Diabetes Evolution

[Celebration]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/magazine/daily/15267603.htm

It was a mob scene worthy of Brad Pitt or Angelina Jolie. Nearly 1,000 people pushed into a Washington ballroom at the American Diabetes Association's annual convention, causing security guards to turn people away.

The object of adoration wasn't a movie star or even a person, but rather a diabetes drug called Byetta, which helps to lower blood sugar.

The new drug sold nearly $100 million in the last three months, partly because of an intriguing side effect: It helps people lose weight.

"I saw a man crying because he couldn't get in," wrote Kelly Close, who attended the event in June and compiles Diabetes Close Up, an industry newsletter.

[Dogmudgeon]

1. Metformin does the same thing

So does corosolic acid, which is available from a few vitamin distributors.

Or, you could depend on the self-appointed scolds, who will lecture you harshly on Personal Responsibility if you're overweight. Perhaps that's why that guy was crying.

--p!

[bpeale]

2. metformin

metformin does not do the same thing. i know ... i take it.

[WatchWhatISay]

5. Never helped me lose weight

And you would have thought it would, considering how it kept me in almost constant "intestinal chaos". I took myself off of it because of that, and now have no problem.

[Celebration]

3. hehe

Maybe so. Still, there are some patients that yes, have tried or are on Metformin that absolutely love Byetta, even though there is a pretty high rate of nausea as a side effect at first. Here is the REALLY interesting thing about it-- there are many indications that it can increase islet cell mass.

It has been so popular among endos that they had to stop new prescriptions for two months due to a cartridge shortage.

People are pretty much clamoring for this drug--of course it is probably pretty expensive.

There's speculation that GLP-1 could eventually become part of a drug cocktail to actually "cure" diabetes.

There are actually blogs all over the internet about this drug--various people's experiences. It is pretty interesting. As with everything, some people love it and others get no benefit. It would be nice if gila monster spit was available as a capsule at the health food store, but alas, NOT.

[grasswire]

4. it's made from gila monster spit?

I wonder how they ever discovered that.

And I wonder if my cat's spit has any medicinal properties.

[muesa]

6. Prosec

Prevents absorption of glucose through the gut into the blood -- but it can cause "gastric distress" (severe diarrhea)

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. "Prevents absorption of glucose"..... and then,

www.diabetea.com