Novo Nordisk’s Levemir can limit weight gain

A modern insulin from pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk has been found to control diabetes effectively while preventing weight gain.

The Danish company asserted that the Predictive study examining the efficacy of its Levemir therapy revealed that the insulin improved average blood sugar levels as well as decreasing the body weight of a significant number of participants.

Published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice, the trial’s results show that the modern insulin treats the condition without prompting weight gain in most people and can be used on patients with both type one and type two diabetes.

“Insulin initiation is often associated with considerable weight gain, which is a major problem for people with type two diabetes,” commented Professor Russell-Jones from the department of diabetes and endocrinology at the Royal Surrey County Hospital.

He added that Levemir provides people with a potential “enhanced treatment option” since previous studies have proven that even small reductions in body weight can lead to improvements in cardiovascular health.

As a long-acting insulin, Levemir is released throughout the body gradually and Novo Nordisk stated that it has a greater predictability compared to other treatments for diabetes.

Last month, the Danish firm sponsored a forum on the condition in New York, which featured high-profile speakers such as former US president Bill Clinton.