A little something in the news the other day caught my eye: schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg area of North Carolina have organized an informational meeting especially for families of diabetic pupils. The meeting was titled "Diabetes: Back to School Basics." Reports The Charlotte Observer, the idea is to prepare parents and children for the school-year, looking specifically at how diabetic kids should expect to deal with their condition during school hours, what parents can and cannot expect of school staff and so on.

Also included on the agenda was a chance for parents and kids to work on personalized care plans for while they're at school. The meeting is also a chance for everyone to meet the diabetes nurse who has just joined the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district. The nurse is trained in diabetes management and will be available to help kids and parents with educational materials and resources.

Here's to the powers-that-be at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. You can see there is a problem with so many diabetic kids in your schools, (The Observer says around four hundred kids in that school district are diabetic), and you are tackling it head-on. What I'm not clear on is what the schools' policy is on insulin-dependent type 1 kids who need shots during school hours. This has become so problematic of late, with schools concerned about liability issues in having staff assist with supervising/administering shots. But, nevertheless, this is a sign of the times and a good one. In fact, this is so good I'm wondering...why don't all schools do this?

SugarStats makes it simple to virtually track, monitor and share key statistics to help manage your diabetes online. Here's your chance to get rid of the annoying paper trail and replace it with high tech efficiency. You would anticipate such a brilliant idea to cost boatloads. No sir -- this perk is free!

SugarStats gives you a simple and easy-to-use way to input and access your data anywhere with a web browser. Get rid of that pen and paper log -- it's all online! Track and manage meds, foods and activity. Drill down into specific timeframes to get a clear picture. Visualize your progress with easy to read graphs and trends. Share your statistics with your family, friends or doctor. This is such an awesome tool! Your desire to take control of your diabetes is so easy, thanks to Marston's brilliant interface. Sign up free or take a tour.

It seems every day I learn about an extraordinary diabetic doing something to improve the daily struggles of this unforgiving disease. Kudos Marsten! You're another shining player on Team Diabetes!

What happens when you do "Supersize Me" in reverse? Why, you get a documentary like "Raw for 30 Days." The film-makers of "Raw" got six type 2 diabetics with less than stellar lifestyle habits and persuaded them to switch out hamburgers and fried chicken for a raw, whole foods diet consisting of all-organic, all-vegan foods. Mmm mmm.

You can't see the movie quite yet. But you can see the preview. Just click on over to the "Raw for 30 Days" website. My source says the preview can also be viewed on YouTube or Google Video. The finished product is now in post-production and should be released in time for Spring 2008 film festivals.

The documentary was directed by Sundance Film Festival-winner Aiyana Elliott, but the concept was created by the executive producer, Mark Perlmutter. The idea is to demonstrate that type 2 diabetes can be reversed "naturally" - that is, without the aid of a battery of prescription drugs. Says Perlmutter, "The release of our nine-minute preview may be the first exposure some have to a greater understanding of controlling, if not conquering the disease."

Okay, so the premise is a little shaky. For one thing: how much can be achieved in only thirty days? For another: it's changing lifestyle habits and maintaining them over time that's key in reversing symptoms of t2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. But why be a party-pooper? After all, raising awareness about diabetes is a good thing. I would definitely like to see this film.

For athletes with type 1 diabetes, technological advances have opened up a whole new world. Tell your doctor you want to run a marathon? In past decades, the announcement might have been met with words of caution, even dismay. Exercise wasn't even part of the equation when it came to diabetes management. Being diagnosed with diabetes was a death knell for the careers of budding young athletes. Today, however, docs (well-informed ones, at least) are more likely to say, 'okay, let's come up with a plan.'

