Type 2 diabetes: The best type of coffee to prevent high blood sugar and control diabetes

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes can be controlled by making certain dietary changes, including cutting down on sugar, calories and fat. There is conflicting information on whether coffee is suitable for people with diabetes, but there is one type experts recommend which may help prevent high blood sugar.

Diabetes is a condition in which a person has too much sugar in their blood. In type 2 diabetes this happens because the body doesn’t produce enough insulin, or the insulin produced is rejected by the body’s cells. Insulin is needed to transfer the sugar in the blood to the cells, and if it can’t do this, blood sugar will be too high. This can lead to complications with the heart, eyes, nerves, kidneys and feet.

Type 2 diabetes can be controlled by following a healthy, balanced diet that is low in sugar, fat and calories.
While people with the condition can still eat most things, there are certain foods and drinks they should limit.
Coffee is one drink in which studies have shown conflicting results on its effect on diabetes and blood sugar.
On the one hand, the caffeine in coffee can impair insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels.

On the other hand, coffee contains other properties which have been shown to lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes.co.uk recommends people with diabetes drink decaffeinated coffee (Image: Getty Images)
“Coffee contains different chemicals, some of which have beneficial effects whereas others can have a less beneficial effect, such as caffeine which can impair insulin in the short term,” said diabetes.co.uk.
For this reason, diabetes.co.uk recommends people with type 2 diabetes drink decaffeinated coffee.
This way, diabetic people can benefit from the good properties found in coffee, without the risk of caffeine causing blood sugar spikes.
One property found in coffee which may be beneficial to diabetes is a group of molecules called polyphenols.
Polyphenols are micronutrients containing antioxidants, which can help prevent and reduce inflammation and inflammatory conditions such as type 2 diabetes.
Another beneficial property is magnesium. Magnesium has, according to diabetes.co.uk, been linked with lower rates of type 2 diabetes.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1107477/type-2-diabetes-diabetic-diet-coffee-prevent-high-blood-sugar

"Causes" of diabetes: End the myths & misinformation

From diabetes.ca

Despite popular belief, diabetes is not caused by eating too much sugar and people don’t “give themselves” diabetes. Popular media often depicts disease and people with diabetes in an inaccurate and harmful light.
There are several different reasons why someone may develop diabetes. The cause of diabetes depends on your genes, family history, ethnic background, and other factors such as the environment and your health. It also depends on the type of diabetes you have.
There is no common cause that fits every type of diabetes. The reason why someone will develop type 1 diabetes is very different from the reasons why another person will develop type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is called an autoimmune disease, because the body’s system for fighting infection, your immune system, attacks and destroys the cells in your pancreas that make insulin. As a result, the body is left without insulin.
Researchers think that your genes or the environment may be responsible for triggering type 1 diabetes. TrialNet is a study that is working to determine the causes of type 1 diabetes and possible ways to prevent it.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is much more common than type 1 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by several factors including obesity, ethnic background, a family history of type 2 diabetes and other environmental factors.
You are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes if you are not physically active and are overweight or obese.
Type 2 diabetes is the result of not enough insulin being made in the pancreas, and insulin resistance when the body isn’t able to use the insulin it makes. When this happens, glucose (sugar) in your blood is not able to enter the cells where it should get used for energy.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is caused by the hormone changes of pregnancy. A woman’s genes, diet and exercise habits may also be responsible. In gestational diabetes, the pancreas can’t make enough insulin.
Like type 2 diabetes, women who are overweight or obese may already have insulin resistance when they become pregnant. Having a family history of diabetes makes it more likely that a woman will develop gestational diabetes.

https://www.diabetes.ca/signs,-risks---prevention/causes-of-diabetes

Evidence on Why You Should Consider Online Peer Support

From diabeteseducator.org

by Michelle Litchman, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP

Increased access to the internet and social media has allowed individuals across the globe to connect in ways that weren’t possible decades ago. Active, vibrant communities have formed that engage users from a variety of backgrounds in information sharing and peer support, often around a specific topic. But do these bustling online communities offer real health benefits?
To help answer this question, I recently led a study to see what the evidence showed. In collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers, people living with diabetes and parents to children with diabetes, we mapped the existing research focused on “organic” diabetes online communities (DOC). Organic DOCs were defined as online spaces that are developed by people living with or affected by diabetes (and not by a professional organization, healthcare provider or researcher).
The study, "State of the Science: A Scoping Review and Gap Analysis of Diabetes Online Communities," was recently published in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology. Over 14,000 articles were screened and 47 were included in the final analysis.
Overall, the data showed that DOCs have a lot to offer a person with diabetes. Here are some of the key findings: 

Health Outcomes Related to DOC Use

• DOC use was associated with neutral or lower A1C
• Psychosocial health is positively associated with DOC use by way of shared experience, social support and empowerment
• DOC users are reporting behaviour change related to peer support by increasing self-care activities, and feeling motivated and accountable
• DOC users want healthcare providers, such as diabetes educators, to be aware of DOCs and to enhance their understanding of diabetes and the value of the community
• HCPs are not always supportive of DOC use, though when they are, people with diabetes are more likely to use DOCs
• Overall, the DOC is helpful most of the time with very little harm reported

But as with any tool and individual patient needs, there are always considerations to be aware of.

