Is diabetes pill an anti-ageing wonder drug, and magic bullet to treat cancer and Alzheimer’s?

From scmp.com

Metformin, synthesised in the 1920s from the medicinal plant goat’s rue, or French lilac, is widely prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. New research suggests the drug may slow the effects of ageing and fight cancer.

One of the hottest new anti-ageing drugs has in fact been around for a long time. Discovered in 1922, metformin was introduced as a medicine in France in 1957 and has been widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes – and it still is – but research now suggests it may have a number of additional health benefits. What’s more, it’s very affordable.
Metformin is derived from a plant, French lilac, also known as goat’s rue, that has been used since the Middle Ages for the treatment of diabetes. It is also a staple in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as quei fu di huang wan and is used for diabetes as well as to treat elevated blood sugars and for preventive health. At one time the plant was fed to goats, as it was thought to improve milk production, thus the name goat’s rue.

There are more than 700,000 people with diabetes in Hong Kong and that number is expected to jump to 1.02 million by 2030, according to Dr Rose Ting Zhao-wei, a specialist in endocrinology. Metformin is among the most common treatments for type 2 diabetes, but increasingly it is also being recognised as being able to do much more.

A 2014 study at Cardiff University of more than 180,000 people found that when patients with diabetes were given metformin they lived longer than those without the condition. “That was the big leap to, ‘Wow, we should take it, why are diabetics healthier than we are’,” says Dr Lauren Bramley at Dr Bramley & Partners, a medical practice in Hong Kong’s Centrat district that focuses on wellness.

We tend to lose insulin sensitivity as we age. Metformin’s use as an anti-ageing treatment revolves around the fact that it helps to increase sensitivity to insulin, which in turn lowers blood-sugar levels.

Ageing is also associated with glycation, when sugar molecules stick to your cells, your collagen. The result is a feeling of “brain fog”, the mind is not as sharp as it once was and the body feels heavy. A lot of glycation on our collagen leads to wrinkles.

Type 3 diabetes has been proposed as a title for Alzheimer’s disease, because it results from insulin resistance in the brain.

There is a growing body of evidence that metformin is effective in both the prevention and treatment of cancer. Studies suggest that if you have type 2 diabetes and are taking metformin you have a lower risk of developing cancer than if you do not take metformin. (Having type 2 diabetes is a major risk factor for developing certain cancers.)

Whether or not this is related to being overweight – common in those with type 2 diabetes – the natural production of more insulin or another factor is unknown. Still, in studies using tissue cells, metformin can inhibit the growth of breast, colon, lung, pancreatic and prostate cancer cells.

In a paper published in March in the online Polish journal Postepy Hig Med Dosw, researchers wrote that “Metformin is now attracting the attention of researchers in fields other than diabetes, as it has been shown to have anti-cancer, immunoregulatory and anti-ageing effects.”

The anti-cancer effects of metformin were seen to be two-fold: by directly affecting the inflammatory processes that are reported to play a significant role in tumour progression and indirectly by modifying the blood glucose and insulin levels which can influence the survival of cancer cells.

http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health-beauty/article/2104468/diabetes-pill-anti-ageing-wonder-drug-and-magic-bullet-treat

Poor sleep may make you fat, raise diabetes risk

From indianexpress.com

The findings showed that people who were sleeping an average of six hours a night had a waist measurement that was 3 cm greater than individuals who were getting nine hours of sleep a night. People with shorter sleep were also heavier. The results strengthen the evidence that insufficient sleep could contribute to the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes.

Are you deprived of proper sleep at night? Beware, you are more likely to be overweight and also at risk of developing diabetes, a new study has warned.
The findings showed that people who were sleeping an average of six hours a night had a waist measurement that was 3 cm greater than individuals who were getting nine hours of sleep a night. People with shorter sleep were also heavier.
The results strengthen the evidence that insufficient sleep could contribute to the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes, the researchers said.
“The number of people with obesity worldwide has more than doubled since 1980. Obesity contributes to the development of many diseases, most notably Type 2 diabetes. Understanding why people gain weight has crucial implications for public health,” said Greg Potter from the University of Leeds, UK.
For the study, detailed in the journal PLOS ONE, the team involved 1,615 adults who reported how long they slept and kept records of food intake.
Further, people with shorter sleep duration also had a decrease in the levels of HDL cholesterol — also known as good cholesterol — which helps remove ‘bad’ fat from the circulation and protect against conditions such as heart disease.
“Because we found that adults who reported sleeping less than their peers were more likely to be overweight or obese, our findings highlight the importance of getting enough sleep. How much sleep we need differs between people, but the current consensus is that seven to nine hours is best for most adults,” said Laura Hardie, a reader at the varsity.

http://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/poor-sleep-may-make-you-fat-raise-diabetes-risk-4771610/

Here Are 9 Recent Diabetes Breakthroughs You Need to Know About

From sciencealert.com

Diabetes is not just one condition - but whether your body is struggling with blood sugar levels due to type 1, or type 2, or even only during pregnancy, it's a serious condition that requires daily care and still doesn't have a cure.
But scientists have been working hard to find cures, new treatments, and better management techniques for the millions of people worldwide dealing with diabetes. Here are some of the latest developments you need to know about.

1. Brand new beta cells.
Type 1 diabetes develops when a person's immune system wipes out insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. But it turns out that another type of immature beta cell has been hiding in our pancreases all along, and scientists think it might be possible to use these 'virgin beta cells' to restore the functionality of the pancreas.
2. A preventative vaccine.
Finnish researchers are about to embark on the first-ever clinical trial for a type 1 diabetes prevention vaccine.
While it's not a cure for those who already have the condition, a successful vaccine could potentially prevent thousands of cases each year, as the vaccine targets a virus linked with the development of an autoimmune reaction in the pancreas.
3. A unique transplant.
One woman with severe type 1 diabetes has spent a year without insulin injections thanks to an experimental transplant. Doctors implanted insulin-producing cells into a fatty membrane in the stomach cavity, and the success of the operation is paving the way towards more people receiving artificial pancreases.
4. New pancreas tissue.
Earlier this year scientists announced that they reversed type 1 diabetes in mice by giving them a transplant of pancreatic tissue. The tissue was grown using stem cells from non-diabetic mice, and the success of this method suggests it could be a treatment avenue for people, too.
5. Intensive treatment program.
For people with type 2 diabetes who have developed insulin resistance, a ticket to diabetes reversal could be an intensive combination of therapies tested by Canadian researchers. The short-term course trial successfully reversed the condition in 40 percent of the trial participants.
6. Platypus venom.
Scientists in Australia have found a new type of the insulin-regulating hormone GLP-1 in a surprising source - the venom of platypuses and echidnas. In humans the hormone breaks down really quickly, leading some people with type 2 diabetes to develop a dependence on medication.
But the GLP-1 produced by these animals is a lot more stable, providing clues for new diabetes treatments.
7. Longer-lasting meds.
Researchers have also managed to make GLP-1 last longer by creating special slow-dissolving molecules that carry the hormone. In preclinical animal tests their new solution lasted more than two weeks from one injection. For people managing their type 2 diabetes with daily shots, this could be an exciting development.
8. A symptom-reducing diet.
By putting diabetic mice on a special diet, scientists recently managed to reverse symptoms for both types of diabetes in their test subjects. The researchers think that the diet forces the pancreatic cells into a kind of 'developmental reprogramming'. Next up - testing this in people.
9. Broccoli.
There's a compound in broccoli called sulforaphane, and a 12-week study on volunteers with type 2 diabetes recently showed that the chemical was really helpful at regulating their blood sugar.
More research is needed, but the results are encouraging, and the drug could one day be added to the arsenal of treatment options.

