Can Byetta, an injectable drug that lowers blood sugar, really help people with diabetes to live longer?

Possibly, according to the results of a major clinical trial presented at the American Diabetes Association annual conference. In the trial, called Accord, patients with Type 2 diabetes were prescribed Byetta or any of several other diabetes medicines. Patients who took Byetta had a much lower chance of dying, about 75 percent lower, than those who took any other drug.

July 28, 2008 — Diabetes is on the rise in the U.S, and three new studies shed more light on how diet affects your odds of developing type 2 diabetes.

Each study covers a different aspect of diet. Together, the studies show that diabetes risk may rise if you drink too many sodas and sweetened fruit drinks, fall if you eat more fruits and vegetables, and may not be affected by how much fat you eat.

MONDAY, July 28 (HealthDay News) — Packing on the pounds by drinking too many sugary drinks and not eating enough fruits and veggies appears to be associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, while a low-fat diet doesn’t alter your risk of developing the blood sugar disease.

That’s the conclusion of three studies published in the July 28 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine. Obesity is one of the strongest risk factors for developing diabetes. By 2030, 11.2 percent of the adult population in the United States is expected to suffer from type 2 diabetes, according to the journal report.

PROMOTIONAL materials for Xocai, which is marketed as a “healthy chocolate” in Australia and four other countries, have wrongly claimed it is safe for diabetics because it is sweetened with agave nectar from cactus, the fine print on its head office website reveals.

“This is an error,” MXI Corp, based in Reno, Nevada has admitted on its website. Instead, says the company, it is sweetened with 100 per cent “pure crystalline fructose”, also known as “raw cane juice crystals.”

A researcher at the University of Central Florida says he has created a strain of lettuce that creates insulin.

Mike Beckman for the past 34 years has had to manage his Type 1 diabetes.

“It is with you every day,” said Beckman.

He’s had bleeding in his eyes, a heart attack, nerve damage and now, both of his kidneys are failing. It’s also taking a toll on his family.

KOLKATA: If you thought you’d never be off those insulin-filled injections, here’s some good news. Type-II diabetes - or diabetes mellitus - can now be cured by laparoscopic surgery. Here in Kolkata.

On February 18 this year, the first such surgery in India was conducted at Hyderabad’s Kirloskar Hospital. A team of doctors - Surendra Ugale, Neeraj Gupta and Vishwas Naik - operated on a 56-year-old woman. The same team is now ready to offer this treatment at Belle Vue Clinic here.

Even if patients discover they have diabetes, vigilant self-management can reduce the chance or delay the onset of complications that involve serious illness, disability and diminished quality of life, medical experts say.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body can no longer produce enough insulin or efficiently use the insulin it does produce to control blood sugar. It represents 90% to 95% of all diabetes cases. Patients sometimes can manage it with changes in diet and exercise alone, although medication and insulin also may be needed.

DEERFIELD, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Walgreens (NYSE: WAG)(NASDAQ: WAG), the nation’s largest drugstore chain, has launched its Quarterly Diabetes Newsletter aimed at helping people affected by diabetes lead healthier, fuller lives. The newsletter, distributed via email to subscribers, offers practical solutions and information to assist patients, their families or caregivers in confidently managing this life-altering condition. Anyone interested in receiving this free newsletter can sign up at http://www.walgreens.com/diabetesemail. An online version of the first issue, summer 2008, can be found at

The American Diabetes Association applauds members of the U.S. Senate for introducing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, which is aimed at strengthening protection from discrimination for people with disabilities and preserving the rights of Americans with diabetes and other serious illnesses. The Senate version of the Act (S.3406) was introduced with the bipartisan support of 56 original co-sponsors.

Dr. Mark Cohen, chief of internal medicine for Lifetime Health Medical Group, has these tips for dealing with, and avoiding, summer bug bites and stings from bees, wasps or spiders:
# If you are allergic, make sure your epinephrine pen hasn’t expired.