DOC Use Concerns to be Aware of

• Misinformation in DOCs is uncommon, occurring 0-9% of the time. When misinformation did occur, it was mild and considered not likely to result in untoward effects. (Importantly, information within DOCs may be different from information found using search engines).
• Though DOCs are being used to gain information about risky behaviours and ask about acute concerns, which could be problematic for some populations (such as diabulimia), and helpful in others who don’t want to be lectured by their healthcare provider about not engaging in risky behaviour.
• Infighting between people living with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes is sometimes present and likely rooted in misconceptions and stigma.
• Among parents of children with diabetes, DOC use was associated with hypoglycemia fear and stress, though unclear if it led to DOC use or is because of DOC use. Social network analysis showed that parents of children with diabetes may struggle more in comparison to other DOC users.
• Privacy in the context of health information sharing online varied. Some shared openly and forgot about the public nature of the posts. Observing, or lurking, may be one way that people with diabetes can feel supported while maintaining their own privacy.

​​If you take one thing away from this study, remember that online peer support communities can be an effective tool in managing the psychological burden of diabetes. And as social media continues to become engrained in our daily lives, this highly accessible resource, if used responsibly, can benefit people with diabetes in the clinical setting.

https://www.diabeteseducator.org/news/aade-blog/aade-blog-details/aade/2019/03/21/evidence-on-why-you-should-consider-online-peer-support

FreeStyle Libre audit reveals improved control

From diabetestimes.co.uk

A nationwide audit of the FreeStyle Libre by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) has revealed improved diabetes control in people with type 1 diabetes during the first six months of usage.
Using the flash glucose monitoring device led to lower glucose levels in people with high levels before use of the device and a reduction in hypoglycaemia, according to the audit.

Seventy hospitals in the UK have contributed to the audit, which has been led by academics from the University of Hull, alongside clinicians from Birmingham, Derby and Hull.

The audit compared the findings over the first six months of FreeStyle Libre compared with the year preceding use of the technology. Baseline data was been collected from 3,382 people, with HbA1c data on 715 people after as well as before use of FreeStyle Libre.
A spokesman for ABCD said: “There is a significant improvement in diabetes control as measured by Haemoglobin A1c particularly in those people with higher Haemoglobin A1C levels before use of FreeStyle Libre.

“About eight in ten people reported that their glucose level was below normal less often than previously, and hypoglycaemic attacks during the day and at night occurred less frequently in about three out of ten people. There has also been a significant improvement in a measurement of how aware someone with diabetes is of a blood glucose falling to dangerously low levels (gold score).
“These preliminary findings need to be confirmed over a longer period but if confirmed suggest important benefits to people with diabetes and to the wider community by avoiding expensive complications of diabetes and reducing hospital admissions.”

https://diabetestimes.co.uk/freesytle-libre-audit-reveals-improved-control/

First Ever Oral Drug for Type 1 Diabetes May Be Coming Soon

From nbcdfw.com/news/health

Most people with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, with an assortment of drugs at their disposal. But somewhere between 1.5 and 3 million Americans are living with Type 1 diabetes and their only drug option, insulin, is what keeps them alive. Now, in a world's first, a new oral drug for this disease could change the way they manage their disease.

As a Type 1 diabetic, Claire Pegg has checked her blood sugar levels many more times than she can count.

"There is so much judgement with every minute of the treatment. You are good or you are bad because your blood sugar is whatever it is," Pegg said.

Hitting the target A1C level, a measurement of blood sugar control, is difficult, often impossible.

"Seventy percent of the people in the us do not achieve target A1Cs,” said Dr. Satish Garg, an Endocrinologist at Barbara Davis Centre for Diabetes, University of Colorado Denver.

That means a higher risk of long-term complications like heart, nerve and kidney disease. Now, a new drug could make reaching that target easier.

"For people with Type 1 diabetes, this may be the biggest breakthrough that they'll see," Dr. Garg said.

The drug, called sotagliflozin, blocks the re-absorption of sugar in the kidneys and delays absorption of glucose from the gut. Patients lose sugar in the urine, which means less in their blood.