https://www.sciencealert.com/here-are-9-recent-diabetes-breakthroughs-you-need-to-know-about

Drinking a few times a week 'reduces diabetes risk'

From bbc.co.uk

People who drink three to four times a week are less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who never drink, Danish researchers suggest.

Wine appears to be particularly beneficial, probably as it plays a role in helping to manage blood sugar, the study, published in Diabetologia, says.
They surveyed more than 70,000 people on their alcohol intake - how much and how often they drank.
But experts said this wasn't a "green light" to drink more than recommended.
And Public Health England warned that consuming alcohol contributed to a vast number of other serious diseases, including some cancers, heart and liver disease.

"People should keep this in mind when thinking about how much they drink," a spokeswoman said.

'Better effect'

Prof Janne Tolstrup, from the National Institute of Public Health of the University of Southern Denmark, who led the research, said: "We found that drinking frequency has an independent effect from the amount of alcohol taken.
"We can see it's a better effect to drink the alcohol in four portions rather than all at once."
After around five years, study participants were followed up and a total of 859 men and 887 women group had developed diabetes - either type 1 or the more common type 2.
The researchers concluded that drinking moderately three to four times a week reduced a woman's risk of diabetes by 32% while it lowered a man's by 27%, compared with people drinking on less than one day a week.

Findings also suggest that not all types of alcohol had the same effect.
Wine appeared to be particularly beneficial because polyphenols, particularly in red wine, play a role in helping to manage blood sugar.
When it came to drinking beer, men having one to six beers a week lowered their risk of diabetes by 21%, compared to men who drank less than one beer a week - but there was no impact on women's risk.
Meanwhile, a high intake of spirits among women seemed to significantly increase their risk of diabetes - but there was no effect in men.
Unlike other studies, this research did not find a link between binge drinking and diabetes.
Prof Tolstrup said this could be down to the small number of participants that reported binge drinking, which was defined as drinking five drinks or more on one occasion.
Dr Emily Burns, head of research communications at Diabetes UK, said people needed to be wary as "the impact of regular alcohol consumption on the risk of type 2 will be different from one person to the next".
While the findings were interesting she said they "wouldn't recommend people see them as a green light to drink in excess of the existing NHS guidelines".
That advice suggests that men and women should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week - equivalent to six pints of average strength beer or 10 small glasses of low strength wine - over the course of three days or more, with some days being alcohol-free.

'Not helpful'

Rosanna O'Connor, director of drugs, alcohol and tobacco at Public Health England, said: "It is not helpful to talk about the effect of alcohol consumption on diabetes alone.
"Consuming alcohol contributes to a vast number of other serious diseases, including some cancers, heart disease and liver disease, so people should keep this in mind when thinking about how much they drink."
Prof Tolstrup and her team have used the same survey to research the effect of alcohol on other conditions.
They found that drinking moderately a few times a week was linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disorders, such as heart attack and stroke.
But consuming any amount of alcohol increased the risk of developing gastrointestinal diseases, such as alcohol liver disease and pancreatitis.
Prof Tolstrup added: "Alcohol is associated with 50 different conditions, so we're not saying 'go ahead and drink alcohol'."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-40740247

Diabetes and Obesity - How Are They Related?

By Sejal Kakadiya

Over the past 20 years, the global epidemic of obesity explains the dramatic increase in the incidence and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes. The precise reasons that link the two conditions are - blur and yet, excess weight is an established risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Many times, obese individuals do not develop type 2 diabetes.
Here, let's explore the various causes of obesity and how it is linked to diabetes:

What causes obesity?
Several genes in your body play a part in causing obesity. A person's genetic makeup can result in a predisposition to becoming obese. This means that that person may be particularly susceptible to becoming obese through experiencing risk factors in their life which include - high calorie intake or high fat foods. Lack of exercise is also another major factor leading to obesity. You may inherit certain conditions such as your general body type that includes where your body deposits fat. Your environment plays a greater role than specific genes in a person's likelihood of becoming obese. This includes what enters your body through food and drinks. It is hence important to maintain a balanced diet and exercise regularly.

What is diabetes?
In order to become a diabetic, there are two factors that need to be present. The first one is inheritance of a predisposition to the disease and the second one is that the environment must trigger a response in your body. Only genes are not enough. It is important to know that Type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component. Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life. Type 2 diabetes, as mentioned earlier has two man risk factors - obesity and family history of the disease. Family history is one of the strongest risk factors for developing this disease. Especially if the individual is eating wrong - such as a diet that is high in fat and low in fibre. Not exercising could add to the risk of developing this disease.

How can you tell that you have diabetes?
One of the most common methods to determine if you are developing diabetes is either a blood or urine test. Other than these, you can check if you have developed certain other symptoms such as thirst, unexplained weight loss, excessive hunger and frequent urination. Other factors that you need to consider are advanced age or sedentary lifestyle and high blood pressure.

