Discover different options for insulin delivery, from insulin pumps to smart injection pens to syringes and vials. All people with type 1 diabetes and some people with type 2 diabetes use insulin to manage their blood sugar levels. There are many different ways to deliver insulin – manual injections, smart injection pens, and even insulin pumps. Everyone has unique preferences, and it may require some trial and error to find the method that works best for you. Insulin pumps are devices that deliver insulin without the need for manual injections. They are able to administer rapid-acting insulin in both basal (slow, baseline) and bolus (mealtime) capacities, once users program their dose into the device. Many pumps come with built-in bolus-calculators, which can reduce the hassle of manual insulin dose calculations. Some Medtronic and Tandem systems combine data from a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) with an insulin pump to automatically adjust insulin based on your blood glucose levels in what is known as automated insulin delivery.
What supplies do I need? Cannula, which is inserted subcutaneously (beneath the skin) and delivers insulin. This is also called an infusion set. Tubing, which moves insulin from the pump to the cannula. The Insulet OmniPod consists of a patch worn on the skin that administers insulin, plus a device that the user controls to manage insulin dosing. Roche’s Accu-Chek patch pump is used with a disposable insulin reservoir and a handheld controller. This device is currently only available in Europe and Australia. The Valeritas V-Go is a 24-hour, disposable patch pump for people with type 2 diabetes. The spring-driven patch pump is worn on the skin with a preset basal rate and can bolus at any given time. With multiple pumps available, it raises the question: “What pump to choose?” There is NO perfect pump, since all devices have benefits and drawbacks depending on your preferences. The table below summarizes our team’s experiences with a number of pumps common in the US.
Injection pens are used for injecting insulin in a way that is easier than using a syringe. In addition to insulin, other diabetes medications like glucagon injections (type 1 and type 2 diabetes) and GLP-1 receptor agonists (type 2 diabetes) come in injection pens. Smart pens are injection pens that track information about insulin doses, timing, and temperature. Many are Bluetooth-enabled and connect to apps, MedicGLP where users can view insulin doses and set alarms and reminders. Another advantage of injection pens and smart pens is that you don’t need to wear anything on your body. This is the most affordable insulin delivery option, but it requires more effort and dexterity to properly dose and deliver insulin. Using syringes and vials also requires bringing a lot of supplies wherever you go. Once insulin vials are open, they can be stored at room temperature for up to 28 days. One advantage of giving injections via syringe and vial is that you don’t need to wear anything on your body, so it’s less conspicuous. However, you must manually track your insulin doses and set your own reminders for when to give your injections.
Science continues to prove that the old adage “you are what you eat” is profoundly true. This is because you have trillions of microorganisms living in your gut, which are directly responsible for nearly every aspect of your health. These microbes make up what’s called your “gut microbiota.” They are especially influential in determining your likelihood of gaining excessive weight, becoming obese, and developing obesity-related diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and premature death. The gut microbiome (the expressed genes of your gut microbiota) plays a major role in your metabolism through energy production, storage, and expenditure. So, it’s no surprise that science has found a strong connection between gut microbiome imbalance and metabolic syndrome. Yikes! If you have the wrong mix of microbes, it could be making it tough for you to get your health on track! Did you know: Scientists can actually look at your gut microbiome composition and tell with 90% accuracy if you are obese or MedicGLP lean. That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?
1. Unable to lose weight and keep it off? 2. Struggling to fight cravings? 3. Sick of starving yourself for weight loss? 4. Baffled as to why no diet seems to really work for you? Depending on the composition of your gut microbiome, your microbes can either boost your health or weigh you down (figuratively and literally). The good news is this: MedicGLP You have control over these little guys with every bite you eat. Diet has the power to change the landscape of your gut microbiome. So, if you’ve tried multiple diets and can’t seem to get the results you want, it’s time to look into your gut microbiome.Will You Lose Weight Naturally on an Individualized Diet? If you’ve been struggling to lose weight and keep it off – it could be your gut microbiome. While Viome doesn’t guarantee weight loss, it has been an exciting result many of our customers have reported. “Fiona’s update day 37!