"It is a big deal," Garg said.

Researchers found a two-fold increase in the number of patients who reached the target A1C level while on the drug. There are other benefits too.

"People lose about three to four percent of their body weight. In addition, about ten to 15 percent reduction in insulin dose," Garg explained.

While in the study, Pegg's A1C level dropped well into that target range. She also lost 20 pounds.

"It's, it's incredible, it's absolutely incredible," she said.

If it's approved, it will be the first oral drug for type one diabetes, ever.

"I will have script in hand and waiting to get my hands on it," said Pegg. "I just, I can't wait."

Before insulin was discovered in 1921, Type 1 diabetes was a death sentence. There have been many advances in technology that have drastically improved the lives of people with the disease, but new drugs to treat it have been non-existent. It's important to note that this drug will not replace insulin. The FDA decision is expected by the end of the March 2019.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/health/First-Ever-Oral-Drug-for-Type-1-Diabetes-May-Be-Coming-Soon-507214441.html

Type 2 Diabetes - The Risk for Diabetes Increases With Extra Inches Around Your Waist

By Beverleigh H Piepers

Your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes soar when you carry extra weight around your stomach. The question is how much weight around our middle is "extra" and is it possible to lose inches from our waist?

Many people with prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes feel they are not able to lose the weight they carry around their midline. However, this is not true. Anyone can take steps to reduce their waist measurement, and in this article, we will explore why and how losing inches from your waist measurement can help you to lower your blood sugar and reduce your chances of developing Type s diabetes.

Why your waist measurement is so important for your health and wellbeing, even if you are not overweight and your BMI is under 25, your waist measurement can offer critical insights into your risk factor for Type 2 diabetes. The fact is extra weight - specifically around your waistline is an indicator of ill-health.

The slim waist people flaunt in magazines and media is attractive for a reason - it indicates good health. While we all cannot have a 26-inch waist like a supermodel, we can ensure our waist measurement is within a healthy range.

When extra weight is carried around the abdominal area, it can cause inflammation and the build-up of fat around our vital organs. The fat build-up can starve our organs of oxygen and cause the onset of many chronic health conditions including high and unstable blood sugar. Insulin resistance builds up with too many fat stores, and this causes our blood sugar to rise significantly and indicates an increased risk of developing diabetes.

How to lose weight around your waistline. Firstly it is essential to know just how many inches you need to lose from around your abdominal area. Below is an indication of a healthy weight measurement. What is a healthy waist size? To increase overall health and reduce the risk of having raised blood sugar levels you need to aim to have a waist measurement...

• under 88 cm (35 inches) for women, and
• under 102 cm (40 inches) for men.

Tips on losing inches from around your waist. There are four pillars when it comes to losing weight on any part of your body, especially your abdominal area. It will not happen overnight; however, by adjusting these lifestyle factors, you will reduce your waist to a healthy size. The four pillars are...

• sleep,
• stress reduction,
• exercise, and
• healthy eating.

Where to start. Start with creating a plan. It helps to do this with a health professional, a friend or a health coach. Set clear and reasonable goals that suit your circumstances and stick with it.
Choosing to make healthier lifestyle options is the first step to reversing your risk for developing Type 2 diabetes now and in the future!

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---The-Risk-for-Diabetes-Increases-With-Extra-Inches-Around-Your-Waist&id=10090284

Type 2 diabetes: British man with type 2 diabetes reveals how he ‘reversed’ the condition

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes is generally regarded a lifelong condition, but some experts and people with the disease have claimed it can be reversed. Express.co.uk spoke to one man who reveals how he has ‘reversed’ the blood sugar condition to become diabetes-free.

Diabetes is a condition in which the level of sugar in the blood is too high. It has no specific cure, but is treated with medication to keep blood sugar under control. This is important as diabetes can lead to problems with the heart, eyes, nerves, kidneys and feet if left untreated. However, research has shown type 2 diabetes can go into remission by making certain lifestyle changes, helping blood sugar to remain at a healthy level and removing the need for medication. Express.co.uk spoke to Richard Shaw, who after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 54, reveals how he has now been free from the condition for two years.

Richard was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2012. At the time, he was overweight, weighing over 117kg.
Weight has been linked to type 2 diabetes, in that being overweight increases the risk of developing the condition, as well as the associated complications.
After his diagnosis, Richard was faced with having to take vast amounts of medication to keep the condition under control, while regularly attending diabetes clinic examinations and having frequent blood tests, foot examinations and eye examinations.
“I found myself in a system where meds would be prescribed and sent to the chemist automatically for me to pick up in vast quantities every month or so,” Richard said.

