Insulet wins CE mark for integration of insulin pump with Abbott CGM by Nick Paul Taylor for MedTechDive.com, 8 February 2024.
Since the launch of the Omnipod 5 in 2022, Insulet has worked to integrate the pump with devices from Abbott, Dexcom’s main competitor for the CGM market. The work has resulted in a CE mark, which Insulet announced. The CE mark covers Abbott’s older Libre 2 device, but Insulet plans to add integration with Libre 3, James Hollingshead, CEO of the insulin delivery company, said.
Read more: Insulet CE mark for Omnipod5 & Abbott Libre CGM
Sinocare’s iCan i3 CGM. And another one… by Tim Street for Diabettech.com, 2 February 2024.
According to Sinocare, the iCan i3 is a Gen 3 CGM that uses Direct Electron Transfer to generate a signal, rather than using a mediator. In theory, it should create a more stable sensor over the sensor life by reducing enzyme degradation, but that’s a whole other article. As ever, with a new sensor, it has a headline figure in the 8% to 9% range. But that’s expected, as no one these days would launch a sensor with anything other than this. The user guide states that they arrived at this number from a mix of 60 adult T1 and T2 participants in their study.
Let’s just say that the indications are that this isn’t really a representative MARD value.
To add to that, we have another case where the study data is hidden somewhere, so we only have the user manual to go on. As you’ll note, this states the study was adults only, however, the website marketing suggests family use and following. Naughty, naughty…
Unboxing and application: It’s the most complicated process I’ve come across to connect a sensor up. It’s worth noting that Sinocare themselves seem to realize this is a little bit complex, so won’t allow you to insert the first sensor without watching all the videos they provide in app to understand what to do. And even then, I had to refer to the paper instructions…..
Sinocare has 21-year experience in BGM (Blood Glucose Monitor) industry since its foundation in 2002. It is the biggest BGM manufacturing facility company in Asia and the first listed blood glucose meter company in China, dedicated to the innovation of biosensor technology, development, manufacturing, and marketing of rapid diagnostic testing products. In 2016, after the successful acquisition of Nipro Diagnostic Inc. (now renamed Trividia Health Inc.) and PTS Diagnostics Inc., Sinocare became the world’s No.5 largest blood glucose meter manufacturer and one of the leading companies in the POCT industry in the world.
Read more: Sinocare’s iCan i3 CGM. And another one…
Syncing Your CGM with Your Smartwatch by Diabetotech.com, 6 February 2024.
Have you ever experienced the convenience of having your glucose data readily available at just a glance on your smartwatch? What if it was easier than ever to access this valuable information without the need to constantly reach for your phone?
Whether you’re using a Dexcom G7, G6, or ONE, a FreeStyle Libre 3 or 2, or a Guardian 4 sensor, we have tested and streamlined the process for you with for Garmin smartwatch, Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch.
Read more: Syncing Your CGM with Your Smartwatch
Scientists find compounds in salmon that may lower cholesterol, heart disease risk by Robby Berman for MedicalNewsToday.com, 5 February 2024.
Salmon has long been considered a healthy food, especially when eaten in diets that forgo excessive salts, processed foods, and unhealthy oils. Now, a new study examines salmon from a metabolomic perspective, and describes, on a molecular level, the health benefits of salmon. The study found that salmon contains 508 food-specific compounds, or FSCs, including 237 metabolites that are unique to salmon.
When it is eaten as part of a Mediterranean diet, salmon delivers to the body at least 48 of these compounds, along with 30 metabolites — substances produced during digestion or other body chemical processes. Four of these metabolites are associated with significant improvements in cardiometabolic health indicators, or CHI.
The researchers found increases in two annotated salmon FSCs and two metabolites were associated with greater cardiometabolic health, evident by CHIs in the participants’ blood plasma at the end of the trial. These cardiometabolic benefits included reductions in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B, which is an indicator of heart disease.The study is published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Michelle Routhenstein, cardiology dietician and preventive cardiology nutritionist at EntirelyNourished.com, who was not involved in the study, said “Metabolomic studies have highlighted the diverse array of bioactive compounds present in olive oil, such as phenolic compounds and oleic acid, which are associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cardiovascular health benefits,” she explained. The same sort of research, said Routhenstein, has found barley, quinoa, and bulgur to be rich sources of phytochemicals. These include phenolic acids, flavonoids, lignans, and phytosterols, compounds possessing antioxidant properties that help to combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
Read more: Scientists find compounds in salmon that may lower cholesterol, heart disease
Diabetes, Aging, and Muscle Loss: What You Need To Know by Amelia Harnish for diaTribe.org, 29 January 2024.