Diabetes-related technology is a big reason for this shift in attitudes. An article just out in The New York Times. looks at the extent to which technology has made life easier for type 1 diabetics. Devices like digital meters and automated pumps are not cheap. But they are increasingly efficient, safe, and sleekly high-tech. Above all, they give athletes the tools they need to control blood sugar levels with absolute precision - the kind of precision that was impossible in the days of the urine-glucose test. The down-side, I guess you could say, is the mixed blessing of all that control: "We are essentially the CEOs of our own bodies," observes type 1 diabetic and long-distance cyclist Paul Southerland, "and we don't get a break from them."

British watchdog group The Healthcare Commission just gave diabetes care in the UK a lukewarm review. Its study of the facilities in which British diabetics receive care concludes that care levels overall are basic, at best. Most of the places (73%) surveyed in the study were rated "fair," meaning patients know what medications they are supposed to be on and when they should be taking them. They also know they should be getting annual checkups. Only five percent of facilities were rated "excellent by the Commission.

The system is lacking, however, when it comes to anything beyond those most basic of services. Just like here in the US, most British people with diabetes are not receiving help with diabetes management. Studies suggest that regular consultations with a health "coach" on an individual basis could really improve patient outcomes. One reason they are helpful is because they get patients to come up with a care plan tailored for each person, making it more likely he/she will be able to stick with it.

Diabetes UK head of healthcare policy, Bridget Turner, agrees with the Commission's conclusions: "The NHS [National Health Service] has to focus more on...self-care. For people with diabetes, 95% of diabetes management is self-care."

To read more, click here or visit the Healthcare Commission's own web summary of the report.

Although the A1c test provides important information about how blood glucose has behaved over the preceding three months, the blood sugar fluctuations after meals have a greater impact on diabetic complications. GlycoMark is a test that monitors mealtime spikes over 2 days to 2 weeks in a single sample.

For diabetics who have good control (A1c less than 7.3%), blood glucose levels immediately following meals account for up to 70% of their total A1c. There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that controlling after-meal glucose levels is critically important in reducing diabetic complications. GlycoMark measures the brief blood glucose elevations (postprandial hyperglycemia) by reading 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG). 1,5-AG drops as blood glucose rises above the renal threshold of glucose. The renal threshold of glucose is the blood sugar at which the kidneys start excreting sugar into the urine.1,5-AG decreases rapidly in people with elevated blood sugar.

It is important to note that GlycoMark values decrease when blood sugar increases. An increase in 1,5-AG would indicate improvement, and decrease would indicate worsening of glycemic control. Upon return of better glycemic control, 1,5-AG increases at a constant rate. This consistent recovery rate in 1,5-AG levels provides a rapid indication of the patient's response to treatment. With the GlycoMark, perhaps now we can really evaluate the affects of certain types of foods and how they affect our ability to control our blood sugar after meals. Fore more details, checkout the full brochure online.

A major player in the world of diabetes management, Medtronic Inc., has just released a new product: CareLink Pro Software. The product is part of Medtronic's CareLink line for diabetes management. Designed for use by physicians, CareLink Pro Software is intended to help docs - specifically, endocrinologists - with what seems to be an increasingly impossible task: juggling all the information on diabetic patients without dropping any balls - that is, without losing anything, without making mistakes, and just generally making it more likely patients will get optimal care. So, your doctor can store and retrieve patient info from the Internet, and can store data from a patient's continuous glucose monitoring device, among other things. All this info is located in one place so docs can quickly scan through and assess each patient's state of health. Says Chris O'Connell, president of Medtronic's diabetes division, "Due to large patient case loads, many endocrinologists are often overburdened and have less time to spend with each patient, so we believe that better information and closer communication between physician and patient will help improve diabetes management and therapy outcomes."

On the one hand, it makes so much sense that this kind of technology would, as Medtronic claims, optimize patient care. And as diagnosis and treatment becomes ever more complex, data management will need to evolve and become more sophisticated and, as in this case, better tailored for specific uses. On the other hand, however, how are most medical professionals going to find the time to set it up and learn how to use it? I have to wonder how doctors greet these kinds of new technology releases. "Oh great, more gadgets to eat up my time."

