Indignation, frustration. It's all growing stronger amongst diabetics over the fact that most people don't understand this basic fact: type 1 and type 2 diabetes are two very different conditions. When, oh when (or ever?), will we get more appropriate names.

"Type 1" and "type 2" are so meaningless to most non-diabetics and probably to a lot of type 2 diabetics as well. "Juvenile" or "childhood onset" are, these days, likewise, quite meaningless when so many kids are getting T2DM due to atrocious lifestyle/eating habits.

A recent editorial caught my eye. I want to share, because I think it's a good example of how the media helps add to this ignorance when journalists fail to make a distinction between T1 and T2. "In our view: Targeting Diabetes," was published August 16 in The Columbian of Vancouver, WA. "Diabetes is everywhere...Diabetes lasts a lifetime," it reads, "and there is no cure, even though steps involving diet and exercise can lower many risks." Not true! It goes on to say, "With generous gifts and more education, fewer of us will get the disease." Again, not true! You and I know that statement does not apply to T1s. But I'll wager an overwhelming majority of non-diabetic and T2 diabetic readers would not bat an eye at such a comment.

Diabetic and want to help educate people? Long-term, we need new names! Short-term, public education will help. Here's a start: hit the link above to this Columbian editorial and post a comment!

What happens when you do "Supersize Me" in reverse? Why, you get a documentary like "Raw for 30 Days." The film-makers of "Raw" got six type 2 diabetics with less than stellar lifestyle habits and persuaded them to switch out hamburgers and fried chicken for a raw, whole foods diet consisting of all-organic, all-vegan foods. Mmm mmm.

You can't see the movie quite yet. But you can see the preview. Just click on over to the "Raw for 30 Days" website. My source says the preview can also be viewed on YouTube or Google Video. The finished product is now in post-production and should be released in time for Spring 2008 film festivals.

The documentary was directed by Sundance Film Festival-winner Aiyana Elliott, but the concept was created by the executive producer, Mark Perlmutter. The idea is to demonstrate that type 2 diabetes can be reversed "naturally" - that is, without the aid of a battery of prescription drugs. Says Perlmutter, "The release of our nine-minute preview may be the first exposure some have to a greater understanding of controlling, if not conquering the disease."

Okay, so the premise is a little shaky. For one thing: how much can be achieved in only thirty days? For another: it's changing lifestyle habits and maintaining them over time that's key in reversing symptoms of t2 diabetes or pre-diabetes. But why be a party-pooper? After all, raising awareness about diabetes is a good thing. I would definitely like to see this film.

What makes for a long and healthy life? Why, you say, how about a healthy diet and liberal quantities of exercise? True! A healthy lifestyle keeps you in shape and is one factor that promotes longevity. But have you ever wondered exactly how this works on a physiological level? How does the brain understand you skipped the gym all summer and had French fries for lunch yesterday?

The answer, according to the results of a new study published in Science (July 2007), could relate to insulin levels in the brain. Researchers induced lab mice to overeat until they became obese and some exhibited symptoms of diabetes. Yet some of those same mice actually lived eighteen percent longer than their slender mice buddies. The researchers attributed that longevity to a gene that affects insulin. Put simply: the longevity gene (called Irs2) effectively "tricked" the brains of those mice into thinking they were slim and fit, when in fact the opposite was true.

For diabetics, the study raises an additional question: if raising insulin levels decreases the body's sensitivity to it, is it really desirable to treat type 2 diabetics with insulin over the long-term? Lead author of the study, Morris White of Children's Hospital in Boston, says it's highly preferable (when possible) to get type 2 diabetes under control through old-fashioned diet and exercise, rather than through insulin or other meds.

I am on a quest to lose weight and reduce my risk of Type 2 diabetes, which runs in my family. I know what I should be doing - eating right and exercising, and I am trying my best. I have one vice that I have found difficult in getting rid of, though. I drink a lot of juice and chocolate milk and the staff at Starbucks know my name.

I think the reason I do this is because it is easy to pretend that there are no consequences when drinking these beverages. Unfortunately, the drinks I listed above do have calories, and the really bad part is that they are mostly empty calories with loads of sugar.

