Last week CNBC reported from the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions. They consulted with the author of the Diabetic Investor Newsletter, David Kliff. David Kliff, according to his website has Type 2 diabetes, and is insulin using. David seemed to tout the genius of the product Byetta and the new week-long injection as an investment worth making. From a business perspective it’s genius! What’s my point? An insulin-pump wearing person with diabetes might think twice before promoting a drug that lasts for a week – especially if the possible side effects might be necrotizing pancreatitis. Call me a whistle-blower but the word necrotizing is defined as: to undergo necrosis or death of a tissue. Good call, Dave! What’s your next pick to kill off the pancreas?

David Kliff Diabetic Investor Newsletter: 
http://www.diabeticinvestor.com/index.php?UID=2009061720560524.186.214.60 

American Diabetes Association 69th Scientific Sessions (2009)

http://professional.diabetes.org/Congress_Display.aspx?TYP=9&CID=57909

Byetta causing necrotizing pancreatitis

http://www.xagena.it/news/medicinenews_net_news/f0cf02f00e9e36bff626386a006be59a.html

        

The Dalai Lama said when we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. So I embark on a journey of self discovery to find my inner happiness and peace while I countdown to my transplant. What have I found? I think I know why I’ve avoided love at all costs. Let’s revisit my blog about the emotional rollercoaster one rides with diabetes. Quite a trip. For those who are in love with someone who has diabetes or someone with diabetes who loves a Saint – what can you say for those of us in search of such sainthood?

The reality of people with diabetes and the people who love them seems to be a nonissue. People are defined by opportunities, even the ones they miss. Diabetes can be a difficult circumstance but it is not a defining opportunity. When the forces of nature can be countered with extraordinary acts of kindness it ias at that moment that we can yield the opportunity for inner happiness and peace. Some might say the extraordinary acts of kindness may trump the most evil forces in the universe. I believe it.

Long story short – I don’t have a love story, yet. I have been giving this a lot of thought and my fears are coming to light. Knowing is half the battle. The other half is a quote from Edward Munch, and it warms my heart. “Without fear and illness, I could never have accomplished all I have.” A forward-looking statement, but I’ll carry that quote for years to come.

        

 Please forgive me for the hiatus in blogs. I wanted to formally announce to my readers and viewership that I have decided o go through with the kidney transplant.

I am fortunate (and remarkably blessed) to have a living donor that is a genetic match. Hopefully this will reduce the chance of my body rejecting the kidney.

As for the future of Allies Voice it is alive and strong. Allies Voice is scheduled to launch the magazine edition in July 2009/ I will keep all of you informed hereas well as those subscribed through YouTube.

The magazine edition of Allies Voice will continue to address diabetes with a focus on empowering, enlightening and encouraging people to make informed health decisions. Same as it ever was – but now with more influence from people like you!

Always,
 Allie

        

It’s time diabetes started paying rent!

For those of us with vested interest in diabetes news – let’s raise the stakes. Diabetes news is important. However it’s no secret that much of the diabetes news is polished pharmaceutical marketing. How can we even the playing field?

Your comments on the diabetes news could be as valuable and vital and the news itself! More important is the fact you can win cash for your valuable comments in 3 easy steps:

Step 1) Subscribe to win at http://www.alliesresearch.com/subscribe.html

Ste[ 2) Sign up for Google diabetes news alerts. http://www.google.com/alerts

Step 3) Comment on the news headlines at http://www.alliesvoice.com.

If your comment is chosen for the print publication of Allies Voice you will be notified and receive a cash payment.

        

When the flu season rolls around medical professionals are out in droves recruiting diabetes patients, left, right and center to get their flu vaccine. However here we are in the tail end of April and we are faced with a new challenge of an unorthodox strain of the flu. Lest we not encounter an accidental contamination of the swine flu. This blog is meant to provide you some tips on how to protect you ourselves from the uninvited germs of the swine flu. Praise be the manners our parents worked so hard to instill.

