Meet Keith: Lifestyle Overhaul to Achieve Better Health with Type 2 Diabetes

From diabetes.org

In February 2025, I went to my wellness exam for the first time in at least seven years. My appointment was with the nurse practitioner (NP) of an internist I had not yet seen. The first shock to my system was when I stepped on the scale: 345 pounds. At 5'10", that placed my BMI at 49.5. The first thing my NP said was, "Tell me about the history of your weight.” I had been athletic in my teens and twenties, but somewhere along the way, I had lost control of my weight, and in turn my health. 

The second shock to my system was when I received the results of my blood test. My A1C was 13, my fasting glucose was 287. I was totally floored. I had been in denial regarding my health for quite some time, but the realization of these results jarred me. For a few days, I felt hopeless and sorry for myself. 

I had a video call and my NP had a plan of treatment. She prescribed metformin and Mounjaro. As a condition of taking Mounjaro, she insisted that I meet with a dietitian regularly. She prescribed the Freestyle Libre CGM. In addition, there was a lifestyle overhaul: a high-protein, low-carb, low-sugar diet, and regular exercise for 20 minutes, three times per week. 

The first couple of months were difficult. I had to figure out what I could eat without spiking my glucose. The CGM was incredibly useful. My dietitian opened my eyes as to how I viewed food in a healthy way, not as a crutch or coping mechanism, and she educated me immensely. The exercise was difficult as expected at first. I started strength training on my own, relying on my experience earlier in life. After about two months, I began counting calories. The Mounjaro provided a head start in terms of managing food cravings as well as quantity. 

It's now been 11 months, and I have lost over 155 pounds. I weigh around 190 pounds with a goal weight of 185 pounds. My A1C in December was 5, and my fasting glucose is 80. In August, the internist instructed me to stop taking metformin, relying only on Mounjaro and my lifestyle changes to manage my glucose. 

It took incredible effort to reach this point, but the important takeaways are that (1) this is possible, and (2) I now have a sustainable lifestyle centred around nutrition and fitness. 

https://diabetes.org/blog/meet-keith-lifestyle-overhaul-achieve-better-health-type-2-diabetes

Weekly Wellness: Preventing and managing Type 2 diabetes

From steamboatpilot.com

If you have Type 2 diabetes or are worried about developing it, there are steps you can take to manage the condition and be proactive about preventing it.

“There are a lot of tools in our tool kit,” said Margo Boatner, a certified physician assistant with UCHealth Endocrinology Clinics in Steamboat and Craig. “There are things in your control like your diet and lifestyle if you are worried about prediabetes or have a family history of it.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 1 in 6 Americans have diabetes, with the majority of those individuals having Type 2 diabetes. But new ways to manage the disease means more effective ways to live a healthier life. 

“If you have Type 2 diabetes, there are new medications that are very effective and safe to help you get your blood sugar level under control and help to prevent diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, kidney disease and certain degenerative eye conditions,” said Boatner.

What is Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels that gradually worsen.

In the body, it means insulin production has decreased while insulin resistance has increased, which results in uncontrolled blood sugar levels. Over time, chronic blood sugar levels that are too high can damage the kidneys, eyes, heart, nerves and blood vessels.

What can cause Type 2 diabetes?

Type 2 diabetes is strongly associated with family history, being overweight or obese, and/or being from certain ethnic backgrounds that are predisposed to the chronic disease.

While there is a tendency to blame a person’s diet for causing Type 2 diabetes, Boatner said that is just one of many factors that can contribute to the development of the disease.

“Diet is just one piece of the puzzle,” she said. “Healthy eating can be a challenge due to affordability, access to healthy food and the prevalence of heavily processed foods in our society. Genetics and lifestyle are other factors.”

How do you know if you have type 2 diabetes? What are the symptoms?

According to Boatner, people with Type 2 diabetes can be asymptomatic and go undiagnosed for years.

“People can think they are healthy and if they don’t see their doctor or have an annual screening, they might not know they have it,” she said.

