Diabetes Weblog

Introduction

Methylcobalamin is one of the two coenzyme forms of
vitamin B12 (the other being adenosylcobalamin). It is
a cofactor in the enzyme methionine synthase which
functions to transfer methyl groups for the
regeneration of methio-nine from homocysteine.

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Pharmacokinetics

Evidence indicates methylco-balamin is utilized more
efficiently than cyanocobalamin to increase levels of
one of the coenzyme forms of vitamin B12. Experiments
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By Keith Mulvihill

NEW YORK, Apr 12 (Reuters Health) - Doctors may not be
prescribing medication based on the most up-to-date
dosing information, which could lead to adverse side
effects in some patients, a new report warns.

"A gap exists in the availability of current and
comprehensive dose information for physicians,"
according to Dr. Jay S. Cohen of the University of
California-San Diego in La Jolla. His findings are
published in the April 9th issue of the Archives of
Internal Medicine.

In his study, Cohen evaluated 48 commonly prescribed
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Effect of niacin on lipid and lipoprotein levels and
glycemic control in patients with diabetes and
peripheral arterial disease: the ADMIT study: A
randomized trial. Arterial Disease Multiple
Intervention Trial.

Elam MB, Hunninghake DB, Davis KB, et al. JAMA
2000;284:1263-1270.

CONTEXT: Although niacin increases low levels of
high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), which
frequently accompany diabetes, current guidelines do
not recommend use of niacin in patients with diabetes
because of concerns about adverse effects on glycemic
control; however, this is based on limited clinical
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Treating Diabetes

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Dr. Philpott prescribes nutritional supplements based
on a patient’s laboratory tests. He notes that while
every patient has different needs, the most common
deficiencies are vitamin B6, folic acid, riboflavin
(vitamin B2), magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, and
the amino acids cystine, taurine, and arginine. Dr.
Philpott also gives his patients supplements of cod
liver oil and either Evening Primrose oil or safflower
oil.

See Allergies,Diet,Nutritional Supplements.

(more…)

Vojdani A, Bazargan M, Vojdani E, Wright J. Cancer
Detect Prev 2000;24:508-523.

This study was designed to examine the effect of 500
to 5,000 mg of ascorbic acid on DNA adducts, natural
killer (NK) cell activity, programmed cell death, and
cell cycle analysis of human peripheral blood
leukocytes. According to our hypothesis, if ascorbic
acid is a pro-oxidant, doses between 500 and 5,000 mg
should enhance DNA adduct formation, decrease immune
function, change the cell cycle progression, and
increase the rate of apoptosis. Twenty healthy
volunteers were divided into four groups and given
either placebo or daily doses of 500, 1,000 or 5,000
mg of ascorbic acid for a period of 2 weeks. On days
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Thanks. The blood sugar is now 78 before dinner, but still at 150 in the
morning. I quit the amaryl and reduced the glucophage from 2000mg a day
to 1500mg.

I have been on the Effexor for one week. My legs are almost pain free,
but I still shake inside and feel very nervous. The burning in my hands
and feet is 80% better, but not entirely gone.

I have no appetitie and make myself eat only to take my medicine (I need
to lose another 40 pounds).

My internet search on Effexor turned up people saying to stick it out
for 2 weeks. Most people said the felt awful for 2 weeks then felt
great. I will stick it out, mainly because of the lower blood sugar.

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Alpha tocopherol supplementation decreases serum
C-reactive protein and monocyte interleukin-6 levels
in normal volunteers and type 2 diabetic patients.

Devaraj S, Jialal I. Free Radic Biol Med
2000;29:790-792.

Type 2 diabetic subjects have an increased propensity
to premature atherosclerosis. Alpha tocopherol (AT), a
potent antioxidant, has several anti-atherogenic
effects. There is scanty data on AT supplementation on
inflammation in Type 2 diabetic subjects. The aim of
the study was to test the effect of RRR-AT
supplementation (1200 IU/d) on plasma C-reactive
protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from
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Effects of long-term supplementation with moderate
pharmacologic doses of vitamin E are saturable and
reversible in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Engelen W, Keenoy BM, Vertommen J, De Leeuw I. Am J
Clin Nutr 2000;72:1142-1149.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin E supplementation has been
proposed as adjunctive therapy to counteract the
increased LDL oxidation in diabetes and thus prevent
or delay cardiovascular complications. OBJECTIVE: The
objective of this study was to investigate the effect
of a moderate pharmacologic dose of vitamin E for </=1
y in patients with type 1 diabetes. DESIGN: The study
was double blind and the subjects were randomly
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Introduction

Taurine is a conditionally essential amino acid that
is found in the tissues of most animal species. It is
not incorporated into proteins, but is found free in
many tissues. Taurine is involved in a number of
physiological processes including bile acid
conjugation, osmoregulation, detoxification of
xenobiotics, cell membrane stabilization, modulation
of cellular calcium flux, and modulation of neuronal
excitability. Low levels of taurine have been
associated with retinal degeneration, growth
retardation, and cardiomyopathy. Taurine has been used
clinically in the treatment of cardiovascular
diseases, hypercholesterolemia, seizure disorders,
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Lipoic acid decreases lipid peroxidation and protein
glycosylation and increases (Na(+) + K(+))- and
Ca(++)-ATPase activities in high glucose-treated human
erythrocytes.

Jain SK, Lim G. Free Radic Biol Med 2000;29:1122-1128.

Lipoic acid supplementation has been found to be
beneficial in preventing neurovascular abnormalities
in diabetic neuropathy. Insufficient (Na(+) +
K(+))-ATPase activity has been suggested as a
contributing factor in the development of diabetic
neuropathy. This study was undertaken to test the
hypothesis that lipoic acid reduces lipid peroxidation
and glycosylation and can increase the (Na(+) + K(+))-
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