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Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes

The T1D news show you've been waiting for! Long-time broadcaster, blogger and diabetes mom Stacey Simms interviews prominent advocates, authors and speakers. Stacey asks hard questions of healthcare companies and tech developers and brings on "everyday' people living with type 1. Great for parents of T1D kids, adults with type 1 and anyone who loves a person with diabetes.
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Now displaying: Category: In the News
Mar 1, 2024

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: what is MicroGlucagon and how could it speed up existing rapid-acting insulin? SGLT2 medications may cause false positive alcohol tests, red light therapy for type 2 diabetes, research shows teens with type 2 might have a different kind of diabetes altogether, FDA warns against non-invasive glucose monitoring and more!

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

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Learn more about Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com)

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

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Check out Stacey's books!

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Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Jan 19, 2024

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: Vertex pauses their stem cell transplantation trials after a patient death, spray insulin is tested, learning more about Dexcom's sensor for type 2, measuring A1C through menstrual blood and more!

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

Learn more about Gvoke Glucagon Gvoke HypoPen® (glucagon injection): Glucagon Injection For Very Low Blood Sugar (gvokeglucagon.com)

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:

Facebook (Group)

Facebook (Page)

Instagram

Twitter

Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Episode transcript:

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.

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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark

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Our top story this week…

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Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. has paused a study of stem cell–derived, fully pancreatic islet cell replacement therapy (VX-880) following two patient deaths.

Neither death is related to the therapy itself - called VX-880 – according to the company. Vertex says they plan to share full data soon. In the study that was paused, 14 patients with type 1 received infusions of VX-880 and standard immunosuppression. After 90 days, 13 of the patients have an A1C under 7 without using exogenous insulin.

This was the study that made a big splash in the New York Times in late 2021 with the headline “A Cure for Type 1 Diabetes?” and featuring Brian Shelton among others. Shelton is one of the two patients who have died.

 

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/vertex-pauses-islet-cell-study-after-patient-deaths-2024a10000oe

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Early days but researchers in Norway are testing an insulin body spray.

Patients squirt the insulin directly on to their inner forearm, where skin tends to be thinner, allowing easier absorption. Within minutes, it gets absorbed into the bloodstream.

This joins other research on skin patches packed with micro-needles that punch tiny and reportedly painless holes in the skin to let insulin seep through.

The spray contains insulin and propylene carbonate, a chemical often used in cosmetic skin creams to help them penetrate the outer layers of the skin.

In this case, it’s hoped the chemical — attached to insulin in the spray droplets — will help the hormone seep as far as the tiny blood vessels that lie beneath the surface of the skin, where the hormone will then get absorbed into the bloodstream.

 

InsuLife, the Norwegian company developing the body spray, is setting up a trial involving 12 patients with type 1 diabetes to see how different doses of the spray compare with injected insulin in controlling blood-sugar levels. It is used just before a meal, like injected insulin.

 

The clinical trial was set up after a study involving five people found the spray reduced blood sugar levels by about 20 per cent after a meal.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12965203/insulin-spray-arm-diabetes-jab-Hope-sight-millions.html

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The FDA clears the Qvin’s Q-Pad™ A1c Test System which uses menstrual blood to get an A1C result.

The kit is intended for the collection of menstrual blood samples by individuals 18 years of age and older using the Q-Pad, a pad with an embedded blood collection strip (Q-Strip). Each kit includes 2 Q-Pads, a return sample container, and a stamped mailing pouch.

The FDA clearance was based on data from a clinical validation study that included 198 participants. Samples were collected using the Q-Pad Kit and were returned to the laboratory by mail. To provide the reference sample, a venous blood draw was performed on participants by a phlebotomist. An analysis of both samples demonstrated that the clinical performance of the Q-Pad test system in measuring HBA1c was equivalent to the traditional method of blood testing.

https://www.empr.com/home/news/fda-approved-q-pad-test-system-uses-menstrual-blood-to-measure-hba1c/

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Learning more about Dexcom’s upcoming CGM designed for people with type 2 who don’t use insulin. It’s to be called Stelo and they’ve submitted to the FDA with an eye on a late summer launch. I was at the announced last June – this is a system that will have very few alerts and alarms.. Stelo looks a lot like the G7 but will have different software and will last for about 15 days per sensor.

https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/11/24034098/dexcom-stelo-cgm-diabetes-health-tech-ces-2024

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Tandem Diabetes Care's t:slim X2 Insulin Pump Automated Insulin Delivery System is now the first to incorporate the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus Sensor for users in the United States. The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor is a modified version of the FreeStyle Libre 2 sensor cleared in 2023 by the US Food & Drug Administration for use with automated insulin delivery (AID) systems.

The move follows Tandem's December announcement of integration with the recently available 10-day Dexcom G7 sensor.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/tandem-insulin-pump-system-integrates-libre-sensor-2024a10000iq?form=fpf

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If you use Omnipod 5 with an Android, there’s a software update you need to do. The FDA has issued a Class one correction recall. due to a software error that occurs when the user enters a bolus amount less than 1 unit without putting a leading zero before the decimal point.

This recall is not a product removal and users should have already received an alert that won’t let them use the app until they do the software update.

https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/medical-device-recalls/insulet-corporation-recalls-omnipod-5-android-app-due-software-error#:~:text=Reason%20for%20Recall,zero%20before%20the%20decimal%20point.

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Embecta continues to move ahead with its insulin patch pump.. submitting a 510(k) premarket filing to the FDA for its proprietary insulin patch pump.

This is a disposable pump for people with type 2 diabetes. It also has a closed-loop version under development to follow. That version features an embedded algorithm that requires Embecta to run a clinical study.

Henry Anhalt, chief medical officer, says nine out of 10 people with diabetes live with type 2 diabetes. However, Anhalt says the majority of automated insulin delivery systems cater to those with type 1 diabetes. Embecta aims to offer more options and tools to the broader diabetes care community, he says.

 

https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/embecta-submits-insulin-patch-pump-fda/

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Update on insulin prices.. as a few prices changes went into affect at the beginning of the year. So, what took effect this month was that Sanofi followed suit with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to implement this cap on insulin co-pays at $35 that took effect January 1.

And that comes after the provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act capped insulin for people on Medicare at $35. The Medicare cap is automatic and part of policy. For everyone with commercial insurance, the cap is voluntary from the companies. For those without government or private insurance, the picture is more complicated. If your insulin is still more than $35 per month, ask your pharmacist for coupons or check out getinsulin dot org.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/new-law-caps-insulin-prices-for-some-with-diabetes-but-cost-remains-high-for-millions

 

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Commercial

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Young adults who reported higher stress during their teenage years to adulthood were more likely to have high blood pressure, obesity and other cardiometabolic risk factors than their peers who reported less stress, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.

Cardiometabolic risk factors often occur together and are a significant cause of cardiovascular disease. These include obesity, Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, researchers noted.

In 2020, cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes, were the most prevalent chronic health conditions and collectively accounted for nearly a quarter of all deaths in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association statistics. In 2023, the American Heart Association noted the strong connections among cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes and obesity, and suggested redefining cardiovascular risk, prevention and management.

 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/childhood-stress-linked-higher-risk-100000670.html

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Shout out to NBC News for a great story they did recently on LADA – featuring two women who have both been on this podcast. Dr. Phyllisa DeRoze and Mila Clark were both first misdiagnosed with type 2 before they got a correct diagnosis of LADA. I’ll link up the NBC story along with our chats with both women.. thanks to Mila for giving me a mention as one of the voices in the diabetes community who made her think was she had might not be type 2.. but could be LADA.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/diabetes/diagnosed-type-2-diabetes-may-different-form-disease-rcna132571

 

 

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Join us again soon!

Dec 29, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new study looks at food-as-medicine for type 2, another FDA warning about fake Ozempic, new research says gut markers may help predict who Tzield will work best for, JDRF partners with NFL and more...

Happy New Year - we'll see you in 2024!

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

Take Control with Afrezza 

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:

Facebook (Group)

Facebook (Page)

Instagram

Twitter

Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Episode transcription:

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.

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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark

XX

Our top story this week…

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You often hear people say food is medicine.. but an intensive program trying to show that’s the case did NOT improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes any better than usual care.

This was a randomized clinical trial. After 6 months, both groups had a similar drop in HbA1c -- 1.5 percentage points among program enrollees and 1.3 percentage points with usual care, with no significant differences in other metabolic lab values between the groups either, the researchers wrote in JAMA the food-as-medicine participants even gained some weight compared with the usual care group over 6 months (adjusted mean difference 1.95 kg, P=0.04).

"I was surprised by the findings because the program is so intensive," Doyle told MedPage Today. "The health system built brick-and-mortar clinics, staffed them with a dietitian, nurse, and community health worker, had weekly food pick-up for 10 meals per week for the entire family, and participants spend a year in the program."

 

Costing an estimated $2,000 annually per participant, the food-as-medicine program allowed participants to choose from a variety of vegetables, fruits, and entrees each week -- enough food for two meals a day, 5 days a week. They were also provided recipes and cooking instructions and met with dietitians to track goals. On the other hand, the control group was only provided usual care, a list of local food bank locations, and the option to join the program after 6 months.

 

 

The trial was conducted at two sites, one rural and one urban, in the mid-Atlantic region. It recruited 465 adults with type 2 diabetes who completed the study, all of whom started with an HbA1c of 8% or higher. All participants were also self-reported as food insecure. The average age was 54.6 years, 54.8% of participants were female, 81.3% were white, and most resided in the urban location. Of note, all participants also resided in the program's service area and were affiliated with the health system that ran it.

 

"One study should not be over-interpreted," said Doyle. "It is possible that such a program could work in other contexts, among patients less connected to a health system, or in other formats. The main alternative to providing healthy groceries and education is to provide pre-made 'medically tailored meals.'"

 

"I hope the study raises awareness of the potential for food-as-medicine programs to increase healthcare engagement and to push researchers and policymakers to generate more evidence on ways such programs can improve health."

It’s worth noting that there is very little study – much less clinical trial level study on this type of thing. The researchers say they hope it spurs more research to find methods that will have a large impact.

https://news.mit.edu/2023/food-medicine-diabetes-study-1227

https://www.medpagetoday.com/primarycare/dietnutrition/107998

 

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New information about moderate low carb diets for people with type 1.

