Studies have long suggested a strong causal link between obesity and type 2 diabetes. Now some doctors are reversing that relationship to control diabetes by using weight reduction surgery. It’s like putting the chicken back into the egg by sterilizing the chicken—and it is working.

Some studies have shown that gastric banding and stomach stapling—both intended to make the stomach smaller, giving the sensation of a “full stomach” with much less food, leading to a reduction in caloric intake—has restored blood sugar levels to normal in obese Type 2 diabetics. These procedures are safe, approved weight reduction methods typically prescribed only when the patient is classified as obese according to federal health guidelines.

While these procedures have proven effective when used with obese patients, some doctors now believe that they will prove an effective and economical diabetes treatment for patients classed merely as overweight. The cost-benefit analysis strongly favors the expensive but permanent weight-reduction surgery over the lifetime costs of conventional diabetes management methods (drugs, insulin, constant testing). Doctors are now recruiting for studies to evaluate the viability of these procedures as a diabetes management tools.

Exciting news out of Oregon State University this week. Researchers there have “cured” mice of mild diabetes by enhancing production of an enzyme called fatty acid elongase-5. Through genetic manipulation they were able to increase levels of the enzyme to the point that it “restored normal function to diseased livers in mice, restored normal levels of blood glucose and insulin, and effectively corrected the risk factors incurred with diet-induced diabetes.”

Researchers were surprised by these remarkable results, though they caution that the genetic manipulation process used in the study might not be the best solution for humans. The optimum avenue for human treatment might be a drug that induces the same increase in fatty acid elongase-5 production. There are already a few drugs on the market that accomplish this to a degree.

Researchers aren’t certain the precise mechanism by which the enzyme corrects diabetes and stipulate that much more study needs to be done. They did note, however, that a high-fat diet appears to suppress fatty acid elongase-5 production. (Another reason to pursue a low-fat diet.)

Exciting new diabetes research like this is happening every day at universities, hospitals and diabetes centers nationwide. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on all the newest developments.

We all know Americans don’t need yet another reason for getting off the couch and exercising more. Obesity, and its host of attendant maladies, is on the rise in the U.S., and it’s showing no signs of abating. We eat the wrong foods and too much of them. Insult to injury: We’re spending more and more time in front of our computers in place of strenuous exercise, with few opportunities to burn off our last Happy Meal.

Regular exercise also figures strongly in diabetes treatment and management. Working out lowers your blood sugar naturally, reducing the risk for diabetes complications such as heart disease and stroke, kidney disease, cataracts, glaucoma, and nerve problems. For the diabetic, the most effective workout regimen is built around aerobic activities like running, biking, and swimming (as opposed to anaerobic activities like weight-lifting). And, of course, exercise helps to curb your exposure to heart disease, an area of concern for any diabetic.

Diet and exercise are two important tools in the diabetes management strategy. Consult with your healthcare professional about which exercises and their frequency best suit your condition and lifestyle. (Quick tip: Keep a snack on hand when exercising as strenuous physical activity can quickly alter blood sugar levels.) Good luck and have a great workout.

Practicing good dietary habits is a cornerstone of diabetes treatment. (Consistent exercise is another.) Let’s take a closer look at what constitutes a healthy diet regimen for the diabetic.

First of all, smart eating habits for diabetics closely resemble the eating guidelines for the non-diabetic. Obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease are the side-effects of the modern American diet, and controlling for those afflictions entails the same dietary concerns as would controlling for diabetes.

First, eating a wide variety of foods is important. Fruits, nuts, whole grains, and green vegetables aren’t found often enough in the typical American diet. Increasing the proportion of these foods in your diet, if you eat like most Americans, will lead to a host of health benefits. A simple rule of thumb is to make your dinner plate look like a rainbow of colors.

Second, make sure you’re taking in the right amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight for your body type. Substituting fruits and whole grains for the high-caloric processed foods is a good way to lose weight. Dumping the soda and beer is also a great way to cut calories.

Third, add more fiber to your diet. Fiber slows the absorption of sugar, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels. Eating insoluble fiber, in particular, reduces your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Good sources for fiber include wheat bran, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and citrus fruits.

Modify your diet with these suggestions and you’ll realize a more comfortable, healthier life with diabetes.

Tea has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. While green tea has been enjoyed as a daily beverage overseas for centuries, its popularity in America only recently has spiked. Part of its popularity can be attributed to recent studies that have found numerous health benefits to regular tea drinking. Numbering among those are a few diabetes-specific benefits.

