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Thursday, June 07, 2007

Diabetes Medical Jewelry - The Importance Of Wearing Diabetes Medical Jewelry

Diabetes medical jewelry can actually be the difference between life and death in certain medical emergencies. The American Medical Association encourages anyone with diabetes or diabetes mellitus, to wear a necklace or bracelet that could alert an emergency worker to know that you have a medical condition. The American Diabetes Association also recommends the same thing for diabetics. It only makes sense. Many medications and treatments work well for others, but with someone who has diabetes it could spell disaster.

Without a doctor knowing you're a diabetic, they will have no way of knowing you shouldn't have certain medicines or that you need a different kind of treatment that will work well with high blood sugar.

Diabetes medical jewelry is easy to find online. There are many websites that offer medical jewelry that can be engraved with your particular medical information. These jewelry pieces are available in silver bracelets or silver chain that go around your neck.

Another good reason for wearing a diabetes bracelet is to alert others, not just medical personnel, that you have diabetes. For example, if you suddenly bottom out from low blood sugar, others around you can see your bracelet and know you have diabetes.

Having diabetes and high blood glucose levels is a serious health condition. By wearing diabetes medical jewelry you can let others know your condition and be assured of getting the right treatment in the event of an emergency.

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Januvia - A Sure Shot Solution For Type2 Diabetes

For people banging head hard to unearth a breakthrough solution to lower escalating blood sugar scale, there is one steadfast way to keep type2 diabetes in control. It is none other than the proven formulation named Januvia which will come to your rescue when undesired type 2 diabetes knocks your body door. Designed to low down the level of blood sugar, Januvia tablets are easily available by prescription. They lend incredible help in maintaining and improving the levels of insulin produced by human body after the consumption of a meal. It is taken along with exercise and diet.

They decrease blood sugar not only after the intake of a meal but also continue the lowering process in between of the meals. And the strong key point associated with marvelous Januvia tablets is that they do not affect the blood sugar level up to the point of danger called hypoglycemia.

However, people who have type 1 diabetes mellitus or diabetic ketoacidosis must avoid the use of this tablet. Besides, there are few imperative points that should be meticulously weighted down prior to the intake of Januvia. Make you doctor aware of any allergies, kidney problems you have had. And also never forget to mention, if you are pregnant or planning to conceive as the consumption of januvia may result into serious consequences. Though it is still not been verified whether the drug has any negative effect on the health of unborn baby, but do not ignore this fact. Similarly breast feeding women also need to take care while its usage as it is likely that januvia may get absorbed into their milk and thus can affect the health of baby. Last but not the least, also tell your doctor names of the medicines, vitamins, herbal supplements including both prescription and non-prescription ones.

Januvia should be consumed once in a day or as directed by the doctor. As far as the januvia side-effects are related, one can experience upper respiratory infection, headache, runny nose, sore throat, stomach upset and diarrhea while its usage. If all these side-effects prevail for long, consult your doctor immediately.

This is all about the wonderful pill called januvia which will serve you at best when the type 2 diabetes hampers your health.

The Gross Reality of Why Your Feet Stink (And How To Fix That)

In recent years, a lot of interest has been directed at the use of silver in footwear. Silver has long been used as an antibacterial agent going back to ancient times. Today, it is used to cure burns and stop infection.

So, how does it affect the foot? Think about your shoes for a moment. Pick them up. Hold them to your face. Take in a deep breath…

Hesitant?
Why?
Do they smell?

That smell is a primordial soup of bacteria, ammonia, and denatured proteins (i.e. dead skin, etc…). It is known as an odor triangle. Bacteria takes up residence in your shoes. It eats the proteins and when it dies, the by-product is ammonia. That’s what has been growing and dying within in the warm, moist confines of your shoes. That is what stinks and what is worse, it is touching your feet!

But there is a savior. It is silver. What silver does is strangles bacteria. Silver stops the respiration and reproduction of bacteria which kills it, stopping odor from occurring. Once the bacteria is gone, the smell goes away.

That’s a relief. So silver can get rid the stink out of your nasty shoes. But how is this helpful to anyone but your spouse? Well, what if you were diabetic? We’ve all heard the horror stories of how people with diabetes can lose their toes and feet. Well, that happens because wounds occur and cannot heal because white blood cells are stopped due to poor circulation. Bacteria, found on the socks and shoes, enters the wound and then infection sets in. Now, if you had silver in your shoes, this would go to work killing off the bacteria and would prevent most of it from entering the wound. It isn’t fool proof, but it is a great defense against diabetic foot problems.