The study published in The Lancet Regional Health - Europe is the largest of its kind to date. Participants were for different periods randomly assigned in a crossover manner to eat a traditional diet with 50% of the energy from carbohydrates, or a moderate low-carbohydrate diet with 30% of the energy from carbohydrates.

 

The 50 participants all had type 1 diabetes with elevated mean glucose, long-term blood sugar, and injection therapy with insulin or an insulin pump. Half were women, half men. The average age was 48 years.

Participants on a moderate low-carbohydrate diet were found to spend more time in what is known as the target range, the range within which people with type 1 diabetes should be in terms of glucose levels. The increase in time within the target range was an average of 68 minutes per day compared to the traditional diet, while the time with elevated values ​​was reduced by 85 minutes per day.

The researchers saw no evidence of adverse effects.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20231220/Moderate-low-carb-diet-safe-and-effective-for-adults-with-type-1-diabetes.aspx

 

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Researchers at Case Western Reserve University and University Hospitals have identified an enzyme that blocks insulin produced in the body—a discovery that could provide a new target to treat diabetes.

 

Their study, published Dec. 5 in the journal Cell, focuses on nitric oxide, a compound that dilates blood vessels, improves memory, fights infection and stimulates the release of hormones, among other functions. How nitric oxide performs these activities had long been a mystery.

 

The researchers discovered a novel “carrier” enzyme (called SNO-CoA-assisted nitrosylase, or SCAN) that attaches nitric oxide to proteins, including the receptor for insulin action.

Given the discovery, next steps could be to develop medications against the enzyme, he said.

https://thedaily.case.edu/new-cause-of-diabetes-discovered-offering-potential-target-for-new-classes-of-drugs-to-treat-the-disease/

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The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday warned consumers not to use counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic that have been found in the country's drug supply chain.

 

The FDA said it will continue to investigate counterfeit Ozempic 1 milligram injections and has seized thousands of units, but flagged that some may still be available for purchase.

The agency said the needles from the seized injections are counterfeit and their sterility cannot be confirmed, which presents an additional risk of infection for patients.

 

Other confirmed counterfeit components from the seized products include the pen label and accompanying information about the healthcare professional and patient, as well as the carton. The FDA urged drug distributors, retail pharmacies, healthcare practitioners and patients to check the drug they have received and to not distribute, use or sell the units labeled with lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057.

 

People who have Ozempic injections with the above lot number and serial number can report it directly to the FDA Office of Criminal Investigations.

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/fda-warns-ozempic-counterfeit-diabetes-weight-loss-rcna130871

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New research indicates that information in the gut may predict how well a person responds to Tzield. That’s the medication approved earlier this year to delay the onset of type 1.  These findings reported in the journal Science Translational Medicine, casts a new spotlight on the immune system's relationship with the microbiome, revealing how gut microbes can shape the progression of type 1 diabetes. With this new knowledge in hand, clinicians may better pinpoint patients who are most likely to respond to teplizumab.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-12-gut-microbes-patients-response-drug.html

 

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Experts are advocating for universal screening for type 1 diabetes. With the availability of Tzield and other medications on the horizon, there's a stronger push for screening earlier in life. At least 85% of people who are newly diagnosed do not have a family history of diabetes.

Testing for autoantibodies can be completed at home through the TrialNet clinical trial program, or at a doctor’s office or lab. For instance, JDRF’s T1Detect program provides at-home testing for $55, with lower-cost options for people in financial need.

The 2024 American Diabetes Association (ADA) Standards of Care recommend more intensive monitoring for the progression of preclinical type 1 diabetes. The Standards of Care also recommend using Tzield to delay the onset of diabetes in people at least 8 years old with stage 2 type 1 diabetes.

https://diatribe.org/type-1-diabetes-it%E2%80%99s-time-population-wide-screening

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Commercial

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https://www.healthline.com/health-news/the-years-biggest-medical-advancements-in-diabetes-treatment

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DRF, the leading global funder of type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, is recognizing the NFL stars who showcased their creativity and a remarkable show of support as part of the highly anticipated annual "My Cause My Cleats" (MCMC) campaign.

 

The My Cause My Cleats initiative allows NFL players to wear custom-painted cleats during selected games to raise awareness and funds for the charitable causes closest to their hearts. The unofficial start of the campaign begins on Giving Tuesday with unboxing day events showcasing the players' cleats and the stories behind them. It continues through weeks 13 and 14 of the season, culminating with the players donning their cleats on game day. After the games, some players donate their cleats to their chosen charities or the NFL auction, with all proceeds going toward their selected causes.

 

Type 1 Diabetes is a life-threatening autoimmune condition that affects people of all ages, regardless of family history or lifestyle choices. To live, people with T1D must carefully balance injecting or infusing insulin with their carbohydrate intake throughout the day and night. T1D impacts approximately 1.6 million people in the U.S. It is unpreventable, and there is currently no cure.

 

This year, JDRF is thankful for the support of several players who have T1D or are advocating for their loved ones with T1D, including Mark Andrews of the Baltimore Ravens, Orlando Brown, Jr. of the Cincinnati Bengals, Blake Ferguson of the Miami Dolphins, Collin Johnson of the Chicago Bears, Chad Muma of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Nate Peterman of the Chicago Bears, and Kevin Radar of the Tennessee Titans.

 

"The NFL players who support JDRF through the My Cause My Cleats exemplify the passion and determination at the heart of the type 1 diabetes community," said Kenya Felton, JDRF Director of PR and Celebrity Engagement. "They serve as inspirations for many adults and children affected by T1D, demonstrating that with an understanding of T1D, effective management, and a good support system, you can overcome the challenges of the disease. Their support helps to increase awareness and is significant in helping JDRF advance life-changing breakthroughs in T1D research and advocacy initiatives."

 

Since its inception in 2016, the MCMC campaign has provided a platform for many NFL players and affiliates to support JDRF's mission, including Beau Benzschawel, David Carr, Will Clarke, Keion Crossen, DeAndre Carter, Reid Ferguson, Jaedan Graham, Jarvis Jenkins, Collin Johnson, Henry Mondeaux, Jaelan Phillips, Adam Schefter, Brandon Wilds, and Jonah Williams.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nfl-stars-support-jdrf-and-champion-type-1-diabetes-awareness-through-the-my-cause-my-cleats-campaign-302022060.html

 

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Join us again soon!

 

 

Dec 15, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: an existing drug for arthritis is being studied for treatment of T1D, poison control centers report a big increase in calls about misdosing of Ozmepic and semaglutides, Tandem releases it's Tandem Source software, we've got an update on a possible non invasive glucose monitoring system, ADA releases it's standards of care and more!

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

Take Control with Afrezza 

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:

Facebook (Group)

Facebook (Page)

Instagram

Twitter

Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.
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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark
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Our top story this week…
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A world-first clinical trial has found a common drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes in recently diagnosed patients. Australian reserachers say they’ve discovered that baricitinib *bare-uh-sit-en-ub* can preserve the body's own insulin production.
The scientists recruited 91 people, aged between 10 and 30 years old, to take part in the double-blind randomised trial.
All patients had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within the last 100 days and continued with their prescribed insulin therapy throughout the study.
The results showed those in the baricitinib group were able safely and effectively to preserve their body's own insulin production and suppress the progression of type 1 diabetes.
"Our trial showed that, if started early enough after diagnosis, and while the participants remained on the medication, their production of insulin was maintained.

"People with type 1 diabetes in the trial who were given the drug required significantly less insulin for treatment."

Dr Faye Riley, research communications manager at Diabetes UK, said of the latest trial: "These findings show by tackling the root of type 1 diabetes - an immune system attack - an existing drug can help to shield the pancreas, in people recently diagnosed with type 1, so they can continue making more insulin for longer.

"This can give people with type 1 diabetes much steadier blood sugar levels and help to protect against serious diabetes complications down the line.

"Immunotherapies are edging us towards a new era in type 1 diabetes treatment, and could help us overcome a major hurdle en route to finding a cure for the condition.

"This trial takes us another step closer."

The study was funded by JDRF, a non-profit organization which focuses on type 1 diabetes research.

The research has been published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
https://news.sky.com/story/world-first-trial-finds-arthritis-drug-may-help-treat-type-1-diabetes-13024706

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Earlier this month, Dexcom’s G7 became compatible with two pump systems: Beta Bionic’s ilet pump and Tandem Diabetes tslim X2. Current customers should have received instructions on how to download the updated software – new pumps will be shipped with G7 software already loaded.
Tandem has also announced their new Tandem Source platform – full launch in the US with international rollout slated for next year. Anyone in the U.S. who uses a Tandem pump—as well as their respective healthcare providers—will now have access to the Source platform. On the patient side, insulin dosage data will automatically transfer from the pump to the platform, by way of the t:connect mobile app, where it’ll be compiled into three reports for your doctor. Patients will also be able to use the platform to access new software updates for their pumps and to reorder supplies as needed.
Long term, the company hopes to use the data from users – which would be blinded- to update automated insulin dosing algorithms.
https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/tandem-begins-full-us-rollout-source-diabetes-management-platform
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New look at benefits from a plant based diet – this research says it can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 24%. It’s not just about weight loss. They reviewed data on more than 113,000 participants in a large-scale British observational study, gathered over 12 years. They found that normal values for cholesterol, blood sugar, inflammation, and insulin are associated with a low risk of diabetes. They also found that good liver and kidney function is important in diabetes prevention. A plant based diet helped with all of those factors. The researchers do point out that there is such a thing as an unhealthy plant-based diet. Those that are still high in sweets, refined grains and sugary drinks are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, researchers found.

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-12-13/plant-based-diets-cut-diabetes-risk-by-24
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Reports of more patients with type 2 diabetes having trouble getting coverage for medication like Ozempic and Mounjaro – because health insurance companies are putting new restrictions in place.
Most U.S. health plans cover GLP-1s for type 2 diabetes but many providers will prescribe it off label for weight loss. There is another medication – Wegovy – approved for weight loss, it’s the same drug as Ozempic just packaged in a difference dose and name.
The average number of weekly Ozempic prescriptions rose 33% between the first and third quarters of this year, but has since dropped more than 6% to about 431,000, according to Iqvia Institute for Data Science.

Doctors and patients are bracing for changes in January, when individual health plans often set new coverage terms.