When treating diabetes, today's doctors focus on establishing blood glucose control, but often overlook the need to protect against common diabetic complications such as blindness, kidney damage, and nerve damage. The DCCT, even with a comprehensive treatment program, had a complication rate of approximately 40% of participants.

People who do not have diabetes make insulin with C-peptide. Those of us diabetics who inject synthetic insulin do not get the C-peptide. When scientists began developing insulin - they weeded out the pieces of the amino acid chain they felt were insignificant in lowering blood glucose. Synthetic insulin was designed to reduce the dangerous buildup of excess sugar in the bloodstream. Uh oh - hindsight is surprisingly clear! The long-term complications were initially thought to be caused by lack of insulin - not lack of something that should've been in it. It would make sense if insulin came equipped with this critically important element, wouldn't it?

Tada! C-peptide is the connecting peptide found on the amino acid chain of naturally produced insulin, but left on the cutting room floor in the lab. Studies have shown that C-peptide prevents the development and progression of many diabetic complications and was shown to improve glucose metabolism up to 66%.

Regardless of the potential profit decay C-peptide might cause the production of insulin - the bottom line is the salvation it will provide every man, woman, and child injecting insulin. If you're taking insulin injections, chances are you won't stop taking insulin because you're adding C-peptide to your daily lineup. Chances are - you'll be around a lot longer, and a lot healthier because you do not have the complications most often associated with long-term diabetes.

Wouldn't that be reason enough for you to celebrate the company that brings C-peptide to the drugstore nearest you? Consumer loyalty goes a long way. For those companies who knew a long time ago how beneficial C-peptide would be but didn't do a thing about it - is it really the 33% loss in insulin sales you didn't want to encounter? C'mon. We can handle the truth.

Medtronic, one of the largest manufacturers of insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, issued a call to action request for insurance companies. The need for greater coverage on continuous glucose monitors is as important (and as necessary) as the rising demand for insulin pumps.

The president of Medtronic's diabetes division, Chris O'Connell, urged the insurance companies to consider the vast growth of the company - which was measured as considerably faster than the industry average, with sales climbing 24% in the last quarter. The device was approved for adult patients last year and U.S. regulators approved an expanded edition for use in children. The continuous glucose monitor alerts diabetics to dangerous spikes or dips in their blood sugar levels via wire-like sensors inserted under the skin that measure glucose levels and transmit the data wirelessly to a pager-size receiver.

The company plans to conduct clinical studies to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of the technology. Presumably, after two to three years of clinical trials, the evidence will be conclusive enough for insurance companies to consent to providing greater coverage for this continuous glucose monitoring.

What increases bone density, promotes digestive health, helps keep kids healthy, and benefits the management of diabetes? Here's a hint, it sounds like the lifeblood treatment for type 1 diabetes - insulin - but the name of this goodie is inulin. Inulin in foods provides both bulk and sweetness without causing a rise in glucose levels.

Inulin is a natural dietary fiber found in over 35,000 common foods like artichokes, asparagus, onions, garlic, raisins and bananas. As an undigested fiber, it has no effect on blood glucose levels. It has a zero Glycemic Index. You could easily find it in your grocer's refrigerated section in Stonyfield Farm yogurts. Their version of inulin comes from chicory roots. Amazing all the places this ingredient naturally derives!

It is used increasingly in foods, because it has excellent nutritional and functional characteristics. Inulin can be used to replace sugar, fat, and flour. For the masses concerned with nutrition-labels, it contains one-third to one-fourth the food energy of sugar or other carbohydrates and one-sixth to one-ninth the food energy of fat. I'm curious to see what it tastes like, aren't you? From ignorant experience (uninformed of the artificial sweeteners used) I enjoy Stonyfield yogurts. I'll have to try another brand name with inulin on for size. Breaking news!! I just checked the ingredients in my newest dopamine-boosting fix: Trader Joe's low-glycemic dark chocolate. Golly gee-- sure enough inulin is on the list. I'm so in love with this dark chocolate because it really has such an insignificant affect on my blood sugar. Ultimate kudos to Ramsey, the creator of Miracle Muffins, for this sweet trinket of knowledge on artificial sweeteners!!