Silver comes with an added benefit for you, too. It helps prevent blisters and hot spots from forming. A blister or hot spot forms when there is a constant rubbing going on in the shoe. This can be because the shoes don’t fit properly or you are doing something repetitive – like walking or running! Well, just like rubbing two sticks together to make fire, rubbing your foot against the inside of your shoe will cause friction which will lead to a blister. Silver has a way of transferring heat. So, if it becomes hot at one point, the entire area takes on a little part of that heat and spreads it throughout the surface of the material. Basically, this means you won’t get blisters, because the heat isn’t concentrated on one area. Your foot stays cool and you don’t get the pain.

You can find all types of silver clothing all over the internet. Silver shoes are a bit harder to find. I know of only a couple of places that provide this type of footwear. You can find the shoes at www.footwearnmore.com. Here they have orthotics and socks with silver in them, as well. The site also has a variety of other products for people with diabetes or people that are just looking for comfortable shoes. Silver has a lot of benefits and is very much a secret in the footwear or diabetic industry. In the past three years, articles are just starting to emerge showing its’ benefits for people with diabetes. The sports industry has been using silver in its’ clothing for quite awhile and will soon be a known product in medical footwear.

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

What Is Diabetic Footwear And Why Would People Need It?

Diabetic Shoes. Orthopedic footwear. Insoles and Orthotics. What is all this about and why do I need them if I am diabetic? One of the issues with diabetes is that people with the disease have a tendency to have problems with their feet. One of the first things that a doctor will go over with a diabetic, once the disease is diagnosed, is proper foot care. This is because the feet are susceptible to damage without the person knowing there is a problem.

There are two main issues the Diabetic needs to worry about. First, is something called neuropathy, or properly known as peripheral diabetic neuropathy. This is when a person loses sensation in their feet due to nerve damage brought on by diabetes. It can be caused by poor circulation and the result feels like numbness in the toes and feet. It can be equated to the feeling when your foot goes to sleep, but it doesn’t go away. When your feet are numb, you can’t feel the pain from something cutting them or even the heat from your bath water and infection or damage can occur.

The other problem that arises is something called peripheral vascular disease or hardening of the arteries in your legs. This can stop the blood flow from entering your feet – a blood flow that contains the proper antibodies for healing any problems that may occur. When this happens, infection can set in and then there are real problems.

So, how does diabetic footwear help your feet? Well, there are three parts to helping the diabetic foot: Socks, Orthotics, and Shoes.

Socks
A diabetic sock is one that is made to not bind on the leg. This does not mean loose, but is not as constrictive as a normal sock. These are also good for people who suffer from edema, or swelling of the legs and feet. In recent years, not only have diabetic socks been gaining in popularity, but silver in a textile form has been added into the weave. This is extremely helpful for diabetics, since silver has the ability to kill bacteria and fungi on the foot. Silver even gets rid of odor caused by perspiration. What is better is that the silver is natural and doesn’t contain chemicals that can adverse effects.

Orthotics
These inserts that fit into your shoes can really save your feet. They can also help to align your ankles, knees, hips, and back. There are all types of orthotics on the market. There is a difference between these and inserts or insoles. Typically, an orthotic has a raised arch or extra padding in the ball of your foot or heel. Why this is important to the diabetic goes back to the foot problems mentioned above: Poor circulation and loss of feeling. If you cannot feel pain in your feet, you forget to shift your body. A proper diabetic orthotic will redistribute the pressure points in your feet and help to alleviate some of these issues.

Diabetic Shoes
The diabetic shoe is designed to protect the foot from the problems mentioned above. It cannot cure the disease, but it can help prevent issues from becoming life-and-limb threatening. A proper diabetic shoe is usually wider and deeper than a shoe you would buy at a retail outlet. They are lightweight and usually seamless (on the inside) to stop rubbing from occurring. This can cause blisters and hot spots that may turn into rashes. Silver in shoes also helps this from occurring because it redistributes the heat from one location over a wider area. Another factor with diabetic shoes is that they usually are ventilated or have moisture wicking materials in them to keep bacteria away from the foot – something that breeds in moist, hot environments, such as your shoes.