"It may be that January 1, all of a sudden something that was covered is no longer," said Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief science officer at the American Diabetes Association.
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-diabetes-patients-face-delays-insurers-tighten-ozempic-coverage-2023-12-12/
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Poison control centers across the US say they are seeing a steep increase in calls related to semaglutide, with some people reporting symptoms related to accidental overdoses. From January through November, the America’s Poison Centers reports nearly 3,000 calls involving semaglutide, an increase of more than 15-fold since 2019. In 94% of calls, this medication was the only substance reported.
The compounded versions of semaglutide are often different from the patented drug. Many contain semaglutide salts called semaglutide sodium and semaglutide acetate. The FDA says the salt forms of the drug have not been tested and approved to be safe and effective the way the patented form of the medication has, and thus they don’t qualify for the compounding exemption in the law for drugs in shortage. In other cases, the compounded versions are sold in unapproved dosages.
But these compounded versions are popular because they may cost less out-of-pocket, especially if the treatment isn’t covered by insurance.
The name-brand drugs are sold in pre-filled pens, which come with some safeguards. Patients dial to the correct dose and click to inject, so it’s harder to make mistakes. Compounded versions, however, typically come in multidose glass vials, and patients draw their own doses into syringes. It’s easy to get confused.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/12/13/health/semaglutide-overdoses-wellness/index.html

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Type 2 diabetes patients who received endocrinology care through telehealth alone had poor glycemic outcomes compared with those who received in-person or hybrid care, which contrasts with prior research findings, according to a new study.
Previous research has shown that telehealth is effective in improving glycemic control, but there has not been enough data on utilization and outcomes linked to routine telehealth care for type 2 diabetes since 2020, especially in the endocrinology setting, the researchers wrote.

One reason may be that the strategies to support glycemic improvement deployed during in-person appointments, like self-management education and sharing home blood glucose data, have not been consistently translated to telehealth.

“Implementation of approaches to overcome these differences, such as team-based virtual care and technological tools to automate blood glucose data sharing, are needed to ensure all patients receive high-quality diabetes care regardless of care modality,” they wrote.

These study findings contrast with previous research, including a study published in early 2022 that revealed that telehealth maintained quality of care and led to better health outcomes for patients with type 2 diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The study included 16,588 with type 2 diabetes who received care before or during the pandemic, with 7,581 having a telehealth visit with either a primary care physician or an endocrinologist.
https://mhealthintelligence.com/news/telehealth-only-care-fails-to-improve-type-2-diabetes-outcomes
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Medtronic’s deal to buy a South Korea based insulin patch pump maker is off. Back in May Medtrnoic announced a 738-million dollar deal to buy EOFlow, which makes EOPatch, a tubeless, wearable and fully disposable insulin delivery device.
EOFlow already launched its EOPatch insulin delivery system in Korea and Europe. The company submitted the insulin delivery device for U.S. FDA clearance in January.
https://www.massdevice.com/medtronic-nixes-738m-deal-for-insulin-patch-pump-maker-eoflow/
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Commercial
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Update on non invasive continuous glucose monitoring.
The most recent validation of the technology’s accuracy has been released as a preprint. In an experiment, researchers fed thousands of radio frequency glucose readings into a machine learning model to translate them into blood sugar values and compared the results against those from a Dexcom G6.

CGM accuracy is judged by mean absolute relative difference, or MARD. The statistic is reported as a percentage: a MARD of 10 percent, for example, means that the CGM is on average within 10 percent of the reference value. The Bio-RFID system scored a MARD of 11.27 percent.

In truth, this result is difficult to interpret. Though Bio-RFID’s MARD is not yet in the same neighborhood as its competitors’ (the Freestyle Libre 3 and the Dexcom G7 report MARDs of 7.9 percent and 8.7 percent, respectively), the experiment wasn’t a true test of the device’s capabilities, because it didn’t use a lab-drawn glucose measurement as its reference value. The volunteers also did not have diabetes, which meant that their blood sugar levels were likely more stable than those of most future customers.

The FDA has specific accuracy standards that it expects CGM manufacturers to meet for devices intended for “nonadjunctive” use and for use in a closed-loop insulin pump system. Know Labs’s product will need to meet these objective standards to be validated as a truly reliable CGM.

The Path to Approval
“Our expectation is that we’ll be in front of the FDA as we move into the second half of 2024,” says Erickson. Much larger trials will be needed to show that the device works and meets FDA standards. Erickson says, “We expect to have an FDA-cleared device in 2025.”

Though the business is still finalizing the form of the next generation, it expects that it can navigate the FDA approval process quickly. The FDA has already confirmed that RFID is quite safe and there should be little worry about side effects (though there could be a hazard of interference for patients already using electronic medical devices such as pacemakers).
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/this-company-is-racing-to-create-the-worlds-first-non-invasive-cgm-718069/
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Today, the American Diabetes Association® (ADA) released the Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024 (Standards of Care), a set of comprehensive and evidence-based guidelines for managing type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes, and prediabetes based on the latest scientific research and clinical trials. It includes strategies for diagnosing and treating diabetes in both youth and adults, methods to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and its associated comorbidities like cardiovascular disease (CVD) and obesity, and therapeutic approaches aimed at minimizing complications and enhancing health outcomes.

"The latest ADA guidelines present pivotal updates for health care professionals, ensuring comprehensive, evidence-based care for diabetes management. These changes reflect our ongoing commitment to optimizing patient outcomes through informed, adaptable, and patient-centered health care practices,” said Robert Gabbay, MD, PhD, the ADA’s chief scientific and medical officer. “The ADA’s Standards of Care ensures health care professionals, especially our primary care workforce, provide the best possible care to those living with diabetes.”

Notable updates to the Standards of Care in Diabetes─2024 include:

New updates in managing obesity in people with diabetes, including approaches to reduce therapeutic inertia, support more personalization, and incorporate additional obesity measurements beyond body mass index (i.e., waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and/or waist-to-height ratio).
New screening recommendations for heart failure in people with diabetes.
Updated recommendations for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) screening in people with diabetes.
Guidance on screening and the use of teplizumab, approved to delay the onset of type 1 diabetes.
More guidance on the use of new obesity medications, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists or dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonists, to reach sustained weight management goals.
Updates in guidance on the diagnosis and classification of diabetes.
A focus on hypoglycemia prevention and management.
Emphasis on screening people with diabetes for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis at primary care and diabetes clinics.
New emphasis on the evaluation and treatment of bone health and added attention to diabetes-specific risk factors for fracture.
A focus on screening and management of people with diabetes and disability.
Emphasis on enabling health care providers to master diabetes technology, using artificial intelligence for retinal screenings with necessary referrals, and embracing telehealth and digital tools for diabetes self-management education.
New information on the possible association between COVID-19 infections and new onset of type 1 diabetes.
"As the ADA's chair of professional practice committee, I'm excited to share our latest updates to advance diabetes care through new scientific insights and technological innovation, all aimed at enhancing experience for people with diabetes and health care professionals in managing this complex condition," said Nuha A. El Sayed, MD, MM Sc, the ADA’s senior vice president of health care improvement.

Other noteworthy changes to the 2024 Standards of Care include:

Updated immunization guidance to include newly approved RSV vaccines in adults over 60 years of age with diabetes.
New emphasis on cultural sensitivity in diabetes self-management education, with considerations for changing reimbursement policies.
More detail and emphasis on psychosocial screening protocols to better identify diabetes distress.
The importance of diabetes technology, with an emphasis on continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems.
Continued emphasis on inclusion and person-centered care.
“At the ADA, we are focused on improving the quality of care for anyone who lives with diabetes, prediabetes, or who is at risk of developing diabetes. The Standards of Care is critical to ensuring the improved treatment of diabetes, a chronic disease that requires continuous care through a well-informed and coordinated health care team. These standards equip health care professionals with the gold standard in diabetes care, ensuring the highest level of service and knowledge in the field,” said Chuck Henderson, the ADA’s chief executive officer.

The ADA annually updates its Standards of Care through the efforts of its Professional Practice Committee (PPC). Comprising 21 global experts from diverse professional backgrounds, the PPC includes physicians, nurse practitioners, certified diabetes care and education specialists, registered dietitians, pharmacists, and methodologists. Its members hold expertise in areas like adult and pediatric endocrinology, epidemiology, public health, cardiovascular risk management, kidney disease, microvascular complications, preconception and pregnancy care, weight management, diabetes prevention, behavioral and mental health, inpatient care, and technology in diabetes management. Additionally, the committee collaborates with 19 specialized content experts. The 2024 Standards of Care has garnered endorsements from the American College of Cardiology (Section 10), the American Society of Bone and Mineral Research (Bone section in Section 4), and the Obesity Society (Section 8).

Today, the Standards of Care in Diabetes—2024 is available online and is published as a supplement to the January 2024 issue of Diabetes Care®. A shortened version of the guidelines, known as the Abridged Standards of Care, will be made available for primary care providers in the journal Clinical Diabetes®, along with a convenient Standards of Care app as well as a Standards of Care pocket chart. The online version will be annotated in real-time with necessary updates if new evidence or regulatory changes merit immediate incorporation through the “living” Standards of Care process. Other Standards of Care resources, including a webcast with continuing education (CE) credit and a full slide deck, can be found on the ADA’s professional website, DiabetesPro®.
https://diabetes.org/newsroom/press-releases/american-diabetes-association-releases-standards-care-diabetes-2024
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Join us again soon!

 

Dec 1, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: infusion set recall, update on ViaCyte stem cell research, a few new studies look at sleep and diabetes, actual clinical research into cinnamon for type 1 and lots more.

Links & transcript below

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

Take Control with Afrezza 

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

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Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com


Episode transcript:

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.

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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark

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Our top story this week…

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A recall of infusion sets. This is the VariSoft infusion set used with Tandem Diabetes Pumps. The recall here isn’t new.. but the FDA has changed the rating to Class 1, its most serious. The VariSoft version is flexible and can be put in place at an insertion angle anywhere between 20 and 45 degrees, it’s usually recommended for people “who are thin or who have scar tissue or limiting potential insertion sites.”

The problem is that the connector can detach from the set – which means no insulin is going in. To date, according to the FDA notice, there has only been one report of injury related to the recall.

