A study suggests that a bile acid may be used for the treatment of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. This discovery was made when researchers found colestimide, a resin that eliminates bile acids, as a cholesterol-lowering treatment.

The study was based on the fact that abnormal lipids lead to high mortality in type 2 diabetics. The researchers investigated the effects of colestimide on blood glucose levels in mice that develop a disease akin to type 2 diabetes. Colestimide treatment prevented diet-induced obesity and high blood sugar, and corrected diet-induced obesity in mice. It also showed a significant decrease in levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol without affecting "good" HDL cholesterol levels.

How about that? The unlikely path of colestimide could detour us from hitting the dead end consequences of high blood fats and obesity. All these discoveries on mice eventually will prove something remarkable for us humans. Won't they?

Pomegranate juice was shown to reduce the risk of arthrosclerosis in diabetics who participated in a study conducted over three months. The pomegranate juice also appeared to slow the absorption of unhealthy LDL cholesterol by immune cells.

People with diabetes have increased risk for atherosclerosis, contributing to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and other circulation problems. The results of this study suggest that the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice may be beneficial in reducing these heart-related risks associated with diabetes. The sugars in pomegranate juice are attached to unique antioxidants, which actually make these sugars protective against atherosclerosis. Researchers examined the effects of drinking a concentrated pomegranate juice that is the equivalent to about a 6-ounce glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for three months in 10 healthy adults and 10 adults with type 2 diabetes (who were not dependent on insulin therapy). Drinking pomegranate juice did not affect overall cholesterol levels, but researchers found it reduced the uptake of LDL (bad) cholesterol by immune cells, which is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis.

Albeit a little tart, the reputation of the pomegranate falls heavily on the sweet side. One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement. Food manufacturers' favor using pomegranate extracts instead of the juice because it contains no sugar, calories, or additives. Factor in the folic acid, the free-radical destroying antioxidants, and the overall health benefits of the Chinese apple and ask your arteries if it's worth a 6 ounce glass. I'm guessing the answer is yes.

Hot off the press: some new information about the sometimes murky and confusing subject of cholesterol. According to a new study, lowering LDL, the so-called "bad" cholesterol, even lower than currently recommended levels could reduce the likelihood of stroke or heart attack for diabetics and people with heart disease. The method: up the dose for greater effectiveness.

A while back, research indicated that people with stable coronary disease would benefit from a higher than normal dose of the cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor. The researchers have since taken a close-up look at how similarly high doses would benefit diabetics. The result: a twenty-five percent reduction in death, stroke, heart attack and cardiac arrest in study participants who were taking the higher dose.

Details are being published in the latest issue of Diabetes Care (June 2006).