While usually not the most fashionable of footwear, diabetic shoes have progressed quite a bit in the past few years. One can find athletic footwear, women’s styles, casual shoes, dress shoes, and even shoes that stretch to allow extra room for swollen feet.

Your feet really need to be taken care if you are diabetic. There is a lot of good, comfortable footwear available. If you suffer from diabetes, look into a pair of these shoes, orthotics, and socks. I have found these type of products at a web site called, Footwearnmore.com, although, a quick search of the internet will bring up more. If you have concerns about bacteria and odor, look for products that contain silver. Take care of your feet. Buy proper footwear and keep walking.

Control Your Diabetes Disease With the Foods You Eat

Diabetes is a killer disease. It can lead to kidney failure, heart disease, neuropathy, blindness, and much more. If you have diabetes, you must take control of it immediately.

Type 1 diabetes is the hardest type to control. It is also called juvenile diabetes, as it is common to get type 1 diabetes when you are a child. For type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce insulin, which is needed to take sugar (glucose) from the blood to the cells. This results in very high blood sugar counts and this is the major cause of many of the serious complications that may develop.

A person with Type 1 diabetes needs to take insulin shots to lower the blood sugar. Diabetics need to have insulin called a background insulin, which works throughout the day. Then they need to take extra insulin after eating a meal.

However, diabetics must test their blood sugar levels four or five times a day and make whatever adjustments need to be made. The normal testing times are before breakfast, lunch, dinner and bed. The amount of insulin to take with each meal will be determined by these readings..

What can someone do that has type 2 diabetes?

Sugar highs and lows wear down the body. The key is to try to control these up and down readings the best you can by maintaining safe sugar levels. One way to do this is by eating foods with a low glycemic index.

What is this glycemic index and why is it important?

Follow the glycemic index when eating. This index rates foods according to the way these foods react to your blood sugar. If the carbohydrates the food contains break down quickly, they tend to make your blood sugar levels jump quickly. These foods have a high GI (glycemic index) ranking. Foods with a low glycemic index break down in your body a slower pace and cause less of an extreme jump in your blood sugar.levels

For example, a potato has a high GI ranking. The carbohydrates break down very quickly and cause your blood sugar to rise rapidly.

Beans have a low GI index, so the blood sugar effects are spread out over a longer period of time. You do not get the rapid sugar rise.

Diabetics, in particular, need to learn to balance these foods to avoid those highs and lows. If you are having potatoes, for example, try eating a sweet potato instead or combine some low GI ranked foods with the potatoes to balance this sugar rise.

It's well worth it for diabetics to learn as much as they can about this glycemic index. The best diet for a diabetic to follow will be eating more of the foods with a low to medium glycemic index instead of high glycemic index foods.

Other things you can do as a diabetic can do is to snack on air popped popcorn rather than pretzels. Salt should be limited in the diet as the diabetic is at a greater risk for high blood pressure.

Eat broiled or grilled chicken rather than fried chicken. This also helps control blood pressure and cholesterol.

If you want to drink wine, drink it with a meal. There is less of an impact on blood sugar. However, do not over indulge. It can and will interfere with your medications.

Diabetes is a very dangerous disease and any diabetic definitely should be visiting a doctor on a regular basis. He or she will help manage your diabetes and will most likely advise a visit with a nutritionist.

Diabetes can be controlled with a change in diet and lifestyle, Diabetics can help manage your illness and live a long life.

Exercise and Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing society today. The number of cases in developing countries is expected to rise by 170% over the next twenty years. In the U.K it is also a real problem. There are 1.35million people diagnosed with the disease, though the British Heart Foundation state the actual amount of people with diabetes may well be double that. This figure has risen considerably over recent years and if not addressed soon, it will continue to grow.

Most diabetics suffer from Type 2 Diabetes. It develops slowly, usually after the age of 40, and is strongly linked to family history and obesity. Diabetes is characterised by the body being unable to properly use the hormone Insulin, which controls the level of sugar in the blood. Symptoms of this can include tiredness, blurred vision, frequent urination and increased thirst and appetite. However these often vary between people and may not be noticeable. If untreated, this condition can lead to severe damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves and heart. Exercise can have many beneficial effects in both treating and preventing the onset of the disease. It can often result in improvements in blood sugar control, an improved response to insulin, reduction in body fat, a healthier heart, and better control of stress. However, the complicated and individual nature of diabetes makes exercise potentially dangerous if not closely monitored under the guidance of your doctor and a qualified personal trainer.

