New research finds tuberculosis (TB) is more difficult to treat if the patient has type 2 diabetes. The study examined 737 Indonesians with tuberculosis screened for type 2. Nearly 15 percent had type 2, and initially, their TB was as severe as the non-diabetics. After two months of treatment, TB sputum tests were positive 18.1 percent for those with type 2 and only 10 percent in non-diabetics. At the six month mark, 22.2 percent of type 2s had positive sputum results compared to 9.5 percent of the non-diabetics.

The story in Reuters does not address why people with TB and type 2 diabetes do not respond as well to TB treatment. Tuberculosis is a serious infectious disease. Over one-third of the world carries the TB bacterium, and one in ten latent infections will progress to active TB disease. Untreated, active TB is a real threat, it kills more than half of its victims. Experts are examining how rising rates of type 2 are impacting TB control and prevention worldwide.

I just finished reading an excellent book about Dr. Paul Farmer's inspirational work treating tuberculosis in impoverished communities worldwide -- Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, A Man Who Would Cure the World -- masterfully written by Tracy Kidder. I wonder what Dr. Farmer has to say about people with type 2 and TB.

Here's something that's bound to end up on LOL Diabetes (www.loldiabetes.com):

If you're having a low, they'll be there. If you're a child that wants to learn the difference between type1 and type 2 diabetes, they'll show you. And if you ever questioned whether the fight against Evil Blood Sugars was being fought, have no fear -- because Captain Glucose and Meter Boy are here!!!

In a series of soon-to-be-released educational DVDs, two well-known actors play the superhero duo who, by their own admission, don't really have any superpowers. Their self-proclaimed mission is to "Educate, Enlighten and Entertain people with diabetes of all ages." In addition to their forthcoming DVDs (which feature actor Alan Thicke as the Commissioner of Diabetes, no less), they also have a comic book in the works.

Man, this is such a cool idea (one that I'm definitely sorry I didn't think of!!). And, best of all, its a great way to give the public an accurate, realistic, and engaging look at diabetes. To check out their website -- which contains a short video segment -- go to: www.captainglucoseandmeterboy.com

Read all about it. Professor Vincent Marks, a world expert on insulin who has assisted in some high profile cases of insulin murder, has written a book - the 'Insulin Murders - True Life Crimes'.

The first recorded incident of insulin used for murder was in 1957, and since then there have been about 50 cases globally of insulin being used for murder. Although insulin can be used to kill, Professor Marks said it was actually a very poor murder weapon. Detecting its use was difficult, but not as many assumed...impossible.

It is not a very good weapon especially nowadays. More tests are available to prove the misuse of insulin. If a non-diabetic is dead on arrival without a usual suspect - I suggest the coroner check the patient's blood sugar. If that's hovering around absolute zero I'd put a request in for the insulin antibody kit!

This past spring a new book by Gina Kolata, a science reporter for the New York Times, hit the scene -- Rethinking Thin: The New Science of Weight Loss - and the Myths and Realities of Dieting. I came across a mention of the book in the blogosphere and had to check it out. I have personally not read the book yet, but I have poured over newspaper and reader reviews.

In Rethinking Thin, Kolata argues being fat is biological destiny. She says most overweight people are stuck within a relatively narrow weight range set by their genes. But as obesity rates have steadily risen and the phrase 'obesity epidemic' sails across the news waves, the pressure to eat healthy, exercise and lose weight screams in response.

Kolata notes dieters only manage to keep off a little weight, sharing scientific evidence to explain this constant, disappointing phenomenon. Fat people have more fat cells, and while their metabolisms are normal, their appetites are larger. Losing significant weight often triggers a powerful "primal hunger." Furthermore, studies on twins and adopted children show inheritance may account for up to 70 percent of weight variance. Kolata leans heavily on the influence of genetics -- questioning the popular belief 'fat people can become thin if they would only apply themselves.' A similar argument is often applied to overweight people with type 2 diabetes -- 'just lose the weight already and you will be cured!' But if obesity is nearly all genetic, why are we getting fatter and fatter?

Emily Bazelon's book review in the New York Times is a nice overview of Kolata's arguments. Bazelon throws out a few challenges, pointing out Kolata ignores the influence of the 'gazillion-dollar food industry'. She also questions Kolata's speculation that obesity might be a response to modern medical advancements -- that our nation's improved early nutrition, vaccines or antibiotics might somehow change the brain's control over weight. This is an interesting line of thought, very different from the concept that our ancestral caveman's between-the-hunt survival biology simply cannot handle our country's overabundance of cheap, calorie-laden cuisine consumed in a car.

