New drug can treat type 2 diabetes for children under age 18

Currently only two drugs, metformin and insulin, are approved for the treatment of diabetes in children.

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HOUSTON: Scientists have successfully completed clinical trials of a novel drug to treat Type 2 diabetes in children. Currently only two drugs, metformin and insulin, are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes in children.

By comparison, more than 30 drugs are approved to treat this form of diabetes in adults.

"We've not been able to get drugs approved for children beyond metformin and insulin," said Jane Lynch, from the University of Texas in the US.


"This adult diabetes medication was very effective in our trial of youth with Type 2 diabetes and was well tolerated. We urgently need other options for medical treatment of Type 2 diabetes in our youth under age 18," Lynch said in a statement.

Want To Keep Diabetes Away? Eat Walnuts, Apples, Carrots
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While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run.

A recent study showed that antioxidant-rich walnuts can nearly halve the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes.

For patients, the ideal diabetic diet plan would be to have 1200-1600 calories per day. It is recommended that diabetics should eat good carbs, fats, and healthy proteins, but in small portions.


Doctors and dieticians share ultimate list of foods you must consume to stay healthy.

Also read: The comprehensive diabetes guide

While being active, staying hydrated, and checking blood glucose levels can work wonders, it is important to stick to a dietary plan that will ward off diabetes in the long run.A recent study showed ..
Read More
After news of walnuts as you new superfood to keep diabetes away, it's time to look at the other superhero nuts and seeds. They have protective effects for people with diabetes. Flaxseeds/linseeds, almonds, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, macadamia nuts, pistachios, cashew nuts, chia seeds, etc are the best nuts and seeds for diabetics as they reduce and regulate the insulin levels in the body.
After news of walnuts as you new superfood to keep diabetes away, it's time to look at the other superhero nuts and seeds. They have protective effects for people with diabetes. Flaxseeds/linseeds, ..
Read More
They are a good source of high biological value protein. Eggs have good cholesterol, also called as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for heart health. Studies have shown that it improves insulin sensitivity. They give satiety and improve blood sugar levels.
They are a good source of high biological value protein. Eggs have good cholesterol, also called as High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), which is good for heart health. Studies have shown that it improve..
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It has an active compound called curcumin which has shown to improve sugar, promote cardiovascular health, and protect against kidney diseases.
It has an active compound called curcumin which has shown to improve sugar, promote cardiovascular health, and protect against kidney diseases.
Salmon have excellent amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which is good for diabetics. The patients need good fat in their diet, and fish reduce inflammation and coronary risks which are common in diabetes.
Salmon have excellent amount of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) which is good for diabetics. The patients need good fat in their diet, and fish reduce inflammation and coronary risks which are com..
Read More
It improves blood sugars and blood pressure in diabetics. It's a herb with many great health benefits.
It improves blood sugars and blood pressure in diabetics. It's a herb with many great health benefits.
It's a potent antioxidant, and works like a hypoglycaemic drug. One should restrict consumption of cassia cinnamon which is poor variety and has coumarin. It is available in most grocery stores in India. If this variant is consumed in excess, it can have side effects. One should go for the Ceylon variant with less coumarin.
It's a potent antioxidant, and works like a hypoglycaemic drug. One should restrict consumption of cassia cinnamon which is poor variety and has coumarin. It is available in most grocery stores in I..
Read More
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apart from being great for your overall health, the natural-sugar in the fruit has a relatively low impact on the insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away! Apart from being great for your overall health, the natural-sugar in the fruit has a relatively low impact on the insulin and blood sugar levels in the body.
Diabetics can opt for carrots in their daily diet despite its sweet flavour as it can help manage blood glucose levels. Carrot juice may still contain sugar and carbohydrates, it won't spike the blood sugar levels.
Diabetics can opt for carrots in their daily diet despite its sweet flavour as it can help manage blood glucose levels. Carrot juice may still contain sugar and carbohydrates, it won't spike the bloo..
Read More
Whole tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. This fruit has minimal impact on blood sugars and is safe to consume for diabetics. Make sure you consume the fruit, and not the juice. (Inputs from Dr Tejal Lathia, Consultant Endocrinologist, Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi - A Fortis Network Hospital; Dr Rohan Sequeira, Cardiometabolic Physician at Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre; Dr Mihir Raut, Consultant Physician & Diabetologist, Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital; Dietician Jasleen Kaur; and nutritionust Avni Kaul)
Whole tomatoes are low in carbohydrates. This fruit has minimal impact on blood sugars and is safe to consume for diabetics. Make sure you consume the fruit, and not the juice. (Inputs from Dr Teja..
Read More

"If approved, this drug would be a fantastic new option to complement oral metformin therapy as an alternative to insulin for our youth and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes," she said.