However, once blood sugar levels hit a tipping point at about 300 milligrams per decilitre, individuals will likely begin to experience increased thirst, extreme hunger, visual disturbances, frequent urination, weight loss and fatigue.

“This is why it’s important to have annual physicals and blood work to screen for Type 2 diabetes beginning at 35, especially if you have a family history or other risk factors,” said Boatner.

How do you test for Type 2 diabetes?

There are three main blood tests to check for Type 2 diabetes.

• An A1C test measures the last three months of a person’s blood sugar levels.
• A fasting plasma glucose test measures blood sugar after at least eight hours of fasting.
• The oral glucose test measures blood sugar before and after drinking a glucose-containing liquid.

How can you prevent Type 2 diabetes if you have a family history or are in a ‘prediabetes’ stage?

At a prediabetes stage, you can make lifestyle changes to slow the progression of Type 2 diabetes. That includes adopting habits such as exercise, good nutrition and weight management, while possibly incorporating medication under the guidance of your provider.

“There are certain things within our control like our behavior around food and exercise, and there are some not within our control, like genetics and ethnic background and your metabolism,” said Boatner.

What about medications such as Ozempic or Mounjaro?

Managing diabetes can include the use of medications including semaglutides like Ozempic or tirzepatides like Mounjaro that are administered via weekly injections.

The medications work by mimicking a natural gut hormone in the body to stimulate insulin production, which in turn, lowers blood sugar levels. In addition, the medications slow the gastric system from emptying, so you feel fuller for longer periods. They decrease appetite as well.

“For the right person, these drugs are definitely reshaping how we are treating Type 2 diabetes,” she said.

Benefits of the medications include weight loss, regulated sugar levels, and a decrease or sometimes elimination of daily insulin shots. Cons are their costs, and the necessity to take them indefinitely as their benefits cease once a patient stops taking them. Most common side effects include nausea, heartburn and constipation, although these often improve with time.

“We start with a low dose to lessen the side effects,” said Boatner, “and then gradually increase the dose after four to six weeks.”

Talk with your provider when making decisions about your health

Boatner said it is important for patients to talk with their provider about treatment for Type 2 diabetes. Each patient should have an individualized plan that meets health needs while keeping goals in mind.

“There are factors you can control to help you lead your healthiest life with a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes,” said Boatner. “We’re lucky we have new choices and effective glucose-lowering medications on the market to support patients.”

https://www.steamboatpilot.com/news/weekly-wellness-preventing-and-managing-type-2-diabetes/

If you have Type 2 diabetes are artificial sweeteners good for you? The short answer: No

From nortonhealthcare.com

If you have Type 2 diabetes and use artificial sweeteners, learn how they can affect blood sugar, inflammation and possibly brain health — get a doctor’s tips on healthier ways to manage your sweet cravings

Patients with Type 2 diabetes often are told to cut down on how much sugar they eat. If you have a sweet tooth, you may think you should cut sugar altogether and switch to artificial sweeteners.

“With Type 2 diabetes, your body does not correctly use the insulin created by your pancreas,” said Manikya Kuriti, M.D., an endocrinologist with Wendy Novak Diabetes Institute, a part of Norton Healthcare. “Instead of the insulin being used by cells as energy, your cells don’t respond. When the body produces more insulin to overcome this issue, your blood sugar rises — which can turn into serious health issues.

“This then requires you to manage your blood sugar in other ways, including with diet and exercise or medication. Each patient is different.”

The role of artificial sweeteners

If you need to reduce your blood sugar, you might think that consuming less “sugar” and replacing it with artificial sweeteners is the way to go. But it’s not that simple, according to Dr. Kuriti.

“There are studies that have found links between higher intake of artificial sweeteners and  cognitive decline,” Dr. Kuriti said. “The thought is these sweeteners can change the gut microbiome, which then causes inflammation. They also may change metabolic signals and disrupt how the body responds to insulin.”

