Blood sugar levels after glucose consumption linked to increased lifespan

From diabetes.co.uk/news

Research suggests that even among those with blood glucose levels considered “normal,” certain levels following glucose intake could be associated with significantly lower mortality risk.

A remarkable insight into blood glucose and longevity comes from the long-running Ohasama Study, conducted in a small agricultural community in Japan’s Tohoku region.

For over four decades, researchers have tracked the health of residents in Ohasama, regularly collecting detailed health and medical data.

Participants in this comprehensive study underwent glucose tolerance tests every four years. These tests measure blood sugar levels before and two hours after drinking a glucose-rich drink, commonly used to diagnose diabetes.

A team of researchers, led by Junta Imai and Hideki Katagiri from Tohoku University, analysed data from nearly 1,000 participants and published their findings in the scientific journal PNAS Nexus. The study initially explored how various health measures, including glucose tolerance tests, correlated with life expectancy.

Imai noted that even after accounting for known risk factors such as age, obesity, and smoking, the level of blood glucose one hour after glucose intake remained strongly linked to mortality.

Researchers split participants into two groups based on a median blood glucose threshold of 162 mg/dL (9 mmol/L).

Their analysis revealed that participants whose blood glucose was lower than this threshold one hour after glucose consumption showed significantly better survival rates.

To refine the findings further, the researchers focused on 595 participants who had normal glucose tolerance, establishing that a blood glucose threshold of 170 mg/dL (9.4 mmol/L) after one hour was the most reliable predictor of survival.

Over a 20-year follow-up period, nearly 80% of those with blood glucose below 170 mg/dL (9.4 mmol/L) one hour after glucose intake were still alive, compared to only about 50% of those with higher glucose levels.

This striking difference highlights a substantial health advantage associated with maintaining lower blood sugar levels soon after meals.

Digging deeper into causes of death, the study found that participants whose one-hour post-glucose levels stayed below 170 mg/dL had significantly fewer deaths from heart disease linked to atherosclerosis and fewer cancer-related deaths.

Lead researcher Imai concluded, “Our results show that even within what is considered a normal blood glucose range, some levels are clearly associated with greater longevity. As well as preventing diabetes, it’s important to manage spikes in blood glucose levels after eating to reduce risks of heart disease and cancer. This could help people enjoy longer, healthier lives.”

Read the study here.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2025/jul/blood-sugar-levels-after-glucose-consumption-linked-to-increased-lifespan.html 

Reduce red meat intake to lower diabetes risk: Harvard study

From nypost.com

Burger lovers may flip out over this news.

A new Harvard study establishes a “significant” link between a key component in red meat and an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Iron is essential for making red blood cells, supporting our immune system and producing hormones. We get it through our diet in two forms: heme and non-heme iron.

For this study, researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health examined the iron intake of nearly 207,000 health professionals over 36 years.

They found that those with the greatest intake of heme iron — which is in meat (especially red meat), poultry and seafood and easily absorbed by the body — had a 26% higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those in the lowest consumption group.

Concerns have long been raised about heme iron, which has been shown to cause inflammation and even DNA damage. Some research suggests it can increase the risk of colorectal, pancreatic and lung cancer.

Non-heme iron — found in plant-based foods and tougher to absorb — was not associated with diabetes risk in this new study.

However, the researchers noted that some plant-based meats contain added heme iron to enhance their meaty flavor and appearance.

Researchers acknowledged limitations to their findings, published Tuesday in Nature Metabolism. The study population was not diverse and there may have been data collection errors.

Still, corresponding study author Frank Hu said this work “underscores the importance of healthy dietary choices in diabetes prevention.”

“Reducing heme iron intake, particularly from red meat, and adopting a more plant-based diet can be effective strategies in lowering diabetes risk,” added Hu, a Harvard professor of nutrition and epidemiology.

More than 34 million Americans have Type 2 diabetes, which occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use insulin well, resulting in high blood sugar.

This is not the first study to tie significant amounts of heme iron to a higher risk of diabetes.

The Harvard researchers say theirs more clearly establishes and explains the link between the two.

Dr. Rifka Schulman-Rosenbaum, director of inpatient diabetes at Long Island Jewish Medical Centre, said this study “adds another layer of evidence towards the negative health effects of red meat.”