The Master Cleanser Detox raises my curiosity to insatiable levels. Many stars have sworn by it - from Beyonce Knowles to Robin Quivers. The misconception behind the safety of this practice for weight loss is reviewed by a registered dietician on The Diet Channel. The Master Cleanser is by no stretch of the imagination a healthy way to lose weight. In fact, the Master Cleanser, otherwise known as the Lemonade Diet, is a complete body detoxifying cleanse that has been around for over 60 years.

The Master Cleanser is a combination of simple ingredients in different combinations throughout the day: organic sea salt, water, lemons, syrup, cayenne pepper and a laxative tea. The day begins with a quart of salt water, followed by interval consumption of several cups of homemade lemonade throughout the day. The lemonade contains fresh squeezed lemons and water, cayenne pepper, and maple syrup. The lemon juice is said to dissolve built-up waste in the colon (the master cleansing agent); the cayenne pepper is for ridding the body of mucus; and the maple syrup is for energy. The end of the day includes a detoxifier herbal tea laxative. The herbal laxative is to aid the elimination process and the salt water acts as a colonic flush. The author of the original plan recommends following the diet for a minimum of 10 days, but also says that the diet can be followed for up to 20 days.

On Friday I went to Borders to get my hands on a copy of the Mater Cleanser. Big mistake after I realized it was the debut of the latest Harry Potter book. I should've called! In any event - I forfeited fighting Gryffindors and Hogwarts to find the book. I returned home to scour the internet for personal reviews of the Master Cleanser. The most important thing I discovered was that people who use the Master Cleanser to lose weight are misinformed. The Master Cleanser is intended for ultimate toxin elimination - not weight elimination. For entertaining enlightenment - I strongly suggest reading the Amazon.com customer reviews!!

TuDiabetes.com is a site for people touched by diabetes. The creator of the site, Manny Hernandez, got the ball rolling on a topic of interest we all take to heart - diabetes book recommendations.

When you ask diabetics to brainstorm on a terribly intrinsic topic you get some pretty good responses. One suggested read was The Diabetes Improvement Program. This book helped a diabetic overcome depression, when the talented team of healthcare professionals could not. Other honorable mentions include: Psyching Out Diabetes, Dr. Bernstein's' Diabetes Solution, Diabesity, and Diabetes for Dummies.

Somebody actually asked something very interesting - where is the book on the evolution of diabetes treatment? Often a topic of discussion, and yet so rarely documented is the sequential events of diabetes treatment, starting with the discovery of insulin. A lull ensued from about 1930 till the boom of genetically modified human insulin, in the early 80s. Any investigative journalist willing to take a stab at it? I guarantee the book will make my must read. And Eli Lilly might actually pay you not to write it.

P.S. One reader pointed out - a chapter of Brent Hoadley's book, Too Profitable to Cure presented a chronology of the evolution of diabetes treatment.

When The Diet Channel reviewed Fiber 35, they took the diplomatic approach, citing good and not so good advice. Good advice including: get plenty of soluble and insoluble fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, eat reasonable portions, and exercise. The problem is that this excellent, evidence-based message is buried in hyperbolic language and some superfluous advice.

Fiber 35 emphasizes the mechanisms by which fiber and fiber-containing foods can help improve disease markers (cholesterol, blood sugar, and immunity), while helping to control weight and appetite. A concept enjoying heavy rotation and loose interpretations nowadays is the subject of toxins. Fiber 35 claims that toxins are relieved by eating fiber -- 35 grams a day or more. Fat is addressed as being relatively inactive from a metabolic standpoint. However there is emerging research (not addressed in Fiber 35) demonstrating that fat is active to the point of a separate hormone targeting the metabolic response. As the diabetic community grows, the day will soon arrive when local CVS and Walgreens pharmacies carry the next endocrine simulating prescription.

Until that day arrives (and I continue to pray that capitalistic affairs of Big Pharma slow down like the alimentary canal without a trace of fiber) - look toward Mother Nature for the most organic answer to our metabolic quagmire. Thanks to Brenda Watson for Fiber 35 and The Diet Channel for their comprehensive review. To read the full article, click here.

Would you like to reduce your daily insulin requirements by a third or stop all diabetes medicines? Lofty goals, yes - but given the Eat To Live program - it's quite possible.