In conclusion, obesity seems to be one of the most important and a major independent risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes is also the leading cause of other ailments in the human body such as kidney failure, non-traumatic lower limb amputations, blindness, heart diseases and stroke, high blood pressure, dental diseases, pregnancy complications and lots more. Usually, intensive lifestyle modifications and medication can slow down the development of type 2 diabetes. Improved understanding of the heterogeneity of the disease can help increase the awareness and help control the development of obesity related complications. Obesity prevention and treatment will certainly benefit and reduce the incidence and care of type 2 diabetes.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Diabetes-and-Obesity---How-Are-They-Related?&id=9747918

Type 2 diabetes symptoms - don’t ignore this major warning sign of disease

From express.co.uk

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or the insulin produced does not work properly and can be linked to lifestyle factors such as being overweight.
The condition can cause long-term complications - and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke and kidney damage.
However it can alter the way the body works in the short-term.
People with diabetes of find they are going to the toilet a lot, and often later at night.
The term for urinating at night is called nocturia.
Experts say needing to go to the toilet once a night is relatively normal, however, any more than this could indicate there are underlying health conditions.
Urinating more often than usual can be triggered by excess glucose - or sugar -in the blood.
This interferes with the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine.
More sugar will also appear in the urine and this will cause more volumes of urine to be produced.
High blood sugar levels - a hallmark of type 2 diabetes - can also trigger urinary tract infections - which can increase the need to urinate during the night.
Urinating at night could also be a sign of prostate diseases, or prostate cancer, or excessive fluid intake.
Experts also said it could be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, a progressive neurological condition.
Excessive thirst - which is also called polydipsia are classic diabetes symptoms.
Tiredness, itching around the penis or vagina and slow wound healing are also symptoms of the disease.
What happens if you ignore the signs?
Diabetes UK said: “Type 2 diabetes can be easier to miss as it develops more slowly, especially in the early stages when it can be harder to spot the symptoms.
“But untreated diabetes affects many major organs, including your heart, blood vessels, nerves, eyes and kidneys.
“Being diagnosed early and controlling your blood sugar levels can help prevent these complications.”

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/832789/type-2-diabetes-symptoms-urinating-wee-night

Diabetic sight loss cut by screening, research shows

From bbc.co.uk

The proportion of diabetics who go blind or suffer sight loss has almost halved since a new national retinopathy screening programme started in 2007.

Swansea University research over eight years has now been published in the British Medical Journal.
New certifications for severe sight impairment have fallen from 31.3 to 15.8 per 100,000 people.
Diabetics aged over 12 are offered annual screening and health experts said the study shows a "clear benefit".
Retinopathy is damage to the retina in the back of the eye and is a complication which can affect people with diabetes. Persistent high levels of glucose can lead to eye damage.

The research shows:

• There were 339 fewer new certifications for all levels of sight loss from any cause combined in 2014-15, compared with 2007-08
• It is calculated that the sight of 22 people has been saved
• The results are despite 52,229 (40%) more people being diagnosed with diabetes in Wales during the research period

However, 20% of those offered the screening - which began in 2003 and was rolled out across Wales by 2007 - do not take it up.
Dr Quentin Sandifer, medical director of Public Health Wales, said: "We would encourage people living with diabetes to take up the offer when they receive their invitation.
"This is a great example of the NHS working together to improve outcomes for our population and is especially impressive as sight loss has reduced even through the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in Wales has increased over this time."

                                         Retinopathy looks like this when screened

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-40715799

Taking fish oil in pregnancy may reduce a child’s risk of diabetes

From dailymail.co.uk

Taking fish oil in pregnancy may reduce a child's risk of diabetes, new research suggests.

Giving overweight pregnant rats fresh fish oil improves their offspring's response to insulin, a study found.

Previous research has demonstrated insulin sensitivity is protective against diabetes.

Lead author Dr Ben Albert from the University of Auckland, said: 'This is exciting because it raises the question: if overweight women take fresh fish oil in pregnancy, will it lower the risk of their children later developing diabetes?'

Yet, researchers advise women eat more oily fish rather than taking fish oil as some supplements are of dubious quality. 

Key findings  

Researchers from the University of Auckland fed pregnant rats a high-fat or standard diet.

Half of the rats fed both types of diets were also given fresh fish oil.

Results revealed that among those fed the high-fat diet, fish oil improved the rats' offsprings' insulin sensitivity.

Previous research has demonstrated insulin sensitivity is protective against diabetes.

Dr Albert said: 'This is exciting because it raises the question: if overweight women take fresh fish oil in pregnancy, will it lower the risk of their children later developing diabetes?'

The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports. 

'Eat oily fish' 

The researchers will conduct a study later this year to determine if fish oil has similar diabetes-protective effects in overweight pregnant women.

At this time, they do not recommend pregnant women take fish oil as previous research suggests such supplements can have detrimental effects if they are out of date.

When the researchers fed 'off' fish oil to pregnant rats, 30 percent of the pups died within two days - eight times the rate of the control group.

Study author Professor Wayne Cutfield said: 'At this stage we do not recommend that pregnant women take fish oil for their babies' health for two reasons.

'First, our findings need confirmation in human studies. Second, you can't know if the supplements you buy are fresh or not and we don't yet know the safe level of oxidisation for fish oil in pregnancy.

'Our advice would be, if you want more omega 3 fats, eat oily fish.' 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4713968/Fish-oil-pregnancy-reduces-child-s-risk-diabetes.html

Exercising With Diabetes: Is It Better to Eat Before or After Your Workout?

From everydayhealth.com

The great debate of whether to eat before working out is even more important if you have diabetes. Here’s your exercise nutrition game plan.

Whether it’s best to eat before or after a workout has been debated for decades, and the decision becomes even more complicated if you have diabetes. “For someone with diabetes, they not only have to think about fuel for exercise, but they also have to think about glycemic control,” says Monet S. Bland, a clinical exercise physiologist and diabetes educator with Joslin Diabetes Centre in Boston.
Exercise impacts your blood sugar, so you need to make sure your levels aren’t too high when you start exercising, but also not so low that they’ll plummet during your workout. So while a study published in November 2010 in the Journal of Physiology found that not eating before exercise helped people burn fat, people with diabetes need to maintain blood sugar levels, and should plan to eat before, after, and sometimes even during exercise, Bland says.

That’s the general recommendation, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. You need to keep an eye on how your body responds, since “some people are more sensitive to the effects of exercise versus others,” Bland says. Not sure where to start? Bland recommends working with an endocrinologist or an exercise physiologist to establish blood glucose targets and an exercise plan that’s safe for you.

No matter what, you’ll want to check your blood sugar before working out so you know how to fuel up. Your goal is a level greater than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) — but always skip the workout if your blood sugar is at or higher than 250 mg/dL and ketosis is present, or greater than 300 mg/dL without ketosis. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your blood glucose targets before and after exercise.

