A type 1 diabetic mystery is why do some Type 1s get complications and others seem to never get them? A massive Japanese study of Type 1 diabetics found that those with fulminant diabetes developed complications much faster and more severely than those with non-fulminant diabetes.

The difference between fulminant and non-fulminant is the speed and intensity at which the disease develops. Fulminant Type 1 diabetes typically develops suddenly with near total loss of beta cell function. This type of diabetes is confirmed with testing c-peptide levels. Non-fulminant type 1 diabetes has residual c-peptide levels that eventually taper to undetectable. Sometimes this is seen through many years of the Honeymoon Period.

This study may be the antithesis of conventional wisdom for preventing complications. Staking all hopes on blood sugar control is heavily optimistic. Yes controlling blood sugar does lessen the workload for existing beta cells, and thus extends the lifespan of each beta cell. Research suggests that c-peptide offers protection to beta cells, both from apoptosis (cell death) and encourages new cell growth. This new cell growth applies to beta cells and other cells of the body that endure long-term Type 1 diabetes complications.

Diabetics are instructed that maintaining normal blood sugars is the Holy Grail of preventing long-term complications. Yes and no. The truth is controlling your blood sugar will not allow complications of Type 1 diabetes to develop as quickly, presuming you still had some level of beta cell function upon diagnosis (i.e., c-peptide). That doesn't sound like a reward as much as it does a delayed punishment. I'd like c-peptide with my insulin, please. It's off the à la carte menu? That's fine - serve it up! I want to thank Klausen for bringing this study to my attention.

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!

Remember the A-Game suggestions I dangled for Eli Lilly to tap for performance enhancement? Well here it comes. I called Eli Lilly headquarters to speak with the Chairman and CEO, Mr. Sidney Taurel but I was directed to their idea submission form (which consequently didn't work). Oh boy, Sid. I'm a little disappointed. So here goes - my idea is going free for all when you could've had it, first. Let's call this new and improved product Beta Juice. It delivers the essential functions of a fully operational beta cell. It produces: insulin, amylin and c-peptide. Here's why insulin should always come equipped with the other two...

Insulin brings sugar to the cells to keep our energy levels sufficient for life, homeostasis and (if we're lucky) some energy for the gym. Amylin is a controlling agent for appetite, gastric emptying and tells the liver to dispatch glucose. It is also shown to have an impact on lipolysis --- the metabolism of stored fat. Until recently C-peptide was nothing more than a number used to decipher if you were a type 1 or a type 2 diabetic. However, recent scientific studies have shown C-peptide protects small vessels from the complications associated with diabetes. The Reuters Health article is titled C-Peptide Replacement Improves Early Diabetic Neuropathy.

The American Diabetes Association promotes the ABC's of Diabetes Care in an effort to educate diabetics on controlling their disease. The ABC's of diabetes care refer to a patient's Hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and cholesterol. A diabetic must maintain a hemoglobin A1c less than 7%, their blood pressure must remain below 130/80 and their good and bad cholesterol must be kept in range. The ABCs of Diabetes Care were established in order to reduces the chances of developing diabetic complications like neuropathy (nerve damage), nephropathy (kidney damage) and retinopathy (eye damage).

Here comes the perfect Insulin (code name Beta Juice) -a laboratory engineered balance of insulin, amylin, and C-peptide. Insulin to balance the blood sugar level, amylin to regulate fat and cholesterol levels and C-peptide to control the damage inflicted upon the micro vessels throughout the body. This is a GREAT IDEA!! Not just because it is MY idea, but because this is a huge opportunity to mitigate the complications that insulin by itself can impose, without the checks and balances of the other beta cell hormones. What do you say, Eli Lilly? You're halfway there!! You've already partnered with Amylin Pharmaceuticals. They have one third of this patent pie. Now hop on the horn and join forces with the C-peptide patent holder and ride your stock price to the moon. The diabetic girl has spoken. I know you care, Eli Lilly. Now put your money where your mouth is and make this new and improved insulin a light at the end of the diabetes tunnel.

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.