I'm outraged at the coverage CNN provided on diabulemia. They accuse diabetics who suffer with the condition of doing the wrong thing. CNN neglected to address the cause of diabulemia. The drug all insulin dependent diabetics must use is a synthetic hormone that has been genetically modified. It is nothing like human insulin or any natural vertebrate insulin, for that matter.

The fact that 1 in 3 diabetics choose to take less insulin is not because they wish to eat more food. It is a reaction provoked by an inadequate and dangerous genetically modified drug. The reason a diabetic would take less insulin is to avoid experiencing the unnatural side effects the insulin is causing. CNN sensationalized diabulemia and put a damaging veneer on the victims without fully researching the facts. Genetically modified insulin does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier like natural human insulin. Genetically modified insulin distorts hormone responses to hunger. Genetically modified insulin does not protect diabetics from entering ketoacidosis when their blood sugar becomes too high. An inadequate drug causes diabulemia. Accuse the drug manufacturers of making the wrong choice. Or is that biting the hand that feeds you?

Make it right, CNN. Mass media should be the defenders of righteousness, not the accomplices to Big Pharma. Do a study comparing human insulin (natural vertebrate insulin) and genetically modified insulin. The comparison should include: penetration zones of the body, hormonal reactions stimulating and suppressing hunger, amino acids, c-peptide, lipophilic and hydrophilic nature, and pH values. The difference in natural human insulin and Lantus pH is remarkable: 7.5 to 4.0. How similar is that? CNN you've slipped on the peel and missed the facts. Now perform your due diligence to help make it right. I ask every insulin dependent diabetic to email CNN and ask them to put the facts on the line. Link to this blog so they have an idea of where to start. Thank you!

Last month Bev addressed a news article that found high tech diabetes management did not equate to better diabetes care. Doctors felt that electronic care is only as good as the patient willing to participate beyond office visits. However, another service is trying to evolve the preconceived notions with a more developed system - and a bigger bang for the buck. How does $14.5 billion sound?

Information technology enabled diabetes management (ITDM) was found to be beneficial in avoiding diabetic complications - MILLIONS of cases. This is an overzealous finding - considering the word prevent is permanent and should probably be replaced with delayed. Even the DCCT knew that much. However, the study was conducted over a period exclusive to the program, and not the lifespan of diabetics in the study. However patient compliance did grow from less than 50% to approximately 80%. That would evoke a few halleluiahs from doctors. Another reason in support of ITDM is the fact that an electronic diabetes registry offers Medicare and other payers the ability to save quite a bit. Over 10 years, the overall net savings is estimated to be $14.5 billion. Does that figure include COLA - cost of long-term diabetes complications adjustment? The complications that did not occur in 2008 saved Medicare and payers $1.45 billion. Score! What is the inflation adjusted cost of those delayed complications occurring in 2013?

The headcount standing at 20 million diabetics, at a savings of $1.45 billion per year - I asked for clarification on that figure. The savings is speculative because the company is anticipating saving costs on preventing diabetic complications. That's optimistic but not entirely realistic.

DiabeCell has successfully been transplanted into the first type I diabetes patient. This trial is testing its efficacy and safety in controlling the dangerous blood glucose levels to prevent long-term secondary complications of type I diabetes.

Living Cell Technologies has announced the successful transplant into the first of six type I (insulin dependent) diabetic patients in a world-first human clinical trial using DiabeCell. Patients in the trial will receive two low doses of the pig islet cells every six months over a 12 month period, followed by a further 12 month study, evaluating the benefits. Recipients in this first trial are given the lowest clinically effective dose to demonstrate safety. The dosing is repeated for additional clinical benefit. The company hopes to commercialize the product for general use by 2012.

DiabeCell is a pig pancreatic islet cell product that secretes insulin in response to the patient's blood glucose levels. People with type I diabetes are not able to produce their own insulin because their pancreas cells are not functioning. DiabeCell has been uniquely developed with a gel that forms a tiny capsule around the cells. This prevents the patient's immune system from destroying the transplant and does not require immunosuppressive drugs. Think of DiabeCell as bubble wrap for islets -- cool, right?

It is well known that people with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and now it seems that the risk extends to those with type 1 diabetes.

The risk was assed as small, but nonetheless - increased compared to those without diabetes. The research found that the likelihood of developing pancreatic cancer was twice as high in subjects with type 1 or young-onset diabetes as in people without diabetes. This increased risk is similar in magnitude to that seen with type 2 diabetes. There are many theories about the link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer. A cancer-inducing role of the insulin-producing beta-cells in the pancreas, is ruled-out because in type 1 diabetes these cells have largely or entirely been destroyed. The researchers want to stress that people with type 1 diabetes should not be overly concerned. The leading scientist issued a statement, "pancreatic cancer is an extremely rare disease, and twice a tiny risk is still a tiny risk."

In light of the study results, the researchers encourage diabetics to stay the course and focus on preventing the common complications of diabetes such as heart disease, eye disease and kidney disease. Good plan, good doctor. Thank you for the reassuring news – phew!

A report published in Diabetes Care says C-peptide improves sensory nerve function in type 1 diabetic patients with early-stage diabetic neuropathy. Thanks to Scott Strumello's comment, earlier today, I couldn't help but query the world wide web for more information on this C-peptide revelation. If I forget to mention it - thanks a million, Scott!

C-peptide was shown to be a significant factor in the maintenance of microvascular function. In a 6 month study of type 1 diabetes patients receiving replacement C-peptide, their nerve functions improved remarkably. A randomized study of 139 patients received one of 3 daily treatments: 1.5 mg of C-peptide, 4.5 mg of C-peptide, or placebo. At the beginning of the study, the sensory and motor nerve conduction velocities were significantly reduced compared with normal. After 6 months of treatment, peak sensory nerve conduction velocities improved in the groups treated with low-dose or high-dose C-peptide, but not significantly compared with the control group. The study showed a significant advantage in nerve functions for those treated with C-peptide (37%) verses those in the control group (19%). Overall, there were no adverse drug reactions reported from treatment of C-peptide.

At this time, there is strong evidence supporting the belief that C-peptide may be beneficial not only for nerve function, but also for the treatment and prevention of other long-term complications caused by type 1 diabetes such as nephropathy and perhaps retinopathy. Phase II clinical studies are ongoing at this time to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of C-peptide replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. I can hear the trumpets playing already. I'll be right there with pen-in-hand ready to sign the dotted line for such a study. Thank you, Scott and thank you, Creative Peptides.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation announced that they have formed a partnership with MacroGenics. JDRF is providing up to $2 million to fund a clinical trial of a compound called anti-CD3 that has shown promise in slowing the progression of type 1 diabetes.

Anti-CD3 is capable of reducing the autoimmune attack that destroys insulin-producing beta cells. The treatment preserves beta cell function in newly diagnosed patients, and has the potential to decrease insulin requirements, leading to better glucose regulation, and decrease the complications of diabetes. Anti-CD3 blocks the function of CD3 cells - the T cells that destroy islets. The antibodies prevent "activation" of the T cells after they have identified their target, disarming them launching the attack on islets.

Let's hope the peace talks between JDRF, MacroGenics, anti-CD3 and killer Ts result in progressive measures to make the type 1 diabetic body a peaceful place, once and for all.