Allow me to explain my choice of photographs. I choose to spot the picturesque sunset over the Ventura Beach horizon, where I will NOT be attending the upcoming Gordon Research Conference on Oxidative Stress and Disease. For those who will be there, do me a favor and drop me a line on Section 3: Oxidative Stress and Diabetes. Here's what I've got so far...

Alpha-lipoic acid is approved in Germany as a drug for the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathies. Alpha lipoic acid shows evidence of being effective in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy and may be useful in treating some other aspects of diabetes. It may help prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and may be protective against oxidative stress. As much as I wish I could jump forward in time, I'll make a forward-looking statement about an upcoming event and come back to update it, after March 11th. Here's my forecast: the Gordon Research Conferences is holding a conference on Oxidative Stress and Disease and it just so happens that section 3 of the Monday night speakers will address topics such as: A radical explanation for diabetic complications, A role for ROS in the etiopathogenesis of insulin resistance, and Mitochondrial dysfunction and type 2 Diabetes. If you need me to drop names to lift your scientific credence in this convention - the speakers come from Harvard Medical Scool, Yale University School of Medicine and Albert Einstein College of Medicine.

These people don't mess around! I close with a big thank you to the creator of Miracle Muffins, for taking an interest in his mother and sharing it with the rest of us battling frustrating complications of diabetes. I'll be actively checking to see how the experts diagnostically address the role of oxidative stress and what they perceive as the best resolution. Until we hear better in days to come, let's keep betting on the benefits of a little ALA in our day.

Do you ever wonder if there's a trick to getting this diabetes thing down? Well I did. Like many fellow surfers, I asked Google for diabetic tricks. Not surprisingly, Google had a litany of answers. You may have heard about them before and most of us dismiss supplements as nothing more than snake oil. However, supplements are gaining credence when it comes to cutting risk and alleviating symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Take a look...

Chromium picolinate. Taking 200 to 1,000 micrograms daily can lower blood glucose, improve insulin function and lessen diabetic symptoms such as thirst and fatigue, says expert Richard Anderson, Ph.D., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In recent Israeli research, taking 200mcg twice a day for three weeks reduced diabetics' blood glucose by 26% and cholesterol by 9%. Anderson advises all adults to take 200mcg chromium picolinate daily to help prevent diabetes. New studies have put old safety questions to rest.

Cinnamon. The spice boosts insulin's efficiency in processing sugar, Anderson says. In one test, diabetics who ate 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day for 40 days reduced their fasting blood sugar 18% to 29%, triglycerides 23% to 30% and cholesterol 12% to 26%. Sprinkle cinnamon on foods such as cereal or fruit, or take it in capsules, Anderson says.

Alpha-lipoic acid. This potent antioxidant can improve blood sugar and help prevent and treat diabetic complications such as cataracts and neuropathy, says Lester Packer, Ph.D., of the University of Southern California. In German research, 600 milligrams daily significantly increased insulin sensitivity and lowered blood sugar in type 2 diabetics after four weeks.

Salacia oblonga. This herb, used in India to treat diabetes and sold on the Internet, lowered insulin 29% and blood glucose 23% in healthy adults, reports Steve Hertzler, Ph.D., of Ohio State University. But don't try it without telling your doctor, he says. Effective daily doses range from 100mg to 1,000mg, with gastrointestinal distress occurring at higher levels.

Diabetes Care reports that the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) assists in alleviating nerve pain in patients with diabetes. Daily treatment with ALA showed the potential to reduce pain associated with diaibetes.

A comparison was made between three doses of oral ALA verses a placebo in 166 patients with diabetic nerve pain (polyneuropathy). The symptoms of different types of pain were significantly reduced after 5 weeks in the ALA treated group as compared with the placebo group. However, ALA treatment had no measurable effect on numbness. Symptoms improved significantly as early as 1 week with the highest ALA dose (1800 mg daily) and within 2 weeks with the other doses (600 mg and 1200 mg daily).

This research is encouraging because it suggests the possibility of repairing impaired sensory function. This is great news for diabetics suffering from foot ulcers, one of leading causes of foot amputation. Researchers concluded that taking 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), once daily would be the most appropriate oral dose with the least amount of gastrointestinal side effects. Stocking stuffer? You bet - in more ways than one!