There are a few artificial sweeteners available, and they affect the body in different ways:

• Aspartame: Based on observational studies, use of aspartame can result in cognitive complaints and mood fluctuations.
• Sucralose, saccharin, acesulfame potassium (also called acesulfame K or ace-K): These sweeteners have been shown to change the gut microbiome as well as interfere with normal metabolic processes. This could lead to inflammation.
• Stevia: This plant-derived product is newer than the others but is still a processed product. It seems to have minimal effect on insulin and glucose and leads to limited microbiome disruption compared with the others. Its potential benefits for people with diabetes derive from the fact that it is only partially absorbed in the small intestine, with much of it being fermented by gut bacteria in the colon. Because of this, its impact on blood glucose and insulin is much less than that of conventional sugar.
• Tagatose: A newly discovered sweetener called tagatose is not yet on the market and requires more research to determine if it has any long-term effects on health. At this time, clinical studies show very low increases in plasma glucose or insulin after ingestion of tagatose. Unlike sucrose, which fuels cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth, tagatose appears to reduce the growth of some of those bacteria, and evidence suggests it has probiotic effects to support healthy oral and gut bacteria. 

“It’s important to note that current research does not show artificial sweeteners directly cause dementia,” Dr. Kuriti said. “For people who already have a risk of dementia, there is a greater need to limit use of artificial sweeteners for long-term health.”

Those at greatest risk are people with diabetes who are older than 65 and have a history of stroke, high blood pressure, vascular disease and other heart issues.

If you have Type 2 diabetes, what should you do about sugar?

Patients who have Type 2 diabetes do need to monitor sugar intake, and high use of artificial sweeteners is not the answer.

“The best answer is to start with small changes that can improve your diet, your diabetes and your risks for other diseases,” Dr. Kuriti said.

This means working with your provider on a plan. You’ll need to reduce sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened drinks and foods, replacing them with healthier alternatives to help with glycemic control. Instead of sweetened drinks, try sparkling water. Instead of processed sweets, try fruit, and always work to increase fiber.

“Long-term use of artificial sweeteners or diet beverages might not be a healthier option, but the goal is to make smarter substitutions to retrain your tastes,” Dr. Kuriti said. “Diabetes in most cases is a lifelong condition and requires changes to lifestyle and diet to reduce further risks.”

Tips to reduce use of artificial sweeteners:

• Start with one meal a day, decreasing how much sweetener you use.
• Each day, reduce the amount you use.
• Decrease the amount of processed foods you eat and increase natural items such as berries, nuts and vegetables.
• Drink plenty of water or try sparkling water or unsweetened tea.

https://nortonhealthcare.com/news/if-you-have-type-2-diabetes-are-artificial-sweeteners-good-for-you-the-short-answer-no/

Eating Fibre Before Consuming Carbs Can Lower Diabetes Risk, Explains Nutritionist

From news18.com

Blood sugar spikes are influenced not only by what you eat but also by how and when you eat it. Consuming carbohydrates on an empty stomach allows glucose to enter the bloodstream rapidly, causing sharp spikes.

Over time, repeated spikes can worsen insulin resistance and significantly increase the risk of developing diabetes. However, experts say a small but effective dietary change, eating fibre before carbohydrates, can help regulate glucose absorption and support long-term metabolic health.

                                                                     Fibre plays a key role in slowing glucose absorption

Nutritionist on How Fibre Before Carbs Lowers Diabetes Risk

Deepsikha Jain, a nutritionist with a Master’s degree in Global Public Health Nutrition from the UK and a certified national diabetes educator, recently explained how eating fibre before carbohydrates can help reduce diabetes risk.

In an Instagram video shared on January 19, she breaks down the science behind fibre’s role in slowing glucose absorption and preventing sudden blood sugar spikes.

Simple Experiment Shows How Fibre Controls Glucose Absorption

To explain the concept visually, Deepsikha uses a simple experiment involving two glasses of water, two sieves and droppers filled with red dye. She explains that the glasses represent blood, the sieves represent the stomach, and the red dye symbolises glucose released after consuming carbohydrates. One sieve is left empty, while the other contains a green substance representing fibre.

