The following caught my eye this morning due to its mention of anti-inflammatory action. But it became more interesting as I realized that the "natural compound" was conspicuously never identified.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0702112842.htm

"ScienceDaily (July 3, 2009) — Researchers at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center have found a way to use a natural compound to stop one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. The research appears online this month in the journal Diabetes, a publication of the American Diabetes Association...."

Send them some money and you might find out what it is.

GregD

it is angiostatin, and the K5 faction that was tested.
There are PubMed papers on this.

It is not a natural "supplement" which is one thinks of when
reading that paper.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angiostatin
from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1...ubmed_RVDocSum

about Diabetic Induced Diseases.

As an insulin dependent diabetic myself...

The basic reason that diabetics lose their eyesight is due to glucose.
Why are the organs of the body effected by high glucose readings?
And this is preventable!!

First, the pancreas cannot make enough insulin to turn glucose into energy. The glucose builds up in the body and begins to coat the organs. It is this buildup that causes diabetic induced diseases of the organs.

"Long-term diabetes complications, which result from damage to the body's tissues. Persistent high blood sugar can damage the eyes (diabetic retinopathy), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), nerves (diabetic neuropathy), heart (leading to a heart attack), and blood vessels (leading to strokes, peripheral arterial disease, and possibly amputation)."

Diabetic retinopathy is how I discovered I was diabetic. I estimate that I was diabetic for at least 10 years...when I look back pre-PD. I also wonder if it was a non-motor symptom of PD.

Gratefully, I was hospitalized with a glucose count of almost 700 and reversed all my diabetic symptoms then and there. Sadly though even while keeping my glucose in check over the years I have also gained too much weight. It is carbohydrates to count, but one can still lose it with calories.

I remember those hospital days. I remember the video I had to watch. I remember the nutritionist chatting with me.

Diabetic disease is preventable. But, controlling diabetes is a choice too many don't care to make. So, when you think I am just seeking attention or being ridiculous checking my glucose at a conference guys (say PAN Forum for example), this is the reason. I know I will "crash" and pass out at 70, and 150 is far too high for me. Over 150, which is not common, unless I am eating conference food!, then I have to use my "rescue" insulin.

What I DON'T remember is anyone ever SCARING me into submission during my initial hospitalization...telling me about the resulting disease(s), etc., if I don't maintain my glucose number to acceptable (between 70 and 130 mg/dl before meals, and less than 180 two hours after starting a meal) and keeping my A1c in an acceptable range (with a glycated hemoglobin level less than 7 percent)...my last A1c was 6.8, which is too high if you ask me...but my Internist told me "you made my day." She was referring to how so few of her diabetic patients pay NO attention to their diabetes and the numbers mean nothing to them.

Actually, today is the first day of my new vegetarian regime. I am using the McDougall free 12-Day program. If I had $5,000 for the class and airfare I would again attend his in-house 10 day program in California, but alas, I am now a very broke disabled person! I had the opportunity through my job to attend a week long class while I was still working (and be paid for the week too), but I failed to continue after the first month. I went on the road for work and restaurant eating was too irresistible!

Okay, so I am done .