The Best Pre-Workout Snacks

Your best bet is eating a balanced meal an hour to an hour and a half before your workout, says Lori Zanini, RD, CDE, creator of the seven-day diabetes meal plan. Shoot for 30 grams (g) of high fibre carbohydrates, 3 to 4 ounces (oz) of lean protein, 5 to 10 g of healthy fats, and two servings of non-starchy vegetables (a serving is 1 cup of raw veggies or ½ cup of cooked veggies), Zanini says. A turkey sandwich on whole wheat bread with ¼ of an avocado, lettuce, tomato, and 1 cup of sugar snap peas on the side checks all the boxes.
If you’re short on time or knocking out your workout first thing in the morning, adjust your approach and grab a snack that combines protein with healthy carbohydrates (ideally 15 grams) 15 to 30 minutes before exercising, says Jessica Crandall, RDN, CDE, wellness centre director at Denver Wellness and Nutrition in Englewood, Colorado. The carbs-plus-protein combo “helps you keep your blood sugar stable for a longer period of time,” she says. Try a hard-boiled egg and 1 cup berries, 1 cup of cottage cheese, and ½ cup of pineapple, or 1 to 2 tablespoons (tpsp) of peanut butter and an apple, Zanini says.

What to Reach for During Exercise

Depending on how long and how intense your workout is, your blood sugar can decrease as you’re exercising. Keep a snack with about 15 to 20 g of carbohydrates nearby — Crandall likes dried fruit because it’s easy to stash in a workout bag — and reach for it if hypoglycemia occurs, Bland says.

The Best Post-Workout Snacks

As you exercise, your body will use insulin more efficiently, which lowers your blood sugar for up to 24 hours, creating what’s known as the “lag effect.” “This puts an individual with diabetes at risk for hypoglycemia in the hours following exercise completion,” Bland says.
To counter it, reach for a snack within 15 minutes of your cooldown. The snack should have 15 g of carbohydrates, which is about what you’ll find in ½ cup of oatmeal, 1 cup of berries, or half of a medium-sized sweet potato, Zanini says. Crandall suggests adding protein, such as nuts, string cheese, or cottage cheese, to help support muscle mass.
Finally, sit down for a meal within an hour or two, Zanini says. Just be careful not to overdo it. According to the American Diabetes Association, you likely won’t need to add any extra carbs to your diet, unless you’re exercising for longer than an hour. It’s easy to adopt the “I just worked out, so I deserve this doughnut” reasoning, but going overboard could cancel out your exercise efforts.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diet/exercising-with-diabetes-it-better-eat-before-after-your-workout/

Scientists discover a new way to treat type 2 diabetes

From medicalxpress.com

Medication currently being used to treat obesity is also proving to have significant health benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes. A new study published today in Molecular Metabolism explains how this therapeutic benefit for type 2 diabetes is achieved by acting in our brain.
Scientists from the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute, in collaboration with teams from the Universities of Cambridge and Michigan, have discovered that the medication Lorcaserin acts in the brain to improve type 2 diabetes by modifying the activity of neurones that help to regulate blood glucose levels.
Lorcaserin is prescribed to help patients lose weight and works by regulating how hungry we feel. However, researchers have discovered that as well as doing this, the drug can also reduce glucose levels in the body and increase the body's cells sensitivity to insulin. When the body fails to produce enough insulin or the body's cells fail to react to insulin this leads to Type 2 diabetes meaning that glucose remains in the blood rather than being used as fuel for energy.
Professor Lora Heisler, who is leading the Aberdeen team, explains: "Current medications for type 2 diabetes improve symptoms of this disease by acting in the body. We have discovered that this obesity drug, lorcaserin, acts in the brain to improve type 2 diabetes.
"Lorcaserin targets important brain hormones called pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides, which are responsible for regulating appetite. So as well as sending messages telling us we are full and no longer need to eat, leading to weight loss, the POMC hormones also activate a different brain circuit that helps keep our blood glucose in check.
"This discovery is important because type 2 diabetes is an incredibly prevalent disease in the modern world and new treatment choices are needed."
The leader of the Cambridge research team Dr Mark Evans added: "Of course, more research is needed, but these promising findings provide a completely new direction for type 2 diabetes drug treatment, which may offer hope to individuals struggling with this disease."

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-07-scientists-diabetes.html

Senator loses six stone to control diabetes and avoid taking tablets

From irishtimes.com

A Government Senator has spoken of how he lost more than six stone in weight to deal with his diabetes and avoid having to take nine tablets a day for the rest of his life.

Meath-based Fine Gael Senator Ray Butler highlighted his own case as he called on the Government to provide free blood tests for people to check for the condition, which he said in the long-term would result in savings for the State.

Mr Butler said many people would not have the funds to pay for the test which he estimated at €130.

“When you got to a doctor your first appointment is €60. Then to get the blood test is another €25 and when you go back to the GP it’s another €45. So all this adds up to €130 and a lot of people just don’t have the money.”

Mr Butler appealed in the Seanad for Minister for Health Simon Harris to make a free blood test available, following publication of the HSE report last week on type 2 diabetes.

The Fine Gael Senator said the report stated that 200,000 people in Ireland have the disease. “I’d say there’s 200,000 to 300,000 people conservatively who don’t know they have disease”.

He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes last August and said it was a huge wake-up call for him.

He said the report puts pressure on GPs to advertise the seriousness of diabetes.

“People can be given a chance, and I am the living proof of this, if we implement giving a free blood test to people of a certain age for type 2 diabetes.

“When I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, I got the wake-up call when I came out of the chemist and it meant that I had to take nine tablets a day for the rest of my life, at 50 years of age, I said - ‘ain’t going to happen’.

“I was 17 stone 11 pounds at the time. That was last August and today I am 11 stone 8lb. So it was a huge wake up call for me. When you are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, you go on the long-term illness, which is costing the taxpayer a lot of money.”

He said that “if we want to save money long-term down the road”, people should be given a free blood test.

Mr Butler asked for the Minister to be invited to the House to be debate the issue. He wanted to ask “can we put a free blood test in place and give people a chance in life”.

Party colleague Joe O’Reilly described Mr Butler’s suggestion as “radical and valuable”.

Former health minister James Reilly (FG) paid tribute to the report’s main author Dr Velma Harkins. Dr Reilly said the report showed comprehensively that “80 per cent of complications of diabetes can be prevented if it’s managed on a regular basis in general practice”.

He said “this will require funding”. He added that the report had shown that “you don’t need expensive in-hospital care or expensive out-patient care to achieve great outcomes for a huge number of people in our population”.

Seanad leader Jerry Buttimer described Mr Butler as “a walking ambassador for the need for pro-activity” and said the issue of type 2 diabetes was an issue that could be moved on.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/senator-loses-six-stone-to-control-diabetes-and-avoid-taking-tablets-1.3159296

Juicing for Diabetes: Is It a Good Idea?

From everydayhealth.com

Juicing can be a good way to get in some extra fruits and vegetables. But you’ll miss out on important nutrients, and for people with diabetes, the health trend may have other drawbacks.