It is often possible to exercise at competitive levels with diabetes, though the condition affects each individual differently. Take the following precautions to stay safe.

• Keep a sugary snack handy while exercising.

• Wear proper footwear and check your feet regularly.

• Wear identification (such as a medical bracelet).

• Take care if exercising in the evening – this can cause blood sugar to drop dangerously overnight.

• Check blood sugar before and after exercise – a snack may be needed if levels are low, or exercise avoided if levels are too high.

• Swimming, cycling and rowing are generally well-tolerated forms of exercise.

There are many different factors that can complicate exercise prescription, some more severe than others. However, almost everyone with diabetes can benefit from exercise. It can also help those at risk from the disease. Recent research has shown that those at high risk of diabetes through age, family history or being overweight, could reduce their risk by nearly 60% by taking part in regular moderate exercise.

Remember, careful monitoring of the condition, and attention to diet and medication are essential for exercise to be taken safely and enjoyably. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting out, and take advice from a suitably qualified personal trainer.

Foot Care For Diabetic Patients

For Diabetic people the extremities of the body are often in poor condition. The reasons for this are twofold; poor circulation and nerve damage.

High levels of sugar in the blood for any length of time damage the blood vessels which causes poor circulation throughout the body, with the furthest parts of the body most disadvantaged. Blood supplies the cells with energy and nutrients that serve to replenish the cells and help to regenerate new cells.

The capillaries are the thinnest of blood vessels and are often most affected by poor circulation. Capillaries supply blood to much of the nervous system. Without adequate supplies of blood the nervous system functions abnormally or sluggishly. This will often manifest as numbness and lack of sensation in the feet and legs.

This combination often leads to easily cut or bruised feet without any resulting pain being registered by the person. If this goes unnoticed for any length of time further complications with the feet can result. In worst case scenarios people need to have feet amputated. Thus it is important to develop a strict regime of foot care for diabetic patients.

Foot care is effectively a team responsibility. Doctors should encourage the person with diabetes to take an active role in monitoring the condition of their feet, taking any simple remedial actions that may be needed and notifying the professionals if the condition deteriorates or is beyond their capabilities. Despite the patient monitoring the state of his/her feet, an annual or six monthly check up of the feet should be performed by the patient's doctor. This may be more frequent if the feet are in a bad way.

The daily checking of the feet should include keeping nails trim so as to prevent ingrowing toenails or cuts on the feet caused by the nail. The feet should be washed thoroughly to remove any bacteria and germs. The feet should be dried after washing and nourished with skin cream. Common problems like calluses should be attended to.

Extra care should be taken with the feet. Shoes and socks should be comfortable and spacious for the feet to allow normal circulation of air round the feet. The socks should be of a material that won't cause irritation to the feet. Specialist shoes can be found for diabetics.

An annual check up of feet should establish how responsive the nerves in the feet are and the general condition of the feet. A doctor will conduct simple responsiveness tests by checking if the patient can feel varying levels of pressure when applied to the feet. This will tell the doctor if the condition has worsened since the last check-up and if the care of the feet has to be increased. The doctor can also check for ulcers and other problems with the feet.

Complications with the feet are one of the most common problems with diabetics so it is important to develop a regular foot care regime and have the discipline to stick with it.

Natural Help For Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is becoming more and more common every year in Western societies. There are many factors for this ranging from diet, lack of exercise and genetics. With the help of your doctor and nutritionists, it can be a manageable disease.

In type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas does not make enough insulin, or the cells become resistant to insulin. Insulin takes sugar in the form of glucose, which is the main source of cellular energy, into the cells. If diabetes is untreated blood sugar levels get too high. This both starves the cells of energy, as well as damage eyes, kidneys, nerves and cardiovascular system.

While some who have type 2 diabetes experience no noticeable symptoms, others suffer from some of the most common symptoms of type 2 diabetes which are increased thirst, increased urination, fatigue, increased appetite, blurry vision, slow healing wounds and erectile dysfunction in men.

