Delicious way to a diabetes-free future: Six quick and easy meals which include sensational suppers and lip-smacking lunches

From dailymail.co.uk

Chicken with Mediterranean vegetables takes just 25 minutes to prepare and is made using 100g of aubergine:

To make this meal , preheat the oven to 180C. Scoop out the seeds from the pumpkin, creating a 'bowl':

Chop the spring greens (if not pre-chopped) and, when the mackerel is about halfway through cooking, add them to the roasting pan along with the asparagus:

Pork medallions with mustard and creme fraiche sauce (pictured) takes 20 minutes to prepare:

Chicken 'satay' with kale crisps takes 20 minutes to prepare and is made using 60g chicken breast fillets:

Broccoli and bacon cheese takes just 20 minutes to prepare and you need 30g of back bacon:

Snappy snacks include a spiced cocoa shot, coleslaw with sunflower seeds and cucumber with minted yogurt dip:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-4097396/Delicious-way-diabetes-free-future-Six-quick-easy-meals-include-sensational-suppers-lip-smacking-lunches.html 

Alternative treatment options for diabetes

From knowridge.com

When medicines and lifestyle changes are not enough to manage your diabetes, a less common treatment may be an option.
Other treatments include bariatric surgery for certain people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, and an “artificial pancreas” and pancreatic islet transplantation for some people with type 1 diabetes.

Bariatric surgery
Also called weight-loss surgery or metabolic surgery, bariatric surgery may help some people with obesity and type 2 diabetes lose a large amount of weight and regain normal blood glucose levels.
Some people with diabetes may no longer need their diabetes medicine after bariatric surgery. Whether and for how long blood glucose levels improve seems to vary by the patient, type of weight-loss surgery, and amount of weight the person loses.
Other factors include how long someone has had diabetes and whether or not the person uses insulin.
Recent research suggests that weight-loss surgery also may help improve blood glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes who are obese.
Researchers are studying the long-term results of bariatric surgery in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Artificial Pancreas
The NIDDK has played an important role in developing “artificial pancreas” technology. An artificial pancreas replaces manual blood glucose testing and the use of insulin shots or a pump.
A single system monitors blood glucose levels around the clock and provides insulin or a combination of insulin and a second hormone, glucagon, automatically. The system can also be monitored remotely, for example by parents or medical staff.
In 2016, the FDA approved a type of artificial pancreas system called a hybrid closed-loop system. This system tests your glucose level every 5 minutes throughout the day and night, and automatically gives you the right amount of insulin.
You still need to manually adjust the amount of insulin the pump delivers at mealtimes. But, the artificial pancreas may free you from some of the daily tasks needed to keep your blood glucose stable—or help you sleep through the night without the need to wake and test your glucose or take medicine.
The hybrid closed-loop system is expected to be available in the U.S. in 2017. Talk with your health care provider about whether this system might be right for you.
The NIDDK has funded several important studies on different types of artificial pancreas devices to better help people with type 1 diabetes manage their disease. The devices may also help people with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Pancreatic islet transplantation
Pancreatic islet transplantation is an experimental treatment for poorly controlled type 1 diabetes. Pancreatic islets are clusters of cells in the pancreas that make the hormone insulin.
In type 1 diabetes, the body’s immune system attacks these cells. A pancreatic islet transplant replaces destroyed islets with new ones that make and release insulin.
This procedure takes islets from the pancreas of an organ donor and transfers them to a person with type 1 diabetes.
Because researchers are still studying pancreatic islet transplantation, the procedure is only available to people enrolled in research studies. Learn more about islet transplantation studies.

https://knowridge.com/2017/01/alternative-treatment-options-for-diabetes/

Dental health important for diabetes patients

By ANDREW SMITH and DIANA F. RAMIREZ

Many people don’t associate their smile with a healthy life, but the mouth is the gateway to your body. Having a healthy mouth is the start to having a healthy body.
Diabetes can have serious affects on your body and takes a toll on your teeth. We all know that diabetes affects your body’s ability to process the sugars in foods we eat. But what does that have to do with your teeth? Severe to mild diabetic individuals produce far less saliva than non-diabetics from certain medication taken to treat diabetes. So why does that matter? Not only would less saliva affect how food tastes, but also saliva protects your teeth from cavities and from forming plaque. So what does this mean? As a diabetic you are more likely to get cavities, plaque build-up, and you will have an increased risk of dental infection.
This means that you should at least brush your teeth twice a day (electric toothbrushes are the best at removing plaque) for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and floss at least once a day. These steps along with regular cleanings with your hygienist or dentist are essential to remove plaque.