As she introduces the demonstration, Deepsikha says, “Just give me 60 seconds and I’ll tell you how eating fibre can reduce your risk of diabetes." She further explains, “Imagine these two glasses of water to be your blood. This (the sieve) is your stomach. And one stomach already has fibre. The other one is an empty stomach."

What Happens When You Eat Carbs on an Empty Stomach

During the experiment, Deepsikha releases the red dye through both sieves. In the setup without fibre, the dye flows straight into the water, visually showing how carbohydrates consumed on an empty stomach are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. This rapid absorption leads to sudden blood sugar spikes, which can be harmful when repeated frequently.

How Fibre Slows Sugar Absorption in the Bloodstream

In contrast, when the dye passes through the sieve containing fibre, most of it gets absorbed by the green substance instead of entering the water freely. This demonstrates how fibre creates a barrier that slows down the entry of glucose into the bloodstream.

Explaining the science behind this, Deepsikha says, “When you’re eating fibre, it actually locks up the sugar that reduces the rapid absorption of sugar in your bloodstream, hence reducing the sugar spike." She adds that eating carbohydrates without fibre allows sugar to enter the blood too quickly, “hence creating a greater sugar spike, worsening your diabetes."

How Eating Fibre First Supports Long-Term Blood Sugar Control

Through this experiment, Deepsikha highlights that fibre plays a key role in slowing glucose absorption, which helps reduce insulin resistance over time. By simply prioritising fibre-rich foods before consuming carbohydrates, individuals can stabilise blood sugar levels and lower their long-term risk of diabetes.

https://www.news18.com/lifestyle/health-and-fitness/eating-fibre-before-consuming-carbs-can-lower-diabetes-risk-explains-nutritionist-aa-9849831.html 

Daily Habits That Can Help Lower Your A1C With Type 2 Diabetes

From everydayhealth.com

When you live with type 2 diabetes, properly managing your A1C becomes a crucial part of life. But when you’ve already started moving more and watching what you eat and still don’t see positive results, you might be wondering what else you can do to get your A1C down.

“Data shows keeping your A1C below 7 percent significantly reduces your risk for the complications of type 2 diabetes, including changes in the eyes that can affect vision, damage to the nerves in the hands and feet, kidney damage, and heart disease,” says Gillian Mueller Goddard, MD, an endocrinologist and adjunct assistant professor of medicine at the New York University Grossman School of Medicine in New York City.

Keeping blood sugar regulated can be challenging, says Dr. Goddard. It takes time to develop healthy habits. And because diabetes is a progressive disease, what once kept your A1C in check may no longer be effective. What’s reassuring is that taking a multipronged approach, including making simple changes to your daily routine, can help you better manage your A1C over time. Consider these tweaks.

Start a Mindfulness Practice

When it comes to mindfulness, you might think of its psychological benefits. But it can also have a positive physiological impact, particularly for people with diabetes. Research suggests mindfulness practices can help people with type 2 diabetes improve glycaemic control. While mindfulness isn’t a magical fix, it can be an additional — even enjoyable — part of your management plan. 

Mindfulness interventions such as meditation and mindfulness-based stress reduction, a research-backed mindfulness course that builds resilience, have been shown to be effective for improving glycaemic control. Additional research has found that mind-body practices such as yoga and qigong, a form of traditional Chinese medicine that combines deep breathing, gentle movement, and visualization, are associated with better glycaemic control, too.

Find Your Sleep Sweet Spot

While there are no specific sleep recommendations for people living with type 2 diabetes, some research suggests there is a sweet spot for better glycaemic control: more than six hours, but no more than eight.

Additionally, sleep deprivation and other sleep issues are believed to affect insulin resistance, which can have a negative impact on your A1C.

That said, everyone is different, and the amount of shut-eye that feels good to you may be too much — or not enough — for someone else. Talk to your doctor about the role of quality slumber in managing A1C and how you can optimize your sleep for better blood sugar control.

