Ask Tufts Experts

I’ve heard that it’s not safe to eat shrimp that hasn’t been “deveined.” What’s that about?

The black line, or “vein,” running down the back of a shrimp is actually its intestine, which contains waste and therefore could cause foodborne illness if the shrimp is eaten raw. But eating the “vein” is perfectly safe if the shrimp is cooked, which the Food and Drug Administration recommends all seafood should be, especially for people who are at increased risk for serious illness from contaminated seafood. People in the high-risk category include older adults and those with diabetes, cancer, and immune disorders. For more information, call the FDA’s toll-free information line at 888-SAFEFOOD.

My doctor said I have diabetes. My fasting blood sugar was 143—above the diabetes cutoff point of 126. But then I lost 9 pounds, and my fasting blood sugar dropped to 116. Still, my doctor says I have diabetes. How can that be?

First, it’s great that you found the wherewithal to lose enough excess weight that your blood sugar dropped to a considerably better range. (The best range is below 100. From 100 to 125 is considered pre-diabetes, the gray zone between “normal” and “diabetic.”) However, even though you are getting your diabetes under control and thereby substantially decreasing the diabetes-related risks for heart disease, vision problems, and other conditions, diabetes cannot, technically speaking, be cured. If your weight rises again, your blood sugar is likely to rise again, too.