Top Ten diaTribe Articles of 2019
By Eliza Skoler
The year 2019 was exciting for diaTribe – see our ten most popular articles of the year
It’s been a busy year at diaTribe – we sent out our 200th newsletter, grew our community to more than 200,000 subscribers, and had millions of people visit diaTribe.org. We want to celebrate a year of news, recipes, and stories by announcing our top ten most-read articles that were published in 2019. We’d love if you would share this with your healthcare team, friends, and family!
As the decade closes out, we’re looking forward to what’s to come in 2020, including new technology and more personal stories. Anything you’d like to read more about in 2020? Let us know here.
10. Magically Delicious Low-Carb Ground Beef Recipes
Catherine Newman’s delicious, low-carb family-friendly recipes will easily transform that pound of ground beef in your fridge into an amazing meal. Recipes include the perfect burger, Thai-style beef salad, personal pizza meat loaves, and enchilada zucchini. The beef provides lots of great nutrition, especially if it is grass fed − it’s an excellent source of protein, iron, and B vitamins, among other things − but if you want to substitute ground turkey or chicken, go for it!
9. Type 2 Diabetes Remission: What Is It and How Can It Be Done?
People with type 2 diabetes are often surprised to hear that they may be able to “reverse” their diabetes. This article defines diabetes remission, shares practical tips, and discusses three evidence-based methods to obtain it: low-carbohydrate diets, low-calorie diets, and bariatric surgery.
8. The Biggest News in Diabetes Technology, Drugs, and Nutrition: Highlights from ADA 2019
The diaTribe team was on the ground at the 2019 ADA 79th Scientific Sessions in San Francisco to share several of the top highlights, including advances in diabetes technology, treatments, and nutrition. We were excited to learn about the heart health benefits of Trulicity and the effectiveness and safety of Rybelsus. 2019 has been filled with incredible data and progress on the heart and kidney health benefits of SGLT-2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists.
7. FDA Approves Nasal Glucagon Baqsimi – A Radical Improvement for Severe Hypoglycemia
Baqsimi is the first FDA approved glucagon of its kind – it is needle-free and comes ready-to-use, requiring no mixing or preparation. This is huge. “The approval of nasal glucagon makes the concept of severe lows a little less overwhelming, because my family won’t be as intimidated by the treatment mechanism. My nine-year-old daughter will actually be able to help me in an emergency, increasing my safety net of well-being and confidence.” – Kerri Sparling, diaTribe contributor
6. News from Medtronic: Hypoglycemia Prediction (IQcast) with Sugar.IQ and Timing on the Next-Gen MiniMed 780G Closed Loop
Medtronic kicked off 2019 with two exciting product announcements: MiniMed 780G to add automated correction boluses and Bluetooth and aims to launch by April 2020; Guardian Connect users can now use IQcast on Apple iPhones.
5. Bright Spots Lab – What I’m Trying This Month
In 2019, Adam Brown launched his “Bright Spots Lab” – a short-form column that shares the most helpful diabetes tips, tricks, and reading he’s discovered of late. Like Adam’s Bright Spots & Landmines book, the column focused on food, mindset, exercise, and sleep. Some highlights this year included low-carb pizza, Undermyfork: CGM + Meal Photos app, and staying in-range during exercise.
4. Taking the Sting Out of Fingersticks: Lancets, Life Hacks and More
Tips to reduce the pain and hassle of pricking your finger each time you check your blood sugar with a meter. The takeaway? Blood sugar monitoring will probably never be fun – but it also shouldn’t ruin your day, and it’s an important part of self-care for people with diabetes.
3. Tandem’s Control-IQ Hybrid Closed Loop Algorithm Submitted to FDA
In August, Tandem submitted the algorithm for Control-IQ — an automated insulin delivery (AID) system — to the FDA. Control-IQ has since been cleared in the US for people 14 years and older. Control-IQ combines the t:slim X2 insulin pump, the Dexcom G6 CGM, and an algorithm built into the pump that adjusts basal insulin delivery and gives automatic correction boluses. Because correctly dosing insulin is challenging, the automated features of Control-IQ are very appealing – the changes are designed to decrease the burden for people with diabetes and to improve blood sugar management. This system is shown to reduce hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), increase time-in-range (70-180 mg/dl), and lower A1C.
2. Poster Now Available: 42 Factors That Affect Blood Glucose
Last year, we published Adam Brown’s column, “42 Factors That Affect Blood Glucose?! A Surprising Update.” Ever since, diaTribe readers have been asking for a “42 Factors Poster” that can be downloaded or purchased, as well as a booklet summarizing all 42 Factors with explanations. That day is here! Plus, launch of the new ShopdiaTribe.org.
1. Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Metformin, But Were Afraid to Ask
Starting on metformin? A personal type 2 diabetes journey about taking metformin, including learning more about the medication and its benefits, and dealing with side effects and “faux lows.” Metformin is considered the first line of defense for people with type 2 diabetes, as it is safe, effective, and affordable.