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/fda-gives-class-i-recall-rating-infusion-sets-used-tandem-insulin-pumps

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An already existing drug may help preserve beta cell function in people with new onset type 1. It’s got a very long name, so it’s usually referred to as DFMO.  It inhibits a pathway, which plays a role in the inflammatory responses in autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes. It's sold under a few names for different conditions, including Vaniqa which is a cream for unwanted hair growth in women. It also has orphan designations for treating various cancers, including neuroblastoma.

The new safety study by Sims and colleagues, which was published November 1 in Cell Medicine Reports, enrolled 41 people with type 1 diabetes that had been diagnosed within the previous 8 months, including 31 children. Participants were randomly assigned to undergo oral treatment with DFMO at one of five doses or placebo for 3 months, with 3 additional months of follow-up.

Following a mixed-meal tolerance test at 6 months, the C-peptide area under the curve ― a measure of beta-cell function ― was significantly higher with the three highest DFMO doses compared to placebo (P = .02, .03, and .02 for 125 mg/m2, 750 mg/m2, and 1000 mg/m2, respectively).

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/998671?form=fpf

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Despite earlier promising findings, it seems unlikely that cinnamon can improve blood sugar levels in people with type 1, or insulin-dependent, diabetes, researchers report.

Previous research has shown that cinnamon appears to help fat cells recognize and respond to insulin. In test tube experiments and in animal studies, the spice led to a noteworthy increase in the processing of glucose. Moreover, in a previous study of people with type 2, or non-insulin dependent, diabetes, those who incorporated a small amount of cinnamon each day for 40 days into their normal diets experienced a healthy drop in blood sugar levels.

But a new study of teenagers with type 1 showed cinnamon made no difference after 90 days .

In fact, "In essentially all outcomes...the trend favored the placebo group, although did not achieve statistical significance," the researchers report.

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-cinnamon-diabetes-idUSSIB65463020070406/

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New results from ViaCyte clinical trials – that’s a stem cell-based treatment for type 1 diabetes.  The therapy aims to replace the insulin-producing beta cells that people with type 1 diabetes lack. Dubbed VC-02, the small medical implant contains millions of lab-grown pancreatic islet cells, including beta cells. The devices—approximately the size of a Band-Aid and no thicker than a credit card—are implanted just beneath a patient's skin where it is hoped they will provide a steady, long-term regulated supply of self-sustaining insulin. The clinical trial was conducted at Vancouver General Hospital, with additional sites in Belgium and the U.S. Ten participants, each of whom had no detectable insulin production at the start of the study, underwent surgery to receive up to 10 device implants each.

 

Six months later, three participants showed significant markers of insulin production and maintained those levels throughout the remainder of the year-long study. These participants spent more time in an optimal blood glucose range and reduced their intake of externally administered insulin.

 

One participant, in particular, showed remarkable improvement, with time spent in the target blood glucose range increasing from 55% to 85%, and a 44% reduction in their daily insulin administration.

 

In another ongoing trial, the UBC-VCH team is investigating whether a version of the device containing cells that have been genetically engineered to evade the immune system, using CRISPR gene-editing technology, could eliminate the need for participants to take immunosuppressant drugs alongside the treatment.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-stem-cell-based-treatment-blood-sugar.html

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A new look at sleep quality in people with type 1 finding that more time in range means better sleep. No surprise here, but important to quantify. Interestingly, recurrent high or low blood sugar, rather than constant or prolonged higher levels seems associated with worse sleep.

A study in adults with type 1 diabetes showed that 17.7% wake up every night, and 53.5% wake up once or twice a week1. This was a small pilot study – the researchers want to now move to a larger one.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-47351-x

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New study looks at women, sleep and insulin sensitivity. This is a small study, only 40 women, which found that particularly post menopausal women who sleep less 7 hours per night may have impaired insulin sensitivity regardless of body fat.

Nearly 40 women were randomly assigned to either restricted sleep or adequate sleep for 6 weeks, then crossed over to the other sleep condition. During sleep restriction, women slept an average of 6.2 hours per night vs 7-9 hours per night. Both fasting insulin levels and insulin resistance were significantly increased during sleep restriction with more insulin needed to normalize glucose. These researchers say if sustained over time, it is possible that prolonged insufficient sleep among individuals with prediabetes could accelerate the progression to type 2 diabetes

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/insufficient-sleep-impairs-womens-insulin-sensitivity-2023a1000tlz

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Pregnant women with type 2 who use CGM saw improvement in blood glucose levels but only if they used the device more than 50% of the time during their pregnancy. This study involved high-risk women from regional and remote Australia all with type 2. No changes in diabetes metrics were seen in those who used the CGM only early or late in their pregnancies.

https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20231128/greater-use-of-cgm-linked-to-glycemic-benefits-for-pregnant-women-with-type-2-diabetes

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Commercial

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When it comes to walking and type 2 diabetes risk, it’s not just how much you do it that helps — it’s also how fast you move, a new study has found.

 

Brisk walking is associated with a nearly 40% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life, according to the study published Tuesday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

 

“Previous studies have indicated that frequent walking was associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the general population, in a way that those with more time spent walking per day were at a lower risk,” said the study’s lead author Dr. Ahmad Jayedi, a research assistant at the Social Determinants of Health Research Center at the Semnan University of Medical Sciences in Iran.

The study authors reviewed 10 previous studies conducted between 1999 and 2022, which assessed links between walking speed — measured by objective timed tests or subjective reports from participants — and the development of type 2 diabetes among adults from the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.

 

After a follow-up period of eight years on average, compared with easy or casual walking those who walked an average or normal pace had a 15% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the researchers found. Walking at a “fairly brisk” pace meant a 24% lower risk than those who easily or casually walked. And “brisk/striding walking had the biggest benefit: a 39% reduction in risk.

Easy or casual walking was defined as less than 2 miles per hour. Average or normal pace was defined as 2 to 3 miles per hour. A “fairly brisk” pace was 3 to 4 miles per hour. And “brisk/striding walking” was more than 4 per hour. Each kilometer increase in walking speed above brisk was associated with a 9% lower risk of developing the disease.

https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/28/health/walking-speed-lowers-diabetes-risk-wellness/index.html

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Not a lot of events happening in December but there are two to tell you about:

Beyond Type 2 virtual summit

https://beyondtype2.org/registration-type-2-diabetes-virtual-summit/

Nov 2, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new study looks at pancreatic exocrine-endocrine “crosstalk,” weekly basal for T1D moves forward, a Chinese company gets European approval for its CGM, a look at air pollution as a cause of T2D, lots of info and advocacy for Diabetes Awareness Month including some movies and documentaries.

Links and transcript below

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

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Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

Sign up for our newsletter here

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Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Episode Transcript:

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.
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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark
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It’s Diabetes Awareness Month so you’re going to see a lot of advocacy posts and hear about all types of diabetes and technology and advances. It’s always diabetes awareness month around here, so I’m not going to talk about each and every one of these campaigns.. but I’ll share more on social.
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Our top story this week, In the largest study of its kind, researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified unexpected alterations in the exocrine tissues of the pancreas that occur in the two major forms of diabetes, and with aging and obesity.
They’re calling this a report on pancreatic exocrine-endocrine “crosstalk.” I’m not going to do it justice, it’s pretty complex, so please check out the show notes with all the links.
They say their work, published in the journal Diabetes, represents a significant advance in understanding how Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, alter the digestive enzyme-secreting exocrine portion of the pancreas. Not just the parts that make insulin.
The pancreas has been very difficult to study because it is surrounded by other vital organs, hard to access, and it quickly deteriorates. Pancreas tissue for study must come from deceased donors or fragments of surgical specimens and those are hard to come by. This group says they were able to study an unprecedently large and well-preserved group of tissue samples from 119 donors.
https://news.vumc.org/2023/11/01/pancreas-crosstalk-may-influence-course-of-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes/#:~:text=VUMC%20Reporter-,Pancreas%20%E2%80%9Ccrosstalk%E2%80%9D%20may%20influence%20course%20of%20Type,1%20and%20Type%202%20diabetes&text=In%20the%20largest%20study%20of,and%20with%20aging%20and%20obesity.
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Another promising study about Insulin icodec, a once-weekly basal injection – this time for type 1 diabetes. We’ve been following this for a while and the results of the year-long phase 3 clinical trial are in.
After 26 weeks, once weekly basal looks just about the same as daily basal in terms of overall diabetes control. The group that received daily injections had their A1Cs go down to 7.1, the group that got the weekly basal was at 7.15.
These researchers say it’s very promising, but further analysis of CGM data and real world studies are needed to keep moving forward.
https://www.technologynetworks.com/drug-discovery/news/weekly-insulin-for-type-1-diabetes-has-the-potential-to-be-as-effective-as-daily-regimens-trial-380487

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air pollution raises risk of type 2 diabetes, says a landmark study out of India. This was a seven year study of 12,000 people and showed Inhaling polluted air increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, the first study of its kind in India has found.
When inhaled, PM2.5 particles – which are 30 times thinner than a strand of hair – can enter the bloodstream and cause several respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. India is one of the worst countries in the world for air pollution. These researchers say
“Until now, we had assumed that diet, obesity and physical exercise were some of the factors explaining why urban Indians had higher prevalence of diabetes than rural Indians,” said Dr V Mohan, chairman of the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and one of the authors of the paper. “This study is an eye-opener because now we have found a new cause for diabetes that is pollution.”
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2023/nov/01/air-pollution-raises-risk-of-type-2-diabetes-says-landmark-indian-study-acc
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Time-restricted eating, also known as intermittent fasting, can help people with Type 2 diabetes lose weight and control their blood sugar levels, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open from researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago.
Participants who ate only during an eight-hour window between noon and 8 p.m. each day actually lost more weight over six months than participants who were instructed to reduce their calorie intake by 25%. Both groups had similar reductions in long-term blood sugar levels, as measured by a test of hemoglobin A1C, which shows blood sugar levels over the past three months.
Senior author Krista Varady said that participants in the time-restricted eating group had an easier time following the regime than those in the calorie-reducing group. The researchers believe this is partly because patients with diabetes are generally told to cut back on calories by their doctors as a first line of defense, so many of these participants likely had already tried — and struggled with — that form of dieting. And while the participants in the time-restricted eating group were not instructed to reduce their calorie intake, they ended up doing so by eating within a fixed window.
Just over half the participants in the study were Black and another 40% were Hispanic. This is notable as diabetes is particularly prevalent among those groups, so having studies that document the success of time-restricted eating for them is particularly useful, the researchers said.

