Thread: Better glycemic control = fewer complications for Type 1 diabetics

The main lesson of this article concerning type 1 diabetes, is that the better the control of blood sugar, the more significant the avoidance of diabetic complications.

To me, however, the really interesting part here, given the results, is what was NOT studied. The point of the study was to see if pouring a sufficient amount of insulin into a person to keep blood sugars closer to normal, over a long period of time, would make a difference in the appearance of complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, decreased renal function, etc.

It did, but it's clear that the much better (but still not normal) HbA1c's in the IT (Intensive Therapy group) were achieved by more insulin more often not by using diet to reduce the need for so much insulin. Guess what? The IT group actually gained weight! Imagine what could have been accomplished if only they'd included a third control group, who not only monitored their blood sugar frequently and matched their insulin to the needs, but who also designed their eating so that less insulin was needed?

Think about it.

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http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470738

Excellent point, Maggie. One would think the researchers would have one of those "slap their forehead" moments.....