So what if you forget to floss, miss a cleaning or just can’t clean your teeth well enough? If plaque and bacteria aren’t completely removed from your teeth daily you will produce calculus. This is not that hard math class, it is worse! Calculus is hardened plaque that cannot be removed by regular flossing and brushing. Only your dentist or hygienist will be able to remove this calculus. If the calculus is not removed, your gums will swell and you will bleed more easily. Then you could potentially develop a disease of your mouth called periodontitis. Periodontitis destroys the bone that supports your teeth. In time, your bone will recede around your teeth which will causes them to loosen and then fall out.
“Wow, that’s awful! That sounds so painful! How could something like this happen?” is something we hear all the time when we warn people about periodontitis. The worst thing gum disease is that it is not painful at all until your teeth are too loose and have to be removed. This causes the warning signs to be over looked, making it hard for the average person to detect the condition early enough.
The best way to know if you are developing or already have periodontitis is to visit your dentist at least two times a year. There are some additional things to prevent tooth loss and improve your overall smile which are; monitoring and managing your blood sugar, healthy diet, limiting your alcohol and not smoking.
For good dental health, keep these healthy food chooses in mind; Drink plenty of water, Eat a variety of foods from each of the five major food groups; whole, grains, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low fat and fat free dairy foods.

http://www.themonitor.com/life/vidahealth/dental-health-important-for-diabetes-patients/article_6c45bd32-d447-11e6-9fe7-d3d5b4663c4a.html

Nuts protect against type 2 diabetes: Miracle diet staple 'reduces risk' of condition

By Olivia Lerche

EATING nuts everyday could reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by nearly 40 per cent, breakthrough research has revealed.
Experts have revealed just a 1oz portion is enough to slash the risk of developing the potentially dangerous condition, which is linked to limb amputation, kidney failure and blindness.
Almonds, macadamias, pistachios, walnuts and cashews all have properties to protect against type 2 diabetes while raising levels of good cholesterol and reducing inflammation, experts have said.
A study in the journal Diabetes Care previously revealed nuts have benefits for both blood glucose control and blood lipids and may be used to improve diabetes control without weight gain.
Dr David Jenkins, from the University of Toronto Department of Nutritional Sciences said: “The study indicates that nuts can provide a specific food option for people with Type 2 diabetes wishing to reduce their carbohydrate intake."

A study reported in BMC Medicine analysed the medical records of  800,000 people. The figures revealed that eating at least 20g - the equivalent of a handful - of nuts a day can also reduce risk of heart disease by 30 per cent, cancer by 15 per cent and half the deaths from respiratory disease such as lung disease.
"Even though nuts are quite high in fat they are also high in fibre and protein and there is some evidence that suggests nuts might actually reduce your risk of obesity over time," said Dagfinn Aune, co-author of the study, from Imperial College London.
“In nutritional studies so far much of the research has been on the big killers such as heart disease, stroke and cancer, but now we’re starting to see data for other diseases.”
“We found a consistent reduction in risk across many different diseases.
“It's quite a substantial effect for such a small amount of food."
Nuts are considered a superfood because they posses anti-inflammatory qualities and are also high in protein and fibre.
Juliette Bryant, author and nutritionist said: “Since prehistoric times nuts have been widely eaten as a storable source of essential fats and protein.
“In recent years some people have avoided these amazing foods due to the fear that their fat content will increase weight.
“If eaten roasted and salted the delicate fats can actually be changed into something harmful, and lead to storage of fat in the body.
“However, if eaten raw the body easily processes the essential fats, which support overall health.”
The research published in BMC Medicine, provided by Imperial and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found eating nuts could also reduce cancer risk.
“Some nuts, particularly walnuts and pecan nuts, are also high in antioxidants which can fight oxidative stress and possibly reduce cancer risk.
"Even though nuts are quite high in fat they are also high in fibre and protein and there is some evidence that suggests nuts might actually reduce your risk of obesity over time.”
There was little evidence more than 1oz of nuts a day provided significant health benefits.

