The idea of insulin resistance first emerged in a study conducted in 1936. Although it wasn't until nearly 40 years later that insulin resistance became a more common occurrence in diabetes care - this study cited a cause and effect of injected insulin in Type 2 diabetes.

Patients were tested on two different days. One day patients were given a drink containing glucose and their blood sugar was measured for the following 90 minutes. On the other day, patients were given a drink containing glucose at the same time they were given an injection of insulin. The subjects were clearly definable into two groups based on their reaction to the glucose drink with the insulin injection. Some patients had an immediate response to the insulin injection lowering their blood sugar and others had little or no response to the insulin injection.

The doctor conducting this study referred to this phenomenon as insulin sensitivity, rather than insulin resistance. He hypothesized that there was a sensitizing factor rather than something causing resistance to the cells absorbing the insulin. Over 70 years have passed and research now shows that arginine, the champion of amino acids can help improve insulin sensitivity, which is the same as diminishing insulin resistance.

I remember taking the glucose tolerance test during my pregnancies. With a strong family history of type 1 diabetes, I anxiously awaited my test results. Luckily, everything was fine.

Unfortunately, more pregnant women might receive a diagnosis of gestational diabetes in the future, as blood glucose criteria guidelines may widen. Last Friday, researchers at the American Diabetes Association's annual meeting in Chicago reported even moderately elevated glucose during pregnancy is associated with problems such as cesarean section and heavier babies. The study examined effects of less severe levels of blood sugar during pregnancy, not high enough to warrant a gestational diabetes diagnosis, but higher than ideal levels.

Boyd Metzger, principal investigator, explained the study tried to find where clinically significant effects occur on the spectrum of normal to abnormal glucose during pregnancy. Glucose levels were measured in 25,000 pregnant women from nine countries. Findings revealed women with the highest levels were six times more likely to birth an overweight baby and ten times more likely to have a baby with elevated blood insulin, compared to women in the lowest levels of glucose. Here's the kicker -- women ranging just below the current criteria for gestational diabetes still had a higher risk for problems. They were two to four times more likely to have newborns with high birth weight or elevated insulin levels.

Researchers acknowledge discussion is needed before criteria guidelines are revised, and the study begs more research over how pregnant women with mildly elevated sugar should be treated. Until then, pregnant women should be aware having an elevated sugar level not typically considered gestational diabetes is not a safe place for mom or baby. A more comprehensive article was published in yesterday's Chicago Tribune.

Yes, that's what it says: curbing the diabetic epidemic with 6 oat waters. CeaProve® is a new test for the early detection of pre-diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance that may help curb the diabetes epidemic. For those of you who have endured a glucose tolerance test - you'll understand the pivotal importance of this new diagnostic test. Ceapro has developed a test that identifies people at risk of type-2 diabetes as early as 5 to 10 years before the disease is diagnosed.

The simple test involves eating 6 oat-wafers and undergoing a finger prick. The test - when repeated at six month intervals - can also show if lifestyle changes are being effective or if more treatment is needed. Ceapro has tested CeaProve in the workplace of several prominent businesses in Edmonton that are interested in helping their employees monitor and preserve their health. Over 90% of tested volunteers were unaware of their risk for diabetes. Of the population studied, 60% were overweight, 56% were over the age of 40, 44 % had a family history of diabetes and over 57% had more than two risk factors for the disease. Although Ceapro is a Canadian-based company, they expect to have Ceaprove available in commercial quantities within the next 45 days. The product will likely be released through regional health initiatives and may also be available through pharmacies and medical laboratories.

Can such a simple test have such a significant impact on the future of one's health? The results tell people, years ahead of time if they are heading down the path to diabetes. With dietary modifications, regular exercise, and an overall improve in lifestyle - wouldn't it be worth it to you?