Pair Starches and Sugars With Protein and Healthy Fats 

Eating carbs alone can cause blood sugar spikes, so Goddard recommends adding lean protein or healthy fats whenever you eat sugars or starches. 

“When you pair carbs with a protein or healthy fat, it slows the rate at which the carb gets absorbed as sugar in the blood,” she says. “As a result, blood sugars rise and fall more gradually and never get as high as they would when you eat a carb on its own.”

Goddard recommends pairing apples with no-sugar-added peanut butter or adding chicken or fish to pasta. Another idea is eating fruit along with cottage cheese, plain yogurt, or string cheese. But really, the possibilities are endless.

Sneak in Some Steps

You may already know that regular aerobic exercise can have a positive impact on blood sugar levels. And walking is one of the easiest (and most accessible) forms of movement for many people with diabetes.

What you may not realize is just how many ways you can fit in more steps every day. The American Diabetes Association suggests walking instead of driving to local spots, or if you do drive somewhere, parking a bit farther away. You can also take the stairs instead of an elevator when possible or schedule your next meeting as a “walking meeting” instead of at your desk. 

Get Support Through Family, Friends, and Peers

Peer support groups have long been understood to be a vital component of managing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, as they can help you stay focused on your treatment goals while improving your mental health. In one study, most of the participants who combined support from loved ones and through text messages with telehealth classes and personalized consultations to stay engaged with health goals managed to reduce their A1C levels.

Check in with family members or friends who are also living with type 2 diabetes (or other chronic health conditions) about their health goals, and ask what’s working well for them. You can also seek out type 2 diabetes support groups in your area or online for additional support. They may offer A1C management advice you hadn’t considered and — perhaps just as important — remind you that you aren’t walking this road alone.

The Takeaway

• Managing your A1C when you have type 2 diabetes is important for reducing your risk of serious complications, such as heart disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision problems.
• Practicing mindfulness, getting the right amount of sleep, and finding consistent support can help you manage your A1C.
• Filling your plate with proteins and healthy fats along with carbs can also help keep your A1C in check, as can fitting more steps into your daily routine.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/daily-habits-that-can-help-lower-your-a1c/

 

Type 1 Diabetes and Cold Weather

From everydayhealth.com

Type 1 diabetes doesn’t hibernate. The winter and cold weather can complicate your type 1 diabetes management in several ways, from freezing insulin and affecting medical-device functionality to increasing your risk of infection.

With some extra planning, you can make sure your diabetes supplies stay safe, that you stay on top of blood sugar levels, and that you plan ahead for possible sick days. 

Insulin Can Freeze

Insulin can freeze when stored at 32 degrees F or colder, just like water, says Jovan Milosavljevic, MD, an assistant professor of medicine at Montefiore Einstein in New York.

“When this happens, its protein structure becomes damaged,” he says. “Even if the insulin later thaws, it won’t work the way it should.”

In addition to damaging protein strands, freezing may cause clumping or crystals inside the insulin, making it unsafe for people with type 1 diabetes who rely on it to control their blood sugar, says Amy Hess-Fischl, RDN, CDCES, the Chicago-based president of healthcare and education for the American Diabetes Association. Research is thus far inconclusive as to just how much potency is lost. Extra-cold temperatures also may cause glass vials to crack and contaminate the insulin inside.

Typically, you should store insulin in the refrigerator at between 36 and 46 degrees F, though it may tolerate higher temperatures for short periods.

“To prevent freezing, never keep unopened insulin in the freezer or near the back wall of the refrigerator," says Hess-Fischl, adding that insulated bags are available to keep insulin at an appropriate temperature.

In the winter, you should be especially careful about how you carry your insulin. Leaving a vial or pen outdoors in a backpack, purse, or car could easily expose it to freezing temperatures. If you’re spending the day skiing or sledding or even just shopping, stay mindful of the insulin you keep on your person so that it doesn’t freeze.

“Keep insulin close to your body, like inside a jacket, and consider an insulated pouch when traveling or spending long periods outdoors so the temperature stays safely above about 40 degrees F,” Dr. Milosavljevic says. 

