Diabetes Self-Management

editor’s note

Dear Readers, Winter is, in its way, a tale of two seasons: It is marked first by the joyous, festive—and often hectic—holiday span, culminating in celebrations on New Year’s Eve. This merry period is followed by the promise of a fresh start on the first day of the year, complete with resolutions to adopt new and, hopefully, healthier habits. No matter where you are on your journey with Jack Frost, we have tips and strategies that can help you achieve your goals. Do you find yourself in the midst of the holiday rush and wondering how you can enjoy the feasting while keeping your blood glucose levels in check? Check out the tips in “Healthy Holiday Meals” (page 64), then try some of our healthful holiday recipes in “At the Table” (page…

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Diabetes and NAFLD If you have diabetes, you’re likely aware of the risk of certain complications, but you may not be familiar with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Learn more about this lesser-known diabetes complication, along with steps you can take to avoid or even reverse it. bit.ly/3ka3VJQ Diabetes Winter Tips Winter is upon us. As the seasons change, so can managing your diabetes. The holidays and a sense of hibernation can make your diabetes a little more challenging to deal with. But all things are possible—it’s a matter of adapting and maybe having a few hacks up your sleeve. bit.ly/3B0Ezok Lower A1C Levels Naturally Your A1C is a blood test that provides information about your average blood sugar levels over the past three months. There are a number of ways to lower your A1C. Taking medication…

trulicity may reduce ed in men with type 2

Taking the type 2 diabetes drug Trulicity (dulaglutide) may reduce the risk for erectile dysfunction (ED) in men, according to a new analysis published in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology. Diabetes—especially type 2—is well established as a risk factor for erectile dysfunction. A 2019 study even found that people with genetic risk factors for type 2—whether or not they actually develop diabetes—are more likely to develop erectile dysfunction. Erectile dysfunction affects about 30 million men in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. It’s more likely to occur if you’re older, have certain health conditions (including cardiovascular disease), take certain medications, or have certain mental health problems. It’s also linked to factors like being overweight and smoking. For the latest analysis, researchers…

fda approves new drug for chronic kidney disease

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the new drug Kerendia (finerenone) as a treatment for kidney and heart complications in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) linked to type 2 diabetes, according to a statement from the FDA. The approval comes after the FDA gave the drug priority review status in January 2021, based on the promising results of a clinical trial. That trial also serves as the basis for the drug’s approval, which means that the pharmaceutical company Bayer is free to sell and market Kerendia in the United States. There were 5,674 participants who completed the clinical trial, who were each randomly assigned to receive either Kerendia or a placebo (inactive pill). All participants had type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease at the start of…

low-carb diet may improve kidney function in some with type 2

Following a low-carb diet may improve kidney function in certain people with type 2 diabetes, according to a small new study published in the journal Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity—showing that a higher-protein diet may not always be bad for kidney function. Many doctors advise that people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) limit protein in their diet, since some studies have suggested that a high protein intake—especially from meat—is linked to faster progression of CKD. But the new study shows that the benefits of limiting carbohydrate in people with type 2 diabetes and mild CKD may potentially outweigh any risks from greater consumption of protein. For the latest study, researchers followed 143 adults with type 2 diabetes, with an average age of 61, who followed a low-carb diet for over…

new diabetes treatment shows promising results

Tirzepatide, which is the first in a new class of medications being studied for type 2 diabetes, has been shown to be effective in reducing both blood sugar levels and body weight, according to a new trial. The medicine, which is administered through a once-weekly injection, is what’s known as an “investigational dual glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist.” Previous studies have demonstrated that GIP lowers the intake of food while also increasing the expenditure of energy—actions that promote weight loss. The development of tirzepatide was based on the premise that if GIP were to be combined with a GLP-1 receptor agonist, the result might be even greater weight loss, along with a strong effect on blood sugar levels. Thus, tirzepatide combines GIP and GLP-1 into a…