Thursday, September 30, 2010

AUGUSTA -- We're teaming up with University Hospital to look at ways to control type 2 diabetes.

The disease makes most people's bodies resistant to insulin.

Medications like Avandia take your natural insulin and lets the body use it more effectively.

Recently -- the FDA has placed new restrictions on Avandia.

Making it the drug of choice for those patients that can't control their diabetes on any other medication.

Researchers find Avandia can cause an increased risk of heart problems.

However, a good diet and exercise can also help your body use the insulin you're producing.

"There will always be a certain number of people, that even with weight loss, even with exercise, even with healthy eating, their body can't produce enough insulin that works. Those are the people that will need medication treatment. We just have to look at each person to decide what combination that will have the most benefit with the least risk," said Robin Petry, a Certified Diabetes Educator at University Hospital.

Europe has banned the use of Avandia.

And new research shows getting enough magnesium, like that found in green vegetables, can also lower your risk of getting diabetes.