When Lori Chong bought a juicer, she hoped she would be able to create low-carb concoctions that wouldn't spike her blood sugar too much. As a person with diabetes herself, Chong understands the importance of tracking carb intake.
But within weeks, Chong, a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre in Columbus, had set aside her juicer and returned to eating full fruits and vegetables instead. Now, she hardly uses the device at all.

Juicing for People With Diabetes: Is It Safe?

“I don’t think juicing is the best idea for people with diabetes,” says Chong, who has type 1 diabetes. She explains that people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes need to control their blood sugar not only throughout the day, but at any individual point in the day as well. While juicing can be safe if you focus on non-starchy, or low-carbohydrate, vegetables and limit diabetes-friendly fruits, the overall carbs in juices can add up quickly, Chong says. Consuming too many carbs can be dangerous for people with diabetes, as they’re broken down into glucose in the blood, thereby spiking blood sugar. Blood sugar control is imperative for effective diabetes management.

Anna Simos, CDE, MPH, manager of the diabetes education and prevention program at Stanford Health Care in California, agrees with Chong. “Regardless of whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, juicing concentrates the fruits,” Simos explains. Because juice isn’t as filling, it’s much easier to drink more carbohydrates than you would eat in whole fruit. By juicing something like an orange, for example, you strip the fruit of its fibre and thus increase the glycemic index of that fruit, she says. The glycemic index measures foods' effect on blood sugar. Although most whole fruits rank relatively low on the index, and are thus safe to eat in moderation with diabetes, consuming them in their juice form reduces that benefit. In fact, a study published in August 2013 in The BMJ found that while munching on whole fruits, like blueberries, apples, and grapes, was linked with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, drinking fruit juice was associated with a significantly higher risk of the disease.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Juicing for People with Diabetes

One of the biggest perks people see in juicing is it helps them more easily consume their daily recommended servings of produce, especially vegetables, Simos says. Not to mention it can be fun to act as a sort of “master mixologist” of fruits and vegetables to get in your vitamins. But by eliminating the fibre from these foods, you’re taking away the parts that are so beneficial to your digestive, or gastrointestinal (GI), tract, Simos says.
Simos urges caution against the popular notion that juicing is good for you because it allows your body to get tons of nutrients without overworking your digestive system. “The whole concept of giving your GI tract a rest doesn’t make sense to me,” she says, noting that there may be exceptions for some individuals whose general physicians have recommended otherwise. “The GI tract needs to be stimulated with that fibre.” Furthermore, Simos adds, there’s no actual research that shows juicing can help prevent diseases like cancer — another claim some proponents of juicing have made. If you’re concerned about having an overwhelmed GI tract, talk to your doctor before juicing for this expected benefit.
For Chong, it was the quickly escalating carbs that led her to stop juicing. She found that even while juicing mostly vegetables, she would end up with 4 ounces (oz) of juices with nearly 15 grams of carbs — which is comparable to some fruit juices. That’s because she had to add in so many vegetables to get a similar amount of juice that the relatively low carbs in those vegetables began to add up fast.

How to Juice Responsibly With Diabetes

“I hate to say no to anyone who wants to promote their health,” Simos says. While neither Simos nor Chong recommends juicing, they both shared some tips for people with diabetes who may be interested in trying this practice:
Drink small amounts of juice. Limit the amount of juice you drink at any one time to about 4 to 8 oz, Simos recommends.
Drink juice with a meal. Doing so will help you get protein, fibre, and fat that could slow the bump in your blood sugar, Simos says.
Focus on non-starchy vegetables. Opt for vegetables like celery, kale, broccoli, and cucumber, which won’t have as big an impact on your blood sugar, Simos says.
Keep the serving of fruit in your juice to just one. That way, Chong notes, you’ll add a little sweetness to your drink without spiking your blood sugar too much.

Here are just a few juice concoctions these experts suggest:

• Cucumber with one apple (Chong)
• Carrot with half a grapefruit (Chong)
• Cucumber with pear, ginger, and lemon (Simos)
• Green or spicy peppers with tomatoes (Simos)

In short, if you have diabetes and are set on trying this health trend, there are safe ways to do so — but pay attention to the sneaky amount of carbs in juices, monitor your blood sugar, and consider seeking the advice of a healthcare professional who can help guide you.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/type-2-diabetes/diet/juicing-diabetes-it-good-idea/

Binge drinking raises diabetes risk in women

From tnp.sg

Young women who binge drink are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes later in life, according to a recent study published in the BMC Public Health journal.

It said heavy drinking at least once a month has raised the chances of having higher blood sugar levels by middle age - a major risk factor for diabetes.
The Swedish study followed close to 900 people for 27 years, from the age of 16 to 43.
Women in their teens who binge drank once a month - the researchers defined this as consuming more than six units of alcohol in one evening - found their blood sugar levels in their 40s to be about 7 per cent higher than women who did not binge drink.
Six units of alcohol is the equivalent of four small glasses of wine or four bottles of beer.

The same correlation, however, is not seen in men, which has puzzled scientists.

Dr Vivien Lim Chin Chin, an endocrinologist at Gleneagles Hospital, said it could be due to sex differences when it comes to handling ethanol found in alcoholic beverages.
In Singapore, binge drinking is prevalent in a small group - just 4.3 per cent of women aged 18 to 69.
The study, however, becomes a health warning when viewed against the backdrop of Singapore's war against diabetes.

RESISTANCE

Alcohol raises glucose levels, thanks to ethanol's association with higher insulin resistance.
Insulin is required for blood glucose to be converted to fuel in cells.
With higher insulin resistance caused by ethanol, the pancreas has to work harder to produce more insulin, said Dr Lim, who is also the president of the Endocrine and Metabolic Society of Singapore.
She said: "In people whose pancreas cannot produce this greater amount of insulin, the glucose levels will then rise and there is an increased risk of developing diabetes in the future."
Diabetes is not the only condition linked to binge drinking or heavy alcohol consumption in women.
The list of ailments includes an increased risk of alcoholic liver disease, being involved in a road traffic accident, brain damage, heart problems and even cancers such as breast cancer, said Dr Lim.
Though differences may apply due to the various ethnic groups here, she thinks the study provides useful statistics.
"To win a war, we need all the information about the enemy that we can get. As such, this study adds on to the knowledge that we have amassed so far.
"I think it is most important that one imbibes - be it food or alcohol - with care. Moderation is the name of the game," she said.