If you have diabetes, your first goal should be to control these symptoms and to help stabilize your blood sugar levels.

It is very important that you regularly test your blood sugars to monitor your daily levels. Watching your diet for fast releasing carbs and losing weight are two things you have immediate control over to help regulate your blood sugar levels. Exercise is also very important for bringing down elevated blood glucose levels. Both cardiovascular and weight training have been shown to help bring down high blood sugar. Before starting an exercise program, be sure to see your doctor first to find the right program.

If this does not help, medication may be necessary. Some drugs help the pancreas produce more insulin, some help the liver to produce less sugar, some decrease the stomachs absorption of carbohydrates, and some work on the cellular level to help the cells take in the glucose.

There are also dietary supplements that can be taken to help manage type 2 diabetes. One of the most common and most researches is the essential trace element chromium picolinate. Chromium plays a critical role in the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats.

We do get some chromium in our food. It can be found in meats, animal fats, fish, coffee, tea, whole wheat and rye breads and brewer’s yeast. However, it can be difficult to consume enough chromium on a regular basis to be of benefit.

Chromium picolinate has been shown to both improve glucose tolerance and decrease glucose levels after fasting. It has also been shown to help with lowering total cholesterol and triglyceride levels while at the same time, raising the good or HDL cholesterol levels.

One key piece of research done on chromium supplements demonstrated improved glucose tolerance in people with both type 1 and 2 diabetes. This is done by helping to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. This is also beneficial for those diagnosed with prediabetes.

Most of the studies done on chromium picolinate have been done on doses of 200 mcg a day. However, many doctors and naturopaths recommend up to 1 mg or 1,000 mcg daily for those with diabetes.

When considering the safety and low cost of supplementing chromium picolinate, there seems to be no obvious reason for anyone with diabetes or blood sugar issues to supplement this essential trace mineral.

Supplementing chromium or any other nutrients to help treat diabetes should be done under the watchful eye of your health care provider.

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

How Important Is Fiber In Preventing Diabetes?

I enjoy writing articles that contain information that can help someone in a dire situation. Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects some 40 million plus people here in America. Diabetes results when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels or when cells in the body don’t respond appropriately. In type II diabetes the pancreas continues to manufacture insulin, sometimes even at higher than normal levels. However, the body develops resistance to its effects and the sugar in the blood does not enter the cells as well as it should resulting in higher blood sugar levels.

Fiber is the indigestible remnants of plant cells found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and beans. As fiber works its way through the digestive tract, they increase; they increase the elimination of waste matter in the large intestine and give you an urge to have a bowel movement. An easy way to classify fiber is how easily it dissolves in water.

Soluble Fiber, which is found in oatmeal, nuts, and seeds, beans, apples, pears, strawberries, and blueberries, partially dissolves in water.

Insoluble Fiber, which cannot be broken down by water, does not dissolve in water and is credited with reducing the risk of colon cancer. Examples of insoluble fiber are whole grains, barley, brown rice, cereals, carrots, cucumbers, zucchini, and tomatoes.

Americans on average consume about ten grams of fiber each day, when we should ingest roughly 30 to 40 grams of fiber a day. Research indicates that eating more fiber the 30 plus grams a day could possibly prevent type II diabetes. Studies show that when eating a meal containing carbohydrates, consuming high fiber with it actually slows down the amount of sugar entering the bloodstream at once. For example, consuming yogurt (crabs) and almonds or sesame seeds (fiber) causes the sugar to trickle into the bloodstream instead of all at one time. Follow the link in the resource box to a website that has more on diabetes.

DISCLAIMER

The information provided herein should not be construed as a health-care diagnosis, treatment regimen or any other prescribed health-care advice or instruction. The information is provided with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in the practice of medicine or any other health-care profession and does not enter into a health-care practioner/ patient relationship with its readers. The publisher does not advise or recommend to its readers treatment or action with regard to matters relating to their health or well being other than to suggest that readers consult appropriate health-care professionals in such matters. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication. The information and opinions provided herein are believed to be accurate and sound at the time of this publication based on the best judgment available to the authors. However, readers who rely on information in this publication to replace the advice of health-care professionals, or who fail to consult with health-care professionals assume all risks of such conduct. The publisher isn’t responsible for errors or omissions. The Food and Drug Administration have not evaluated these statements. These products aren’t intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Diabetes And Depression - A Close Relationship

Diabetes is a condition suffered by more than 21 million Americans, and that does not include those who are diagnosed. In 2005 almost one-quarter million Americans died from complications of this disease. And unfortunately the number is on the rise, despite our extensive knowledge and medical care. Most people are not aware of diabetic symptoms until they or one of their loved ones are stricken with it. Causes are multiple, genetics, lack of exercise, poor eating habits,and obesity are a few.

