| Researchers in Singapore recently developed pure | | | | * lack of exercise |
| insulin producing cells in mice that may lead to the | | | | * ethnicity |
| administration of insulin cells to assist diabetic patients | | | | * previously impaired glucose tolerance |
| who currently must regulate blood glucose levels | | | | * polycystic ovary disease |
| manually and inject insulin as needed. | | | | What is Insulin? |
| A recent news report from Science Daily told of | | | | The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explains |
| embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have been used to | | | | that there are 20 different types of insulin products |
| create pure insulin-producing cells for diabetics by | | | | produced within the body that are "available in four |
| Singapore scientists. | | | | basic forms, each with a different time of onset and |
| (( | | | | duration of action." |
| The cells have been produced to provide diabetic | | | | (( |
| patients with pure insulin producing cells in order for | | | | Insulin is produced when an individual consumes food |
| blood glucose levels of diabetics to be regulated | | | | that is then broken down into glucose within the |
| naturally. The researchers, from the Institute of | | | | pancreas and enters the bloodstream to provide the |
| Medical Biology (IMB), are still experimenting with use | | | | body with energy. Within the pancreas is the islets of |
| on mice and have not achieved a level of safeness | | | | Langerhans, which houses the beta cells that are |
| for use on humans yet, but have noted that "none | | | | responsible for producing insulin. |
| of the diabetic mice involved in the transplant | | | | Diabetic patients are known to either produce a |
| developed teratoma, which are a type of tumor | | | | surplus or not enough insulin or both, type 2 diabetes |
| associated with ESCs," according to the news report. | | | | patients produce varied amounts and type 1 diabetics |
| The study was published in a recent issue of Stem | | | | don't produce enough. Those who use injectable |
| Cell Research. | | | | forms of insulin to regulate their blood glucose levels |
| Developing Diabetes | | | | often use insulin derived from animals such as pigs or |
| According to MedicineNet, which is an online | | | | cows. There are, however, additional diabetes drugs |
| healthcare site utilizing information and resources | | | | that do not use insulin from an outside form, but |
| from the authors of Webster’s New World | | | | rather, utilize the body's natural levels of insulin. |
| Medical Dictionary, describe diabetes mellitus as a | | | | (( |
| "group of metabolic diseases characterized by high | | | | Byetta is one such drug, which is part of a new class |
| blood sugar levels, that result from defects in insulin | | | | of drugs known as incretin mimetics that are injected |
| secretion or action, or both." Approximately 23.6 | | | | to "mimic the effects of naturally occurring hormones |
| million Americans currently suffer from some form of | | | | from the intestines and can help the body" develop |
| diabetes, according to the American Diabetes | | | | more insulin, according to Eli Lilly and Amylin |
| Association (ADA). The New York Times also | | | | Pharmaceuticals - the manufacturers of Byetta. |
| reported that diabetes was currently the fifth leading | | | | Prescription Drug Dangers |
| killer of U.S. citizens. | | | | There are several varieties of type 2 diabetes |
| Diabetes can affect anyone, but there are several | | | | medications that are available, however, several of |
| risk factors that may increase an individuals potential | | | | the newer prescription drugs have also been linked to |
| for developing a type of diabetes. The following risk | | | | severe side effects among patients. For example, |
| factors were reported by the National Library of | | | | Avandia has been linked to the development of heart |
| Medicine (NLM): | | | | disease and bone fractures among patients. |
| * 45 years of age and over | | | | Byetta (exenatide) is also one such drug that has |
| * ( genetic predisposition, family members with | | | | been associated with serious side effects including |
| diabetes | | | | the development of acute pancreatitis and |
| * heart disease | | | | inflammation of the pancreas among patients. Byetta |
| * high blood cholesterol | | | | patients who feel they may suffer from Byetta side |
| * obesity | | | | effects are encouraged to locate a pharmaceutical |
| * gestational diabetes, when a baby weighing more | | | | lawyer to discuss their class action lawsuit. |
| than 9 pounds is delivered | | | | |