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.

One in five Americans online feel that the Internet has greatly improved the way they get their information about health care. Now there is a site for those who want to become more proactive in managing the disease. It's easier than ever to get the latest news and comprehensive information about the factors that play a key role in proper diabetes management. Looking for tips on healthier eating and diabetic recipes? Check. How about diabetic fitness and exercise? It's in there! Need some guidance on coping skills? You bet. Want to fine tune your understanding of diabetic care and blood sugar monitoring? Grab a chair and make yourself comfortable. There's plenty for everybody. Furthermore, there are perks like coupons and free goodies. The site is particularly relevant today, due to the fact two-thirds of type 2 diabetics have blood sugar averages that are out of control. Ouch.

OneTouchGold.com offers a comprehensive lineup of features. Registration is free and takes just a few minutes. That is the only requisite for free reign of the site. The OneTouch® Gold program provides members with an online magazine of the latest diabetes information covering a range of categories including food, fitness, coping, complications, medicines, and blood glucose monitoring. In addition, the site offers health-related coupons, product samples, and a monthly sweepstakes. The site also features monthly articles written by researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and other experts in the field. In addition, members can elect to receive a monthly e-newsletter highlighting the latest diabetes news and health tips.

The OneTouch® Gold program is made possible by LifeScan, Inc. Kudos to the master minds behind OneTouchGold.com. They've opened a virtual schoolhouse for those in search of a diabetic higher learning.

Whether you are a regular in your doctor's office, or you make a cameo appearance every leap year, I'd like to express the importance of your relationship with your diabetes management team. Let us begin with an objective question: how did you choose your diabetes management team?

I've been through the gauntlet when it comes to diabetes management teams and their techniques. Some have taken the fear factor approach, some have been the laissez faire (you don't care, we don't care), some have been so concerned I managed to meet every doctor, in every discipline of medicine, in the entire community. Needless to say, it took two decades- but choosing your diabetes management team is a doctor-patient relationship you should take as seriously as a long-term commitment.

My current endocrinologist is THE MAN! He deserves kudos for the approach he's adopted with me. He doesn't ask for a log book. He knows he's not going to get one. He doesn't ask me to brandish a meter. He knows there is one, but I can't be hassled with the sync and send. He'll run my A1C and the other hodgepodge of tests they can squeeze out of a few tubes of blood. What I like most about his approach is that he asks for my approval rating of my diabetes management. As my doctor, he appreciates what I have to offer as much as I appreciate what he has to suggest. Here's my point: diabetes management teams are vitally important. Choose them wisely, treat them well, and talk to them with shameless candor. They know the ins-and-outs of this disease. You know yourself. Remember? You're in good hands. You chose them!

"The First Year Type 2 Diabetes: An Essential Guide For The Newly Diagnosed" is the first entry in publisher Marlowe & Co.'s "First Year" series, which seeks to set itself apart from other health advice lines with its authors all "patient-experts." Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1996, author Gretchen Becker quickly learned that there are many ways to approach diabetes care. She uses appropriate humor and presents basic information to take the reader through each day of the first week, each subsequent week of the first month, and the next 11 months after diagnosis. Emphasizing the self-management skills that all diabetics must master for adequate control of the disease, Becker addresses the questions not always anticipated or answered by healthcare providers. For instance, she covers necessary and optional tests, diet, drugs, weight and stress management, and the emotional strain of the disorder. Her sections on insurance and paying medical bills are excellent. Internet diabetes expert Rick Mendoza has also contributed a chapter on online resources. Other useful features include a glossary, reading list, and further resources. This excellent volume should inspire patients to prudently manage their disease.