One of the conditions that often develops as a result of diabetes is depression. The reasons are many. Knowing you now have a long term illness, knowing you need to change your lifestyle and dietary habits- even if you do not want to, having to take oral medication or injecting insulin into your body, among other things. These changes in your life can hit you hard , mentally. Often one becomes sad, empty, anxious, and feels helpless, hopeless, and worthless over his or her newfound condition. These symptoms are parts of depression which affects 20 to 30% of the diabetic population.

You may have diabetes. Diabetes is a disease. You are not the disease. You can be in control. Even a small decrease in blood glucose can produce decreases in the vascular complications of the kidneys, eyes,and nervous system. All of these complications can, in turn, contribute to depression.

Lifestyle can help in kicking this demon down. According to Kareem Kulkami, MSc.,RD. of The Diabetes Center at St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, "If you have the right health behavior in place prior to developing diabetes, it's not such a huge adjustment if you get diagnosed." Exercise is very important for the body,as it reduces blood glucose levels by burning calories,and the the body's response to insulin is much better. Again according to Kulkami, "When it comes to physical activity, the baseline is what you are currently doing. Anything that expands on that is good. So for a sedentary person who is not moving a whole lot, Adding a walk around the block is an improvement. The goal is to do more than your baseline and gradually increase from there." And this should, or rather must be done on a consistent basis.

If you are pet person, take your dog for a walk. Or take a walk and when you come home, pet your cat. Or if you have fish, take a walk, come home, sit and watch the fish in your aquarium. The key is not to radically change your lifestyle, but to do it gradually. But just do it!

If you are stressed, break large tasks into smaller ones. Prioritize them and do them as well as you can. Do not overload.

Spend time with loved ones and friends. This is good for you emotionally. Let them be part of your therapy. Go to a ballgame,a movie, or another social activity that you find some joy in. Read some inspirational literature.

Again, do this consistently! Then you will begin to feel better and less depressed, little by little, but better and better. Consistently done,it will become habit, and you will feel life become more joyful and be less of a victim to you condition.

Diabetes-New Type 2 Risk Factors Identified

Type 2 diabetes is a disease that affects nearly 21 million in the United States and the incidence of the disease has skyrocketed in the last 30 years. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease and stroke, as well as the most common cause in U.S. adults of blindness, kidney failure and amputations not related to trauma.

It is growing in some countries at the astounding rate of 50% a year and is becoming an international epidemic.

A study involving the genomes of 32,554 people were tested making it one of the largest genome-wide association efforts conducted to date. Researchers from the University of Michigan, the National Human Genome Research Institute, the University of Southern California, the University of North Carolina, and Finland's National Health Institute conducted the study.

The findings will be posted in April in the online edition of the journal 'Science'.

They have identified at least four new genetic variants associated with increased risk of diabetes and confirmed existence of another six. "This achievement represents a major milestone in our battle against diabetes. It will accelerate efforts to understand the genetic risk factors for this disease, as well as explore how these genetic factors interact with each other and with lifestyle factors," said National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.

"These genetic risk factors will make it more likely that we can predict who is at risk for the disease," says Richard Bergman, Ph.D., the chair of the department of physiology and biophysics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. "We know type 2 takes a long time to develop and if we can identify those at risk of the disease, we may be able to prevent or delay the risk of disease in these people."

"This is a very exciting time for the genetics of type 2 diabetes. There are real signals in the genome for the disease. Many are unexpected or unexplained and each one accounts for only a small risk," says Tom Buchanan, M.D., professor of medicine at USC. "However, together they account for a lot of risk. Our challenge now, a challenge that the USC Diabetes Group has already begun to undertake in human studies, is to figure out how the risk genes work and how they work together with environmental factors to cause diabetes."