Muskegon, Mich. (WZZM) - In Michigan 66% of our population is considered overweight or obese and as a result cases of diabetes and heart disease continue to rise.
Randall Vanderwal has Type 2 Diabetes. He's also had two heart attacks in just one year, which makes him the perfect candidate for new world-wide study that Mercy Health Partners Weight Management Center is taking part in for the diabetes drug Allogliptin.
Kay Beebe is a registered nurse for the medical weight management program and helps to oversee the study, "What they are trying to prove is that Allogliptin is a safe drug because there has been some concern on the part of the FDA that this class of diabetes drugs can cause heart attacks. They need to prove that it is safe."
It's a double blind study which means neither Mercy Health Partners or the patient know if they are getting the drug or the placebo.
Vanderwal says he carefully considered what taking part in the study would mean, "First off there is potential risk involved potential risk to myself but at the same time a potential reward knowing that you might be contributing to a very great reward not only to my own health but to the health of many others for generations to come."
James Barry is also taking part in the study. He had his second heart attack while driving to work,"I have six stents now. And it's an experience I've never went through and it sure has changed things with me."
He also has Type 2 Diabetes, "If there's something out there that can help me it can be out there to help someone else."
So far Beebe says the seven patients involved are seeing positive results, "They've lost weight, their blood pressure is improved."
New patients are still being recruited for the study which is expected to take another 5 to 7 years to complete.
By Valerie Lego