Dr Aseem Malhotra, cardiologist, said the analysis confirms the positive health impact of regular nut consumption.
"Their mechanism of benefit appears to be through anti-inflammatory properties,” he added.
“It’s time doctors started prescribing nuts to patients which will not only help prevent heart attacks and deaths within a short space of time but combined with other lifestyle interventions would save the NHS billions.”
The findings come after a separate study showed walnuts helped stave off heart disease by reducing levels of bad cholesterol.

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/750110/nuts-reduce-risk-diabetes-type-2

Metformin still best choice for type 2 diabetes treatment, doctors say

From upi.com

MONDAY, Jan. 2, 2017 -- Newly updated guidelines reaffirm that metformin is the first-line drug for people with type 2 diabetes, and that several other medications -- including newer ones -- can be added if needed.
The recommendations come from the American College of Physicians (ACP). The American Academy of Family Physicians endorsed the new guidelines. The ACP updated the guidelines because of new research into diabetes drugs, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of new diabetes drugs.

"Metformin, unless contraindicated, is an effective treatment strategy because it has better effectiveness, is associated with fewer adverse effects, and is cheaper than most other oral medications," ACP president Dr. Nitin Damle said in a college news release.
"The escalating rates of obesity in the U.S. are increasing the incidence and prevalence of diabetes substantially. Metformin has the added benefit of being associated with weight loss," Damle said.
The ACP recommends that if a patient needs to take a second drug by mouth to lower blood sugar levels, physicians should look at adding a sulfonylurea, thiazolidinedione, SGLT-2 inhibitor, or a DPP-4 inhibitor.
Examples of sulfonylurea drugs include glyburide (Diabeta, Glucovance, Micronase), glimepiride, glipizide (Glucotrol) and tolbutamide. Thiazolidinedione drugs include pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia).
SGLT-2 inhibitors include canagliflozin (Invokana), empagliflozin (Jardiance) and dapagliflozin (Farxiga). DPP-4 inhibitors include sitagliptin (Janumet, Januvia) or linagliptin (Jentadueto, Tradjenta). Brand names for metformin include Glumetza, Glucophage, and Fortamet.
"Adding a second medication to metformin may provide additional benefits," Damle said.
"However, the increased cost may not always support the added benefit, particularly for the more expensive, newer medications. ACP recommends that clinicians and patients discuss the benefits, adverse effects, and costs of additional medications," he added.
An estimated 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The guidelines are published in the Jan. 3 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2017/01/02/Metformin-still-best-choice-for-type-2-diabetes-treatment-doctors-say/9451483412324/

End of daily injection for type one diabetes on horizon as scientists begin building 'smart' insulin capsule

