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International

Promising research include(s):

Vaccine to Prevent Type 1 Diabetes Onset: Research toward the development of a vaccine to reverse the immune attack that causes diabetes holds great promise for type 1 diabetes patients. NIH- and JDRF-funded researchers have successfully cured and prevented type 1 diabetes in mice using a vaccine made of nanoparticles thousands of times smaller than the size of a cell, coated with proteins involved in immune cell communication. Thanks to NIH funds from the Special Diabetes Program, researchers have shown that these particles are safe for use in humans.

“The NIH, JDRF and privately-funded researchers are also working on promising vaccine therapies to preserve beta cell function in people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.”

If you read articles on this site you know there are plenty of promising research statistics along with new discoveries that are providing hope and answers to diabetics. This subcommittee hearing was designed to bring top minds together to point out new avenues in which diabetic research can go and applaud those things that have been successful in facilitating change in the way we deal with the disease.

There will always be something to work on, but as demonstrated above there are also hurdles that have already been crossed.

Accountability May Be Key to Diabetic Weight Loss

What if it were possible to lose weight and enjoy fewer symptoms of diabetes simply by participating in a program designed to encourage you to improve your overall lifestyle choices?

What if it were possible to lose weight and enjoy fewer symptoms of diabetes simply by participating in a program designed to encourage you to improve your overall lifestyle choices? A recent study suggests it may be a bigger help than anyone previously thought.

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), “A community-based lifestyle intervention program, modeled after one used in a landmark government funded diabetes-prevention study, can help participants in a group setting achieve weight loss and blood glucose reductions comparable to those achieved with individual counseling from health professionals.”

In the other words if a program administered by lay personnel could be just as effective at helping those with diabetes attain a better balance in weight as working with a paid professional for the same services.

The ADA said, “In the Healthy Living Partnerships to Prevent Diabetes (HELP PD) study, participants were divided into two groups: a lifestyle weight loss group, which received six months of weekly behavioral weight loss sessions in a group setting, followed by monthly follow-up meetings, at which they were encouraged to change eating behaviors and exercise up to 180 minutes per week; and a usual care group, which received two visits with a dietitian and a quarterly newsletter with tips for lifestyle changes. The group weight loss sessions were delivered by lay community health workers trained and supervised by dietitians.”

So, how significant were the overall results? The ADA advises, “The study found that those in the lifestyle intervention group achieved and maintained significantly greater weight loss (an average of 7.3 percent of body weight) than those in the regular care group (who achieved an average loss of just 1.3 percent of body weight) after 12 months. The lifestyle intervention group also reduced blood glucose levels by an average of over 4 mg/dl, from 105.8 mg/dl to 101.2 mg/dl, after 12 months, compared to an average drop of less than 2 mg/dl (to 104 mg/dl) for the regular care group. The results for the lifestyle group mirrored those achieved over three years by participants in the landmark National Institutes of Health-sponsored Diabetes Prevention Program, in which individuals with glucose levels in the pre-diabetic range were able to reverse the course of their disease by losing 5-7 percent of body weight and exercising 150 minutes per week, in addition to receiving individual counseling sessions with trained behaviorists. In the Diabetes Prevention Program, the weight loss program led to a 58 percent reduction in the development of diabetes, from about 11 percent a year to about 5 percent a year.”

“Study participants will be followed for an additional five years to see whether individuals can maintain weight loss and blood glucose reductions independently, or if they need continued group counseling to do so. The study is being funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases,” said the ADA report.

Since diabetes and depression often go hand in hand it may be helpful both physically and emotionally to embrace a support group designed to encourage many diabetics to make positive changes today that will have an impact in the future.

Medicare and the Diabetic: Part D

In past articles we have covered the first three parts of Medicare coverage. This represents the final part in this government-based program.

Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) is available to everyone with Medicare. To get Medicare drug coverage, you must join a Medicare drug plan. Plans vary in cost and drugs covered.

Two plans offer Medicare prescription drug coverage:

Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. These plans (sometimes called “PDPs”) add drug coverage to Original Medicare, some Medicare Cost Plans, some Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans.
Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO or PPO) or other Medicare health plans that offer Medicare prescription drug coverage. You get all of your Part A and Part B coverage, and prescription drug coverage (Part D), through these plans. Medicare Advantage Plans with prescription drug coverage are sometimes called “MA-PDs.”

Who Can Get Medicare Drug Coverage?

To join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, you must have Medicare Part A and/or Part B. To get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan, you must have Part A and Part B.