“Multiple prior studies have shown evidence for increased risk of various types of cancer and other chronic diseases such as high cholesterol and heart disease,” Schulman-Rosenbaum, who was not involved with the study, told The Post. “In light of the findings of this study and many other studies, red meat is best minimized or avoided for optimized health.”

https://nypost.com/2024/08/13/lifestyle/reduce-red-meat-intake-to-lower-diabetes-risk-harvard-study/ 

Weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes can change cancer-related proteins

From news-medical.net

A weight loss intervention in people with type 2 diabetes was found to alter levels of cancer-related proteins, according to the findings of a new University of Bristol-led study. The study, published in eBioMedicine, is the first to show that weight loss in people recently diagnosed with diabetes can change the levels of cancer-related chemicals circulating in the blood.

According to Diabetes UK, over five million people in the UK live with diabetes and over 600 million people could be afflicted worldwide by 2045. Weight loss is now a key intervention thanks to the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), which found a dietary weight loss program could put type 2 diabetes into remission.

Despite this positive development, individuals with type 2 diabetes face an increased risk of developing several types of cancer. Previous studies have found that having increased body weight alters the levels of circulating proteins with a known link to cancer. Motivated by these findings, researchers from Bristol Medical School collaborated with colleagues from the universities of Glasgow and Newcastle who led the DiRECT trial. They sought to evaluate whether the benefits of weight loss in people with type 2 diabetes also impacts their risk of developing cancer.

To investigate this, the team used data from 261 patients with type 2 diabetes who were enrolled in the DiRECT trial. The team analysed their blood samples from before and after weight loss to find out if proteins known to be related to cancer were altered by the weight loss intervention.

Nine cancer-related proteins in blood samples were found to be changed by the weight loss intervention compared with the control group who had received standard care for diabetes treatment.

Results from this study help us gain insight into potential mechanisms linking type 2 diabetes and body fatness with cancer development. These findings offer encouraging evidence that the increased cancer risk seen in people with diabetes might be reduced with weight loss interventions. This has important implications for both diabetes treatment and cancer prevention.

The next step for this research is to find out whether the short-term changes we identified really do result in longer-term reduction in cancer risk in people with diabetes."

Emma Hazelwood, one of the study's lead authors from the University of Bristol's MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU)

The study was funded by Diabetes UK, Cancer Research UK, World Cancer Research Fund, and Wellcome.

https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240130/Weight-loss-in-people-with-type-2-diabetes-can-change-cancer-related-proteins.aspx 

World Cancer Day: Is type 2 diabetes linked to the risk of increased cancer mortality?

From healthshots.com

Having type 2 diabetes is a nightmare enough, and it can make matters worse for cancer patients. It can increases your chances of mortality

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is on an increase in India. Patients with diabetes are more likely to develop and die from cancer, as per statistics. The link between type 2 diabetes and cancer mortality is a growing concern for public health, and it is important for individuals with this chronic condition to be aware of the potential dangers.

Read on to know more about the type-2 diabetes and how it increases the risk of cancer.

The link between type-2 diabetes and cancer mortality

According to several scientific studies, type 2 diabetes, characterised by high blood sugar levels, is associated with an increased risk of dying from cancer. A study followed over 200,000 individuals for over a decade and found that those with type 2 diabetes had a 13 percent higher risk of dying from cancer compared to those without the condition. The increased risk was largely due to higher incidence of liver, pancreas, and endometrial cancers.

Another meta-analysis reviewed over 20 studies and found that individuals with type 2 diabetes had a 17 percent higher risk of dying from cancer compared to those without the condition. The analysis concluded that type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of developing several types of cancer, including liver, pancreas, endometrial, colorectal, breast and bladder cancer.

How does diabetes increase cancer mortality risk?

The exact mechanisms underlying the link between type 2 diabetes and cancer are not yet fully understood, but several theories have been proposed. These include insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and chronic inflammation, which may contribute to the development and progression of cancer cells.

Insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes, can result in increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) in the body, both of which are known to promote the growth of cancer cells. Oxidative stress, an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body’s ability to neutralise them, is also linked to the development of cancer. Individuals with type 2 diabetes are at increased risk for oxidative stress due to their high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Chronic inflammation, a persistent low-grade inflammation, is another factor linked to the development of cancer. People with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk for chronic inflammation due to their high blood sugar levels and insulin resistance.

It is also important to note that type 2 diabetes and cancer share several risk factors, including ageing, obesity, and physical inactivity, which can increase the risk of both conditions.