“I was worried that I was going to be in a slow steady decline that would eventually end up with me being insulin-dependant, which meant injections every day – a nightmare thought for someone who’s as needle-phobic as me.”
Richard explained that as well as taking his medication, he tried to eat more healthily in order to lose weight. But for the first three years after diagnosis, his blood sugar levels stayed high and his weight remained about the same.

He had begun to succumb to the idea that he was going to have to deal with the condition for the rest of his life, when one day he came across a study which persuaded him to try a more drastic course of action.

“My life changed one day when I read a study by Dr Roy Taylor from Newcastle University’s Magnetic Resonance Centre, that saw people reverse type 2 diabetes by following a strictly monitored clinical diet.”
During the trial, 11 people had attempted to reverse their diagnosis by drastically cutting their calories to just 600 a day for two months.
The participants’ austere regime was made up of liquid diet-replacement shakes, plus a further 200 calories a day of non-starchy vegetables. At the end of the trial, seven out of the original 11 volunteers were diabetes-free.

“Since the 1980s, people with diabetes have been encouraged to eat a low-fat diet, including prodigious amounts of starchy carbohydrates,” said Richard.
“For decades, public health advice has encouraged us to believe that up to half our energy should come from carbohydrates, which typically means consuming 200g to 300g of carbs a day.
“Many people now believe that this is quite wrong — that this can actually promote weight gain, lead to high blood glucose levels and encourage a dependence on medication that only increases over time, leading to sufferers being prescribed stronger and stronger doses as they get older.
“So I decided to take some dramatic action. I needed to lose a lot of weight. I couldn’t do it by following the ultra-low calorie Newcastle approach (I like good food too much to stick with that) so I did it by setting myself five simple rules and following them ruthlessly for five months.
“I decided to dramatically reduce my daily carbs while [still] eating great food, get rid of sugars, reduce my daily calorie intake for a brief period, drink more water and do some light exercise.”

Those actions helped Richard to lose 31kg, and he has now been free from type 2 diabetes for two years.
“From the statistics I’ve seen there is a much greater chance of people putting their type 2 diabetes into remission if they try and deal with excess weight early on in their diagnosis,” said Richard.
“The statistics for people who leave it more than five or six years are much less promising. If people can get rid of the internal fat – the visceral fat – early in their diagnosis, they stand a much better chance of putting their condition into remission.”
According to Richard’s GP, Dr Charlotte Mendes da Costa, the best way to prevent type 2 diabetes is to eat a healthy, balanced, whole food, plant-based diet, which is very low in refined carbohydrates, while exercising for at least 30 minutes per day.

“Just taking standard medication did not control Richard’s diabetes well. It was not until he started to take control of his diet and lifestyle, and radically change his diet that his diabetes control improved, and from that time on, the improvement was rapid and sustained,” said Dr Charlotte.
“Richard did this essentially using his own powerful motivation and willpower, and doubtless seeing initial good results spurred him on to continue following his diet.
“I now tell all newly diagnosed diabetics (type 2 I would stress) that it is perfectly possible to reverse their diabetes, even if it has been diagnosed for some time longer.”
Richard Shaw has written a book about how he reversed his diabetes: ‘Conquer Type 2 Diabetes: How a Fat, Middle-Aged Man Lost 31kg and Reversed the Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes’.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1096462/type-2-diabetes-British-man-reverses-blood-sugar-condition-remission-cure-treatment

Guidance released on roll out of digital glucose monitors in England

From nursingtimes.net/news/diabetes

Clinical guidance has been published to support the roll out of digital glucose monitors on the NHS for patients with type 1 diabetes in England.

New guidance from NHS England has today outlined funding arrangements for local health groups along with the criteria for who qualifies for the Freestyle Libre flash glucose monitor, in a drive to end the inequity of patient access to the product.
As previously reported by Nursing Times, tens of thousands of patients with type 1 diabetes are expected to benefit from the life changing monitors when they are provided by the NHS from next month.
The wearable glucose monitor, which is the size of a £2 coin and sits on the arm, aims to help patients better manage their blood sugar levels.
According to the national commissioning body NHS England, the pioneering technology will be provided to one in five of those with the condition.

Under the guidance, those who qualify include:

• People with type 1 diabetes who need intensive monitoring (more than eight times every day) as demonstrated in a review over the past three months
• People with type 1 diabetes associated with cystic fibrosis on insulin treatment
• Pregnant women with Type 1 diabetes – 12 months in total
• People with type 1 diabetes unable to routinely self-monitor blood glucose due to disability
• People with type 1 diabetes for whom the specialist diabetes multi-disciplinary team determines have occupational or psychosocial circumstances that warrant a six-month trial of Libre with appropriate support

NHS England has stated that the new technology should help people with diabetes achieve better health outcomes, by helping them to easily notice when sugar glucose are starting to rise or drop, so that action can be taken earlier.
In addition, the monitors aim to help reduce the amount of times a finger-prick check is needed and will give patients more confidence in managing their own condition.
The monitors will be available on prescription from a patients’ local GP or diabetes team and NHS England has said it will reimburse local health groups for costs of the wearable sensors.