The Center for Disease Control has been vigilant about raising awareness of the possibility of the swine flu outbreak. Don't be misled by the naming of the illness. So far authorities are unable to trace the flu strain back to pigs. In fact, their best guess of the epicenter for this outbreak is somewhere in Mexico. Tijuana, marijuana, tequila and now swine flu. Yay.

The fact that you may have diabetes is a disadvantage. Protect yourself from any unnecessary germs by following the guidelines listed below:

• Wash your hands. Frequent hand washing with soap, warm water and disposable paper towels is best. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is useful when you do not have access to soap, water and towels, although not as effective.
• Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. Cough or sneeze into a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Throw tissues away and wash your hands. Staying home when sick also helps to keep the illness from spreading.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. This decreases the chance that you will get the flu virus or other germs into your body, or that you will pass the flu to others.
• Clean surfaces that are touched often. Clean things that are touched often, such as door or refrigerator handles, computer key boards/mouse phones and water faucets.
• Avoid contact with people who are sick. Avoid unnecessary contact like holding, kissing or sharing food, dishes and cups with anyone who has a cold or the flu. People with young children, weak immune system or a chronic illness should avoid large crowds, if possible. If you get sick, stay home from school or work and limit contact with others to avoid infecting them.

I hope this brief safety vlog helps to reduce the number of people affected by this unforeseen outbreak.

For more "Allies Voice" visit:

"Allies Voice" http://www.alliesvoice.com
YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/AllieBeatty
MyDiabetesCentra.com at http://www.healthcentral.com/diabetes/

        

Recent efforts to voice the controversial issues on diabetes are being heard. Now "Allies Voice" will be available on MyDiabetesCentral.com. MyDiabetesCentral.com is owned by The Health Central Network (THCN) and deals with matters of diabetes. While "Allies Voice" will continue to exist - we will now have the opportunity to reach thousands more people everyday on MyDiabetesCentral.com.

Thank you to all who have been onboard since I began blogging on AOL's TheDiabetesBlog.com. The journey for understanding, better treatment choices and safer medicine has only just begun. You are all essential in making our voices heard and our needs met. Thank you!

Please subscribe here on AlliesVoice.com and on YouTube. For more interaction join me on TuDiabetes.com and MyDiabetesCentral.com.

        

The unimaginable feat of knocking-out the immune system to replenish working beta cells of Type 1 diabetics was proven successful, thanks to the research team led by Dr. Richard Burt in South America. What a country.

The findings were presented in Washington yesterday and are also published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. People with newly onset Type I diabetes, between the ages of 13 and 31, showed to remain insulin-free for an average of 31 months after the procedure. The procedure entailed transplanting bone-marrow stem cells to replenish beta cells.

Beta cells make insulin and help the body to maintain normal blood glucose. Autoimmune diabetes (Type I diabetes) continuously destroys beta cells and glucose levels can rise to near lethal levels. The belief of many is that stem cells hold future treatment options and cures for conditions like heart disease, diabetes, cancer and many other ailments.

Click to read the full story: http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/diabetes/2009/04/15/health-buzz-stem-cell-transplants-for-type-1-diabetes-and-other-health-news.html

_{Not one of my better videos. News is news, folks. It had to go out STAT. I’ll "doll" up next time}

To support the companies making the world safer for over 250 million people with diabetes, please contribute $5 per month at:www.alliesresearch.com/subscribe.html" target=_new> http://www.alliesresearch.com/subscribe.html

        

In the last week (aside from the heroic rescue of Captain Philips on Easter Sunday) all the rage has been about the brown fat. Apparently three studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine acknowledge that we have good fat and bad fat. The bad fat is white adipose tissue while the good fat is brown. Without getting racy - what’s the difference?

When we’re born we all have a certain amount of brown fat. It exists mostly around our spinal region and the function is to keep us warm. As we grow - the white fat accumulation seems to outpace the growth of brown fat in some individuals. The studies report that overweight individuals have more white fat than leaner individuals. What does this have to do with obesity?

