415 million people across the globe have Type 2 Diabetes and it is now considered a “global epidemic.” 

Diabetes drugs have varying success from person to person. New research conducted by Hariom Yadav, Ph.D., an assistant professor of molecular medicine at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, studies have suggested that gut bacteria is a key indicator to a drug’s success. This research suggests a correlation between medication effectiveness and the gut bacteria of a person with Type 2 Diabetes. 

“For example,” explains the lead researcher, “certain drugs work fine when given intravenously and go directly to the circulation, but when they are taken orally and pass through the gut, they don’t work.”

Metformin on the other hand works best when given orally. Based on the study, researchers believe that the individuals’ gut bacteria are affecting how well a person metabolizes the medication. 

The study focused on whether or not the microbiome “boosted or inhibited” the effectiveness of the medication. “Our review showed that the metabolic capacity of a patient’s microbiome could influence the absorption and function of these drugs by making them pharmacologically active, inactive, or even toxic,” said Yadav.

Although this field of research is only about 10 years old, there are strong signs that our gut microbiome play a key role in our overall health this may include how we interact with medication. Yardav plans to continue to study the gut bacteria as it relates to the treatment of disease.  

To learn more: “Type 2 diabetes: Gut bacteria may influence drug effectiveness” by Medical News Today

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As diabetes educators, we may find we spend a great deal of time listening to people’s life situation, empathizing and affirming their experience. This time is well spent and has a tremendous impact on our interactions with people living with diabetes. A recent study highlights how compassion plays a significant role in our clinical practice.

According to a HealthTap survey, patients and physicians alike rate the role of compassion as most important.

Below are the fours findings from the HealthTap Survey:

“1. When making a healthcare decision, 85 percent of patients said compassion was very important to them, while only 31 percent of patients said cost was very important.

2. Although wait time to see a medical provider is often considered a barrier to patients’ happiness, only 48 percent of patients cited it as a very important factor in healthcare satisfaction.

3. Eighty-nine percent of physicians cited compassion as a very important part of delivering the best care, which was higher than the importance physicians placed on education and command of medical knowledge (86 percent).

4. Nearly all — 94 percent — of physicians said being compassionate makes their patients more likely to follow their advice, which can significantly improve health outcomes.”

To learn more about compassion and healthcare read: “85% of patients value compassion over cost in healthcare: 4 findings” – Becker’s Hospital Review

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Free Upcoming Webinars with Coach Beverly Thomassian

FREE Preparing for the BCADM Exam – What you need to know | January 30th, 2019 @ 11:30 am – 12:40 pm PST

 

 

It is assumed that glucose meters are accurate if they are FDA cleared, but often that is not the case.

The FDA is currently reviewing and updating the guidelines for glucose meter accuracy.  The 2016 rules called for +/- 20% accuracy for most blood sugar ranges. Many diabetes advocacy groups appealed to the FDA to demand better accuracy since treatment decisions are based on these readings and can dramatically impact outcomes.

A research study by The Diabetes Technology Society Blood Glucose System Surveillance Program, found that in a recent analysis, only 6 of the top 18 glucose meters met the accuracy standards. They demonstrated this lack of consistent and accurate readings through extensive testing of the top meters at different sites (see partial chart below, click on chart for full table).

The new 2019 FDA drafted rules for personal use glucose meters will require:

• 95% within +/- 15% across the measuring range
• 99% within +/- 20% across the measuring range

This data and chart created by the Diabetes Technology Society outlines the accuracy of the most common meters. This published information will hopefully result in more accurate meters and better insurance coverage for meters that meet the standards.  This information is also critical to share with our diabetes participants and colleagues. Click here or on chart for full display

Want more information?

 Join us| Standards of Care 2020 Webinar airs Jan 21, 2020 | 1.5 CEs for $29

This 100 minute course is an essential review for anyone in the field of diabetes. We summarize the 2020 updates to the American Diabetes Association’s Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and provide critical teaching points and content for health care professionals involved in diabetes care and education.

Earn 1.5 CEs and get ready to lead the charge to implement best care practices for the New Year. 

Coach Beverly carefully reviewed the 2020 ADA Standards with special attention to critical additions and updates.

Topics Include:

• A review of changes and updates to the 2020 ADA Standards of Medical Care
• Identification of key elements of the position statement
• Discussion of how diabetes educators can apply this information in their clinical setting

This course is included in: Level 1 – Diabetes Fundamentals. Purchase this course individually for $29 or the entire bundle and save 65%.

Sign up for Diabetes Blog Bytes – we post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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New studies continue to link physical exercise to the diversity in gut bacteria. One of the most powerful discoveries is that exercise alone has the ability to change your gut microbiome. A new study at the Institute of Biomedicine at the University of Turku in Finland, examines the correlation between endurance exercise and bacteria. 