NHS England described the move as an attempt to end the current variation that patients in some parts of the country are facing to access the product.
Dr Partha Kar, associate national clinical director at Diabetes UK, said: “This is an important step forward for the NHS and for people with type 1 diabetes.

“The guidance published today confirms the NHS’ commitment to improving the care of those with type 1 diabetes and signals an end to the variation in availability to the life changing technology,” he said.
JDRF – formerly called the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – is a type 1 diabetes charity and funder of research about the condition.
Chief executive officer of the charity in the UK, Karen Addington, said: “We are delighted that these new guidelines will effectively end the inequity of access to flash glucose monitoring that people living with type 1 diabetes have experienced, based simply on where they live in England.
“JDRF has worked with NHS England and partners to secure this outcome and look forward to supporting the implementation in April,” she said.
Of those with a diagnosis of diabetes, an estimated 260,000 in England have type 1 diabetes, NHS England noted.

https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/diabetes/guidance-released-on-roll-out-of-digital-glucose-monitors-in-england/7028128.article

First steps after a diabetes diagnosis

From medicalxpress.com

(HealthDay)—When you're diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor is likely to start you on a program to lower blood sugar and help insulin work more efficiently—a regimen that may include a modified diet, exercise and possibly medication. Starting (or ramping up) an exercise program can be the hardest of all these lifestyle changes. Typical exercise guidelines to help manage type 2 diabetes recommend 150 minutes a week of moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise, plus strength training on two or three days.
Meeting these goals, especially exercising for 30 minutes on most days, is a stumbling block for people who aren't used to working out. And, unfortunately, many people with diabetes stay sedentary.

But a study published in the journal Diabetes Care found an alternative that may be less taxing and more effective.
The study looked at whether short but very frequent bouts of walking or strength training—three minutes every half-hour during an eight-hour workday—could improve the health of diabetics.
For the walking study, participants walked on a flat treadmill at a pace of two miles per hour for each of their 16 daily three-minute stints (roughly 1/10 of a mile or 200 to 250 steps, depending on your stride).
For the strength training, each three-minute stint included 20-second segments alternating half-squats, calf raises, glute contractions and alternating knee raises, using only participants' own body weight.

Researchers found that the approach improved many of the participants' health markers, including blood sugar and insulin. While 48 minutes of exercise a day is higher than guideline minimums, the mini-sessions themselves are less strenuous than a single 30-minute workout. Plus, getting up every half-hour can help to overcome the dangers of sitting for long hours.
Whether you walk or strength-train or do a mix of both, this approach is also a great first step to incorporating exercise into your life and getting the confidence to take on other fitness activities.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-03-diabetes-diagnosis.html

Five Foods to Avoid When You Have Diabetes

By Beverleigh H Piepers

While convenience foods serve the purpose of being well, convenient, they are not the healthiest option for anyone. Convenience foods are often full of added sodium, sugar, and artificial ingredients. Convenience foods can also pack in a hefty dose of refined carbohydrates throwing your blood sugar out of whack.
Here are the top convenience foods that raise your blood sugar...

1. Frozen Dinners. Frozen dinners are notorious for containing tons of added sodium, not to mention additives. It is best to skip these and make as much of your food as you can. If you are short on time, try tossing together a salad with a lot of vegetables and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

2. Soda and Juice. Both soda and juice are loaded with sugar! So don't be fooled about diet soda. Diet soda contains artificial sweeteners which are just as harmful as refined sugar. Skip the soda and fruit juice, and choose plain sparkling water sweetened with a splash of fresh lemon or lime juice.

3. Granola Bars. While often thought of as healthy snack choices, granola bars can contain as much added sugar as a candy bar! If granola bars are your go-to snack, then be sure to read the nutrition label, and skip anything that lists sugar as one of the first ingredients. Try sticking to a granola bar that is naturally sweetened with ingredients such as dried fruit, raw honey, or pure maple syrup.

4. Flavoured Yogurt. While a convenient breakfast or snack choice, flavoured yogurts are heavy on the sugar. The good news is you can still enjoy yogurt; choose full-fat unsweetened Greek yogurt and sweeten it yourself with fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey.