The advantage to brown fat and metabolic rates is the fact that brown fat acts as little ‘space heaters’ in the body – burning energy to keep the homeostatic temperatures on par. White fat serves the same function on the body. However the means by which the white fat warms is as lazy as it looks – it just sits there.

Are you wondering how to build some more of this beneficial brown fat? Save money and turn down the heat in your house. That was one suggestion I heard an expert offer on FOX news. What about exercise? Consider the ancient wisdom of yoga and attempt the bridge pose. Fair warning – ask your doctor before unrolling your mat and assuming the position.

The idea that medicine might exist some day to build the brown fat is intriguing. Would the pill lower the body temperature to encourage the fat growth or would the pill spontaneously provoke fat growth and hope it’s the brown kind?

SUBSCRIBE to support Making the World Safer for People with Diabetes and investments in companies supporting the mission of “Allies Voice”. If you have the means to do so – please www.alliesresearch.com/subscribe.html“target=”_new”>contribute $5 per month to help companies bring safer, cost effective, and complication reducing treatments to people with diabetes.

Gratuitous PLUG – I LOVE OUR Military Special Operations!!!

        

The chore of managing diabetes is suppressive and life-altering for millions. The looming threat of complications and the possibility of an early death are commonplace when it comes to a diabetes diagnosis. Who are the companies that can mitigate the fears people with diabetes encounter every day of their lives?

Allies Voice is starting a movement to support the companies that are making the world safer for people with diabetes. The companies committed to making life with diabetes safer, less costly, and more effective in preventing the complications of the disease are receiving coverage and support from Allies Voice Newsletter.

Allies Voice Newsletter will report on diabetes news and research. Each issue will include a question to ask your doctor that may lead to better diabetes treatment options for you. Those of us living with diabetes deserve to have reassurance that companies care about our wellbeing. Allies Voice is committed to helping these companies succeed.

Allies Voice is asking people who have the means to do so - to contribute $5 a month for a subscription to Allies Voice Newsletter. If you can – please help make the world safer for people with diabetes. Please link below to subscribe.

        

Barbara Davis Centers for Childhood Diabetes published a study that found autoimmune diabetes is an allergic reaction to the insulin your body procures. This results in autoreactive T-cells attacking the beta cells reducing insulin and C-peptide production. If you were a parent of a child with a newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes or an adult with LADA would you choose to treat an allergy to human insulin with a ‘faster acting’ rDMA synthetic human analogue? A safer, cost effective, complication-reducing insulin choice is on its way…

In 1999, Barbara Davis Centers for Childhood Diabetes researched the effects of BCG on newly onset Type I diabetes. The research did not show any mitigation of the autoimmune attack on the beta cells with the treatment of BCG. However, the study chose to use rDNA synthetic human insulin. Why would this matter?

Research from 2008 found the www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov>endogenous nsulin may be the trigger to some forms of autoimmune diabetes. With this information I am riddled as to why the research done in 1999 was not cross referenced with the findings from 2008 to test if  highly purified beef or pork insulin would mitigate the autoimmune response leading to diabetes?

I emailed Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes and explained the fly in their ointment. My suggestion was to conduct the 1999 study with the findings from the 2008 study. The title would sound something like Effects of highly purified beef or pork insulin in preserving beta cell function. 

I can’t distinguish if the response from Barbara Davis was cordial condescension or funded ignorance. The associate professor of pediatrics and medicine conceded “with very few individuals on animal insulins at present, we will not get much data from these efforts in that regard, but will be able to compare to older although less complete data sets."

My point, exactly. With very few people on animal insulin – you’re missing a wealth of information  that may resolve the problems of cost, complications and curtailing the autoimmune attack on beta cells. After all – the graduating class of 50 year Lilly for Lifers still have residual C-peptide.Why not press rewind and run this study with a solution – not a problem?