From telegraph.co.uk

A world in which type one diabetics no longer need to inject themselves every day may be just a few years away, after British scientists launched an ambitious project to create a system which delivers insulin automatically.
Currently people with type one diabetes must undergo prick tests several times a day to monitor their blood sugar, and inject themselves with insulin when it gets too high.
The daily chore is time-consuming and invasive, and for children if often means they cannot attend parties, sleep-overs and camps where parents cannot monitor their condition.
But now scientists at the University of Birmingham are developing smart capsules which would travel through the body and release insulin when they came across high levels of blood sugar.
The team has already discovered molecules which binds to glucose from which they plan to build a shell which can contain insulin but melts away in the presence of sugar, releasing its payload.
“We want to make the lives of patients better,” said Dr John Fossey, a senior lecturer in the school of chemistry at Birmingham, who is leading the project.
“Imagine if patients could go through a week without having to worry about their blood sugar levels, or injecting themselves.
"I've talked to the parents of kids with type one diabetes and they say, if only my children could do things, like go to sleepovers, their lives would be so much better. Most parents aren’t confident enough to entrust injections to other adults.
“We’re trying to create a system which will deliver insulin in response to glucose levels, releasing more if blood sugar is high.
“We can now recognise glucose in the body and my proposal is to take the same chemistry, take these molecules and build a container for insulin which will break open when it comes across glucose and deliver its cargo.
“The a patient could be injected with these containers, say once a week, and they would slowly degrade in the presence of glucose to keep blood sugar at a constant level.”
Around 400,000 people in Britain have type one diabetes of which nearly 30,000 are children.
The Birmingham scientists say they are confident that the capsule will be ready for animal trials within five years, and humans soon after.
“This could be a step change in the management of type one diabetes,” said Dr Fossey.
“It will give people the freedom to live their lives without constantly worrying about monitoring their condition.”
The new project is partly funded by the Juvenile Diabetes and Research Foundation (JDRF), the British charity which is working with scientists to find a cure for type one diabetes.
Sarah Johnson, Director of Mission at JDRF: "We are pleased to be funding Dr Fossey’s work. This early stage of research could lay the foundations for a glucose responsive insulin that would be injected once a day, or even a week, and respond to glucose levels just like a healthy pancreas.
“This would be a life changing treatment for all those living with type 1 diabetes."
Scientists across the globe are hunting for a solution to type one diabetes. In January US researchers from Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) announced they had successfully switched off the disease for several months in mice, which could equate to years if replicated in humans.
Their treatment involves creating millions of insulin-producing cells in the lab and injecting them into the body. It could mean patients would simply need a transfusion of engineered cells every few years.
The University of North Carolina has also developed a ‘smart patch’ which monitors glucose levels and delivers insulin automatically via hundreds of micro-needles.
The high-tech device, which sticks to the skin like a plaster, can detect even slight increases in blood sugar levels meaning that tiny doses of insulin can be given when needed.
Although it has only been tested on mice so far, developers say it could be a ‘game changer’ for humans.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/2016/12/31/end-daily-injection-type-one-diabetics-horizon-scientists-begin/

Diabetes can be prevented and reversed with carbohydrate restricted diet, says UAB expert

From news-medical.net

According to a new comprehensive financial analysis reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association and The Washington Post diabetes leads a list of just 20 diseases and conditions that account for more than half of all spending on healthcare in the United States.
U.S. spending on diabetes diagnosis and treatment totalled $101 billion in 2013, and has grown 36 times faster than spending on heart disease, the country's No. 1 cause of death, researchers reported.
University of Alabama at Birmingham Professor of Nutrition Barbara Gower, Ph.D., conducts research on diet composition and disease risk and says that diabetes can both be prevented and reversed with a carbohydrate restricted diet.
Type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet alone in many cases.  However, this message is not getting to the patients; they are told to take drugs.  A clinic at UAB treats diabetics with a diet that dramatically reduces carbohydrates. In most cases, patients can eliminate all medication.
"They are thrilled to stop injecting insulin, and they question why "no one ever told them" they could control their diabetes diet alone," Gower said. "The conventional advise to diabetics is to eat carbs, and then inject insulin - or take other drugs.
Why do this?
"The medication is needed because diabetes is a disease of carbohydrate intolerance; if the patient does not eat carbs, they do not have to use medication," she said.
"I use the 'cigarette' analogy. We know it is bad to smoke, so we tell patents not to smoke. Why don't we do the same thing with sugar and processed starches?  The excuse I hear is that 'people won't stop eating sugar and starches.'  However, by the same analogy, we could have thrown up our hands and said, 'people can't give up smoking.'"
"We need to treat diabetes like lung cancer and COPD; all of these diseases are preventable with lifestyle," Gower said. "Further, even with established, long-term, type 2 diabetes, it can be managed with diet. It is not impossible to eat a low-carb diet that is healthful and satisfying. We do it all the time, and we teach our patients to do it. They love it.
"Carbohydrates are not essential nutrients for the human body, and with proper instruction, patients can adjust their diets to minimize them."

http://www.news-medical.net/news/20161230/Diabetes-can-be-prevented-and-reversed-with-carbohydrate-restricted-diet-says-UAB-expert.aspx