The study was small a
https://today.uic.edu/intermittent-fasting-diabetes-weight-loss/
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New CGM approved in Europe. Sibionics CGM says they have more than 600-thousand users for their GS1 CGM, mostly in hospitals. It’s a 14 day no calibration system with data sharing. They also make a Continuous Ketone Monitoring System(CKM). The company, based in China, says GS1 CGM products will gradually become available for pre-sales in EU countries, the UK, and other European countries.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sibionics-achieves-milestone-receiving-ce-mark-for-its-groundbreaking-gs1-continuous-glucose-monitoring-system-301974051.html
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Commercial – Edgepark
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Couple of movie updates for Diabetes Month! We’ve been following Pay or Die since it was in production, and it’s now in selected theaters with a digital release on Paramont Plus coming Nov 14th. All about the high price of insulin – and the personal cost – this release means the movie is eligible for an Oscar nomination for best documentary.
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The short film Type 1 is also available to stream.. you may recall we talked to the writer behind this project is Noah Averbach-Katz, who appeared in Star Trek Discovery. His wife Mary Wiseman has a starring role and the whole Star Trek community got behind this project. The two star in the short movie which explores the barriers to insulin access put in place for diabetics through a Type 1 diabetic and his wife during their desperate search for insulin. It’s presented in partnership with
with T1 International and it’s the film directorial debut of Anthony Rapp, the original Mark in RENT and current star of Star Trek: Discovery.
https://playbill.com/article/watch-anthony-rapp-directed-short-film-type-1
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This is where in the past I’ve talked about what’s coming up next week on the show.. well now we have two shows! In the news will appear in both DC1 and DC2 feeds.. but the weekly interview shows will only occasionally cross over. I’ll try this and see how it goes – next week on DC 1 – Dr. Mike Natter – he’s an adult endo who lives with type 1, he’s also an artist and has a huge following on social media. We’ll find out why – he’s also used the new Beta Bionics iLet pump and lets us know what he thinks about that. Next up for DC 2 – professional golfer Ken Duke talks about his diagnosis and how he manages diabetes on tour.
Join us again soon!

Sep 22, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new CGM from Medtronic is approved in Europe, semaglutides for people newly diagnosed type 1 may make a huge difference, a look at Keto diet for kids, Apple teases non-invasive glucose monitoring and Dexcom U is back!

Find out more about Moms' Night Out 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

Take Control with Afrezza 

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Edgepark Medical Supplies

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

Sign up for our newsletter here

Here's where to find us:

Facebook (Group)

Facebook (Page)

Instagram

Twitter

Check out Stacey's books!

Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark
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Our top this story this week a new CGM from Medtronic gets approval in Europe. It’s called Simplera – an all in one disposable CGM– no fingersticks and no over-tape, which is new for Medtronic. Simplera is integrated with the InPen™ smart insulin pen, which provides real-time, personalized dosing guidance to help simplify diabetes management. Medtronic will begin a phased launch at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) 59th Annual Meeting in Hamburg, Germany on Oct. 2-6, 2023.
Simplera™ is indicated for ages 2+ and compatible with iOS and Android. Simplera™ is not approved by the FDA and is limited to investigational use in the U.S. Medtronic's automated insulin delivery (AID) system integrated with this next-generation sensor is currently under review for CE Mark and is not commercially available in the U.S. or in Europe. I’ve reached out to Medtronic – we’ll learn more soon.
https://news.medtronic.com/2023-09-21-Medtronic-Diabetes-announces-CE-Mark-for-new-Simplera-TM-CGM-with-disposable-all-in-one-design
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A small study and a long way to go here, but a weekly dose of semaglutide, helped seven out of 10 patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes stop taking insulin after three to six months. Semaglutide is the key ingredient in Ozempic.. approved for type 2 and Wegovy, approved for weight loss. It’s also thought to tamp down the inflammation that can lead to the destruction of insulin-producing cells.
He noted previous research has shown that patients with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes still have the ability to make some of their own insulin, so the team tested semaglutide in patients within three months of their diagnosis. All ten patients were taking meal time and long acting insulin. After three months, all of them came off meal time insulin, and seven stopped basal insulin. Much more study needed here.. interestingly. Ozempic’s maker, Novo Nordisk noted it didn't sponsor this study and isn't pursuing trials of semaglutide for type 1 diabetes itself,
https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/semaglutide-ozempic-wagovy-type-1-diabetes-insulin-study/

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a widely used diabetes drug that controls blood sugar can also prevent muscle atrophy and muscular fibrosis—which can help the elderly bounce back faster from injury or illness. Researchers from the University of Utah Health have found that Metformin has surprising applications on a cellular level. Their findings were published in the journal Aging Cell.
“We saw two things in our study,” Drummond says. “When participants took Metformin during a bed rest, they had less muscle atrophy. During the recovery period, their muscles also had less fibrosis or excessive collagen. That build-up can make it harder for the muscle to properly function.”

https://scitechdaily.com/researchers-discover-surprising-side-effect-of-common-diabetes-drug/
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Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) say they have created a device for people with type 1 diabetes that may help produce insulin when needed.

Their findings were published on September 18 in The Proceeding of the National Academy of Science.

The MIT engineers reported that the small implantable device could carry hundreds of thousands of insulin-producing islet cells. Previous devices made for the same purpose failed and stopped producing insulin because they ran out of oxygen needed to create the insulin.

To combat this, the scientists created an oxygen factory on the device, allowing it to generate oxygen by splitting water vapor in the body.

The researchers said the device could potentially replace insulin injections in people with type 1 diabetes.

Dr. Caroline Messer, an endocrinologist at Northwell Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, not involved in the study, explained to Medical News Today:

“Currently, islet cell transplant is limited to patients with a history of severe metabolic complications and consistent failure of insulin-based therapies. Long-term success rates are low, and patients require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Conceptually, implantable islet cells that do not require immune suppression and create their own source of oxygen is nothing short of brilliant.”
MIT researchers said the device kept glucose levels stable for at least one month when implanted into mice. The device has not yet been tested in humans.

Researchers hope to create a larger version of the device and test it in people with type 1 diabetes. They expect this device to be about the size of a stick of chewing gum.

“We are eager to see this technology translate, but it does take time,” said Dan Anderson, PhD, the study’s lead author and a professor of chemistry at MIT. “We hope to see this technology in humans within at most four years.”

Although the researchers remained focused on treating diabetes, they indicate this kind of device might be able to be adapted to treat other illnesses that require repeated delivery of therapeutic proteins.

“This technology allows for an improvement in the current approach to implantation of units containing cells that produce insulin in response to blood glucose levels without requiring invasive surgery,” said Dr. Eliud Sifonte, an endocrinologist at NYU Langone Medical Associates, who was not involved in the study.

“Historically, this approach has been difficult to maintain due to an inability to provide a good oxygen supply to those implanted cells,” Dr. Sifonte told MNT.
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-a-new-device-may-help-with-insulin-production-for-type-1-diabetes
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Weight Watchers and Abbott announce their new app for people with diabetes. This is a WW app that integrates the use of a Freestyle Libre.
The app helps people with diabetes understand how food and activity impact their glucose levels. WeightWatchers had a team of nutrition and behavioral science experts designed its tailored plan. It aims to help people with type 2 diabetes form helpful habits and meet their health goals.

The plan has demonstrated success in helping people with diabetes lose weight and lower their HbA1c, the company said.
https://www.massdevice.com/abbott-weightwatchers-unveil-connected-diabetes-app/
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Italy celiac
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Keto and other low carbohydrate diets have gained popularity for type 2 diabetes in adults, but there are safety concerns for young people, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautioned.

Restricting carbohydrates in young people at risk for or with diabetes raises concerns for growth deceleration, nutritional deficiencies, poor bone health, nutritional ketosis, and disordered eating behaviors, Tamara Hannon, MD, of Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, and colleagues on the AAP Committee on Nutrition wrote in a clinical report to guide care.

Based on demonstrated risks, low- and very low-carbohydrate diets were not recommended for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes, "except under close diabetes care team supervision utilizing safety guidelines," the group wrote in Pediatricsopens in a new tab or window.

Low-carb (<26% of daily calories), very low-carb (20-50 g per day) and ketogenic (<20 g per day) diets limit foods that can be included compared with the typically recommended diet, where 45% to 65% of the total calories come from carbohydrates.

Rather than cutting all carbs, the policy document urged focusing on reducing children's consumption of nutrient-poor processed snacks and sugary beverages but keeping healthy carbs found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes.

However, there was a warning for clinicians in how they approach these conversations.

Hannon's group pointed to a survey conducted with an international social media-based group of adults and parents of young people with type 1 diabetes who chose to use low- or very low-carbohydrate diets as adjunct treatment. "Respondents reported excellent glycemic control but poor relationships with diabetes care providers associated with distrust and feeling judged about their diabetes management decisions," Hannon and colleagues wrote.

The medical team might do the most good when patients and their families elect to follow these diets by not alienating them.

 

However, they added, "Long-term outcomes of youth following carbohydrate-restricted diets on diabetes and cardiovascular outcomes are needed and may be underreported because of attrition."
For young people with prediabetes or type 1 or 2 diabetes for whom weight loss or maintenance is indicated, pediatricians can counsel them that a reduced energy diet -- irrespective of carbohydrate content -- is most important to that end, the authors noted.

However, any dietary restriction "can be associated with physical, metabolic, and psychological consequences, including risk for disordered eating in children and adolescents, with additional risk for those with diabetes," Hannon and colleagues noted.
As for carbohydrate restriction in young people at risk for or with diabetes, the hope is for more data.

Going forward, "we need longitudinal studies of growth and development in children/families who choose to utilize low-carb diets for the purposes of diabetes management," Hannon told MedPage Today. "We need studies that investigate more longer-term outcomes, including the possible risks and benefits."
https://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/generalpediatrics/106386
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DexCom (NASDAQ:DXCM), Tandem Diabetes Care (NASDAQ:TNDM), and Insulet (NASDAQ:PODD) all closed lower Thursday following a report that Apple (AAPL) has named a new head for its project to develop a glucose monitor that doesn't require a skin prick for a blood sample.
Bloomberg reported that VP of Platform Architecture Tim Millet is now heading the project, known as E5. The plan would be to add blood glucose monitor capability to the Apple Watch.
Millet has been with Apple (AAPL) for 19 years.
DexCom fell 3.5%, Tandem (TNDM) was off 4.3%, and Insulet (PODD) lost 1.3%.
https://seekingalpha.com/news/4012056-dexcom-tandem-diabetes-fall-apple-glucose-monitor-new-team-lead
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the global leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring for people with diabetes, announced today the launch of the second season of Dexcom U, the first-ever NIL (name, image, likeness) program exclusively for college athletes with diabetes, which had its inaugural season last year.

