Help Wanted.

Needed: Researchers with several years of experience in a laboratory setting who are able to produce conclusive results from studies on patient-oriented outcomes. The perfect candidate will be familiar with the insufficient evidence that has been collected thus far to determine if the so-called antidiabetic drug rosiglitazone is effective enough to warrant its use in spite of potential side-effects. This candidate will also be aware that rosiglitzone has been shown to raise the risk of edema, increase body weight, and possibly increasing cardiovascular risk.

Research is currently being done on this drug, and a meta-analysis of data from 18 trials that involved close to 8,500 patients are being examined by the Chochrane Systematic Review. Those involved in this study are calling for additional studies to be held to support their analysis and assist them in making a determination of efficacy on this drug.

And just in case you thought I was serious with this, please know that I'm not. Although, the information involving the drug rosiglitazone and its potential side-effects is true. As for the whole job opening thing -- who knows, maybe it's worth looking into.

A study outlined in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examined the psychosocial consequences of weight reduction, asking the question -- how much weight loss is enough?

The psychosocial effects of weight reduction showed an association with improvements in mood in significantly obese individuals who are treated by diet and lifestyle modification. Exercise is associated with modest but long-term weight losses and with improvements in mood and physical health. The recommendation that overweight Americans lose weight should be prefaced with efforts to promote healthier attitudes toward weight and shape. A 10% reduction in initial weight correlates with improvements in psychosocial functioning. Even patients with just a 5% reduction in body weight report improvements in mood. They feel better as a result of taking charge of their eating and exercise habits and, ultimately, their weight.

As a footnote: please don't read this blog and walk-away thinking the message is lose some weight, Fatty. I'm a self-professed Pork Chop in hot pursuit of a dopamine deluge. I know when I'm surging with happiness, food is the furthest thing from my mind. I'm looking for the map to this euphoric destination. The minute I find it-- you'll have directions, too!

It has been known for a while that people with cystic fibrosis are at greater risk for developing cancer and diabetes. Researchers from Dundee University in the UK have announced a breakthrough in their understanding of cystic fibrosis and, with it, a better understanding of the disease's link to diabetes.

Cystic fibrosis sufferers have difficulty maintaining a normal body weight. It turns out that a protein which regulates fat levels in humans does not function normally in people with cystic fibrosis, so they are often very thin and can lose weight very quickly if they become ill. The researchers say this protein is the previously unidentified link between cystic fibrosis, cancer and diabetes. That is, it is the common factor that would explain why diabetes is a common problem for people with cystic fibrosis. According to Dr. Anil Mehta, of the Cystic Fibrosis Database at Dundee University, almost half of all cystic fibrosis patients develop diabetes.