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The study compared outcomes of 66 children who received liraglutide shots plus metformin pills for 26 weeks with the outcomes of 68 other children who received metformin and a placebo.

Researchers measured the children's glycated hemoglobin level -- commonly called "A1C" -- at baseline, at week 26 and at week 52. The change in A1C from baseline to week 26 was the study's primary endpoint.

In the liraglutide group at week 26, mean A1C levels were reduced from baseline by 0.64 per cent, whereas levels increased by 0.42 per cent in the placebo group.

The estimated treatment difference on A1C levels was minus 1.06 per cent, which "showed the superiority of liraglutide to placebo," the researchers wrote.
Cut Sugar, Lose Body Fat & Quit Smoking: Lifestyle Habits To Ditch Diabetes
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Diabetes is among the fastest growing health issues today in India.



The rising prevalence of diabetes is primarily driven by a combination of various factors such as rapid urbanisation, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, tobacco use, and even increased life expectancy.



Although there are certain factors one can't change such as your genes, age or past behaviours, but there are many actions one can take to reduce the risk of diabetes.



Dr Varsha Khatry, Head - Medical and Scientific Affair at Roche Diabetes Care India shares some easy ways to not only reduce the risk of diabetes, but also prevent it.

Diabetes is among the fastest growing health issues today in India.The rising prevalence of diabetes is primarily driven by a combination of various factors such as rapid urbanisation, sedentary life..
Read More
One of the primary reasons for diabetes is body weight. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes.

According to studies by WHO, every kilogram of weight loss reduces the risk of diabetes risk by 16 per cent. Moving toward a healthy weight helps control blood sugars.

Your doctor, a dietitian and a fitness trainer can get you started on a plan that will work for you.
One of the primary reasons for diabetes is body weight. Being overweight is a big risk factor for diabetes. According to studies by WHO, every kilogram of weight loss reduces the risk of diabetes ri..
Read More
Eating sugary foods and refined carbs can put individuals at risk of developing diabetes. The human body rapidly breaks these foods down into small sugar molecules, which are absorbed into your bloodstream. The resulting rise in blood sugar stimulates the pancreas to produce insulin, a hormone that helps sugar get out of the bloodstream and into the body's cells. The body's cells are resistant to insulin's action, so sugar remains high in the blood when it comes to patients with the condition of prediabetes. To compensate, the pancreas produce more insulin, attempting to bring blood sugar down to a healthy level.

Over time, this can lead to progressively higher blood sugar and insulin levels, until the condition eventually turns into Type 2 diabetes. Replacing sugar or refined carbs with foods that have less of an effect on blood sugar may help reduce your risk of diabetes.
Eating sugary foods and refined carbs can put individuals at risk of developing diabetes. The human body rapidly breaks these foods down into small sugar molecules, which are absorbed into your blood..
Read More
Stress affects people with diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. When you have diabetes, stress can affect your blood glucose level. Managing stress with diabetes is just another way to work on managing your blood glucose level.
Stress affects people with diabetes, including Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. When you have diabetes, stress can affect your blood glucose level. Managing stress with diabetes is ..
Read More
Unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol can make diabetes and its complications worse. Too much alcohol may cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which can impair its ability to secrete insulin and potentially lead to diabetes. Moreover, smoking is bad for health whether one is diabetic or not. Smokers are twice as likely to develop diabetes as non-smokers. Smoking increases the risk for all diabetes-related health problems, such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and leg and foot infections.
Unhealthy habits such as smoking and drinking too much alcohol can make diabetes and its complications worse. Too much alcohol may cause chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which ca..
Read More
Lowering body sugar through exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of diabetes, but it has to be done regularly. Ideally, one should exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes a week. One doesn't have to become a gym rat. Break up your workouts into smaller chunks - like half an hour a day, five days a week. One can also take up walking, runing or cycling. Talk to your doctor about an exercise plan before you start. Physical activity also releases compounds your body makes called endorphins, which elevate your mood.
Lowering body sugar through exercise is one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of diabetes, but it has to be done regularly. Ideally, one should exercise for a minimum of 150 minutes a we..
Read More
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