The world leader in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk  is planning to launch diabetes in a New Light, a national initiative to help adults find simple ways to manage everyday challenges associated with type 2 diabetes. For this initiative the company has teamed up with American cooking stars Paula Deen and her sons, Bobby and Jamie Deen.

To coincide with the launch of Diabetes in a New Light, Paula Deen is sharing her personal diabetes story for the first time.

“I was determined to share my positive approach and not let diabetes stand in the way of enjoying my life,” said Paula Deen, restaurateur, cookbook author and host of her own television show. “I’m excited to team up with Novo Nordisk on this initiative to show others that managing diabetes does not have to stop you from enjoying the things you love.”

Diabetes in a New Light was developed to help the millions of Americans living with type 2 diabetes tackle some of the most common challenges associated with diabetes management. Resources will include how to prepare diabetes-friendly food without compromising taste, incorporating physical activity into everyday life, managing stress and working with your doctor to find a treatment plan that works for you. Through the program, the Deens are creating modified, diabetes-friendly versions of their favourite recipes and appearing at diabetes cooking events across the country.

People can visit the programme’s website, www.DiabetesinaNewLight.com, to learn more about Paula’s story, get the Deen’s diabetes-friendly recipes, as well as tips and information about type 2 diabetes management.

“As the world leader in diabetes care, we are committed to helping people with diabetes live great, fulfilling lives,” said Camille Lee, corporate vice president, Diabetes Marketing at Novo Nordisk. “We are thrilled that Paula, Bobby and Jamie Deen are part of this initiative that helps people embrace diabetes management in a more positive way.”

“People may benefit from seeing how others successfully manage type 2 diabetes. Paula Deen, through her work with Diabetes in a New Light, is likely to inspire many people living with type 2 diabetes to take a more positive approach to their diabetes care,” said Geralyn Spollett, MSN, ANP-CS, CDE, president, Health Care & Education of the American Diabetes Association. “We commend her for speaking out on behalf of people with type 2 diabetes and welcome her to the Association’s Stop Diabetes movement.”

Paula takes Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection), a once-daily, non-insulin injection, as part of her treatment plan and continues to make lifestyle adjustments, including enjoying lightened-up versions of her favourite recipes.

Victoza (liraglutide [rDNA origin] injection), is the first and only human glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analog that is 97 percent similar to endogenous human GLP-1. Like natural GLP-1, Victoza works by stimulating the beta cells to release insulin only when blood sugar levels are high. Due to this glucose-dependent mechanism of action, Victoza is associated with a low rate of hypoglycaemia. The mechanism of blood sugar lowering also involves a delay in gastric emptying.

Victoza was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on January 25, 2010, as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

As of October 2011, Victoza has been commercially launched in more than 40 countries globally including the US, Canada, Japan, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Hungary, Russia, India, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, the GULF, Malaysia and China as well as a number of other countries, and will be available in other markets throughout 2012.