Regardless of my attempts to downgrade insulin dose in the last 15 years - my blood sugars would not take the hint. Had I known Dr. Fuhrman had figured this one out long ago - instead of badgering feats of diabetic noncompliance I would have picked up his book, Eat To Live. Dr. Fuhrman explains the best diet for humans to live longer in good health is also the best diet for one with diabetes. A diet comprised mostly in nature's perfect foods-green vegetables, beans, eggplant, tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, garlic, raw nuts and seeds and limited fresh fruit, allows for people to eat as much as they want and still lose weight, drop their cholesterol, and their blood pressure relatively quickly.

The Eat To Live dietary style is a vegetable-based diet designed to maximize nutrient per calorie density. It is the most effective treatment for those with diabetes, more effective than drugs. For a type 2 diabetic, this approach has resulted in complete reversal of the diabetic condition in the vast majority of patients and for a type 1 diabetic it solves the problems with excessive highs and lows and prevents the typical dangerous complications that too frequently befall those with diabetes. Joel Fuhrman, M.D is a board certified family physician specializing in nutritional medicine for overweight and diabetic patents.

The best part of blogging for The Diabetes Blog is the steep learning curve you embark upon as you research media outlets with an eye on diabetes. I've grown up as a sister and daughter of two brothers and a mom and dad with type 1 diabetes, but the challenges type 2 diabetics face are entirely foreign.

Alarmingly, recent surveys reveal about 60% of type 2 diabetics are not reaching glycemic goals. A new book, Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: Five Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life, offers type 2 diabetics tools to better manage their health. Authors Richard A. Jackson, MD, Assistant Professor, Harvard Medical School and Amy L. Tenderich, MA, diabetes blogger, journalist and author, hope the book can guide the type 2 diabetic -- who often realizes little face-to-face time with their physician -- get a handle on these five test results for better diabetes control.

The book moves beyond the vague notion many type 2 diabetics have that "they need to eat better and exercise more." Rather, the book teaches the importance and optimal ranges of five tests ... A1C, blood pressure, lipids, microalbumin and eye examinations.

Dr. Jackson explains only about 10% of people are "A1C aware." Blood pressure awareness is a bit better, while hardly anyone has heard of microalbumin and many do not understand their eye examination results. The book stresses the importance of first understanding your baseline test results in these five areas to determine where your health currently stands.

For instance, a type 2 diabetic on oral meds with an 8.5% A1C is 35% more likely to have complications from the disease than someone with a 7.5% A1C on small doses of daily insulin. Knowing your numbers is critical, as it may overcome common reluctance of type 2 diabetics to consider using daily insulin to improve control or instituting basic food and exercise choices to improve the results. Once diabetics start focusing on the numbers and demanding their time-stressed physicians to order these tests regularly, they will be empowered to develop strategies to improve their numbers and, ultimately, their health.

I regularly hear my brothers and parents shouting out their latest A1C results at family pow-wows. Now I understand why.

I marvel at the proactive enthusiasm and extraordinary talent of Kamaal and Malcolm Washington. Kamaal, a type 1 diabetic himself, and his brother have developed comic books that tell the stories of children who learn they have diabetes and find themselves visited by Dr. Diabetes.

The comic book spreads awareness about the disease and empowers those who have it. Their comic books have received awards and taken them around the country to speak about diabetes. Kamaal has served as a Children's Congress delegate for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, joining hundreds of other young diabetics in testifying before the U.S. Senate about diabetes research support. Going forward, Kamaal and Malcolm want to create their own animated series and perhaps produce a movie.

Kamaal and Malcolm are working on their third diabetes-themed comic. The comic book tells the story of a politician who refuses to increase funds to find a cure for diabetes and the heroes' quest to change that. Spreading awareness, empowering those dealing with the disease and calling upon political forces to make it happen - I think Kamaal and Malcolm are wise beyond their years. There's no stopping these guys and I'm thrilled to be the one telling you about them. May your super comic books empower us all to become super diabetic heroes!

If you've been around the diabetes online community you've certainly heard of Amy Tenderich. Her award-winning site is touted as one of the most influential diabetes sites out there. If you're looking for a gold mine of straight talk and encouragement -- Diabetes Mine is your destination. And now is your chance to speak to the celebrity herself! Amy will be chatting live on Tuesday, May 22, 9pm EST on Diabetes Talkfest.