5. Protein Shakes. While not all protein shakes are unhealthy, many protein powders contain added sugar and artificial ingredients. Added unhealthy ingredients can be hard on the digestive system, can trigger inflammation, and can also cause blood sugar imbalances. If you do like to enjoy a protein shake as a convenient snack, try to stick to a protein powder free from added ingredients: protein powder such as collagen protein, or hemp protein.

While convenience foods can make eating on the go easy, they are not all healthy and can lead to a host of issues when it comes to balancing blood sugar levels. Skip the foods on this list, and choose one of the following healthier convenient food options...

• a piece of fruit with a handful of nuts,
• full-fat unsweetened yogurt with fruit,
• a bowl of overnight oats, or
• avocado toast.

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---Five-Foods-to-Avoid-When-You-Have-Diabetes&id=10088131

Resistance training cuts type 2 diabetes risk

From upi.com

March 6 (UPI) -- When it comes to cutting diabetes risk, the type of exercise a person engages in can matter, a new study says.
People between ages 55 and 75 with prediabetes who exercised in resistance training regimes, along with aerobic routines, lowered their type 2 diabetes risk by 74 percent compared to a control group, according to a study published in February in Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. They worked out for 60 minutes a day on three non-consecutive day a week for 24 months.

Those results are compared to a 65 percent decrease for people who only did aerobic workouts and 72 percent of people who only did resistance workouts.
"This study showed that resistance training and resistance training plus aerobic training were as effective as isolated aerobic training in preventing overt type 2 diabetes in patients with prediabetes," the authors wrote.
After the study, the overall incidences of type 2 diabetes fell by 21 percent in the group that did combination training, by 26 percent in the aerobic-only group and, and 22 percent in the resistance-only group.

People between ages 55 and 75 with prediabetes who exercised in resistance training regimes, along with aerobic routines, lowered their type 2 diabetes risk by 74 percent compared to a control group. Photo by Tesa Photography/Pixabay

About 30 million people have type 2 diabetes, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Other studies back up the claim that exercise can cut the risk for people with type 2 diabetes.
"We showed that RT is a viable option for patients seeking to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes," the authors wrote. "This finding further expands established paradigms of lifestyle change for preventing type 2 diabetes and can inform clinician-patient discussions about delaying disease onset."

https://www.upi.com/Resistance-training-cuts-type-2-diabetes-risk/8501551878854/

Gaining a little weight after quitting tobacco is offset by the benefits for people with diabetes

From sciencedaily.com

People with diabetes who quit smoking tobacco may have a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases -- and weight gain following smoking cessation does not mitigate the health benefits among these patients, according to one study. Long-term, heavy smoking is a risk factor for cognitive decline, researchers found in an unrelated study.

Two new studies point to yet more reasons to kick the tobacco habit. In one, researchers found quitting smoking is worth it for people with diabetes despite worries about potential weight gain. In the other, scientists discovered smoking might have a much greater impact on the cognitive function than originally thought. Both studies were presented at the American Heart Association's Epidemiology and Prevention | Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health Scientific Sessions 2019, a premier global exchange of the latest advances in population-based cardiovascular science for researchers and clinicians, held in Houston this week.

In the study on smoking cessation, weight change and the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular diseases in people with diabetes, researchers analysed detailed, long-term health information from two studies that included 10,895 men and women with diabetes. Overweight and obesity are risk factors for diabetes, and both diabetes and smoking tobacco are major risk factors for heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular events.
Researchers found the benefits of quitting smoking for people with diabetes significantly outweighed the risk of gaining weight, even though weight gain is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Compared to people with diabetes who continued to smoke, the risk for heart attacks, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases did not increase among recent quitters who gained up to 11 pounds (5.0 kg) or even those who gained more than 11 pounds. The risk for cardiovascular disease was 34 percent lower among recent quitters (six or fewer years since quitting) without weight gain; 25 percent lower among long-term quitters (more than six years since smoking cessation); and 41 percent lower among never-smoking adults with diabetes.

"Weight gain concerns should not stop people from being encouraged to quit smoking after they're diagnosed with diabetes. And for those who do quit, preventing excessive weight gain would further maximize the health benefits of smoking cessation," said Gang Liu, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a postdoctoral research fellow in the department of Nutrition at Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston.

A second study spotlights tobacco's link to cognitive decline in the general population. Cognitive decline means that a person's memory, reasoning and other mental functions are impaired over time.