“I’m elated to come back for my second year and continue to show I can accomplish anything while living with diabetes”

Tweet this
Dexcom U is a unique NIL program that was created in response to a 2022 survey which found that improving representation for people with diabetes can inspire future generations of athletes living with the condition. With about 17% of student athletes at Division I institutions participating in NIL activities in 20221 and that number expected to grow, Dexcom U is still the only NIL program designed to celebrate college athletes with diabetes and inspire people with diabetes who have athletic dreams of their own.

Throughout the last year, athletes on the Dexcom U inaugural roster participated in 381 collegiate competitions with the help of Dexcom continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology. The impact of the program is set to expand in 2023 as the roster size grows by 43%.

“In response to last year’s launch, we heard from parents of young children, coaches and athletes with diabetes who felt seen through the stories of Dexcom U athletes,” said Teri Lawver, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer at Dexcom. “We’re thrilled to expand the program in year two and continue celebrating these inspirational collegiate athletes while proving that diabetes does not have to hold you back.”

Dexcom not only understands the pivotal role technology plays in helping athletes with diabetes feel and perform at their best, but also the importance of support from others who understand what it’s like to strive for athletic excellence while managing diabetes. A Dexcom survey showed nearly half (48%) of adults with Type 1 diabetes and parents to children with diabetes believe that being aware of a professional or top amateur athlete or celebrity with Type 1 diabetes would be very beneficial for a newly diagnosed individual,2 which is why mentorship continues to be a cornerstone of the program.

The Dexcom U 2023 roster consists of 20 athletes, including 11 new teammates, all who rely on Dexcom CGM to track their glucose levels* and manage their diabetes:

Amber Jackson, Track & Field, University of Louisville
Ava DeStefon, Cheerleading, Clemson University
Beau Corrales, Football, Texas State University
Bri Carrasquillo, Lacrosse, Yale University
Bryce Frederick, Baseball, Towson University
Cade Brown, Baseball, Murray State University
Caleb Fauria, Football, University of Colorado
Dante Vasquez, Football, Springfield College
Isaac Traudt, Basketball, Creighton University
Jaime Ferrer, Baseball, Florida State University
Jaxon Dowell, Golf, University of Oklahoma
Jessica Walter, Softball, Providence College
Joshua Meriwether, Football, Tennessee State University
Leo Giannoni, Baseball, Columbus State University
Madison Moraja, Track & Field, North Carolina State University
Marlee Fray, Soccer, University of Texas at San Antonio
Nicholas Hahne, Cheerleading, University of Notre Dame
Paris Husic, Track & Field, Wake Forest University
Raegan Lantz, Volleyball, Miami University
Tristan Wakefield, Rowing, Syracuse University
“I’m elated to come back for my second year and continue to show I can accomplish anything while living with diabetes,” said Bri Carrasquillo, Lacrosse player at Yale University and second-year member of Dexcom U. “My Dexcom CGM allows me to play at my highest level, while giving me, my coaches and family peace of mind by tracking my glucose levels through the Follow app.† I feel it’s important to educate others about the tools available that have made such a difference in my diabetes management.”

As part of the program, Dexcom has created educational resources for athletes with diabetes as well as for parents, coaches and teammates so they can better understand the disease and how to support the people with diabetes in their lives. Resources include first-hand advice from Dexcom U athletes as well as tips for managing diabetes, exercise and mental wellbeing – on and off the field.

“It’s a privilege to join such a special group of athletes and shed light on the important mission of Dexcom U,” said Dante Vasquez, football player Springfield College and first-year member of the program. “Not only does being part of Dexcom U give me confidence to perform at my highest levels with my Dexcom G7, but it empowers me to be a mentor and inspire the next generation of athletes with diabetes.”
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230919150027/en/Dexcom-U-Kicks-off-2023-Season-With-Expanded-Roster-of-Athletes-With-Diabetes-Building-on-First-of-its-Kind-NIL-Program
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Sep 8, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: Abbott acquires Bigfoot, a new study looks at low-dose aspirin to prevent type 2, researchers look into whether the AI ChatGPT can answer FAQs about diabetes, Beyond Type Run is back for the NYC Marathon, and more!

Our previous episode with Bigfoot Biomedical: https://diabetes-connections.com/?s=bigfoot

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Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark
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Our top story this week – Abbott scoops up Bigfoot Biomedical. The deal is expected to close later this year – no financial terms yet disclosed. Abbott and Bigfoot have worked together since 2017 on a connected insulin pen system. Bigfoot Unity exclusively works with Abbott's FreeStyle Libre® Long time listeners will recall that Bigfoot was founded in 2015 around serving people with type 1 diabetes with a closed loop pump system that Byran Mazlish had developed for his wife and son. Mazlish was very secretive at first about the algorithm – this was before people were sure the FDA wouldn’t crack down on them – so a journalist nicknamed him Bigfoot. Along the way, the company pivoted to CGM connected SmartPens. I believe Bigfoot was my third interview, back in 2015 – I’ll ink up all of the interviews I’ve done with them in the show notes.
https://diabetes-connections.com/?s=bigfoot
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/abbott-to-acquire-bigfoot-biomedical-furthering-efforts-to-develop-personalized-connected-solutions-for-people-with-diabetes-301918254.html
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Low-dose aspirin reduces the risk for type 2 diabetes among older adults and slows the increase in fasting glucose levels over time, new research finds.

The data come from a secondary analysis of ASPREE, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of healthy adults aged 65 years or older, showing that 100 mg of aspirin taken daily for about 5 years did not provide a cardiovascular benefit but did significantly raise the risk for bleeding. It’s a big study, more than 16-thousand people.

This new analysis shows that individuals taking aspirin had a 15% lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes and that the medication slowed the rate of increase in fasting plasma glucose, compared with placebo, during follow-up.

However, lead author Sophia Zoungas, MBBS, PhD, head of the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, says, "Major prescribing guidelines now recommend older adults take daily aspirin only when there is a medical reason to do so, such as after a heart attack… Although these new findings are of interest, they do not change the clinical advice about aspirin use in older people at this time."
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/996058
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A class-action lawsuit filed against Medtronic (NYSE: MDT)+
alleges that the company’s insulin delivery devices shared patient data with third parties.
The lawsuit — filed by the plaintiff “A.H.” in U.S. District Court in Central California — levels allegations against Medtronic and its MiniMed and InPen devices. It addresses MiniMed’s transmission and disclosure of personally identifiable information and protected health information to Google and other third parties.

Per the lawsuit, the data was transmitted via tracking and authentication technology, including Google Analytics, Crashlytics, Firebase Authentication and related tools. A.H. says these technologies, installed on the website and/or mobile applications, include the InPen iOS and Android applications.

“Information about a person’s health is among the most confidential and sensitive information in society, and its mishandling can have serious consequences, including embarrassment, discrimination, and denial of insurance coverage,” the lawsuit reads.

A Medtronic spokesperson issued the following statement via email:
We have strong processes, technologies, and people in place to safeguard and protect our information and systems, the information of our business partners, and most importantly, the privacy and safety of the patients and healthcare providers that use our products.”
https://www.massdevice.com/lawsuit-patient-data-sharing-medtronic-diabetes/
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Interesting new way to look at type 2 – not weight loss or medication, but about reducing how much blood glucose goes up and stays up after eating and drinking. University of Virginia Daniel Cox says this is called Glucose Everyday Matters, or GEM – aims to prevent blood sugar spikes via educated food and drink selection. This is coupled with physical activity to hasten recovery when blood-sugar spikes do occur. So someone might indulge in a piece of fruit or a small, sweet treat, knowing how it will affect them, and then go for an evening stroll to help even out their blood sugar.
Sounds really simple, but in its first study, it helps almost 70-percent of people put their type 2 into remission without weight loss or medication.
The National Institutes of Health has provided $3.5 million for a large-scale clinical trial
Cox himself went from an A1C of 10.3 at the time of diagnoses to reading consistently under 6.0 for the past 13 years on no medication using his approach.
https://newsroom.uvahealth.com/2023/08/31/radical-new-approach-to-managing-type-2-diabetes-receives-3-5-million/

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Final preparations are in place to initiate the first clinical site for DIAGNODE-3 in the United States, and additional sites are expected to be initiated over the coming months. Approximately 10-12 clinical sites across the US are planned to be initiated, expanding the DIAGNODE-3 trial in the US and eight European countries to approximately 60 clincal sites in total. DIAGNODE-3 is designed to confirm the efficacy and safety of the antigen-specific immunotherapy Diamyd® in patients aged 12 to 29 years recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and carrying the genetic HLA DR3-DQ2 marker.
Approximately 40% of all screened patients carry the genetic HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype. This proportion aligns well with expectations based on previous Diamyd® clinical trials and published epidemiological research. Supported by published retrospective analyses and prospective clinical trials, the presence of the genetic HLA DR3-DQ2 haplotype determines the likelihood of responding to Diamyd® therapy, and serves as one of the main inclusion criteria in the DIAGNODE-3 trial.

"Patient recruitment is a complex and central element in any trial and it is encouraging to see a significant and continuous uptick in the screening rate and that the observed frequency of the genetically defined responder group enrolled into DIAGNODE-3 confirms our previous observations", says Ulf Hannelius, President & CEO of Diamyd Medical. "This shows the operational and clinical feasibility of our precision medicine approach to Type 1 Diabetes and we look forward to expanding the trial to the United States".
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/registrational-phase-iii-trial-type-142600082.html
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A low-carbohydrate diet during pregnancy may have some benefits in gestational diabetes, but overall, low-carbohydrate diets are not associated with any significant differences in outcomes. That was the conclusion of a presentation at the ADA Scientific Sessions. That was back in June but I just learned about it, so I’m passing along to you in case you missed it as well.