Recent research has found a strong link between diabetes and sarcopenia, otherwise known as accelerated age-related muscle loss. The study also found that people with diabetes have three times the risk for sarcopenia compared to those without diabetes. Sarcopenia in older adults is associated with an increased risk of falls, frailty, and mortality. As people with diabetes live longer – more than a quarter of Americans 65 or older have diabetes – this complication is increasingly on clinicians’ radars.
If you live with diabetes, it should be on your radar, too, said Dr. Betul Hatipoglu, assistant professor and director of the Case Center for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio. “Sarcopenia is more common in older individuals who are at risk for muscle loss naturally. However, even younger people with diabetes could suffer from this side effect if not well-managed for a long time,” Hatipoglu said.
What you can do to keep muscles strong? If you live with diabetes, the best thing you can do for your muscles is manage your blood sugar as best as you can, Hatipoglu said. While there aren’t many studies linking glucose control to increased muscle mass, based on what we know about the possible mechanisms, improved blood sugar levels can likely help keep your muscles strong. The next best thing you can do for your muscles is use them. Incorporate strength or resistance training into your routine. The increased risk for muscle loss among those with diabetes makes this aspect of exercise even more important.
Read more: Diabetes, Aging, and Muscle Loss: What You Need To Know
How Low Is Too Low When It Comes to A1c and Blood Sugar? by TCOYD.org, 2 February 2024.
Many people think that keeping their blood sugars and A1c really really low means they’ll have fewer compilations down the road, but there’s evidence to show that an A1c far below 7% does not mean your chances for complications will decrease along with it.
This is based on the ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes 2023 Targets for Glycemic Control, which is the gold standard that is respected and followed by healthcare professionals around the world.
A link to the full glycemic targets section from the 2023 Standards of Care can be found here. ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes 2023 Targets for Glycemic Control
A FEW BOOKS LEFT in the Book Giveaway of Haidee Soule Merritt’s Insulin Surplus Zine: Possible Uses for the Insulin Surplus (IF there’s ever a cure for diabetes).
I still have several copies ($8.50 value, postage included), free for the asking, until I run out of ezines. It’s a fun, little booklet of cartoons about living with T1D … will make you giggle … and also makes a great gift at any T1D meetup or gathering!
What’s the catch? Please tell me why you’d love a copy. I’ll share your comments with Haidee … and I will mail a booklet to you, with postage paid! Please email your mailing address: joanne@TheSavvyDiabetic.com.
One of my favorite cartoons …
Benefits and Risks of Insulin Pumps and Closed-Loop Delivery Systems by Dan Heller of DanHeller.substack.com, 25 January 2024.
I sympathize with those who look forward to fully automated closed-loop insulin pumps for the modest reason of “living a normal life.” Managing T1D is a difficult and mentally taxing disease. It’d be great to eat without worrying about what’s going to happen next.
I understand–I really love glazed donuts. But alas, I stay away.
Technically, such a system is a highly ambitious goal because, as the article explains, the metabolic system is so complex, with multiple regulatory and counter-regulatory hormonal responses firing in different directions, even the natural human body struggles keeping glucose levels low and stable. To expect an external insulin pump–which can only deliver insulin–to come close to human performance may remain wishful thinking. Nevertheless, these systems are in a state of rapid development, and there is a near-universal perception that today’s technology helps T1Ds optimize glucose management pretty well.
As a T1D myself, and having known others who suffer from severe emotional distress from the daily drudgery of T1D, I have absolutely no problem at all with those finding ways to relieve stresses. T1D cannot be managed at all if one suffers high levels of stress and depression.
But again, it’s possible this may be more of a self-induced placebo effect: Studies of larger and randomized populations show that pumps themselves do not relieve stress—just the belief that pumps work is the real stress reliever. That, and other psychological factors are also at play (reviewed later in this article).
The aim of this article is to tease out these details and get a more nuanced understanding of when, and under what circumstances, today’s pumps and closed-loop insulin systems may be beneficial, when they’re not, and why such perceptions persist.
Please take a moment to read Dan’s post … give it a good think … and feel free to share your thoughts and comments.
Read more: Benefits and Risks of Insulin Pumps and Closed-Loop Delivery Systems
Happy Valentine’s Day, with love from The Savvy Diabetic!
Here’s an amazing carb list of Valentine’s Day foods, thanks to Children with Diabetes.