Although tobacco use has been associated with a higher risk for cognitive decline, it's difficult to measure just how much of an impact smoking has because smokers are more likely than non-smokers to drop out or die before the end of long-term studies, according to study author Aozhou Wu, M.H.S., a Ph.D. student in epidemiology at the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore.
"As a consequence, smokers' cognitive measurements in studies were likely to be missing in other studies because they're lost to follow-up," Wu said.
Wu and colleagues adapted a methodology that considers a smoker's likelihood of dropping out of a study or dying from tobacco-related causes during the study period to analyse the cognitive impact of tobacco use among 4,960 adults who were free of cognitive impairment at the study's start. Researchers followed the participants for about five years, with regular assessments of the participants' memory, language function and logical thinking ability.
When the researchers used the new study methods and compared people who never smoked tobacco to those who smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 25 years or more, they found that the tobacco's harmful effect on cognition among the smokers was more than twice as much as they had observed using the traditional study methods.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/03/190305162014.htm

Type 2 diabetes: Exercise at this time of day to lower blood sugar and prevent condition

From express.co.uk

TYPE 2 diabetes is a common condition which causes the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood to become too high. Left untreated, serious health problems can occur. One way to lower blood sugar and prevent the condition is to exercise - but when’s the best time to do it?

Type 2 diabetes can often be caused by poor lifestyle choices, such as a diet high in sugar and fat, smoking and lack of exercise. Left untreated, eye problems, heart attack and stroke, and kidney problems can occur. One of the best ways to lower blood sugar is to be active. Experts recommend you aim to do 2.5 hours of activity a week. But when is the best time to exercise?

The best time to do structured exercise is when you’re most likely to do it, advises Diabetes UK.
It explains: “Some find it useful to exercise first thing in the morning, while others prefer to exercise at the end of the day.
“Be mindful that exercising too close to bed may affect sleep quality.”
If you struggle to include exercise in your day, you may find it helpful to schedule exercise into a diary, sign up for a weekly class or find an exercise partner.
The diabetes charity adds: “Being intentional with the timing of non-exercise physical activity throughout the day can go a long way to lowering blood glucose.
“Aim to walk for 10 minutes or longer soon after finishing a meal and interrupt prolonged periods of sitting with bouts of very light activity every 30 minutes.
“This can mean doing a few stretches or chair-based exercises at your desk or going for a walk to get a drink of water.”

What’s the best and most effect exercise?

For diabetes, greater health benefits are gained from doing a combination of aerobic or high intensity interval training (HIIT) and resistance exercise.
Aerobic exercise includes activities such as walking, cycling, jogging and swimming performed at a steady intensity.
With HIIT training, low-to-moderate intensity intervals are alternated with high-intensity intervals and can be applied to various types of aerobic exercises such as running or cycling.

Type 2 diabetes: Aerobic exercise is one of the best forms of exercise for diabetes (Image: GETTY)

Resistance exercise consists of lifting free weights, using weight machines, performing exercises using resistance bands and the body’s own weight.
The diabetes research charity explains: “Daily exercise, or ensuring that two days do not elapse between exercise sessions, ensures that you remain insulin sensitive.
“The insulin sensitivity benefits of exercise wear off after about 24 hours (this is based on a person with type 2 diabetes engaging in low-intensity exercise for approximately an hour per day).
“Exercise which improves muscle mass - such as resistance exercise - is important for maintaining or building muscle as it helps the body to be more insulin sensitive.
“And, as we lose muscle mass as we age, incorporating some form of resistance exercise at least twice per week on non-consecutive days becomes extremely important.”

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1094700/type-2-diabetes-best-time-to-exercise-lower-blood-sugar-levels

Coping with diabetes is a family affair

From medicalxpress.com

(HealthDay)—When Giuseppina Miller's 8-year-old son, Peter, was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, he necessarily got a lot of his parents' attention. "We tried to adjust pretty well, but I was getting no sleep because I had to check his blood sugar in the middle of the night, and I was worried all the time. My two younger daughters felt the stress and ended up getting ignored a little bit," Miller said.

The young girls—just 7 and 5 at the time—struggled to understand why their brother suddenly garnered so much parental attention, and one day Miller overheard the girls teasing their brother about his diabetes.
"They didn't really understand, so I thought it might help if they lived a day like he did. I had them eat like he did. And, at the time, he had a very strict diet because of the type of insulin he was taking," Miller said.
"I also made them prick their fingers when he had to test his blood sugar. Obviously, they couldn't do insulin injections, but living like him for the day taught them what he had to deal with," she said. "It helped them understand."

Like Miller's daughters, many people struggle to understand what life is really like for someone living with diabetes—whether it's a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
William Polonsky, president of the Behavioural Diabetes Institute, said, "So many adults have said to me, 'The day I was diagnosed with diabetes, people started acting like I lost IQ points. They started speaking slower and louder, and were telling me what to do.'"
Polonsky said that people may assume that you have diabetes because of something you did. "There's a subtle form of blame and shame associated with diabetes. As if the fact that you have diabetes, or if you're not managing it perfectly, it may be due to your own personal failing," he explained.