During a debate at the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, Amy M. Valent, DO, MCR, associate professor in the division of maternal-fetal medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Oregon Health & Science University, said identifying

Teri L. Hernandez, PhD, RN, associate dean of research and scholarship in the College of Nursing and professor in the department of medicine and the division of endocrinology, metabolism and diabetes at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, agreed that the first line of therapy with gestational diabetes is nutrition. However, Hernandez said, low-carbohydrate diets are not the only approach in gestational diabetes treatment with nutrition.
Currently, dietary advice for treating gestational diabetes is inconsistent, and current professional guidelines have limitations and biases, according to Valent. Different diet strategies include low-carbohydrate, low glycemic index and total energy restriction eating plans, according to Valent. Valent said ACOG guidelines recommended a low-carbohydrate diet for gestational diabetes until the most recently revised edition in January.

Valent reviewed several major landmark studies demonstrating that gestational diabetes treatment can decrease pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and large for gestational age infants.

“These studies were in the era where treatment of diabetes in pregnancy involved recommending a low-carbohydrate diet,” Valent said. “The concern with lowering carbohydrates is the risk of consuming lower nutrient-dense foods and resulting in the body to produce ketones, which may be associated with negative effects on the developing baby.”

“Pregnancy is dynamic. Nobody’s the same today as they were yesterday. They’re going to be different 1, 2 or 3 weeks from now, and the nutritional demands and the fetal growth and development stage are going to be different,” Valent said. “So, nutritional demands are going to vary.”

Hernandez also added that women and girls tend to be priced out of good nutritional patterns, which is an issue not only in the pregnancy field, but also in the global community. According to Hernandez, it is important to create ways moving forward to identify what nutritional patterns are best that are also affordable for families, especially in lower-income settings.
https://www.healio.com/news/womens-health-ob-gyn/20230905/experts-debate-benefits-of-lowcarb-diets-for-gestational-diabetes

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Can ChatGPT help answer questions about diabetes?
In a recent study published in the journal PLoS ONE, researchers tested chatGPT, a language model geared for discussion, to investigate whether it could answer frequently asked diabetes questions.

In the present study, researchers evaluated ChatGPT's expertise in diabetes, especially the capacity to answer commonly requested questions related to diabetes in a similar manner as humans.
The 'Frequently Asked Questions' section of the Diabetes Association of Denmark's website, viewed on 10 January 2023, included eight questions. The researchers designed the remaining questions to correlate to particular lines on the 'Knowledge Center for Diabetes website and a report on physical activity and diabetes mellitus type 1.

Across the 10 questions, the proportion of correct responses ranged from 38% to 74%. Participants correctly identified ChatGPT-generated replies 60% of the time, which was over the non-inferiority threshold. Males and females had 64% and 58% chances of accurately recognizing the artificial intelligence-generated response, respectively. Individuals who had past contact with diabetes patients had a 61% chance of precisely answering the questions, compared to 57% for those who had no prior contact with diabetes patients.
In contrast to the initial premise, participants could discern between ChatGPT-generated and human-written replies better than tossing a fair coin.
While ChatGPT demonstrated some potential for accurately answering frequently asked questions, issues around misinformation and the lack of nuanced, personalized advice were evident. As large language models increasingly intersect with healthcare, rigorous studies are essential to evaluate their safety, efficacy, and ethical considerations in patient care, emphasizing the need for robust regulatory frameworks and continuous oversight.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230905/Can-ChatGPT-be-a-diabetes-consultant-Study-probes-the-potential-and-pitfalls.aspx
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SAN MATEO, Calif., Aug. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 5, diabetes nonprofit Beyond Type 1 will join more than 550 official charity partners and philanthropists raising awareness and funds while participating in the world's largest marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon. This year, the organization is expanding its 50-person team, Beyond Type Run, to include people living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, as well as caregivers to those living with diabetes.

"Since 2017, we've featured more than 200 runners on our teams who've exemplified what it means to survive and thrive with diabetes," said Beyond Type 1 CEO Deborah Dugan.

Beyond Type 1 announces the 2023 NYC Marathon team to raise awareness and funds for people living with diabetes

As a part of the Beyond Type Run team, runners will be advocating to raise awareness and funds for Beyond Type 1's portfolio of educational resources, awareness campaigns and peer-to-peer support programs for people impacted by diabetes. This advocacy is elevated through the NYRR Official Charity Partner Program, which offers opportunities for nonprofit organizations to raise funds to support their missions and services.

Dexcom and Tandem Diabetes Care are presenting sponsors of Beyond Type Run for a fourth consecutive year.

The TCS New York City Marathon Official Charity Partner Program has raised more than $440 million for more than 1,000 nonprofit organizations since its establishment in 2006.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/team-of-50-individuals-impacted-by-diabetes-prepare-for-the-2023-tcs-new-york-city-marathon-301909163.html
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MNO update
On the podcast next week.. tandem diabetes celebrity panel from friends for life – Hollywood, the NFL and NASCAR. Last week’s episode was Benny off to college

That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.
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Aug 25, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: Amazon Pharmacy will automatically apply insulin coupons, a new study shows A1Cs are going down for people with T1D who have access to technology, pollution and gestational diabetes study and a wild study that looks at how a parasite might help prevent type 2.

Don't miss Moms' Night Out! 

Please visit our Sponsors & Partners - they help make the show possible!

Take Control with Afrezza 

Omnipod - Simplify Life

Learn about Dexcom 

Check out VIVI Cap to protect your insulin from extreme temperatures

Learn more about AG1 from Athletic Greens 

Drive research that matters through the T1D Exchange

The best way to keep up with Stacey and the show is by signing up for our weekly newsletter:

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Learn more about everything at our home page www.diabetes-connections.com 

Reach out with questions or comments: info@diabetes-connections.com

Transcript: 

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark
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Amazon’s online pharmacy will automatically apply manufacturer-sponsored coupons to more than 15 insulin and diabetes medicines to help patients access discounts pledged by the drug industry.
With the new program, patients using Amazon Pharmacy will no longer have to search for and manually enter coupons from the three largest insulin makers, Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO), Eli Lilly (LLY.N), and Sanofi (SASY.PA), to lower the cost of their insulin to as little as $35 for a month's supply, the company said.
Novo, Lilly and Sanofi announced in March that they would slash their insulin prices by at least 70% by or in 2024, but many reports some patients were finding it difficult to get already discounted generic insulin from pharmacies at the promised lower price.
Amazon Pharmacy will also automatically apply available discounts to diabetes-related medical devices from manufacturers Dexcom and Insulet, including continuous glucose monitors and pumps, as well as to other cardiometabolic medicines such as Novo's powerful weight-loss drug Wegovy.
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/amazon-pharmacy-automates-discounts-help-insulin-patients-get-pledged-prices-2023-08-15/

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New study will look at Liver Targeted Insulin (LTI) in Type 1 diabetes.. Directing insulin action to the liver may help restore normal liver physiology for people with Type 1 diabetes, leading to better glucose control and overall health outcomes. Jeremy Pettus and a team of researchers are working to determine the mechanism of action and evaluate the safety profile of the Liver Targeted Insulin
Pettus lives with type 1 and is an endocrinologist who is also the xx at TCOYD.
“Living with Type 1 diabetes is extremely tough,” said Pettus. “One of the major barriers to helping patients with Type 1 diabetes achieve normal glucose levels is that injected insulin simply does not get to the ‘right’ places. Normal insulin has its main effects in the liver, but patients with Type 1 diabetes must inject insulin into the fat tissue. Doing so makes the insulin act very slowly, can lead to weight gain and can cause deadly low blood sugars. This project seeks to attach a molecule to insulin that can help direct it to the liver. In doing so, much of the normal physiology may be restored and patients may get better results.”

Pettus is working with the company Diasome to conduct a single center clinical study with 14 patients with Type 1 diabetes to test the safety, tolerability and effectiveness of the novel LTI.

If this study finds that the LTI is active and preferentially targeting the liver, the findings could spur research and development efforts in the LTI space, leading to additional clinical trials and eventually a novel insulin available that could help improve clinical outcomes.
https://today.ucsd.edu/story/2m-grant-drives-research-on-novel-insulin-in-type-1-diabetes
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Good news about A1c reduction in people with type 1.. but it’s limited for those with access to technology.
The new findings from a study involving patients at the Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes Adult Clinic between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2021. They show that as technology use has increased, A1c levels have dropped in parallel. Moreover, progression from use of stand-alone continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) to automated insulin delivery systems (AIDs), which comprise insulin pumps and connected CGMs, furthered that progress.
On the flip side, A1c levels rose significantly over the study period among nonusers of technology. "We cannot rule out provider bias for not prescribing diabetes technology among those with higher A1c or from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds," Karakus and colleagues write.

Also of note, even with use of the most advanced AID systems available during the study period, just under half of patients were still not achieving A1c levels below 7%. "The technology helps, but it's not perfect," Shah observed.

