A recent study has found that higher doses of semaglutide, a common medication for type 2 diabetes, could offer better control over blood sugar levels.
Led by Dr. Vanita R. Aroda from Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, the research included adults from 14 countries, all living with type 2 diabetes.
The goal of the study was to see how different doses of semaglutide could improve blood sugar management and overall health in people already using one to three other diabetes medications.
Participants received daily doses of either 14 mg, 25 mg, or 50 mg of semaglutide over a period of 68 weeks.
The researchers focused on measuring changes in HbA1c levels—a key blood test for diabetes that shows average blood sugar levels over the past few months.
By the end of the study, they observed that those on higher doses (25 mg and 50 mg) had significantly better control of their blood sugar than those on the lower 14 mg dose. In simpler terms, the higher the dose of semaglutide, the greater the improvement in blood sugar control.
However, while the higher doses were more effective, they were also linked to more side effects, mostly related to digestion, such as nausea and upset stomach. These side effects were generally mild to moderate.
Managing type 2 diabetes is often a long journey, involving lifestyle adjustments and medication.
This study highlights that for people who are not seeing enough improvement with their current treatments, increasing the dose of semaglutide may be an option to discuss with their doctor.
This could especially benefit those already taking multiple diabetes medications but still struggling to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
By improving blood sugar control, this approach could lower the risks of serious complications like heart disease, kidney damage, and vision problems.
It’s essential, though, for people to talk with their healthcare providers before making any changes to their treatment plan, as increasing medication doses can bring potential side effects.
In addition to adjusting medication, research shows that other lifestyle and dietary choices can impact diabetes management.
For instance, not all whole grain foods benefit people with type 2 diabetes, and drinking green tea may help lower the risk of death among those with the condition.
Other studies suggest that while unhealthy plant-based diets may increase metabolic risks, a Mediterranean diet can reduce the risk of diabetes by about one-third.
This study was published in The Lancet, adding important insights to the ongoing search for effective ways to manage type 2 diabetes.
If you care about diabetes, please read studies about high vitamin D level linked to lower dementia risk in type 2 diabetes, and this eating habit could help reduce risk of type 2 diabetes.
For more information about nutrition, please see recent studies about unhealthy plant-based diets linked to metabolic syndrome, and results showing Mediterranean diet could help reduce the diabetes risk by 30%.
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