A venti Starbucks Caramel Frappuccino contains 525 calories, as much as eight ounces of skim milk, half a cup of fruit, two slices of toast and two ounces of meat combined! It is also almost as much calories as a Big Mac at 560 calories. Apple juice can contain as much as 14 tsp of sugar and 1% chocolate milk (200ml) can contain 5 tsp of sugar.

I do not think that it is worth the calories and sugar content to keep drinking these beverages. Water, here I come!

I might have come up with the perfect excuse to get more sick days from work. A recent study published in Psychosomatic Medicine found that job-related stress may boost the risk of Type 2 diabetes as much as the well-known risk factors of high body-mass index, smoking, and poor exercise regimens.

We have been hearing for years that job stress can be a cause of, or contributing factor toward, a variety of illnesses, and this is just one more thing to add to the list. Researchers speculated that people who do not cope well with job stress might also not be coping well with other stressors in life, and might have bad compensating habits such as smoking and overeating.

Techniques for reducing stress might, then, be a life-saving tool. It will make you feel better overall, and reduce your risk of developing a number of illnesses. Here are some tips that I find helpful for relieving stress:

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?

Yes, once again - the thoughtful feedback of thediabetsblog audience has landed me smack-dab in the middle of a dietary goldmine! Today I proudly introduce the genius of Dreamfields Pasta, thanks to a comment from ItalianGM.

Inspired by the movement of healthier living and lower carb lifestyles, Dreamfields Pasta created a product that the whole family could eat. They culminated their rich experience in pasta, which happens to supply premium pasta products throughout the world, to produce some of the best tasting healthiest pasta on the market. Ever hear of Barilla Plus? Well, in a taste test comparison Dreamfields Pasta beat it, hands down. It is available in 6 popular shapes: Lasagna, Rotini, Spaghetti, Linguine, Elbows, and Penne Rigate. Don't be turned off by the price - at nearly $4 a pound, wholesome goodness isn't cheap.

In all fairness - Dreamfields Pasta is culinary magic. A world class product, delicious old-world taste and al dente texture define the reputation but you'll be the wet noodle if you don't taste test it for yourself. In a million years I never would have imagined the possibility of making mac & cheese with a total digestible carbohydrate count of 19 grams. The real test is seeing if the folks believe its low-carb.

Doctors are now finding patients who suffer from both type 1 and type 2 diabetes -- a phenomenon known as double diabetes. This development is predominantly due to the obesity epidemic.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body's inability to produce insulin, the hormone that ushers blood sugar to cells for energy. Type 2 diabetes results from insulin resistance -- the body's inability to properly use the hormone. Almost 30% of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have type 2 diabetes, due to excess weight and lack of exercise. Generally, double-diabetes sufferers will often look as though they have the more common type 2 version because they're overweight. But subsequent blood tests reveal they also have type 1 disease.

Double diabetes might be caused, in part, by type 1 diabetics who are taking insulin but haven't made the other lifestyle changes necessary to control the disease. Sadly, one of the consequences of insulin use can be weight gain. The national trend toward unhealthy weight gain has spurred both the diabetes epidemic and this newer, more complex form of the disease, mirroring the obesity epidemic. This is an enigma that leaves gaping holes in the rationale of conventional medicine. So there it is-- insulin causes weight gain. Weight gain increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes. There you have it: a diabetes double-whammy. No fair.

Does this sound familiar? Weight Gain? Memory Lapses? Mood Swings? Fatigue? The Sugar Solution is an easy-to-follow, drug-free program that can bring blood sugar into balance in just one month. Weight gain, fatigue, depression, and poor concentration are symptoms that could potentially lead to diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

The book points out that high blood sugar and depression often go hand in hand. In fact, depression may lead to increased sugar consumption and ultimately depression. The Sugar Solution helps readers determine whether they're at risk for blood sugar problems and shows them how to keep their blood sugar levels in range without drugs or injections. The exclusive 30-day lifestyle makeover guides them every step of the way, with complete daily menus, exercise strategies, and stress-reduction techniques. Pounds will melt away, energy will soar, and mental sharpness will return as blood sugar stabilizes.