This study is the first to examine the relationship of A1c with technology use over time, in contrast to prior cross-sectional studies. "The intention here was to look at the landscape over a decade," Shah said.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995738
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Can a parasite help with type 2 diabetes? This is kind of gross but very true.. In the first clinical trial of its kind, a team led by scientists from James Cook University in Australia inoculated volunteers with human hookworm larvae (Necator americanus) to see if these parasites can improve their metabolic health. The two-year study included 24 participants, each of whom showed heightened insulin resistance at the start of the trial.
By the end of the investigation, researchers found those who were infected with hookworms showed a significant reduction in their insulin resistance scores compared to those who were given a placebo.
In recent decades, scientists have noticed that in places where parasitic worms are endemic, people report fewer metabolic and inflammatory diseases. I’m sure I don’t have to say this – but more study is needed. No one is recommending you try to get a parasitic infection
https://www.sciencealert.com/radical-trial-shows-hookworms-may-protect-people-from-type-2-diabetes
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https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/simple-blood-test-may-predict-future-heart-kidney-risk-for-people-with-type-2-diabetes
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Exposure to air pollution early in pregnancy—and even shortly before conception—increases a woman's risk of developing gestational diabetes, according to a new USC study out in The Lancet Regional Health—Americas.
"Interestingly, we found gestational diabetes risk wasn't associated with long-term air pollution exposure but was associated with air pollution in a relatively short but critical periconceptional window, from five weeks before to five weeks after conception," said first author Zhongzheng "Jason" Niu, a postdoctoral fellow in population and public health science at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
The researchers also found the association between air pollution and gestational diabetes was more pronounced among study participants experiencing prenatal depression.
The mechanism connecting ambient air pollution and gestational diabetes remains unclear, researchers say, but an interplay among impaired glucose metabolism, inflammation and hormonal changes could be to blame. Prenatal depression, with disrupted immune and hormonal functions, could make the case worse.
https://news.usc.edu/209509/exposure-to-air-pollution-early-in-pregnancy-increases-risk-of-gestational-diabetes-study-finds/
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Commercial – Edgepark
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A look at Tandem’s bolus by phone feature shows it seems to be helping people with “low bolus frequency” give insulin more. Last year, the t:connect app was updated to allow people with the tslim x2 pump to initiate bolusing from a smart phone or the pump itself. This study looked at those who gave less than three boluses per day prior to the smartphone bolus update – the media number was 2.2. After the smartphone option, that number rose to 2.7.
https://journals.sagepub.com/eprint/QYVHSJUZKND8JJAKRUTG/full
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Great story from Diabetes Daily about two brothers with type 1 who are creating a low or almost no sugar beer. This is in Ireland and I don’t know exactly how to explain it quickly..
“Normally, the reason that the beers have sugar in them – which is what will mess with your blood sugar levels – is that there are unfermentable sugars that remain in the beer, sugars that the yeast isn’t able to convert into alcohol. It’s just a byproduct of how you make it. But this enzyme glucoamylase actually breaks down these unfermentable sugars and makes them into fermentable sugars, so the yeast can convert all of the sugar into alcohol, and there will be no sugar left in the beer at all.
Brut beers are usually done in a clean, bitter, highly fizzy IPA style, almost like a beery champagne, but Seán has tried the glucoamylase in other recipes as well.

“Normally it’s only a pale ale or IPA that people put this enzyme into. But I really like German wheat beers. So I decided I’d try and make a wheat beer with this enzyme as well.”

“It did exactly what it was supposed to do. You end up with no sugar at the end, and a really tasty beer. So I’ve been doing it with a few others – a rye, and a Kolsch, and all the sugars completely ferment out.”

“We’ve had some fun in naming them as well. The first one, the IPA style, we call it Insulin, because it keeps the levels down. The wheat that I like to make we have now called Diawheaties.”

And his non-diabetic friends approve:

“Everyone seems to like it. They tend to be quite nice, easy-drinking beers. We wouldn’t make them just for the zero sugar if they were no good. They’re as good as the normal beers.”
https://www.diabetesdaily.com/blog/how-two-irish-brothers-with-type-1-diabetes-brew-their-own-zero-sugar-beer-689869/
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MNO update
On the podcast next week.. tandem diabetes celebrity panel from friends for life – Hollywood, the NFL and NASCAR. Last week’s episode was Benny off to college

That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

 

Aug 4, 2023

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: a new pilot program will allow some pharmacists to prescribe CGMs, Georgia becomes the latest state to pass a law securing Glucagon for schools, new info about COVID-19 and new cases of T1D, insulin pump infusion set and skin reaction study, does kombucha tea lower blood glucose and more!

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Transcription:

Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and these are the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now
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In the news is brought to you by AG1. AG1 helps you build your health,
foundation first.
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New pilot program to allow pharmacists to prescribe CGMs. This comes from the American Pharmacists Association Foundation, with support from Helmsley Charitable Trust. While many patients with diabetes may not even have access to a primary care physician, the average person interacts with their community pharmacist 12x more often than their primary care provider. The program will launch in 20 community pharmacy practices across the U.S. There will be a 90-day enrollment period followed by 12 months of monitoring and management
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230720044367/en/The-APhA-Foundation-launches-patient-enrollment-for-a-program-to-expand-access-to-pharmacist-provided-continuous-glucose-monitoring-CGM-devices-and-services
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We told you recently about Mobi’s approval, that’s Tandem’s tiny pump, billed as the world’s smallest durable automated insulin delivery system. Convatec Group now saying they’ve partnered with Tandem on a new five-inch infusion set for the Mobi. Not a lot more information than that, but interesting because while Convatec makes infusion sets for just about every tubed pump, last year, Tandem acquired another infusion set developer, Capillary Biomedical.
https://www.outsourcing-pharma.com/Article/2023/07/18/Convatec-to-manufacture-new-infusion-set-for-Tandem-Diabetes-Care

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New law in Georgia to make sure all schools have emergency glucagon on hand and that it can be used for any student. House Bill 440 took effect on July 1, 2023. It will allow public and private schools in Georgia to acquire and keep a supply of glucagon. It allows prescribers to provide standing orders or prescriptions for ready-to-use glucagon to schools so that this medication can be rapidly administered to students in an emergency. Schools will also be able to work directly with glucagon manufacturers or third-party suppliers to obtain the products for free or at fair market or reduced prices. In 2018 a school nurse in Illinois used another students glucagon on a different study having an emergency, breaking the law. It’s since been changed in Indiana and now, in Georgia. Disclaimer: the state rep who sponsored this bill, Doug Stoner is married to my dear friend Trip Stoner who lives with type 1.
https://www.thegeorgiavirtue.com/georgia-legislature/georgia-bill-to-help-schools-treat-hypoglycemic-emergencies-becomes-law/
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I think most of us know this but good to see research on it. A new study shows skin reactions at insulin pump infusion sites are common among people with type 1 diabetes who use the devices and can lead to delivery failure.
researchers at the University of Washington, in Seattle, used biopsies and noninvasive imaging to compare insulin pump sites with control sites in 30 patients. They found
Several differences were found at pump sites in comparison with control sites, including fibrosis, inflammation, eosinophils, a disease-fighting white blood cell which indicated an allergic reaction here.
The inflammatory response, they say, "may result in tissue changes responsible for the infusion site failures seen frequently in clinical practice." Nearly all patients (93.3%) reported itchiness at the site, and 76.7% reported skin redness.

While the researchers think preservatives in the insulin or the makeup of the infusion sets are probably to blame, they admit they don’t really understand it fully yet.

https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995068
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Very large new study seems to confirm that the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a jump in cases of type 1 diabetes in children and teenagers. This study pooled data from 17 previous studies and looked at 38-thousand people under the age of 19. They found the incidence of type 1 was about 14-percent higher during 2020, the first year of the pandemic, than in the previous year. The incidence rose higher still in the second year of the pandemic, up 27% from 2019.
Before COVID-19, the incidence of type 1 diabetes in children was rising at a steady rate of around 2–4% a year.
The meta-analysis did reaffirm that children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes tended to present with more severe forms of disease during the pandemic than before. The incidence of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening complication of new-onset type 1 diabetes, rose by 26% from 2019 to 2020, probably because people were hesitant or unable to seek emergency care when early symptoms appeared.
It’s still unclear what triggered the sudden increase in diabetes and how long the trend might persist. It’s also important to keep in mind that a few researchers have spoken out that they believe the increase sounds implausible. And that Studies from Finland7, Scotland8 and Denmark9 could not directly link coronavirus infections to the increase in type 1 diabetes.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02322-0
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Commercial – AG1
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New research shows the best time to predict childhood type 1 diabetes is ages 2-6, when screening detects 80-percent of future cases. Research shows screening children ages 2-6 best predicts childhood type 1 diabetes, successfully detecting 80% of future cases. Early screening also leads to more timely treatment, better health outcomes, and less diabetes distress. These researchers reviewed findings that screened 90-thousand children under the age of 6 and 32-thousand children under 18. These researchers emphasized the need to work towards the adoption of universal screening at the state government, payer, and healthcare provider levels.
https://diatribe.org/early-diabetes-screening-kids-can-improve-quality-life
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Very small pilot study suggesting that kombucha reduces blood glucose levels in adults with type 2. I’m including this because you’ll likely hear a lot about it.. but keep in mind, the sample size was too small for statistical significance. A total of 12 participants with type 2 diabetes were randomly assigned to consume 240 mL of either a kombucha product or placebo daily with dinner for 4 weeks. They then waited 8 weeks and switched to the other product for another 4 weeks.

Kombucha significantly lowered average fasting blood glucose – on average from 164 to 116.
Kombucha tea is a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria and yeast.
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/995035

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Afon, a Welsh based company, is working on a non-invasive glucose sensor that has the potential to revolutionize the way blood glucose levels are monitored.

We’ve heard these types of promises before, but are yet to see something materialise into a real-world product. With the development of optical sensors in the early 2010s, the concept of using technology to monitor glucose levels in a non-invasive manner was first brought up. Light is used by these sensors to obtain signals from beneath the skin. For several years, there has been discussion about incorporating such technology for glucose monitoring by smartwatches. Afon adopts an entirely different approach. Its blood glucose sensor is called Glucowear. It is an RF sensor that fits under the base of the wrist. The gizmo uses radio frequencies to obtain signals from beneath the skin. Unlike optical sensors this technology provides real-time monitoring with no time lag.

Hoping for a 2024 launch date
The company stated that they hope to have the device on the market by early 2024. This is an extremely optimistic goal given the stringent requirements imposed by health regulators. There is no information available on how well Afon is progressing with regulatory approval, and the company’s website makes no mention of the regulatory process. So far the Afon Blood Glucose Sensor has undergone three rounds of testing at Profil, a world-renowned diabetes research center in Germany. A multi-phase trial of this technology will be conducted at Swansea University’s Joint Clinical Research Facility (JCRF) later in 2023. There will also be other multi-site trials before the device hits retail in 2024. Glucowear delivers real-time continuous glucose monitoring through its wireless integration with a smart device. Designed to be placed under a user’s smartwatch, the sensor allows the said device to serve as an integral part of the monitoring system. Afon promotes the Glucowear as a comfortable wearable and ensures that the painless CGM has a battery lifespan of up to 14 days when fully charged.
https://gadgetsandwearables.com/2023/07/24/afon-blood-glucose-sensor/
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https://www.medpagetoday.com/popmedicine/cultureclinic/105707
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On the podcast next week.. talking to Justin, better known as DiabeTech, who was diagnosed with T1D by TikTok! Last week I talked to the author of Sweeite!

That’s In the News for this week.. if you like it, please share it! Thanks for joining me! See you back here soon.

 

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