Protect Your Devices

If you use an insulin pump or a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), note that extreme cold can affect how they operate.

Manufacturers typically recommend keeping these devices between about 40 and 85 degrees F. Cold weather can cause the insulin in a pump to freeze or device mechanics to work improperly. If devices fail, they can make diabetes management more challenging, such as having to switch to alternate insulin delivery if an insulin pump stops working.

Take some precautions to ensure that devices also remain at an appropriate temperature. 

“Wear them in areas [where] they are less likely to be directly exposed to the cold,” says Risa Wolf, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist and the director of the pediatric diabetes program at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore. 

Body heat also can help keep devices at a safe temperature, Hess-Fischl says.

It’s also possible for the cold to affect adhesives on pumps and CGMs. 

“Adhesive can sometimes harden, losing stickiness as a result,” Hess-Fischl says. “The cold and lower humidity leads to dry skin. Dry skin can cause adhesives to become more abrasive to the skin by increasing their hold.” 

Drinking more water might help them stick, she says.

If you customarily add additional adhesive tape to protect your pump or CGM, Hess-Fischl suggests finding an adhesive that releases gently, such as those that include zinc.

Extreme Cold and Blood Sugar

Cold temperatures can make it harder to manage your blood sugar, as they trigger reactions that reduce insulin sensitivity.

“Cold weather can cause the body to release stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline,” Milosavljevic says. “These hormones stimulate the liver to release extra glucose, which can raise blood sugar levels.”

If you are exposed to cold, your body also will try to preserve heat and limit blood flow to your skin, he says: “Insulin absorption may be decreased, which can lead to higher sugars as well.”

Poor circulation in cold hands also can make it harder to get a glucose reading from a fingerstick. This may lead to inaccurate readings and improper treatment.

“It’s a good idea to check your blood sugar frequently, since close monitoring is the best way to see how cold weather affects you and to respond to any trends,” Milosavljevic says. 

If you have type 1 diabetes, it is important to think about how you store and administer your medication in cold weather.Everyday Health

Winter Lifestyle Changes

Winter weather and winter habits also may lead to less exercise and a less healthy diet, especially during the holidays, making blood sugar harder to control.

“Decreased activity will increase insulin resistance, leading to higher glucose levels and the need for more insulin,” Hess-Fischl says.

Just as getting more exercise can reduce your insulin needs and your risk of diabetes complications, getting less of it increases your risk of obesity and heart problems — both of which can make type 1 diabetes harder to control.

Hess-Fischl recommends making an effort to take regular walks, be they outside or simply walking in place, and exercising on your own. Even housework can be productive physical activity, she says. 

Exercise also helps combat seasonal affective disorder, which is most common in the winter and is linked to weight gains, depression, and other factors that can complicate diabetes.

Be mindful of your diet, as well, as parties and family events can disrupt your regular meal plan and blood sugar levels. Hot chocolate and other cold weather comfort foods can lead to blood sugar rises without proper insulin correction. 

“Being closer to snacks and foods that may tempt you to eat more, gain a little bit of weight, and also increase the insulin needs,” Hess-Fischl says.

Winter Infections

Infections such as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 are more common in cold-weather months, and all pose challenges to someone with type 1 diabetes.

“Winter illnesses, such as the flu, can result in higher blood sugars because of the body's need for more insulin during illness,” Dr. Wolf says. “Illnesses can also increase the risk of ketone development and diabetic ketoacidosis in people with diabetes.”

If you have type 1 diabetes, you are not necessarily more prone to getting winter infections. But you are more likely to have severe symptoms and complications from illnesses such as COVID-19.

It’s best to plan ahead. Get the annual vaccinations that your doctor recommends, practice good hygiene, and be sure to collaborate with your healthcare team to create a sick day plan so you know exactly how to adjust your insulin doses and diet you’re feeling under the weather — and when exactly to call for help.

“Make sure to follow your doctor's instructions during times of illness by checking ketones frequently and seeking medical guidance as needed,” Wolf says.