How to Join a Medicare drug plan

Once you choose a Medicare drug plan, you may be able to join by completing a paper application, calling the plan, enrolling on the plan’s Web site, or through the MPDPF LINK. You can also enroll by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Contact the specific plan you’re interested in to find out how to join. Medicare drug plans aren’t allowed to call you to enroll you in a plan. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report a plan that does this. (Source: Medicare.gov)

The first year for Medicare Part D was 2006. That year 11 million people were expected to sign up to use this program. The actual number was 24 million.

According to government reports, “As of the end of year 2008, the average annual per beneficiary cost spending for Part D, reported by the Department of Health and Human Services, was $1,517, making the total expenditures of the program for 2008 $49.3 (billions). Projected net expenditures from 2009 through 2018 are estimated to be $727.3 billion.”

Interestingly statistics seem to suggest that since the implementation of Part D Medicare users have improved their willingness to follow their physician’s directions in taking medication. The usefulness of Medicare Part D has statistically proven that if an individual can afford to take the medication they will in fact take it.

According to Wikipedia, “As of 2008 there were 1,824 stand-alone Part D plans available. The number of available plans varied by region. The lowest was 27 (Alaska) and the highest was 63 (Pennsylvania & West Virginia). This allows participants to choose a plan that best meets their individual needs. Plans can choose to cover different drugs, or classes of drugs, at various co-pays, or choose not to cover some drugs at all. Medicare has made available an interactive online tool called the Prescription Drug Plan Finder that allows for comparison of drug availability and costs for all plans in a geographic area. The Prescription Drug Plan Finder can be used to perform a personalized or general search for plans; in either case, the tool allows one to enter a list of medications along with pharmacy preferences. The Plan Finder output includes the beneficiary’s total annual costs for each plan, along with a detailed breakdown of the plans’ monthly premiums, deductibles, and prices for each drug during each phase of the benefit design (initial coverage period, coverage gap, and catastrophic-coverage period).”

Kwon’s Quest: A Personal Diabetes Marathon

How much effort would you put into spreading the message about diabetes and its impact on you and those who love you?

How much effort would you put into spreading the message about diabetes and its impact on you and those who love you? For one New Jersey resident the answer is running more than 3,000 miles in about 3 months. Learn more about Yijoo Kwon.

Kwon immigrated to the United States from South Korea. In fact, the New York Times indicated Kwon was a soldier for South Korea during the Vietnam War.

Diagnosed in 1996 as a Type 2 diabetic, Kwon was overweight and under challenged. He was a successful business owner, but diabetes presented it’s own difficulties. One diagnosis proved Kwon to be a fighter to be admired.

Kwon took up running and dropped his weight by about 60 pounds. Running became something of an obsession for Kwon who has participated in more than 100 marathons. However, no race to date held more personal interest than a recent trip from Los Angeles to New York.

The purpose of this trip was to raise awareness to the disease that is Type 2 diabetes. Kwon ran through rain, cold and heat averaging around 30 miles per day. For Kwon there were no days off.

Kwon made stops in large and small towns from Riverside, California to Meade, Kansas. Kwon discovered areas both largely urban and ultra rural. Resting each night in an RV. His wife provided the leg massages he needed to endure another long day on the road.

Often Kwon’s days started by 4 AM and he stopped running by 2 PM. This helped him avoid the hottest portion of any particular day. By the time the personal race was finished he held a news conference at the United Nations to talk about his trek and the need to be vigilant about diabetes.

Christopher McDougall is a fellow marathon enthusiast who followed Kwon’s journey with interest and even planned on joining him for a portion of the run. McDougall posted on his blog June 2nd, 2010, “Catch him while you can. Just check out his numbers: May 26, 34.01 miles; May 27, 34.01 miles; May 28, 34.04 miles…

Unreal.

“Yijoo Kwon, the 64-year-old diabetic who began beating his disease the day he began running, is still blazing across the U.S. on his solo transcontinental run. He expected to be back home in Queens by July 9, but he’s moving so fast, he’ll almost certainly be early. He’s in Ohio right now, but at an average pace of 34 miles a day, he won’t be for long.”

Kwon’s own website bears witness to the transformation that led to such an endurance runner, “At the age of 51, Mr. Kwon was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and was given an effective death sentence by doctors. The disease was an inevitable consequence from his unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle, and his future looked bleak. Mr. Kwon did not give up, however. He began walking, and little by little worked up to jogging and finally running. With sheer determination in the face of a potentially terminal illness, Mr. Kwon was able to fight his diabetes and claim back his life through running. These days, he runs several marathons a year and fully controls his diabetes through exercise and a healthy diet, without medication.”