http://www.tnp.sg/lifestyle/health/binge-drinking-raises-diabetes-risk-women

Losing weight, preventing diabetes

From samessenger.com

ST. ALBANS — In four months, the 10 community members participating in YMCA’s Diabetes Prevention Program lost a collective 127.4 pounds, according to Debbie Robertson, a certified wellness coach.
Facilitated through Northwestern Medical Centre’s (NMC) Lifestyle Medicine clinic, the program is designed to help those at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and losing enough weight to reduce their chances of developing the disease.
The current class at NMC began at the end of March, with weekly one-hour sessions focusing on teaching participants about healthier eating and other behaviour changes. The goals of the program are for participants to reduce their body weight by seven percent and increase physical activity to 150 minutes per week.
The last session was Wednesday, where participants were weighed to determine total weight loss over the four-month period. But the class doesn’t stop there. The participants still have eight monthly sessions to attend, the sessions designed to provide support while participants work to maintain their progress.
Wednesday, participants discussed their journeys thus far and the success they’ve seen with this program, in comparison to others tried.
“I just lost my husband a year and a half ago, so the stress…” Lise Dexter, 65, of Highgate Springs trailed off. “I wasn’t really taking care of myself like I should have.”
The effects of this came to light during a doctor’s visit in January. There, Dexter weighed in at 171 pounds, had high blood pressure and was diagnosed pre-diabetic.
http://www.samessenger.com/losing-weight-preventing-diabetes/

Cycling Reduces Heart Disease and Diabetes Risk

From umn.edu

Bicycling is widely used by people to be physically active, explore interesting areas, and commute to work. Now, a new School of Public Health study offers more reason for people to ride by showing that just a few trips a week can lower their risk of developing chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes.
“This is the first study in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area looking at how bicycling relates to specific diseases,” says lead author and PhD student Aaron Berger. “Minneapolis/St. Paul has been hailed as one of the top biking communities in the country, and biking here is backed by major public investments. This study allows us to show policymakers how those investments are being paid back to the state through healthier residents.”
The study, which is co-authored by Professor Mark Pereira, was published in the American Journal of Health Promotion.
The results showed people who took just three bicycle trips per week had 20 percent fewer risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. They also found that those who bike more frequently are achieving better health than those who ride less frequently.
“Our results suggest that bicyclists don’t just appear to be healthier because they’re more physically active in general than non-bicyclists,” says Berger. “We adjusted for the other kinds of physical activity people do, which means the findings show that at any given level of physical activity, adding in bicycle trips reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”
“Our study findings may have broad public health implications,” says Pereira. “Most people do not live within walking distance to work or shopping centres, and therefore, bicycling may play a unique role in an active lifestyle.”
Health care professionals often advocate for a more active lifestyle for their patients, and Berger suggests that biking could be a great method to recommend.
“Once you own a bike, active transportation is very inexpensive, as well as a highly efficient way to combine healthful physical activity with time already spent commuting,” says Berger. “For people who don’t live too far from work, biking instead of driving could save time, especially given traffic or parking.”

http://www.sph.umn.edu/news/cycling-reduces-heart-disease-diabetes-risk/

Annual diabetes checks can increase survival rates by half

From diabetestimes.co.uk

People with diabetes who have their annual checks live longer than their counterparts who do not receive them, according to the National Diabetes Audit.
In five-year age groups, ranging from 35-39 to 70-74, the mortality rate was half the rate for people with diabetes who had had the annual NICE-recommended checks consistently in the previous seven years compared to those that had not.
That’s according to the latest publication from the National Diabetes Audit 2015-16, published this week.
This information has been included for the first time in part 2b of The National Diabetes Audit 2015-16, Report 2: Complications and Mortality, realised this week. It was published today by NHS Digital in two parts; a (complications of diabetes) and b (associations between disease outcomes and preceding care.) The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership (HQIP) commission the audit as part of the National Clinical Audit Programme, which is managed by NHS Digital in collaboration with Diabetes UK.
Part 2a of the report covers mortality and complications up until March 2016. It found that for people with diabetes, the risk of death was increased at all ages, in both men and women, compared to the general population. Younger people are at greater relative risk of premature death than older people.
Those who appeared in the 2013-14 audit, including people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, were 32.1 per cent more likely to die prematurely than their peers in the general population.
For people with Type 1 diabetes, the additional risk of death was 127.8 per cent higher than the wider population. It was 28.4 per cent higher for those with Type 2 diabetes.

The report also contains the numbers of people being admitted to hospital for a range of conditions associated with diabetes.
A total of 29.2 per cent of all emergency and non-emergency hospital admissions for cardiovascular conditions were for people with diabetes.
Vascular outcomes also accounted for a higher proportion of deaths among people with diabetes.
Among 102,010 people with diabetes who died in 2015, 33.4 per cent died from a vascular outcome, which includes coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke. Within the general population, a vascular outcome was the cause of 28.5 per cent of all deaths in 2015.

http://diabetestimes.co.uk/annual-diabetes-checks-can-increase-life-expectancy-half/

Aspirin to lower diabetes and breast cancer risk

From Kansas.com

On an episode of “Friends,” Phoebe thanks Monica for the pills that cured her headache and asks to see the package. “Oh, my God,” Phoebe says as she reads the warning label. “Dizziness, nervousness, drowsiness ... headache ... headache?” She pauses, letting the irony sink in. “Stomach bleeding! Liver damage!” She turns to Monica. “I don’t recall any of this coming up when you gave me these little death capsules!”
With many medications, possible side effects (many extremely uncommon) can be scary. But often the benefits far outweigh the risks. One of the most common meds for which this is true is the mighty aspirin – shown to help prevent a wide spectrum of woes from cardiovascular disease to some cancers. And now research has found another impressive benefit: Aspirin lowers the risk of breast cancer in women with Type 2 diabetes — in whom it’s about 20 percent higher than in women without diabetes. (It also lowers the risk in women without Type 2 diabetes.)
Researchers tracked over 148,000 women with diabetes for 14 years; those who took a daily low-dose aspirin were 18 percent less likely to get breast cancer during that time, while those who took a high cumulative amount (88,900 mg or more) over that 14-year time period had a 47 percent lower risk of breast cancer.
So, if you have diabetes, talk to your doctor and see if twice-daily baby aspirin (one in the morning and one in the evening with half a glass of warm water before and after each) is right for you.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/living/health-fitness/article160430334.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.kansas.com/living/health-fitness/article160430334.html

Type 2 Diabetes - Tips to Help You Reverse Diabetes

By Beverleigh H Piepers

It is no secret Type 2 diabetes is quickly becoming the largest epidemic of our time. Through lifestyle choices, you have the power to determine your health now, and in the years ahead. Most studies emphasize simple, and modest lifestyle changes pay off with huge dividends.
The following tips are helpful not only for Type 2 diabetics but for all individuals looking to improve their health. Doctors can advise you, and your peers can offer suggestions: the responsibility is yours.
It is never too late to stop Type 2 diabetes. Eat a healthy diet low in calories, fat and saturated fat. Limit your fat intake to 30 percent of calories and saturated fat to no more than 10 percent of calories...

