Hi Everybody!
This is David, and this is my first official post up here (Sharon does most of the work :), but I wanted to tell you all about a recent finding that should give everyone hope.
This is not about Alzheimer's directly, but about diabetes.
Most folks are familiar with the 4000-year-old disease, and its insulin treatment, that causes blood sugar levels to wildly vary. It carries the threat of short-term diabetic shock and long-term damage to blood vessels, blindness, and even shortened life expectancy. Though its a very manageable disease and much is known about it, there is no cure.
My son was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes on his 10th birthday, and over the last 6+ years has gotten pretty adept at managing his glucose levels, but he still pokes himself 8 times a day with needles and certainly is not living a normal life. If there's one wish I've had for six years, its for this disease to disappear or diminish - can anybody out there relate? I thought you might. :)
Well, i've got a big one brewing...
Amazing news is coming out for type-1 diabetics. Not a cure mind you, but rather a far better treatment protocol using Leptin, which is a natural hormone produced in fat cells.
This presentation was given January 20th, 2011, in Texas:
http://jdrfdallas.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/dr-gregory-clark-discusses-leptin-study-at-jdrf-research-update-meeting/
Basically, instead of using large doses of insulin to manage glucose levels, which are elevated by the presence of free fatty acids that "hide" in presence of insulin and then come right back again to wreak havoc when insulin levels drop, using Leptin with a small amount of insulin metabolizes the glucose AND oxidizes the troublesome FFAs so they leave the system as CO2 and water.
In short, they think they can eliminate the supposed cause of the hi-low-hi blood sugar roller-coaster. A whole new way of thinking about the problem. In effect, they've moved the treatment upstream, but if successful it would GREATLY reduce the long-term impact and problems associated with type-1. (capillary destruction, blindness, heart disease, etc)
There are 3 patients in clinical trials in the Dallas area, and they think they can eventually reduce the amount of insulin needed daily by 90%, with no glucose monitoring or testing needed!!!
This is amazing news for Harris, my son, and could be a divine answer to many, many prayers.
So, why am I posting this on the Purple Sunshine "Cure" page? Because it happens folks!! Diseases that are thousands of years old are changing, with new discoveries and new treatments that could affect the quality of life for millions.
While you all give wonderful care to your loved ones and friends in this moment, NEVER lose sight of the fact that Alzheimer's is a disease, and diseases have causes, and once found they may be able to be treated, diminished, or ever cured.
While love is the key ingredient for caregiving in the present moment, hope is the key ingredient for the future.
This is David, and this is my first official post up here (Sharon does most of the work :), but I wanted to tell you all about a recent finding that should give everyone hope.
This is not about Alzheimer's directly, but about diabetes.
Most folks are familiar with the 4000-year-old disease, and its insulin treatment, that causes blood sugar levels to wildly vary. It carries the threat of short-term diabetic shock and long-term damage to blood vessels, blindness, and even shortened life expectancy. Though its a very manageable disease and much is known about it, there is no cure.
My son was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes on his 10th birthday, and over the last 6+ years has gotten pretty adept at managing his glucose levels, but he still pokes himself 8 times a day with needles and certainly is not living a normal life. If there's one wish I've had for six years, its for this disease to disappear or diminish - can anybody out there relate? I thought you might. :)
Well, i've got a big one brewing...
Amazing news is coming out for type-1 diabetics. Not a cure mind you, but rather a far better treatment protocol using Leptin, which is a natural hormone produced in fat cells.
This presentation was given January 20th, 2011, in Texas:
http://jdrfdallas.wordpress.com/2011/02/10/dr-gregory-clark-discusses-leptin-study-at-jdrf-research-update-meeting/
Basically, instead of using large doses of insulin to manage glucose levels, which are elevated by the presence of free fatty acids that "hide" in presence of insulin and then come right back again to wreak havoc when insulin levels drop, using Leptin with a small amount of insulin metabolizes the glucose AND oxidizes the troublesome FFAs so they leave the system as CO2 and water.
In short, they think they can eliminate the supposed cause of the hi-low-hi blood sugar roller-coaster. A whole new way of thinking about the problem. In effect, they've moved the treatment upstream, but if successful it would GREATLY reduce the long-term impact and problems associated with type-1. (capillary destruction, blindness, heart disease, etc)
There are 3 patients in clinical trials in the Dallas area, and they think they can eventually reduce the amount of insulin needed daily by 90%, with no glucose monitoring or testing needed!!!
This is amazing news for Harris, my son, and could be a divine answer to many, many prayers.
So, why am I posting this on the Purple Sunshine "Cure" page? Because it happens folks!! Diseases that are thousands of years old are changing, with new discoveries and new treatments that could affect the quality of life for millions.
While you all give wonderful care to your loved ones and friends in this moment, NEVER lose sight of the fact that Alzheimer's is a disease, and diseases have causes, and once found they may be able to be treated, diminished, or ever cured.
While love is the key ingredient for caregiving in the present moment, hope is the key ingredient for the future.
RSS Feed