While forgoing medication is not advocated in most instances Kwon was resolute in his determination to wage a lifelong war with the disease.

Kwon has indicated an interest in writing a book about his cross-country journey and how his own diabetes provided the motivation for the trek.

Breathe Your Way to Better Diabetic Health

In the same way asthmatics use rescue inhalers to reduce bronchial issues a new product may allow similar assistance for the symptoms of diabetes.

According to WebMD, Inhaled insulin proved to be as effective at lowering blood sugar levels as standard insulin injection treatment, and with minimal side effects, among patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

“Reporting in this week’s American Diabetes Association meeting and in The Lancet, researchers compared two approaches to managing type 2 diabetes among patients ages 18 to 80 from 10 different countries. The patients were nonsmokers and had poor control of blood sugar despite insulin therapy.”

There were just over 200 participants in this experimental distribution method while a slightly higher number of patients in the control group received standard diabetic treatment. At the end of the one-year study there were several findings that may be of interest to those living with diabetes.

Blood sugar levels were similar in the two groups; 22% of patients in the inhaled insulin/insulin glargine group reached a goal A1c level of 7% or less while 27% of those solely on insulin injections reached the goal.
Patients using the inhaler gained less weight — a major concern among diabetes patients. The inhaler group gained only an average of about 2 pounds, whereas the control group gained an average of about 5.5 pounds.
Patients using the inhaler had fewer episodes of hypoglycemia — a sudden drop in blood sugar — than those in the comparison group, occurring in 31% of patients on inhaled insulin/insulin glargine group vs. 49% of those in the insulin injection group.
Patients using the inhaler reported more side effects with coughing and upper respiratory infections. Most of the coughing occurred within the first 10 minutes of inhalation and primarily during the first week of treatment and declined as treatment continued.
Prior use of metformin, an oral drug commonly taken to manage blood sugar, did not affect results among the two groups of patients. (Source: WebMD)

Of particular interest is the fact that blood sugar was controlled more tightly when the inhaled insulin was used. Weight gain was less problematic with the inhaled insulin and hypoglycemia incidence was reduced.

On the other hand there were the side effects that caused some patients initial problems although it was noted those symptoms subsided following regular use.

WebMD quotes researcher Julio Rosenstock, MD as saying “Our findings show that inhaled insulin plus insulin glargine, alone or in combination with an oral antidiabetes drug such as metformin, is an effective alternative to conventional insulin therapy (biaspart insulin) in uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.”

In an effort to provide full disclosure WebMD further reported, “This research was funded by MannKind Corp., a California-based bio-pharmaceutical company that manufactures Technosphere, the inhaler device used to deliver the insulin in this study. MannKind is using Technosphere to administer an inhaled insulin drug called Afreszza, which has not yet been approved by the FDA.”

The primary voice of caution in this case has to do with the side effects of respiratory discomfort. Some in the field of medical science are concerned about the effects of this new distribution method on miniature air sacs in the lungs known as alveoli.

It’s a safe bet that more tests will follow to help determine if the findings can be replicated and to learn more about the potential side effects and how they may ultimately influence those who may choose to use this product should it become available.

The Facts on Prediabetes

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that a better understanding of what prediabetes is could help prevent the expansion of diabetes.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) suggests that a better understanding of what prediabetes is could help prevent the expansion of diabetes. Knowing what leads to diabetes can be a powerful tool of disease avoidance.

The following information was provided by the CDC to help identify issues related to prediabetes.

Prediabetes: Impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose

Prediabetes is a condition in which individuals have blood glucose levels higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes. People with prediabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

People with prediabetes have impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). Some people have both IFG and IGT.
IFG is a condition in which the fasting blood sugar level is 100 to 125 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) after an overnight fast. This level is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
IGT is a condition in which the blood sugar level is 140 to 199 mg/dL after a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. This level is higher than normal but not high enough to be classified as diabetes.
In 1988–1994, among U.S. adults aged 40–74 years, 33.8% had IFG, 15.4% had IGT, and 40.1% had prediabetes (IGT or IFG or both). More recent data for IFG, but not IGT, are available and are presented below.

Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in people younger than 20 years of age, United States

• In 1999–2000, 7.0% of U.S. adolescents aged 12–19 years had IFG.

Prevalence of impaired fasting glucose in people aged 20 years or older, United States, 2007

In 2003–2006, 25.9% of U.S. adults aged 20 years or older had IFG (35.4% of adults aged 60 years or older). Applying this percentage to the entire U.S. population in 2007 yields an estimated 57 million American adults aged 20 years or older with IFG, suggesting that at least 57 million American adults had prediabetes in 2007.
After adjusting for population age and sex differences, IFG prevalence among U.S. adults aged 20 years or older in 2003–2006 was 21.1% for non-Hispanic blacks, 25.1% for non-Hispanic whites, and 26.1% for Mexican Americans.

