Novel lipid lowering medication improves blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes

[Gert van der Hoek]

Penn researcher finds volanesorsen improves insulin sensitivity, glucose control for type 2 diabetics with high triglycerides


UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
PHILADELPHIA - High triglycerides -- a type of fat, or lipid, in the blood -- increase the risk of heart disease and perhaps type 2 diabetes. For the first time, it has been shown that profoundly lowering triglycerides in diabetics improves their insulin sensitivity over time, which helps them maintain healthy glucose - blood sugar -- levels. Volanesorsen, an experimental lipid-lowering medication, improved insulin sensitivity and glucose control by significantly decreasing patients' overall hemoglobin A1c -- the standard clinical measurement of blood glucose levels for diabetics -- in a new study reported by researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. The results are published online this month in Diabetes Care.

This makes me sad. High triglycerides in your blood is a symptom. It reflects the amount of sugars you consume. If you have high triglycerides, it means you consume a lot of sugars and/or carbohydrates. Sugars in your body can be damaging. A medication to lower triglycerides could have adverse effects; it doesn't remove the cause.

It seems to me It is safer and cheaper to adjust your diet: skip added sugars and refined carbohydrates. Your glucose control will improve, your insulin resistance will go down, you will lose weight.

GvdH