Her charm comes through, loud and clear, in her cynically optimistic view of the trials of living with diabetes. Her journalistic flair derives from the heart and covers topics like breaking news and inside looks at diabetes research, as well as daily life with diabetes and uncovering the diabetics' deepest hopes and fears. Her all inclusive panache, along with her comedic nuances, make every moment of reading worth it.

Diabetes Mine has been featured in the Wall St. Journal, the UK Guardian, TechCrunch, NPR's Future Tense, and a number of other publications. The most recent feather in Amy's cap was added when she collaborated with Dr. Richard Jackson, a leading physician from Joslin Diabetes Center, to co-author the book Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes. True to form, the book is hailed as the first-ever straightforward guidebook providing a clear strategy for living well with diabetes and avoiding the long-term health damage it can cause. I look forward to the opportunity of chatting with Amy. Hope you all can join us!

After living with diabetes for over 50 years, and witnessing few changes in the treatment of the disease, Brent Hoadley has written Too Profitable to Cure.

Distressed that the cure is no closer now than when he was diagnosed, at the age of 14 -- Hoadley took it upon himself to find answers. He notes the current state of healthcare for those who suffer from chronic diseases, and contends that profit, not humanitarianism, is driving American healthcare. As an entrepreneur and an investor, he is aware, and appreciates the profit motive that drives capitalism. However, he feels the bottom line should not interfere with the pursuit of a cure. With pragmatic drive, he identifies culprits and urges activism as a countermeasure.

Diabetes is only one shining example of the pharmaceutical industry's criminal pursuit of profits. Patients' health, patients' lives, patients' freedom-all are fair game in the quest for limitless wealth and unbridled power.

The question of evening news and print advertisement for pharmaceuticals is posed. Is this marketing speaking to doctor's in lieu of doctor's reading unbiased research? Or does this research derive from the very company making the pill? Hoadley reveals pharmaceutical sales reps now supply more education to physicians than they obtained in medical school. In other words, Big Pharma has climbed to the top of the totem pole; medical professionals stubbornly cling to their subordinate position; and the poor patient (pun intended) supports the entire structure. Do I need to tell you that the support is vulnerable and under attack? Whether it can remain viable is, or should be, a question of great concern.

Too Profitable to Cure is available online through Hoadley's site. Scott Strumello had turned me on to Brent Hoadley after he posted an Open Letter to Eli Lilly and one of the comments left was from Mr. Hoadley, himself. Definitely worth checking out! Thank you to Scott for the great find and to Brent Hoadley for putting it into words for us!

Wouldn't it be nice to find a diet that insists you stop fretting over carbs, fats and calories? Well a diet wouldn't be a diet unless it had rules. So what if the rules focused on combining fiber with lean protein at every meal? This is entirely possible, according to Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of The F-Factor Diet.

Tanya Zuckerbrot has spent more than a decade working with busy, successful clients who want and need to lose weight. She's watched fad diets come and go, offering only a temporary fix-and a lot of misinformation about healthy eating. To this end, Tanya has developed a plan that makes losing weight and keeping it off easy and convenient. Her healthy, delicious, sustainable diet redefines fiber as an essential piece to achieving weight loss with the added benefits of an energy boost, lowering cholesterol, and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases.

The F-Factor Diet is made up of 3 simple stages, each including a wide array of foods, packed full of fiber and available in any supermarket. She also hand-picks specialty products that compliment the high fiber goal of her plan and come nicely equipped with good taste! The F-Factor Diet also includes more than seventy-five delicious recipes-and a complete set of guidelines for those who don't cook.

Beyond her refreshing approach to easy weight loss -- Tanya Zuckerbrot, M.S., R.D., is a nutritionist in private practice, based in New York City and Miami Beach. She serves on the advisory boards of Shape and Men's Fitness magazines, and has appeared on Today and Fox News, among other shows. If the suspense is killing you and you must get a copy today -- checkout Amazon.com for your copy of The F-Factor Diet.

The FDA has approved a new over-the-counter weight loss drug called alli (orlistat) that is designed to absorb 25% of the fat from your meal. However, nutrition and fitness expert Dr. Len Lopez, author of "To Burn or Not to Burn, Fat is the Question" shares his reasons why the new approved weight loss drug may not be beneficial to your health.