Prevention or delay of diabetes

Progression to diabetes among those with prediabetes is not inevitable. Studies have shown that people with prediabetes who lose weight and increase their physical activity can prevent or delay diabetes and return their blood glucose levels to normal.
The Diabetes Prevention Program, a large prevention study of people at high risk for diabetes, showed that lifestyle intervention reduced developing diabetes by 58% during a 3-year period. The reduction was even greater, 71%, among adults aged 60 years or older.
Interventions to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in individuals with prediabetes can be feasible and cost-effective. Research has found that lifestyle interventions are more cost-effective than medications.

The best news in this prediabetic information is that type 2 diabetes can be prevented through certain lifestyle adjustments. These adjustments can lead to a longer life and a significantly better quality of life.

This information is important as the number of undiagnosed diabetes continues to rise. Because a diabetic can have the disease the not know it until the disease is well entrenched it is important to know what signs to look for as an indicator of what you may need to do to avoid the disease.

A Natural Way To Control Diabetes

Many diabetics are now seeking to control their ailment through holistic methods. Natural herbal and vitamin remedies are replacing traditional therapy, and have consistently produced amazing effects. For centuries, herbal concoctions have had the ability to restore an otherwise lost balance to the body, rendering it possible to rely on its own healing capacity. Diabetics who partake in a regular regimen of herbs and vitamins have reported an improvement in their overall well-being. However, in combination with these natural remedies, patients need to carefully monitor blood sugar levels to assure that their disease is stabilized.

Herbal Remedies Can Play a Huge Role in Diabetes Management
There is a wide variety of herbal supplements that can be used in addition to healthy diabetic diet and lifestyle. Ongoing research and clinical trials have shown the positive effects that herbs and vitamins have on a typical diabetes patient, in addition to, a significant decrease in risks and complications. Although blood sugar levels are best regulated by a combination of both herbs and vitamins, taking each substance singularly has shown great improvement in diabetics as well.

The following herbs and vitamins have proven to be beneficial in the fight against diabetes:
Used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes, Asian Ginseng or Ginseng has been proven to produce a blood sugar lowering effect by heightening the release of insulin from the pancreas. Ginseng can also strengthen the immune system, as well as, lower blood pressure. This herb can be added to food or taken as a supplement.

Bilberry can lessen the risks of diabetic complications, primarily eye problems such as retinopathy and cataracts.

A traditional method used to treat diabetes, Stevia can have favorable effects on glucose tolerance. Referred to as “sweet leaf” or “sugar leaf,” Stevia is renowned for its sweet taste. In Japan, this herb is widely marketed as a sweetener and an alternative to sugar.

Cassia or Cinnamon has been proven to significantly lower blood glucose levels. Commonly used in cooking, Cinnamon can often be found in Chinese food.

Proven in clinical tests to stimulate insulin from the pancreas, Fenugreek has also been noted to lower blood sugar levels. Fenugreek seeds can be used as a spice, while the leaves are usually used as a herb. Fenugreek can also be consumed as a supplement.

Gymnema Sylvestre is an Ayuvedic herbal remedy that can assist Type II diabetics with insulin production. Gymnema has also been known to lower blood sugar in Type I and II diabetes.

The blood sugar lowering effect of Bitter Melon has been widely accepted as a herbal remedy for diabetes. The freshly squeezed juice or pulp of this unripe fruit has shown positive effects in Type I and II. Beware of over consumption, however. Too much of this juice can lead to stomach pain and diarrhea.

Aloe Vera, also known as “the healing herb,” is a traditional method used to treat diabetes. The sap and gel extracted from a dried aloe vera can assist in lowering fasting blood glucose levels.

There are also a number of vitamins that are used in the control and management of Type I and II diabetes. Vitamins C and E keep the kidneys healthy, and prevent further damage. Taken with Folic Acid, Vitamin B-6 assists in the prevention of nerve damage, and loss of limbs due to disease complications. Both Magnesium and Zinc relieve neuropathic discomfort, as well as, assist in the effectiveness of insulin. The frequency of consumption of both herbs and vitamins should be listed on the packaging and bottle. It is common practice for most herbal remedies to be taken at least two times per day. To truly determine how many times daily a herb can be used, it is advised to consult with your physician.

Together, you can devise a plan to effectively combat symptoms and complications of your particular case.