Take precautions to manage type 2 diabetes

In view of these findings, it is essential that individuals with type 2 diabetes take steps to manage their condition and reduce their risk of cancer. This can include lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a balanced diet. Regular cancer screenings and working with a healthcare provider to effectively manage type 2 diabetes are also crucial.

In conclusion, the link between type 2 diabetes and increased cancer mortality is a growing concern for public health. It is important for individuals with this chronic condition to be aware of the potential dangers and take proactive steps to manage their health. By maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular physical activity, and eating a balanced diet, individuals with type 2 diabetes can reduce their risk of both conditions and improve their overall health outcomes.

https://www.healthshots.com/preventive-care/self-care/world-cancer-day-is-type-2-diabetes-linked-to-risk-of-increased-cancer-mortality/

What you need to know about the cancer-diabetes connection

From thecharlottepost.com

PHOTO | GETTY IMAGES

Cancer and diabetes can be intimately related in terms of risks between the disorders as well as increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

There are more connections between diabetes and cancer than you'd expect.

Research suggests the two can be intimately related - with some cancer treatments putting patients at risk for insulin dependence, and type 2 diabetes greatly increasing a person's susceptibility to cancer.

Because cancer and both types 1 and 2 diabetes can weaken the immune system, people with these disorders are also at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19, according to the U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cancer and diabetes are connected
In type 1 diabetes, the body no longer sufficiently produces insulin. In type 2 diabetes, the body may still be producing insulin, but other metabolic cells of the body become resistant to its effects (insulin resistance). Insulin, a hormone the pancreas makes to allow cells to use glucose, remains the standard treatment option for millions of people living with diabetes.

In 1978 at City of Hope, a biomedical research complex and National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centre in Southern California, Arthur Riggs, Ph.D., and Keiichi Itakura, Ph.D., conducted research that led to the invention of synthetic human insulin, which transformed modern diabetes management.

In 2017, City of Hope founded the Wanek Family Project for Type 1 Diabetes, an ambitious program designed to rapidly translate laboratory discoveries into new treatments - and eventually a cure - for type 1 diabetes.

Cancer and diabetes are "two sides of the same coin" because at a fundamental level both are disruptions of the body's normal metabolism. For example, people with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop liver or pancreatic cancer and run a higher-than-normal risk of developing colon, bladder and breast cancer. City of Hope's Debbie C. Thurmond, Ph.D., explained that obesity is a major risk factor for both cancer and type 2 diabetes.

"Excess fat may provoke the disruption of the body's normal metabolism and increase inflammation, which is a known trigger for both diabetes and cancer," she said.

Diabetes and COVID-19 also appear to be connected
While there's still much to learn about COVID-19, recent data from the CDC reported more than three-quarters of people who died from COVID-19 had at least one pre-existing condition. Specifically, diabetes was noted as an underlying condition in approximately four out of 10 patients. Among people younger than 65 who died from the infection, about half had diabetes.

Managing diabetes during COVID-19
People with diabetes - type 1 or type 2 - are more susceptible to contracting COVID-19 than others, and have poorer outcomes if they do. City of Hope's Ping H. Wang, M.D., noted,

"Patients with diabetes have higher risks of serious complications and ketoacidosis from COVID-19," and explained that warning signs of severe infection are heightened shortness of breath, persistent chest pain and an intense feeling of fatigue. Even mild symptoms should not be ignored, he said. If you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms, Wang said you should call your physician and continue to monitor your blood glucose.

Managing your diabetes as the first line of defence against the novel coronavirus
It's critical that those battling cancer and/or type 1 or 2 diabetes stay informed and take necessary precautions, which may include:

• Controlling underlying medical conditions better

• Maintaining blood glucose in the target range

• Engaging in physical activities recommended by your doctor

• Controlling eating behaviour

• Making sure you're taking all of your medications correctly

• Social distancing, wearing a face mask and maintaining hand hygiene

For more information on City of Hope's Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, clinical trials and innovative diabetes research, visit CityofHope.org/diabetes-awareness.

http://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2020/11/09/health/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-cancer-diabetes-connection/

What People with Type 2 Diabetes Can Do to Lower Their Risk for Cancer, Dementia

From healthline.com

Researchers in Australia say people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk for developing cancer as well as dementia.

Experts say excess sugar in the body can lead to microvascular damage that can cause dementia by damaging small blood vessels in the brain.

They add that excess sugar can also help feed the growth of cancer cells.

Experts advise people to eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and get plenty of sleep to lower their risk for disease.