An animal study conducted by the University of Scranton found that black and green tea inhibited the growth of diabetic cataracts. Cataracts are a major concern for adult diabetics: in fact, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults. High blood sugar adversely affects the eye and, in particular, the lens. Tea was found to lower significantly blood sugar levels. This, in turn, seems to negatively affect the mechanism that creates cataracts.

Some studies also suggest that consistent tea consumption can also reduce the risk of heart disease. A very recent study conducted in the Netherlands found that people who drank from three to six cups of tea a day were an astonishing 45 percent less likely to die from heart disease. You probably already know diabetes is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Diabetes centers worldwide are conducting clinical trials on promising diabetes treatments on an ongoing basis. The exciting news about tea is just one result. Keep in touch with your local diabetes center for information on how you can participate in clinical trials on new treatments. In the meantime, we’ll have another cup.

In our last post, we talked about the exciting results of recent resveratrol clinical trials. Resveratrol is a plant compound that has been shown to lower insulin resistance in humans. Of course, resveratrol’s efficacy in humans could only be established through controlled and monitored clinical trials.

New diabetes management drugs will inevitably have to pass through diabetes clinical trials. Good, so what exactly is a clinical trial? At its most basic, a clinical trial is healthcare research, following a predetermined protocol, on people, to paraphrase the National Institute of Health’s definition.

The clinical trial has four distinct phases, each phase providing specific but different information regarding the drug or treatment.

In Phase I trials, the drug or treatment is tested on humans for the first time to determine safe dosage, and ascertain side effects.

Phase II sees the drug or treatment tested on a larger group of test subjects, numbering between 100 and 300 in all. Again, safety and efficacy is evaluated.

In Phase III, the test group is expanded from 1000 to 3000 subjects.

Phase IV sees further investigation into the drug’s risks, benefits, and optimal use-case.

Clinical trials are usually conducted at a diabetes center, of which there are many across the United States. If you think you might be a candidate for a diabetes clinical trial, see if there is a diabetes center near you currently conducting clinical trials. Who knows, you just might get to test resveratrol.

In the last entry we outlined four ways to help you manage your diabetes. Continuing on that theme, here are four more.

Practice Good Dental Hygiene. Diabetes adversely affects your circulatory system, which can leave you vulnerable to gum infections. Compounding the problem: Diabetes also suppresses your immune system. Ultimately, this can all lead to tooth loss. Also, some studies have linked gum infections to heart disease, a particular concern for diabetics.

Keep on Your Feet. For the diabetic, the feet are especially susceptible to infection. It’s a dual threat. Diabetes can lead to nerve damage in the feet, and, as we’ve mentioned, circulation problems. Together, they make your feet an easy target for serious infection. Keep an eye on any slow-healing foot wounds.

Drink in Moderation. Excess alcohol leads to low blood sugar and can interfere with insulin. If you’re going to drink, watch your caloric intake, and make sure you drink with a meal to ensure a more consistent absorption of the alcohol.

Relax. Stress has a negative systemic effect on your body. Studies have shown that excess stress impairs your immune response and can affect your hormone levels.

By observing these primary rules of diabetes treatment, you can pursue a fulfilling, active lifestyle.

Diabetes is currently considered the fastest-growing chronic disease in the U.S. The epidemic affects millions of American adults nationwide and is an increasing concern overseas. Diabetes’ debilitating effects, such as vision problems, circulatory issues, nerve damage, kidney damage, reduce the quality of life for its sufferers and ultimately lead to a shortened life span. The grim reality is that diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S.

The U.S. healthcare system takes the diabetes epidemic very seriously. The government alone spends over $700 million on diabetes-related research. The private sector, including the leading drug companies, spends millions toward mitigating the effects of diabetes and finding its eventual cure. A major component of this effort are diabetes centers.

A diabetes center is a facility, as you might guess, devoted to the research and treatment of diabetes. There are a number of such facilities located across the U.S., some of which are associated with hospitals and universities. The others, primarily, are privately owned and serve as clinical research facilities for healthcare companies looking to test innovative new treatments, pharmaceutical and otherwise.

If you suffer from diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition, it could be worth your while to see if there is a diabetes center near you. Participation in clinical trials is often free, and by participating you could be aiding the fight against this terrible epidemic. At the very least you could find relief from your symptoms.