Keep Hypo Snacks Warm

Everyone with type 1 diabetes has a risk of hypoglycemia, which means you need fast-acting sources of sugar such as candy or juice on hand for when your blood sugar gets too low. Any snack that could freeze, such as a juice box, may be worthless if your blood sugar is tumbling during a cold-weather activity.

It’s particularly critical to make sure to have a sugar source during exercise, including cold-weather activities such as skiing, sledding, or ice skating. Not all snacks may be appropriate.

“Bring hypoglycaemia treatment that is easy to carry and is not affected by temperatures, first and foremost,” Hess-Fischl says. “Juice and gels may not be the best idea.”

Keep those snacks close to your body while you are out in cold weather. 

“Glucose tabs or gummies kept in an inside pocket would be ideal since they will not freeze as easily as liquids,” Hess-Fischl says. 

The Takeaway

• Managing type 1 diabetes during cold-weather months may require paying extra attention to the temperature of your insulin, medical devices, and hypoglycaemia snacks.
• Insulin is unusable if it freezes, so be sure to keep it within the recommended temperature range, storing it in an insulated bag if necessary.
• Cold weather itself can activate stress hormones that can increase blood sugar levels and decrease insulin production, making regular blood sugar checks key.
• Have a sick-day plan in place if you get a winter illness such as the flu, RSV, or COVID-19, all of which may come with more severe symptoms and complications if you have type 1 diabetes.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/diabetes/type-1-diabetes-and-cold-weather/

Diabetes UK: "We welcome the junk food advertising ban across the UK"

From diabetes.org.uk

We welcome the introduction of UK-wide restrictions on junk food advertising, a key step towards tackling childhood obesity and reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

We have long campaigned for legislation to stop children and young people from being bombarded by unhealthy food adverts, so we welcome the introduction of restrictions on junk food advertising, which came into force on Monday 5th January 2026 across the UK as part of efforts to tackle childhood obesity.

Under the new rules, food and drink products high in fat, salt and sugar can no longer be advertised on television before 9pm, or online at any time. 

The restrictions apply to foods and drinks of most concern for childhood obesity, such as sugary drinks, confectionery, and pizzas and ice creams, as well as foods that might not be perceived as being high in fat, salt, or sugar, such as sweetened yoghurts, some breakfast cereals and porridges, sweetened bread products, and main meals and sandwiches.

The products covered by the ban are determined by their levels of saturated fat, salt and sugar. 

Why this matters for diabetes and children’s health

Living with obesity and overweight is a risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. NHS data shows that almost one in ten children in reception year are now living with obesity, and rates are highest among children living in the most deprived areas.

Linked to this, we are seeing a rise in type 2 diabetes in children and young people. This is particularly concerning because type 2 diabetes is more aggressive when it develops at a younger age, putting people at an increased risk of complications.

A step we have long called for

Together with other health bodies and charities as part of the Obesity Health Alliance, we have consistently called on the government to take stronger action to reduce children’s exposure to junk food advertising as part of a wider approach to creating healthier food environments.

In the past, we have raised concerns that delaying these restrictions risked impacting progress on childhood obesity and could lead to more children developing type 2 diabetes in the future. 

This news is a welcome step towards recognising that creating healthier food environments is essential to supporting healthier lives.

More action is still needed

While this is a positive move to protect children’s health, we are concerned about the broad exemptions for brand advertising, and the limited number of product categories and media channels in scope, and together with others are calling on the government to go further to improve public health, reverse rising obesity rates and reduce the risks of type 2 diabetes.

We want to see further action to improve our food environment, including a total ban on adverts for unhealthy food on television and on our streets and an industry levy to encourage businesses to make our food healthier.

Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: 

"With type 2 diabetes on the rise in young people, the need to improve children’s health in the UK has never been greater. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people, leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease.