Researchers found that exercise can boost the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This bacteria helps with inflammation and keeping your get healthy.

The study enrolled 17 women who lived sedentary lifestyles, but were other wise healthy, into a 6-week program of bicycle endurance training. They did not change anything about their diet during this program.

“Overall, at the end of the program, the researchers found a decrease in so-called proteobacteria — that is, gut bacteria that have the potential of causing inflammation — and an increase in beneficial bacteria called Akkermansia, which have links with a better metabolism.” 

Previous studies have found the bacteria Akkermansia was more commonly found in people who are physically active and may even protect individuals from diabetes and obesity. 

The exercise also had an effect on cardio metabolic health. “We found that phospholipids and cholesterol in VLDL [very low-density lipoprotein] particles decreased in response to exercise. These changes are beneficial for cardiometabolic health,” Pekkala explains, “because VLDL transports lipids from the liver to peripheral tissues, converts into ‘bad’ LDL [low-density lipoprotein] cholesterol in the circulation, and thus has detrimental cardiovascular effects.”

The scientists believe that if the training program continued, they would have seen greater effects on the participants gut bacteria and overall health.

To learn more: “How endurance exercise affects your gut bacteria” – MedicalNewsToday

For more information, Join our Level 4 – New Horizons – Getting to the Gut 1.0 CE

Join us to learn about the exciting advances in our understanding of the pathology of diabetes and novel approaches to prevention. We will discuss trends in diabetes diagnosis and classification.  The role and importance of gut bacteria in the pathology of type 1 and type 2 will explored. A detailed discussion on emerging research and clinical trial on interventions to delay or prevent diabetes is also included.

 

 

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Our Diabetes Detective Team scans the diabetes news to discover the most relevant info that Diabetes Educators need in their daily practice. We post one daily Blog Byte from Monday to Friday. And of course, Tuesday is our Question of the Week. It’s Informative and FREE!  Sign up below!

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Check out our latest Blog Bytes >>

According to the National Credentialing Board for Diabetes Educators, (NCBDE) the  CDCES® Exam Content Outline will be updated starting July 1^st, 2019.

To celebrate this update, we will be basing our 2019 Questions of the Week on this content outline. (See a snippet of the NCBDE content outline to the left or click on it to see the complete outline.)

Question of the Week – January 22nd, 2019

These targeted questions are designed to help assess your knowledge on the topics critical to diabetes educators.

In addition, if you are preparing to take the exam, we strongly encourage you to go through each of these sub-categories and rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-5.  Based on this self-assessment, spend the majority of your study time on the topic areas you are least comfortable with. This approach will help you become familiar with the exam content and to use your limited study time wisely.

Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum – Learning  

For this question in this series, we focus on the Assessment Section, under learning. Here is the question that addresses learning goals and needs of the learner. Good luck!

To learn more about exam success, please join us live or watch now Free Preparing for CDCES® Webinar airing on Feb 1, 2019.

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Preparing for the BCADM Exam – What you need to know

NEW! Question of the Week will now reflect the 2019 CDCES®* Exam Content Outline

According to the National Credentialing Board for Diabetes Educators, (NCBDE) the  CDCES® Exam Content Outline will be updated starting July 1^st, 2019.

To celebrate this update, we will be basing our 2019 Questions of the Week on this content outline. (See a snippet of the NCBDE content outline to the left or click on it to see the complete outline.)

Question of the Week – January 15th, 2019

These targeted questions are designed to help assess your knowledge on the topics critical to diabetes educators.

In addition, if you are preparing to take the exam, we strongly encourage you to go through each of these sub-categories and rate your knowledge on a scale of 1-5.  Based on this self-assessment, spend the majority of your study time on the topic areas you are least comfortable with. This approach will help you become familiar with the exam content and to use your limited study time wisely.

Assessment of the Diabetes Continuum – Learning  

For this first question in this series, we start in the Assessment Section, under learning. Here is the question that addresses learning goals and needs of the learner. Good luck!

ML has a 6-year-old daughter with newly diagnosed type 1.  ML wants to learn what to do in case her daughter gets the flu and is vomiting.  What is the diabetes educator’s best response?

a.       It sounds like you are worried about what to do if your daughter gets sick.

b.       Let’s start with the basics of meal planning first.

c.       Getting the flu can be scary. Have you been tracking ML’s blood sugars?

d.       Here is a handout that reviews sick day management in detail.

Question of the Week – January 15th, 2019

To learn more about exam success, please join us live or watch now Free Preparing for CDCES® Webinar airing on Feb 1, 2019.

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