• whole-grain pasta and rice are great choices for your staple carbohydrates.
• eat sweet potatoes instead of the regular kind. Do not deep fry them.
• coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, and fish oil are the healthiest oils you could have in your diet.
• mixed nuts make for an excellent snack, as long as you do not eat more than a small handful at a time. The are very high in calories.
• eating a protein bar is a great way to hold you over until dinner.
• buy a juicer if you don't have one already. Juicing your fruits and vegetables is the best way to ensure you meet your daily requirements. But don't overdo the quantity. Blending fruits into a smoothie maintains the fibre content, so it will help you to feel full rather than drinking regular fruit juice.
• study nutrition labels. Learn how to tell the difference between healthy options and low-quality alternatives.
• beans are a super food and should be included in any diet. They are a source of protein, complex carbs, fibre, and an abundance of vitamins and minerals.

There is a good chance you might be overthinking exercise. There is no need to complicate what is supposed to be simple...

• running is perhaps the best way to burn calories. But it is also hard on your joints and is ultimately unsustainable.
• all forms of exercise will help lower your blood sugar and improve insulin efficiency.
• doing cardio will improve your body's ability to partition nutrients, facilitating fat loss and further improving insulin efficiency.
• resistance training has different effects on glucose transporters within tissues (GLUT4), making it even more beneficial for diabetics.
• home workouts can be just as effective as gym workouts. It is your commitment to exercise that matters most.

Making mistakes is normal. Get back on track. There is no harm in the occasional step back if you are always taking two steps forward.

• meal timing matters, but not as much as some people believe. Focus on the big picture.
• your health or current condition does not have to define you.

Talk to someone about your issues. Reflect on your thoughts. Seek advice. Solve your problems, and live a healthier life. As always, the rest is up to you.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Type-2-Diabetes---Tips-to-Help-You-Reverse-Diabetes&id=9741606

You Can Actually Cut Your Diabetes Risk by Eating These Foods

From mydomainehome.com.au

One thing we know for sure in 2017: How you eat matters. Science has shown that your diet affects everything from your mood to physical health and even your athletic performance. Still, even though there’s an extremely clear link between what we put in our bodies and our overall wellness, lots of people skimp on healthy foods. One of the biggest diet-related ailments affecting our population? Diabetes. In the United States alone, 26 million people have it, and another 79 million have prediabetes, meaning there’s a pretty good chance they’re going to get it. Though type 1 diabetes is thought to be an autoimmune illness, type 2 can largely be treated through diet and exercise, and whether or not you develop it is partially within your control.
“A diet rich in fibre from complex carbohydrates and vegetables as well as lean proteins such as fish, chicken, and lean cuts of beef” is ideal to minimise your risk, says Vanessa Rissetto, RD. Lisa Davis, PhD, chief nutrition officer at Terra’s Kitchen, agrees, explaining, “The key to improving and maintaining optimal health stems from eating a balanced, unprocessed whole foods diet focused on lean protein (fish, eggs), healthy fats (extra virgin olive oil, avocados), vegetables (especially leafy greens), fruit, legumes, and whole grains like oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa. All of these foods, plus herbs and spices like cinnamon, are found as part of the Mediterranean style diet,” she says.

One last thing you should pay attention to aside from the actual food you’re eating is how much of it is on your plate. “The most important thing is the serving sizes,” says Rissetto. “People have this misconception that if they are eating a ‘healthy’ food, then they can have as much of it as they want, and this, unfortunately, is where problems arise. Brown rice is healthy, but the serving size is 1/3 cup, avocados are healthy but the serving size is 1/4 of an avocado.” In other words, paying attention what and how much you’re putting in your body is crucial.

Whether you are actively trying to reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes, already have it, or just want to eat healthily, these recipes should be your new go-to. Consider this week's meal plan sorted. 

Monday

The Meal: Roasted Vegetable and Quinoa Harvest Bowls
The Recipe: Brussels sprouts, carrots, and quinoa come together to create a savoury and seriously healthy weeknight meal. Make a big batch Monday night and eat it for lunch in the week to come.
The Wow Factor: Sometimes vegetable and grain bowls can be a bit bland, but this recipe uses rosemary and tahini to add a hit of perfectly balanced flavour.

Tuesday

The Meal: Three Grain and Kale Salad With a Simple Lemon Vinaigrette
The Recipe: This salad packs a major nutritional punch with three different types of grains and a hearty serving of veggies. It serves four to six people, and only has one cup of complex carbs total, meaning you won’t overeat if you stick to the serving guidelines.
The Wow Factor: The lemony dressing featured in this salad is totally tasty, but it’s also super light. Sub EVOO for coconut oil if you’re adhering to the Mediterranean style diet.

 Wednesday

The Meal: Maple Mustard Grilled Chicken

The Recipe: Served over a bed of zucchini noodles (or any veggie of your choice, really), this delicious and creative method of cooking chicken will give you the mid-week pick-me-up you need.
The Wow Factor: This protein-rich recipe works for most eating styles since it’s both gluten-free and Paleo-friendly.

Thursday

The Meal: Skinny Slow Cooker Kale and Turkey Meatball Soup

The Recipe: When you’re trying to eat well, a slow cooker will be your BFF, since it turns basic vegetable and meat dishes into seriously savoury masterpieces. With a hearty dose of greens and lean protein, you won’t be disappointed by this dish.
The Wow Factor: This recipe makes eight servings, meaning you can eat it all week long. Plus, the bite-size version of meatballs will help with portion control.

 Friday

The Meal: Shrimp Fajita Pan Dinner

The Recipe: This is the “cleanest” Mexican food you’ll ever eat, period. With its short ingredients list, you know exactly what’s going into your body when you make this meal, and it’s all good stuff.
The Wow Factor: Pan dinners are a beginner cooking favourite since all you have to do is prep the ingredients, season, and bake.

http://www.mydomainehome.com.au/food-for-diabetes-1/slide5

Sugary drinks boost diabetes risk, obese or not

From stanthorpeborderpost.com.au

CALLS for a local sugar tax have been bolstered by a major Australian-led study showing for that sugary drinks, irrespective of obesity or weight gain, can cause type 2 diabetes.

