Blood Sugar News and Research

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Blood sugar concentration, or glucose level, refers to the amount of glucose present in the blood of a human or animal. Normally, in mammals the blood glucose level is maintained at a reference range between about 3.6 and 5.8 mM (mmol/l). It is tightly regulated as a part of metabolic homeostasis.

Detroit Science Center launches "Diabetes: A Deeper Look" traveling exhibit

In the United States, a person is diagnosed with diabetes every 21 seconds. On December 5, 2009, the Detroit Science Center will debut its newest exhibit, Diabetes: A Deeper Look, to help answer questions that the public might have about diabetes, diabetes treatment and the role insulin plays in the body.

4 Dec 2009

Sulphonylureas, an antidiabetic drug, carries greater risk of heart failure and death compared to metformin

Research: Risk of cardiovascular disease and all cause mortality among patients with type 2 diabetes prescribed oral antidiabetes drugs: Retrospective cohort study using UK general practice research database

4 Dec 2009

Despite declining smoking rates, U.S. obesity rates continue to rise

If obesity trends continue, the negative effect on the health of the U.S. population will overtake the benefits gained from declining smoking rates, according to a study by U-M and Harvard researchers published today in the New England Journal of Medicine.

3 Dec 2009

Research finds change in the outlook of people with type 2 diabetes and heart disease

The outlook for individuals with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease is not as grim as originally believed, according to new Saint Louis University research published in Circulation, the Journal of the American Heart Association.

2 Dec 2009

Roche announces results of phase III taspoglutide study in diabetes patients

Ipsen, an innovation-driven global specialty pharmaceutical group, today announced that its partner Roche has disclosed the results of the second and third of eight T-emerge phase III studies in patients with diabetes for taspoglutide, the first human once weekly glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue originating from Ipsen’s research and developed by Roche.

2 Dec 2009

New study reveals that dentists can help detect patients with cardiovascular disease

"Dentists are really proud of their profession and feel no need to encroach upon doctors' territory," says senior dental officer and professor Mats Jontell at the Sahlgrenska Academy. "However, we wanted to find out if we as a profession could identify patients at risk of cardiovascular disease."

25 Nov 2009

Winship-led team identifies a way to exploit cancer cells' taste for glucose

The pedal-to-the-metal signals driving the growth of several types of cancer cells lead to a common switch governing the use of glucose, researchers at Winship Cancer Institute of Emory University have discovered.

23 Nov 2009

Obesity: A major contributor to the development of Type 2 diabetes

"Many Americans have a very limited understanding of the basic facts about diabetes, as well as the serious consequences for health that accompany the disease," commented Sue McLaughlin, RD, CDE, President, Health Care & Education, American Diabetes Association, in a media alert. She blames the problem on a combination of factors including denial of the disease and promotion of inaccurate information or myths surrounding diabetes.

21 Nov 2009

CONTOUR USB meter available for purchase through Walgreens online pharmacy

Bayer's CONTOUR® USB meter, the first blood glucose monitor that connects directly to a PC or MAC -- providing users with instant access to information and trends about their blood sugar levels -- is now available for purchase through Walgreens online pharmacy and will soon also be available online through CVS and Walmart.

18 Nov 2009

Technology to help elderly people stay healthy at home

In a collaboration between Kaiser Health News and The Washington Post, Elizabeth Olson writes about how emerging technology is helping older people stay in their homes and can, in some instances, offer mechanisms to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs.

17 Nov 2009

First Edition: November 17, 2009

Based on today's headlines, all eyes continue to be focused on the Senate -- where Democratic leaders are still waiting for the revised Congressional Budget Office analysis of their health bill and plotting about when to hold the first procedural vote on the measure.

17 Nov 2009

HealthPartners' health plans ranked top in Minnesota

HealthPartners is among the top 25 best private health plans in the nation and the top ranked plan in Minnesota according to U.S. News & World Report/NCQA “America's Best Health Insurance Plans 2009-10.” The report measures how well health plans perform on 50 measures of health care and member satisfaction. Two hundred thirty nine health plans from across the nation are included in the report. The top 50 health plans, including HealthPartners, are listed in the Nov. 16, 2009 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.

16 Nov 2009

Personal CGM improves glucose control for diabetes patients

In acknowledgement of this year’s World Diabetes Day, which calls on all those responsible for diabetes care to understand diabetes and take control, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) highlights the growing body of clinical evidence for Personal Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) in improving glucose control for diabetes patients.

16 Nov 2009

Gene within the pancreas affecting insulin secretion discovered

How a specific gene within the pancreas affects secretion of insulin has been discovered by researchers from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, in collaboration with Japanese and American universities. Their work opens the way for a new understanding of possible paths to battle diabetes and diabetes-related health problems, which are on the rise all over the world.

12 Nov 2009

Impact of health insurance reform on Americans with diabetes: HHS report

As the nation marks American Diabetes Month, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a new report today, Preventing and Treating Diabetes: Health Insurance Reform and Diabetes in America. The report comes one day after Sebelius toured the East Manatee Family Healthcare Center in Bradenton, Fla. At the center, Sebelius met with patients and Floridians who care for people with diabetes.

12 Nov 2009

OmSanA: A new option to maintain healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels

The holidays should be a time when Americans focus on celebrating, reuniting with loved ones, enjoying holiday feasts and seemingly endless holiday treats. But, for the roughly 127 million Americans that struggle with maintaining healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels, the stress of nearly two months of festivities can place enormous pressure on a body’s ability to maintain normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

11 Nov 2009

Employers sign up for first-of-its-kind health plan to control escalating health care costs

Employers are signing up for a first-of-its-kind health plan by UnitedHealthcare designed to help control the escalating costs of insuring diabetic and pre-diabetic employees and their families while improving their health.

5 Nov 2009

Researchers use fruit fly model for diabetes research

As rates of obesity, diabetes, and related disorders have reached epidemic proportions in the US in recent years, scientists are working from many angles to pinpoint the causes and contributing factors involved in this public health crisis. While sedentary lifestyles and diets high in sugar and fat contribute significantly to the rise in diabetes rates, genetic factors may make some people more vulnerable than others to developing diabetes.

4 Nov 2009

IDF clinical guidelines emphasize the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes

New clinical guidelines released by the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) emphasize the importance of periodontal health for people with diabetes. Diabetes affects approximately 246 million people worldwide, and this number is only expected to increase. The IDF is an organization of 200 national diabetes associations from 160 countries.

4 Nov 2009

FDA updates Byetta prescribing information following reports of kidney problems

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today acted on new safety information about possible kidney function problems, including kidney failure, in patients taking Byetta (exenatide), a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

3 Nov 2009