The first of these medications is called Byetta (Exenatide). This medication is a naturally occurring form of a gut peptide, GLP-1, that humans produce normally-diabetics typically just don't have enough of it. Byetta helps to restore the normal functioning of the pancreas-the organ where insulin is produced. In addition, this medication decreases appetite and decreases food-seeking behavior when hunger is not present. Byetta is able to improve diabetes while causing patients to lose weight, an unusual phenomenon in diabetes care. To date, the biggest "problem" with this medication is that the degree of weight loss quickly makes it apparent that fewer medications are needed to control the other problems of diabetes. Obviously, this is a good problem to have.

The next medication coming to market is called Vildagliptin (LAF-237) and will perform in a similar fashion to the aforementioned Byetta. The exception is that it comes in a pill form (as opposed to a daily injectible) and boosts the body's own supply of GLP-1. The effects of this medication are a normalization of the body's supply of GLP-1, improvement in pancreatic functioning and blood glucose levels. While Vildagliptin will not be available on a wide basis until 2006, a pre-release program will give early access to ten sites worldwide. True North Medicine, LLC and Diabetic Consultants of Alaska, LLC will be one of the clinic systems to receive this cutting-edge medication.

The third class of medication available to treat diabetes is an endocannabinoid receptor blocker and is known as Accomplia. Affectionately called the "anti-munchie drug" it blocks the parts of the brain that cause people to overeat and to smoke. It is a medication designed to put balance back into the body's system that regulates food and energy management. This is important for people with metabolic syndrome and diabetes as they typically carry too much weight and take in too many calories during the day. This leads to worsening of diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure problems. Accomplia reverses this process and takes away the cravings for both food and, incidentally, cigarettes. This research data is quite promising to help people quit overeating and to quit smoking-at the same time as producing improvement in diabetes and cholesterol!

We are entering a new era in the treatment of diabetes and cholesterol. The choices available to treat these deadly diseases expanded to more fully address the core defects of the disease process. This means more precise treatments and better outcomes for you, the patient. To learn more about these medications or to receive the most up-to-date diabetes or cholesterol management, please feel free to come in and see one of our physicians. We can help you achieve wellness in ways that were not possible just a short time ago.