An Australian National University-led study of 40,000 adults has shown the more sugary drinks consumed by an individual the higher diabetes risk, meaning skinny people are not immune.

Men and women react differently to sugar-filled drinks like soft drink, flavoured milk and sweetened juices, and women are far more likely to develop type 2 diabetes from regular consumption as opposed to men.

The study of 40,000 Thai adults from 2005 to 2013 has shown sugar-sweetened beverages are driving our diabetes epidemic.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes sugar. Around 1.7 million Australians have diabetes, with 85-90 per cent Type 2 cases.

https://www.stanthorpeborderpost.com.au/news/sugary-drinks-boost-diabetes-risk-obese-or-not/3197701/

Cinnamon Could Help Those With Diabetes: Study

From thehindu.com

The brown, mildly bitter and spicy cooking herb in your kitchen — cinnamon — is now found to have beneficial qualities for those with diabetes. This according to a recent research study published in an international journal by National Diabetes Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (NDOC) and Fortis-CDOC Hospital.
In a randomised double-blind control clinical trial, the National Diabetes, Obesity & Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), Institute of Home Economics (University of Delhi) and Fortis CDOC Hospital for Diabetes and Allied Sciences investigated the effect of simple dietary intervention, that is, cinnamon among Indians who have much greater propensity to develop multiple metabolic problems leading to diabetes at an early age.
In this study, cinnamon was tested in 58 people with metabolic syndrome (individuals having multiple metabolic abnormalities; abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure) and compared them with placebo (controls, number 58) over a period of 16 weeks.

The study showed that dietary intervention with cinnamon can lead to multiple health benefits that are useful for prevention and management of metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Indians who are markedly predisposed to develop these problems.
“Importantly, besides decrease in various parameters including abdominal obesity which decrease heart attack risk, increase in HDL by about 2 mg/dl would lead to decrease in heart attack risk by 10%,” noted the study.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/cinnamon-could-help-those-with-diabetes-study/article19212440.ece

Diabetes and travel: tips for a safe trip

From mydaytondailynews.com

Are you planning a summer vacation with the family? If you have diabetes, even preparing for daily activities can require advanced planning.
A lot depends on where you’re going and for how long. A week of backpacking in the mountains takes different planning from a week at the beach. If upcoming summer travel plans may disrupt your daily routine, follow these tips for traveling when you have diabetes.

Keep your supplies. When traveling, make sure your diabetes supplies are easily accessible. “You may want to consider increasing your amount of supplies in case of emergencies,” advises Yassin Mustafa, MD, with Kettering Physician Network Endocrinology and Diabetes, located on the campus of Southview Medical Centre in Centerville. “If you’re flying, be sure to put all of your supplies in your carry-on bags and check your airline’s screening policies so you know what to expect at the security checkpoint.”
Stick to your routine. Traveling can really throw you off schedule, especially when flights are delayed or you’re traveling out of your time zone. Anticipate possible travel hiccups so you can stick to your routine as much as possible. “Checking your blood glucose while traveling is as important as when you are at home,” Dr. Mustafa says. “Check your blood glucose as soon as possible after landing. Jet lag can make it hard to tell if you have very low or very high blood glucose.”
Get documentation. Dr. Mustafa advises that you carry a note from your doctor stating that you have diabetes and need to have your medication with you at all times. If you’re going to a country where most people speak a language other than your own, translate the note into that language. If you have diabetes and use insulin, be sure to carry your medical ID with you at all times.
Always be prepared to treat low glucose. “With changes in schedule and activities,” says Dr. Mustafa, “you need to be prepared for low glucose whenever it strikes, so pack plenty of glucose tablets. These are usually the best for travel because they won’t melt, explode in heat or leak and become sticky.”
Consider time zone changes. If you’re wearing an insulin pump and will be traveling to a location in another time zone, be sure to adjust your insulin pump’s clock to reflect the change. “If you have questions about how to handle the change, talk with your diabetes care team beforehand,” suggests Dr. Mustafa.
Tell others that you have diabetes. “It’s important to let the people you’re traveling with know you have diabetes,” Dr. Mustafa advises. “Let them know what you have to do to stay healthy and active on your journey, and what they should do in case there is an emergency.”

http://www.mydaytondailynews.com/lifestyles/diabetes-and-travel-tips-for-safe-trip/OqXLoCbbg2Rj0sXMz7pupJ/

Low carb diet ‘has saved NHS £6.9m’

From diabetestimes.co.uk

A low carbohydrate diet has made a saving of £6.9 million in one year through reducing type 2 diabetes medications, according to the largest online diabetes community forum.

Diabetes.co.uk said more than 7,000 people have participated in the Low Carb Program, which is a 10 week, evidence-based structured education initiative.
The new figures have been revealed in a book called The Pioppi Diet, which explains the science and provides evidence from simple diet advice and how it can prevent or reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes.
Written by Britain’s leading anti-sugar campaigner and award-winning consultant cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra and acclaimed film-maker and former international track and field athlete, Donal O’ Neill, the book combines the secrets of the tiny southern Italian village Pioppi with the latest cutting edge medical, nutrition and exercise science to bust the myths present in today’s weight loss, medical and health industries.
Arjun Panesar, chief executive officer of Diabetes.co.uk said: “We are incredibly pleased at just how much money the Low Carb Program is saving the NHS in medication cost savings for type 2 diabetes. The message is simple – remove added sugar and refined carbohydrates from the diet.
“The results are astounding – thousands of people are placing their type 2 diabetes into remission, significantly changing their lives by adopting a diet before drugs approach and saving the NHS from a considerable cost.”
Type 2 diabetes alone which is “almost entirely preventable and reversible” is costing the NHS and economy, due to lost productivity, approximately £20 billion.
The Pioppi diet offers a specific prescription of lifestyle interventions, including dietary changes, the importance of regular movement, and managing stress.
The scientific evidence reveals combining lifestyle interventions including a healthier diet, exercise and managing stress are more powerful than any medication in the prevention and treatment of heart disease and come with few side effects.
Dr Malhotra said: “After 15 years of clinical experience and several years of my own research it’s become very clear to me that type 2 diabetes is a condition you want to avoid at all costs if you can. Not only does it significantly increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and reduce life expectancy by up to 15 years but more than half of patients report chronic pain at levels similar to those with terminal cancer and a quarter suffer from depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance physical and emotional disability.
“But the good news is it’s entirely preventable but also reversible, and simple dietary changes through cutting refined carbohydrates can at the very least help patients come off medications. Type 2 diabetes should be re-named carbohydrate intolerance disease to make the message loud and clear.”

http://diabetestimes.co.uk/low-carb-programme-has-saved-nhs-6-9m/