Jennifer Ordoñez, a Newsweek journalist who is also a Type 1 diabetic, reported on her experience at a triathlon training camp geared for diabetics. After reading her report, I was curious as to why hypoglycemia would cause a diabetic to fail the VO2 max test.

Nobody likes failing tests - especially when it comes to something as important as VO2 max. VO2 max is the maximum amount of oxygen a person uses while exercising at their limit for one minute. If you are in shape, your muscles will use a lot of oxygen to create energy. The prime source of energy for the body comes from blood sugar. When Jennifer took her VO2 test her blood sugar was falling and she failed. Apparently when blood sugar is falling the body puts itself into energy lockdown which compromises even conditioned athletes VO2 max.

Hypoglycemia causes muscles to fatigue quicker. Muscle fatigue is the result of inadequate oxygen availability. Prevention of hypoglycemia is one of the major objectives of adequate blood sugar when you are about to work out. By maintaining optimal blood sugar, you can assure a better level of exercise performance. I know better than to tell you what to do. But as a friendly reminder: make sure you've fueled up adequately before you hit the gym or the open road to work on your VO2 max.

Oramed is developing a soft gel insulin capsule for the treatment of diabetes. The company has recently announced it the successful completion of its clinical trial demonstrating the safety and efficacy of the oral insulin gel capsule.

The pills were shown to reduce blood sugar, with no significant adverse effects. The insulin used in the gel caps is a generic brand of human insulin. The duration of the insulin is similar to Regular. But the most beautiful thing about these gel caps is that they reintroduce the liver into glucose metabolism, thereby reducing the likelihood of dangerous lows associated with injected insulin and oral medications. This could blow away the necessity of blood sugar testing because you are regulating glucose metabolism in the liver, like a person without diabetes.

Up until now, the idea of insulin pills or tablets was inconceivable due to the fact that insulin, when swallowed, breaks down in the digestive system. Oramed's patented technology overcame the problem of digestion as well as permeability to the intestine. The company's goal is for the completion of formal Phase 1 studies in the US by mid-2008. Sign me up!

Pfizer's bandwagon might be busted! Turns-out a study says inhaled human insulin, whether formulated as a powder or liquid, is more immunogenic than injected insulin.

Adverse effects of antibody formation have not been thoroughly investigated. But it was shown, comparatively, that inhaled insulin provokes more of an immune response than injections. Spitting is a dirty habit - but it's not good for nothing. The mucosal defense system is the body's primary line of defense against inhaled foreign matter - kind of like the MARINES of the human body. It is uniquely able to discern self from non-self bodies. So far - it looks like Pfizer's toker is a no go.

As I said before - the adverse events have not been thoroughly investigated. Until we know exactly what kind of mucosal revenge or pulmonary punishment lies ahead - I'd stick to the tried and true...subQ, for now. However the Generex Oral-lyn human trials are looking pretty promising. Stay tuned.

The renowned author of The Diabetes Solution, Dr. Richard Bernstein is now ready and waiting to answer your questions on The Bernstein Connection.

In 1946, at the age of 12, Richard Bernstein developed Type 1 Diabetes, and for more than two decades, he was what he calls, "an ordinary diabetic"-one who dutifully followed doctor's orders. Despite his diligence with maintaining the disease, the complications from his diabetes worsened over the years, and like many diabetics in similar circumstances, he faced death at a very early age. Though he was indeed still alive, the quality of his life wasn't good, and by the time he reached his twenties and thirties, many of his body's systems began to deteriorate. Now, beyond his best selling books, Dr. Bernstein is opening up the airwaves to those who wish to learn from his real world experiences and conquer the daily hurdles of diabetes. He's doing so through The Bernstein Solution, offering direct access to Dr. Bernstein's methods, latest advice on diabetes, best selling books, and regular live broadcasts where Dr. Bernstein answers your questions.

I was fortunate enough to listen to his last broadcast, from August 8th. I do own The Diabetes Solution but I'm strongly considering joining The Bernstein Connection. The broadcast I listened to was as informative, if not more so, than the book! For $80 a year - if it can help a diabetic reverse damage to their eyes and kidneys, I don't think it's unreasonable at all!

Touted by Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson as one of the most well-thought-of players on tour, Scott Verplank has negotiated his Type 1 diabetes all the way up the rankings of the PGA tour.

Verplank diabetes began when he was 9 years old. The off-limits list included sports, but Verplank didn't listen to that one. He was a phenom, winning the 1985 Western Open as a senior at Oklahoma State. It had been 29 years since an amateur won a PGA event. A couple dozen more victories appeared likely. Nobody could see what trouble diabetes would cause.

Verplank does not let diabetes interrupt his game. Checking his blood sugar every few holes and walking all 18 - the inconvenience of diabetes will not sabotage his love of the game. Verplank doesn't consider himself a role model. He categorizes himself as just a regular guy. Everybody faces obstacles, and he's merely managing the challenges of everyday life just like everybody else. Although Scott's feather is the fact he's a pro golfer -- one of the top players in the world!!

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!

The scientific community has been in a heated debate about xenotransplants (transplanting pig islets into humans). Although the procedures are showing to be effective - is the insulin secretion entirely pig? Some experts surmise that after the transplants, diabetic patients are actually able to produce some insulin on their own, after all.

The latest press release from Tissera, Inc (an Israeli-based company) made a statement that raises my hopes. It was, "By the fourth month after transplantation, the insulin dose needed to maintain near-normal blood sugar levels decreased by more than 90% in comparison with the insulin dose needed before transplantation, meaning that endogenous insulin production was predominantly responsible for blood sugar control."

The question of the origin of endogenous insulin was addressed by measurement of blood C-peptide. C-peptide splits from insulin and indicates the level of insulin secretion from the patient. C-peptide levels were measured both at baseline and in response to a sugar load, which brings about a rise in blood C-peptide. The measured C-peptide was shown to be predominantly of pig origin. So herein lies my question: is predominantly more than 50%? A type 1 diabetic has undetectable levels of C-peptide. Period. After the xenotransplant the C-peptide level is all of a sudden detectable? Could these islet transplants assist in regenerating the diabetics' own islets?

Ever wonder what would happen to a non-diabetic's blood sugar if they loaded up on a pile of concentrated sugar, preservatives and weird science fats? Doctors and the ADA call it prediabetes. This clip takes it to the extreme by sandwiching the center of 16 double stuff Oreos! Sometimes you have to be insanely blunt to make your point.

This is a brilliant example of the diabetes epidemic in action. In today's world -- many people are eating for convenience without realizing the consequences. More convenient equates to less nutritious - more preservatives, more sugar and even more fattening (the wrong fats, too!) The combination increases the amount of time our digestive enzymes need to work on these lab-derived ingredients. This sustains an elevated blood sugar following the time of consumption. Add the ADA definition of pre-diabetes (a blood sugar between 140 to 199 mg/dl 2 hours after a meal) and there you have it -- a potential player on Team Diabetes!

Think what would happen if this guy was in his doctor's office 2 hours after this stunt. I'd like to thank his employer for keeping him busy (whatever he's paid to do) well after the lunch hour - and protecting him from becoming another statistic. Big ups to HR for hiring this guy!! If he's not in marketing already -- you might consider a transfer and give this guy a raise. He's my Oreo hero.