When family or friends offer unsolicited advice, it's typically because they're concerned and are trying to be helpful. Yet, instead of asking how they could best help a person with diabetes, people often just "take their best guess," Polonsky noted.

These folks often wildly miss the mark. A common complaint is that loved ones act like the "diabetes police." They may ask: Do you need to check your blood sugar? Why is your blood sugar so high? Should you really be eating that food? Have you tried the latest diabetes "cure" I saw on the internet?
A better approach is to simply ask the person with diabetes how you can help them, Polonsky advised.
"Say 'Hey, it looks like living with diabetes is hard. How can I help you?'" he suggested.

Or, if you see that someone you love with diabetes needs to make healthier lifestyle choices, offer to join them as opposed to telling them what to do. For example, ask them if they want to exercise with you.
Paula Trief, a professor of psychiatry and behavioural sciences at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, N.Y., said a "we're in this together" attitude may help the person with diabetes and their partner.
Whatever type of diabetes a person has, "there's a fair amount of anxiety about what the future holds, and a fear of complications," Trief said.
But, when partners collaborate, it can help reduce the anxiety.
Trief and her colleagues recently published a study in the journal Diabetic Medicine that found when partners of people with diabetes were involved in diabetes education, they had less distress about diabetes and felt better about their relationship overall. And, the people with diabetes had a slight improvement in their blood sugar control when their partner took part in their diabetes education.
Plus, it's a cost-effective intervention, she noted. "It doesn't cost any more financially if a partner comes to a doctor visit with you," Trief said.

What if you're the person with diabetes being bugged by the diabetes police? "Don't talk to anyone in that moment when you're angry," Polonsky said. "Find a dispassionate moment, and say, 'I know you want to be helpful. Can I give you a couple of ways that could help me, such as pick up a lunch for me if I forget mine or go for a walk with me?'"
Miller said that diabetes definitely affects all of your relationships—siblings, spouses, grandparents, friends—in some way.
"It's one of those things you can't really understand unless you've lived it," she explained. "It's like when you have a baby, until you have a baby, you just don't get it. Like everything else in life though, everyone handles it differently. Try to respect everyone's different strengths and weaknesses."

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-03-coping-diabetes-family-affair.html

Here's Why You Should Include Cherries In Your Diabetes Diet

From ndtv.com

Cherries are also loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds that can also help manage diabetes.

Tarty and delectable cherries are always a delight; whether on top of a dessert, or blended in a smoothie or tossed in a salad. The ruby red delights are also possibly one of the healthiest additions you can make to your diet. Available in many kinds such as montmorency, yellow, red and dark red- cherries are abundantly packed with antioxidants. They are also enriched with melatonin that promotes good sleep. Montmorency cherries are said to be very effective in relieving pain. In fact, some studies have claimed that they are 10 times more active than some popular pain relievers. Cherries are also loaded with anti-inflammatory compounds that can also help manage arthritic pain. The nutrient-dense fruit is also said to have potent antidiabetic properties, which makes it a valuable addition to a diabetic diet.

Here's How Cherries Help Manage Diabetes

Cherries are a treasure trove of dietary fibres. Fibres take a while to breakdown and digest. This enables gradual release of sugar in the bloodstream, thus keeping the risk of blood sugar fluctuations at bay.  The low glycemic index of cherries is another advantage for diabetics. According to experts, diabetics should consume foods with GI lower than 55 as these foods metabolise slowly and cause gradual rise in blood sugar levels. Glycemic index is defined as the relative score given to each food depending upon its carbohydrates content and how it impacts the blood glucose levels. Cherries are immensely low on carbs. One cup has about 19 gram of carbs.

According to the book 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, tart cherries are very effective in managing diabetes. "Their abundant antioxidants, anthocyanins can increase insulin production, helping regulate blood sugar levels," notes the book.

Anthocyanins give cherries their distinct red colour. You also find them in other fruits and veggies like grapes and blueberries. According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, when insulin-producing pancreatic cells taken from rodents were exposed to anthocyanins from cherries, the cells of the rodents pumped up their insulin production by 50%.

How To Include Cherries In A Diabetes Diet

Cherries are best consumed raw and fresh. It is a good idea to buy organic cherries. You can pit and freeze them to consume through the year too. If your cherries are slightly sour, do not toss them away as sour cherries are richer in antioxidants. You can tuck into them raw for breakfast, or use them to top your cereal or yogurt bowl.

COMMENT

Make sure you do not go overboard as anything in excess can harm your overall health. Always seek medical advice before making any major alteration to your diet.

https://www.ndtv.com/food/diabetes-management-heres-why-you-should-include-cherries-in-your-diabetes-diet-2000057