A new study has found that increasing the dose of semaglutide, a common medication for type 2 diabetes, can lead to better blood sugar control. The research, led by Dr. Vanita R. Aroda from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, included adults from 14 different countries, all of whom were managing type 2 diabetes.
The study aimed to see if higher doses of semaglutide could help people who were already taking one to three other diabetes medications but still struggling with blood sugar control.
Participants took daily doses of either 14 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg of semaglutide for 68 weeks. The researchers tracked changes in HbA1c levels, which is a key test that measures a person’s average blood sugar over several months.
The results showed that people taking the higher doses (25 mg and 50 mg) had much better control of their blood sugar compared to those taking the lower 14 mg dose. In simple terms, the more semaglutide they took, the greater the improvement in blood sugar levels.
However, there was a downside. The higher doses also led to more side effects, mostly related to digestion. Some participants experienced nausea or an upset stomach, but these side effects were generally mild to moderate.
Type 2 diabetes is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management, including lifestyle changes and medication. This study suggests that for people who aren’t seeing enough improvement with their current treatment, increasing the dose of semaglutide could be an option to consider.
It may be especially useful for those who are already taking multiple diabetes medications but still have high blood sugar.
Better blood sugar control is important because it reduces the risk of serious complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and vision problems. However, increasing medication doses is not a simple solution for everyone. It’s important for people to talk to their doctor before making any changes, as higher doses can also bring more side effects.
In addition to medication, other factors play a role in managing diabetes. Research shows that not all whole grain foods are beneficial for people with diabetes, and some studies suggest that drinking green tea may help lower the risk of death in those with the condition.
Diet also makes a difference. While unhealthy plant-based diets can increase health risks, the Mediterranean diet has been shown to lower the risk of developing diabetes by about one-third.
This study, published in The Lancet, adds valuable information to the ongoing effort to find better ways to manage type 2 diabetes.
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