People with diabetes already face an increased risk for a number of serious health conditions, including nephropathy, retinopathy, and neuropathy.
Now recent research from Australia has concluded that people with type 2 diabetes are up to three times more likely to develop several types of cancer and 60 percent more likely to develop dementia compared to the general population.

The research from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne also highlighted serious concerns: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer people are visiting their doctors for routine screenings and testing.

Researchers say that means diagnosing diabetes, cancer, and early signs of dementia is less likely.
As a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, oncology referrals were down by 30 percent, and diabetes screenings have dropped a third in Australia, researchers reported.
Additionally, both pathology and radiology testing — which play a critical role in diagnosing cancer — have dropped by 70 percent.

The risk of dementia

The researchers from the Baker Institute link dementia and diabetes through microvascular damage, which they say can lead to “many small strokes.”
They say that can pave the way to dementia by way of damage in the small blood vessels in the brain.

Other experts say the connection between these two conditions goes deeper.
“The biggest problem is ‘advanced glycogenated end-products’ and inflammation,” explained Dr. Alex Reeves, a neurologist and former professor of neurology at Dartmouth Medical School in New Hampshire.

Advanced glycogenated end-products (AGEs) are essentially the glucose that accumulates and damages both the blood vessels and nerve endings throughout the body.

AGEs accumulate in the bloodstream and contributes to the overall HbA1c level. That damage is what leads to the development of diabetes complications in the eyes, kidneys, fingers, toes, and other parts of the body.

The more AGEs present in your body, the higher your A1C will be.

AGEs are also present in over-cooked meat - especially meat that’s been grilled, broiled, baked, or fried at high heat.

“People with dementia tend to have very high levels of AGEs and microvascular disease. Very few don’t have both,” Reeves told Healthline. “Though some may have more of one than the other.”
AGEs also go hand-in-hand with inflammation, a major contributor to most chronic diseases, explains Reeves.

“You can actually predict dementia, atherosclerosis, neuropathy, and cancer on the basis of AGE levels. AGEs are made up of protein, glucose, and lipid-glucose, and they are highly inflammatory.
“They are an inevitable part of the aging process and you can’t eliminate them 100 percent, because we all need glucose in our bloodstream. What you can do, though, is reduce this process by lowering blood sugar levels and reducing overall inflammation,” Reeves said.

Anti-inflammatory agents reduce the formation of AGEs, which is why some researchers say reducing inflammation is also directly linked with reducing the risk of diabetes.
Reducing blood sugar levels through healthier lifestyle habits inevitably reduces overall inflammation.

Experts say this is why it’s important to exercise: It helps your body burn up excess sugar in your bloodstream, which in turn reduces the development of AGEs.

Excess sugar and cancer

Excess sugar in the bloodstream can also contribute to the risk of cancer.
There are several theories for the increased risk of cancer in people with diabetes, but one possibility echoed in the latest research from the Baker Institute is that excess sugar in the bloodstream feeds the growth of cancer.

“Cancer cells love sugar, so there is suggestion that increased sugar levels mean there is plenty around for cancer to grow more rapidly,” said Dr. Jonathan Shaw, head of clinical diabetes and population health at the Baker Institute.

In addition to a generally increased risk of cancer, the researchers found that people with diabetes were three times more likely to develop pancreatic cancer and twice as likely to develop liver or endometrial cancer.
The risk of developing bowel cancer was 30 percent higher, and 20 percent higher for breast cancer.

Lowering the risk

Experts say lifestyle habits are one of the most impactful areas of your life that you can focus on to improve your current well-being and protect your future health.
Among the recommended lifestyle habits:

• Eat a diet high in plant-based foods.
• Quit smoking.
• Reduce sugar intake in both food and beverages.
• Exercise daily.
• Limit alcohol consumption.
• Get plenty of sleep.
• Lose weight, if necessary.
• Reduce blood sugar levels.

Reeves also recommends a variety of antioxidant supplements known to reduce AGEs by reducing overall inflammation:

• vitamin c
• turmeric
• fat-soluble B-1
• quercetin
• resveratrol
• alpha-lipoic acid

Shaw also emphasizes the need to continue with your routine care appointments despite COVID-19 concerns.
“If we are not careful, we end up with more of a problem from people letting other things lapse than from the coronavirus itself,” he told Healthline.

This means regular blood tests and other medical check-ups are still a must, even during a pandemic.

https://www.healthline.com/health-news/what-people-with-type-2-diabetes-can-do-to-lower-their-risk-for-cancer-dementia#Lowering-the-risk