"The long-awaited move to restrict junk food advertising, along with other measures such as mandatory healthy food sales reporting for businesses and the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy, can help protect our children's health, creating a future where conditions like type 2 diabetes can be prevented in young people."

https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/news-and-views/junk-food-advertising-ban-childrens-health?utm_campaign=4933866_Enewsletter%20-%20January%202026%20-%20General&utm_medium=email&utm_source=dot_digital&dm_i=79RZ,2XQZU,1PBE5R,871O9,1,0,0,0 

Screening all children for type 1 diabetes is effective, study says

From bbc.co.uk 

All UK children could be offered screening for type 1 diabetes using a simple finger-prick blood test, say researchers who have been running a large study.

Currently, many young people go undiagnosed and risk developing a life-threatening complication called diabetic ketoacidosis that needs urgent hospital treatment.

Identifying diabetes earlier could help avoid this and mean treatments to control problematic blood sugar levels can be given sooner.

Some 17,000 children aged three to 13 have already been checked as part of the ELSA, external (Early Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes) study, funded by diabetes charities.

Imogen, who is 12 and from the West Midlands, is one of those found to have diabetes thanks to the screening.

Her mum Amy says knowing what's coming, rather than being taken by surprise, has made a massive difference to their confidence and peace of mind.

"Imogen took part in the study to further research and help others, but it has helped her too – being forewarned is being forearmed.

"She was always going to develop type 1 diabetes, but through ELSA we've been able to slow down the process and prepare. We know what's coming, but we're not scared."

Imogen is being given ongoing support to prepare her for what is to come.

Amy, who is 44 and has type 1 diabetes herself, is aware of the risks with the disease. She was diagnosed aged 13 after developing diabetic ketoacidosis.

"When I was diagnosed, I had no warning and ended up quite poorly in hospital," she recalls.

Imogen is now trying a new type of drug designed to delay her diabetes. It's an immunotherapy called teplizumab that helps calm her immune system to slow its attack of her pancreas.

In trials, external, the drug has been shown to delay the onset of diabetes by about three years, on average. It is not yet widely available on the NHS. Imogen is only the second child in the UK to get it.

              Doctors hope the immunotherapy drug will delay Imogen's diabetes          Diabetes UK

How the diabetes screening test works

The finger-prick blood test checks for autoantibodies - proteins that the immune system makes which can attack the body's own tissues.

In diabetes, these autoantibodies attack the pancreas - the organ which has the job of making insulin to control blood sugar.

Family history can increase your risk of type 1 diabetes and scientists believe some things in the environment, like viruses, play a role in triggering it.

Preliminary findings from ELSA in the 17,283 children, published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, external journal and funded by Diabetes UK and Breakthrough T1D, show:

• 75 children had one autoantibody, signalling increased future risk of type 1 diabetes

• 160 had two or more autoantibodies but did not yet require insulin therapy, indicating early-stage type 1 diabetes

• 7  were found to have undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, with all needing to start insulin immediately

Children without autoantibodies are unlikely to develop type 1 diabetes.

Dr Elizabeth Robertson from Diabetes UK said: "For too many families, a child's type 1 diabetes diagnosis still comes as a frightening emergency. But that doesn't have to be the case.

"Thanks to scientific breakthroughs, we now have the tools to identify children in the very earliest stages of type 1 diabetes - giving families precious time to prepare, avoid emergency hospital admissions, and access treatments that can delay the need for insulin for years."

Rachel Connor, from Breakthrough T1D, added: "The findings from ELSA's first phase signal a major step towards a future in which type 1 diabetes can be detected early, managed proactively, and potentially delayed through immunotherapy."

The next phase of the study - called ELSA 2 - will now expand the screening offer to children aged 2 to 17. The finger-prick test can be done at home, in school or at a GP surgery.

Several other countries are also exploring whether to introduce diabetes screening for children. Italy already has for those aged 1 to 17.

It would be up to UK ministers, advised by the National Screening Committee and studies like ELSA, whether to do the same.

Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

The NHS says the most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes are:

• peeing more than usual, especially at night

• feeling very thirsty and drinking more than usual

• feeling very tired

• losing weight without trying to or looking thinner

Children may have heavier nappies or they may start wetting the bed because they're peeing more.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3684zddgl0o