New research is showing that medications don't make us healthier. Research is showing that losing weight with medications doesn't decrease the rate of heart attacks, strokes or diabetes. Add that to the fact that your body loses nutrients with these medications and you can easily see how these new weight loss drugs can hamper your health. Dr. Lopez discusses practical steps to losing weight which includes diet and exercise, but also covers how stress and adrenal fatigue can disrupt our hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline. These hormonal imbalances can throw off our metabolism and take us out of our fat burning mode.

Both of Dr.Lopez's books cover a good deal of information to understand how we can correct our imbalances in piecing together the weight loss puzzle. His knowledge explores the roles of insulin and cortisol in weight gain, cravings, fatigue and more. He also explains how stress can take you out of your fat burning zone and helps you regain your blood sugar balance, as well as implementing the "Five and Two" dieting plan.

Say NO to the weight loss drugs and say YES to the empowering knowledge Dr. Lopez has to share.

Tai Chi for Diabetes is easy to learn, effective and safe. It is designed to prevent and improve control of diabetes. The program will help to improve muscle strength, increase heart and lung activity, as well as improve balance and harmonize mind and body.

Gentle exercise helps people with diabetes by improving the control of blood glucose level. Tai chi is a gentle exercise with strong emphasis on mental relaxation, it is reasonable to assume tai chi can help to control diabetes by improving cellular uptake and glucose metabolism. Tai chi can also help mitigate the effects of stress, which is shown to make the control of diabetes worse. Tai chi reduces stress and improves relaxation.

The major problems of diabetes are complications such as hypertension, heart disease, visual impairment and vascular problem. Diabetes causes peripheral neuropathy, a condition that the nerves of feet are damaged thus affects balance and walking. Tai chi has been proven to be effective in improving balance and mobility.

The immense power of the mind has not been fully estimated. As one of the most effective mind-body exercise, Tai Chi teaches the student to be mindful of the intrinsic energy from which he or she can perceive greater self-control and empowerment. The mental training in Tai Chi will enhance clarity of the mind, improve relaxation and uplift mood.

The Tai Chi for Diabetes DVD costs $25. It includes 90 minutes of a general introduction of Tai Chi and diabetes, warm up and cooling down exercises, Qigong for Diabetes, 11 basic movements and 8 advanced movements. Viewers can learn different part at their own pace using the easy-to-learn and step-by-step instructions. If you prefer a less expensive option, you can order the Tai Chi for Diabetes Handbook for $10 or you can subscribe to the newsletter for free. Your budget, your decision.

Below I've included some feedback from people who have firsthand knowledge of Tai Chi for Diabetes. Here's what they have to say:

"I use your video a lot to perfect my technique, to check accuracy of movements, listen to instructions and recall various Tai Chi principles." Jana Solovka, Vic. Australia

"I have been practicing Tai Chi for over 20 years, and I have found no one that compares with Dr Lam - your presentation and expertise are what make the difference." Ted Stark, OR, USA

"The other day I was at the library and saw your video on the shelf... I was impressed with your presentation and the ease of following along. It is clearly one of the best Tai Chi instructional videos I have seen." Allan J. Glazer, DPM USA

Many of us fear what we do not know, which could be why the diagnosis of diabetes is so harrowing. Fear no more. Amy Tenderich has teamed up with Dr. Richard Jackson, MD of the Joslin Diabetes Center to shed some light on the heaps of material we must digest to control our diabetes. Amy and Dr. Jackson have simply explained it all in Know Your Numbers, Outlive Your Diabetes: 5 Essential Health Factors You Can Master to Enjoy a Long and Healthy Life (Marlowe Diabetes Library).

The book is a priceless addition to any diabetic library. It begins by explaining the five tests that are the cornerstones for monitoring your overall health with diabetes. These tests are: A1c, blood pressure, lipids, microalbumin, and an annual eye exam. You may think you know it all because you've been there, done that. But do you really know - what it tests, why it's done, and what your numbers should look like? After you learn what those tests mean to you and your health - Amy and Dr. Jackson help you develop a plan of action. They build a road, paved with easy to understand (and explained remarkably well) information about nutrition, medicine, organic treatments, support, and specialized shopping sites for diabetes.

I was impressed beyond my expectations. Knowing the award winning caliber of work Amy produces, and the integrity of Dr. Jackson's work with Joslin Diabetes Center and Harvard Medical - I was looking for a good guidebook on diabetes care. No ma'am. This book is AWESOME! I knew it would be good, Amy. You've outdone yourself, once again. I hope this book motivates everyone who reads it to know their numbers and outlive their diabetes. And when it does - remember us little people, ok? Thanks a million, Amy!