I don't mind high sugars as much as I loathe lows. Personally I'm not so ruffled by shots either (but my liver begs to differ). However, in a message posted on The Islet Foundation, Pfizer reported that insulin-dependent diabetics declared they most hate taking shots. Was this the warm-up for the Exubera campaign? Here's a fact I support! A close second to this hatred is the hypos. Any diabetic will confess -- hypos are unforgiving. So what if you could catch two birds with one capsule?

I must reiterate the scientific genius behind the Oramed gel caps. The encapsulated insulin bypasses destruction in the stomach cavity. It reaches an entry point in the intestines where it reports for duty to the liver. This allows the liver to resume command of the glucose metabolism, just like Mother Nature intended. Whey you inject insulin - you are overriding the livers ability to monitor blood sugar and putting yourself in the line of fire for the dangerous lows. We all know this state of derangement too well. You won't find my lows picture on a milk carton if I happen to lose it, either.

Frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (even mild ones) force the brain to become accustomed to the low glucose. Unfortunately this also causes suppressed signaling of adrenaline, the livers last resort before dangerous lows. More specifically, the glucose transporters located in the brain cells are damaged from frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. So what was once the hypo threshold for the brain to signal adrenalin release becomes lower. Clinically, the result is hypoglycemic unawareness. Down with the shots, down with the lows and big ups with the future of diabetes control! Now we're getting somewhere.

Today I compose an ode in remembrance for our islets of Langerhan. Their job is far more complex than balancing blood sugar. They balance everything in our metabolism, starting with the hormones that tell us to eat or stop eating. The islets of Langerhan house 4 critical cell groups: beta cells, alpha cells, delta cells, and gamma cells - also referred to as the PP cells and D1 cells.

Beta cells are activated by a rise in glucose which results in secreting insulin. As this insulin lowers the blood glucose, amylin is also released. Amylin supports the stability of blood glucose levels by slowing the rate that digested glucose enters the bloodstream. The alpha cells are the opposite - they are responsible for preventing hypoglycemia by secreting glucagon. Glucagon helps maintain the level of glucose by causing the liver to release stored glucose. Delta cells secrete somatostatin, which is like the hold button of the alpha-beta cell connection, restraining the release of insulin and glucagon. The last of our Langerhan lineup, and seemingly the least understood, is the gamma cells, PP and D1. These cells affect appetite through the secretion of ghrelin or leptin. Ghrelin is a stimulant for appetite and feeding. Leptin is a hormone that suppresses appetite and speeds up metabolism.

To recap Team Langerhan: beta cells respond to rising blood glucose with insulin, alpha cells respond to falling blood glucose with glucagon. Delta cells respond to perfect balance in blood glucose by suppressing insulin and glucagon, and the gamma cells keep an appetite on an even keel with ghrelin and leptin. If the initial blood glucose lowering medicine prescribed affects any one of these hormones (as you can see it does) - it is definitely causing an imbalance in metabolism. As we memorialize the islets of Langerhan- let us consider all they have done for us. Pay tribute to your islets of Langerhan by doing all that is naturally possible to restore metabolic balance in the future. I have a few ideas - but your job today is complete. You are enlightened. Please have a happy and safe Memorial Day!

The report says, diabetic children who spend a great deal of time watching television had a tougher time controlling their blood sugar. I saw the headline and immediately envisioned that scene in The Poltergeist -- the infamous horror movie from the 80s.

The study looked at 538 children with an average age of 13 who were affected by Type-1 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is caused when the body cannot make insulin, which converts sugar from food into energy. The study's authors say encouraging children with Type-1 diabetes to watch less television may play an crucial role for improving blood sugar control and better health overall. Chicago diabetes educator Monica Joyce founded a basketball camp for diabetic children and wasn't surprised by the results. Joyce said campers typically are asked how much TV they watch and are taught "they can get much better blood sugars if they're active." Physical activity can lower blood sugar levels and snacking and overeating can increase them. While TV-viewing is often accompanied by snacking, the researchers didn't examine diet or physical activity

With her little hands pressed to the TV set, Carol Anne must have been onto this research 20 years ago when she spoke the immortal words, "They're here!" They could've been supernatural powers or perhaps all that time in front of the TV welcomed supernormal blood sugars.

Eli Lilly partnered with OSI Pharmaceuticals by funding an experimental diabetes medication, PSN010. The partnership will cost Eli Lilly $25 million upfront and possibly $385 million, in total.

Eli Lilly said that it will pay OSI Pharmaceuticals for its pipeline drug, PSN010. This drug represents a new class of diabetes medications aimed at controlling blood sugar in patients with type-2 diabetes by stimulating glucokinase. Glucokinase is a protein that spurs the pancreas to produce more insulin and helps the liver to control glucose.

So this is a good thing. It looks like Eli Lilly is writing checks again - but this time it's for a good cause. This is a genuine attempt to restore street cred with those who butter their bread: the diabetes community!

An Internet-based blood sugar monitoring system is superior to making regular visits to a doctor's office for controlling blood sugar and achieving optimal, stable blood sugar levels, according to a long-term study of a group of diabetes patients who used the system.

In their study, 80 type 2 diabetic patients with varying degrees of blood sugar control were randomly assigned to a conventional management team-- keeping a written record of blood sugar levels and attending office visits every 3 months -- or to the Internet-based monitoring system for 30 months. During the study, average blood sugar levels were significantly lower in the Internet group compared with the control group and fluctuations in blood sugar levels were also significantly lower in the Internet group. The Internet-based monitoring system included a team of three doctors, a nurse and a dietitian, monitoring the system daily and sending appropriate responses, as needed, based on the patients' uploaded information.

Internet-based blood sugar monitoring is convenient for both patients and their doctors by providing a way for frequent feedback and communication between patients and doctors. In this day and age it's not surprising a service like this would be a raging success. Nobody wants to be bothered with spending time in a waiting room when you can be on the Internet!