The book will be helpful for people looking for an exercise and eating plan to help stabilize blood sugar levels and lose weight. Kick-off the New Year with a new approach to a better lifestyle!

You know how Dunkin' Donuts says America runs on Dunkin? As if you needed justification for your caffeine fix -- here's another one: researchers found that middle-aged adults who drank four or more cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who rarely had a cup.

The researchers based their findings on data from 12,204 middle-aged U.S. adults who were followed from 1987 to 1999 -- all of who were free of diabetes at the outset. Participants completed detailed questionnaires on their diets, including how often they drank coffee. They also reported on their exercise levels, smoking habits, alcohol intake and other lifestyle factors. Even with these other factors considered, coffee drinkers showed a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Those who downed four or more cups a day were about one-third less likely to report a diabetes diagnosis over the study period.

The reason is not fully clear, but one possibility is that certain coffee components -- such as magnesium or chlorogenic acid -- improve the body's regulation of blood sugar. Some research also suggests that caffeinated coffee spurs a prolonged spike in metabolism that may help control body weight. The findings of this study are not a green light to start an intravenous line of java. Although the findings show a positive effect on reducing risk of developing type 2 diabetes, excessive caffeine consumption is related to other risks like elevated blood pressure. All things considered, I think type 2 diabetes might be a trigger for high blood pressure just the same. So if you had to choose: tons of coffee, elevated blood pressure with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes or no coffee, stable blood pressure and increased likelihood of type 2 diabetes-what would you prefer? I'll take mine light and sweet, please.

Cancer researchers are exploring possible links between diabetes and breast cancer. In an article just published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, researchers describe how they identified such a link: diabetic women are more likely than non-diabetics to have had breast cancer. That is, at least according to the results of their study, which found that of 82,000 diabetic women and 400,000 non-diabetic women, the diabetics were thirteen percent more likely to have had breast cancer.

The mystery is why this might be. Possible factors that need to be examined include diet and lifestyle, body weight, and reproductive factors. The role of hormones is also considered important. In particular, it has been thought that estrogen levels may play a role. With the identification of diabetes as a factor, however, attention is now shifting to the possible role that insulin plays in all this.

You're probably aware by now that many customer service calls for American companies are being handled by employees in other countries, particularly India. Not surprisingly, a study conducted by the Delhi Research Diabetic Center has found that Indian employees of such call centers are suffering from increasingly poor health. Even at relatively young ages, they are becoming especially prone to diabetes and illness associated with high blood pressure.

The reason? They are adopting the lifestyle habits of their American counterparts: drinking soda, eating a lot of processed foods, and their lifestyles are highly sedentary in nature. Of course, all that time spent at a desk taking phone calls is not exactly a recipe for a fit and healthy body. It's also a pretty stressful job environment, working at a call center, and researchers have pointed to job stress as a contributing factor to be taken into account. People in India are becoming increasingly worried about the country's spiraling diabetes problem: unfortunately, the case of the call center workers is just the tip of the iceberg.

More good news from Australian researchers. In forwarding the advancements in scientific discovery or innovative solutions to life-long problems for diabetics worldwide, these researchers seem to be gaining impressive ground lately. At the beginning of the month, we posted about a new device that might go a long way in eliminating the ouch factor when testing blood sugar levels.

Now, it is being reported that Australian scientists have discovered a gene responsible for Type 2 diabetes. While Type 2 diabetes is most related to older persons from a lifetime of not getting enough exercise and following a nutritious diet and managing a healthy weight, the PSARL gene appears to play a role in who develops Type 2 diabetes and who doesn't develop the same disease -- given the same life-long lifestyle practices. According to Geelong-based ChemGenex Pharmaceuticals researchers, they got to the finish line first -- ahead of the other scientists -- in making this discovery. I'd say this discovery is sufficient enough reason to strut their scientific feathers.

As a mother who has sat at the breakfast table with her sons and silently prayed on more than one occasion that her sons did not inherit Grandpa's genetic makeup that led to his being diagnosed with diabetes while still a child, I will personally throw a parade for the scientists who not only discover the exact genes that lead to Type 1 diabetes but how to block the genetic progression that leads to Type 1 diabetes. That would be the ultimate scientific peacock moment.