As noted, I’m not so interested in the worth -– or market potential –- of this new drug from Amylin Pharmaceuticals as I am in the actual value to patients. I was initially excited and intrigued by this first new offering to help Type 1 diabetics since insulin in the 1920s. Yet after querying several doctors and a number of patients who chose to stay on Symlin after participating in a study, I must say I still don’t get it.

Researchers in Italy seem to have heard my prayers. They have uncovered further evidence that chocolate promotes good health — even better, that eating dark chocolate regularly improves insulin response. Results published in the March issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that study participants’ blood pressure decreased, and they showed improvements in insulin sensitivity, meaning they were better able to metabolize glucose (sugar). Fab!

Let’s stop pretending that diabetics don’t eat chocolate. Come on, it’s right there on the Hierarchy of Human Needs, somewhere between Safety and Love. But it’s a complex mix of fat and sugar, so dosing for it takes some training.

Further to my rally cry on maintaining a positive attitude, hop on over to my pal Gina’s site DiabetesTalkFest to enter the T-shirt contest (no photos necessary, and no water involved

I am in total agreement with Violet over at Pumplandia that the influx of negative diabetes news gets you DOWN. That’s why I’m trying to make this blog an upbeat place. I did say “encouragement” in the header for a reason

I want to thank the many people who responded to last week’s posting** on talking publicly about being diabetic (lots of emails). It is heartening to know that most of you are quite open about your diabetes, at least in your personal lives. (Although I need to keep my eyes peeled in public restrooms –- our No.1 refuge, it seems.)

What I hear is that the pharma industry (and Wall Street) is holding its breath for Amylin’s next big thing: Exenatide (produced in partnership with Eli Lilly & Co.). This is another injectable product (derived from lizard saliva, of all things!) that, if approved by the FDA in a few months, will be offered in a pen delivery system. This one’s mainly for Type 2 diabetics, and clinical studies have shown “marked reductions in blood sugar as measured by A1C, a measure that reflects a person’s average blood sugar levels over the prior three- to four-month period.”

The FDA approval of Symlin is making big headlines, and last week I had a bunch of relatives contact me, as they tend to do, when something new and “hot” appears on the diabetes scene. The drug is targeted toward Type 1 diabetics who don’t achieve good BG control despite insulin treatments. It was apparently 18 years in the making, and is the first new drug to be marketed to Type 1 diabetics since insulin in the 1920s. It also marks Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (San Diego, CA) debut as a commercial company -– because it is their first drug to gain FDA approval.

Set your Tivo, guys! It’s almost here. Have you heard? The first network TV series by, about, and for diabetics, called dLife TV premieres this Sunday on CNBC, 4:00 pm PT/ 7:00 pm ET. From what I’ve seen, it appears to be a cross between “The View” and a cable-like health show featuring segments on exercise and healthy cooking. Of the four hosts, two have Type 1 diabetes and two have Type 2.

No, not as in “Horton Hears a…” (been there, done that). Rather, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced last month that it’s initiating a study on the economic impact of diabetes “for a world-wide implementation model for controlling the disease.”