High fibre diet may help with management of type 2 diabetes

From upi.com

Researchers say a high fibre diet can promote a group of gut bacteria that lead to better control of blood glucose, greater weight loss and improved lipid levels

March 9 (UPI) -- A high-fibre diet has previously been recommended for type 2 diabetes, but researchers have now discovered exactly why it improves health.
The diet helps promote gut bacteria, leading to better blood glucose control, greater weight loss and better lipid levels in people with type 2 diabetes, according to research published Friday in the journal Science.
The six-year study, led by Rutgers University, shows that these dietary fibres may rebalance the gut microbiota, the ecosystem of bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract that help digest food.

"Our study lays the foundation and opens the possibility that fibres targeting this group of gut bacteria could eventually become a major part of your diet and your treatment," lead author Liping Zhao, a professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, said in a press release.
In research based in China, Zhao and scientists from Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Yan Lam, a research assistant professor in Zhao's lab at Rutgers, studied patients with type 2 diabetes in two groups.
In a 27-person treatment group, participants were was given a large amount of many types of dietary fibres, along with a similar diet for energy and major nutrients. A control group of 16, meanwhile, received standard patient education and dietary recommendations. Both groups also took the drug acarbose to help control blood glucose.
"Leafy greens, whole grains, fruits with fibres: There's lots of evidence that microbes will digest foods our bodies can't," Dr. Lynn Bry, director of the Massachusetts Host-Microbiome Centre at Harvard University, who was also not involved in the research, told STAT. "When you eat, you're not only feeding yourself, you're feeding your microbiota."

Twelve weeks after the study started, participants on the high-fibre diet had greater reduction in a three-month average of blood glucose levels than participants receiving standard care. In addition, their fasting blood glucose levels dropped faster and they lost more weight than the standard care group.
Only 15 of the 141 identifiable strains of short-chain fatty acid-producing gut bacteria are likely to be the key drivers of better health, researchers say, but they became the dominant strains in the gut after boosting short-chain fatty acids butyrate and acetate. They also led to increased insulin production and better blood glucose control.
Many bacteria break down carbohydrates, such as dietary fibres, and produce short-chain fatty acids that nourish cells lining the gut. In turn, they reduce inflammation and help control appetite.
But in diabetes and other diseases, there a shortage of bacteria's short-chain fatty acids.
Researchers say they plan further studies to determine if greater changes to the gut microbiota could do more to help treat type 2 diabetes -- possibly even curing it -- in addition to the current study's suggestion that increasing health of the microbiota as a way of managing the condition.

https://www.upi.com/High-fiber-diet-may-help-with-management-of-type-2-diabetes/4951520611897/

Lifestyle Changes Can Help Kids Avoid Type 2 Diabetes

From rbmc.org

Type 2 diabetes, once diagnosed much more often in overweight adults, now affects kids who have poor eating habits and get little exercise.  Why is it so important to watch kids’ weight? Eighty percent of overweight kids become overweight adults, increasing their risk of developing diabetes.  Parents can do a lot to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes in their kids by following these tips.

• Ban habits that lead to overeating. Make kids use a plate and eat at the table.
• Make sure kids exercise. They need an hour a day, all or most days. Sports teams are one option, but outdoor play like running around and bike riding are other options.
• Control portions. Don’t let kids overeat. Switch to smaller plates to encourage smaller portions.
• Delay providing additional portions at mealtime. Wait 15 to 20 minutes before you offer seconds.
• Don’t buy junk food. Offer low-calorie snacks like carrots, celery, Italian ices, low-fat cheese, or fresh fruit.
• Limit or get rid of soda and other sweetened beverages. These have a lot of calories with little nutritional value.
• Cut back television time and other inactive “screen time” like video games and computers. Two hours a day or less is all that’s recommended.

The last tip is for parents, it’s important for you to set a good example and avoid diabetes as well. Be sure to eat in a healthier way and get daily exercise too, and take a Type 2 Diabetes Risk Test, available online at wellnesscenter.hackensackmeridianhealth.com/Conditions/Diabetes/.  An estimated 84 million Americans have prediabetes, and 90 percent of them don’t know they have it. Prediabetes can lead to type 2 diabetes and its many serious complications. It’s crucial for people to know their risk because prediabetes can be reversed with healthy food choices, weight loss, and exercise.  Held the last Tuesday of March each year (March 27 this year) American Diabetes Alert Day encourages everyone to take the risk test.
If you have questions about your child’s nutritional needs, be certain to check with their healthcare provider.

https://www.rbmc.org/lifestyle-changes-can-help-kids-avoid-type-2-diabetes/

Annual Eye Exam Is Vital if You Have Diabetes

From usnews.com

THURSDAY, March 8, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- A yearly eye exam is a key part of diabetes treatment, experts say.

Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness among people aged 40 to 60, cautioned Dr. Malav Joshi, an ophthalmologist at the Krieger Eye Institute in Baltimore.

And the longer people have diabetes, the greater the odds of developing vision problems.
However, "diabetic eye disease is preventable, and you can take steps to slow it down or even reverse it by taking care of your diabetes, your blood pressure and your cholesterol," Joshi said in a LifeBridge Health news release.

A dilated eye exam can help doctors spot problems early on -- before vision loss. This is particularly important since eye damage related to diabetes may not cause symptoms right away.

The eye conditions associated with diabetes include:

• Diabetic retinopathy: In the early states, this causes the blood vessels to weaken, leak or bleed into the retina. Later, bleeding blood vessels can cause serious vision problems.
• Diabetic macular edema: This occurs when fluid or cholesterol leaks out of the blood vessels, causing the part of the retina essential for fine vision to swell.
• Glaucoma: This affects the optic nerve and can lead to permanent blindness without early detection and treatment.
• Cataracts: People with diabetes are at much greater risk for cataracts, which occur when the lens becomes cloudy.

During a dilated eye exam, doctors can look at the inside of the eye for signs of trouble, such as abnormal blood vessels, retinal swelling and nerve tissue damage. "It also helps us see your cataracts a little better," Joshi said.
Other steps you can take to protect your vision if you have diabetes:

• Stop smoking,
• Follow a healthy diet,
• Exercise regularly,
• Take all medication as directed.

https://health.usnews.com/health-care/articles/2018-03-08/annual-eye-exam-is-vital-if-you-have-diabetes

Cinnamon: Spice that cures

From thestatesman.com

Cinnamon is the dried bark of a tropical evergreen tree. It is a tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Its bark contains cinnamanic aldehyde, eugenol, and tannis .It is antibacterial, carminative, stimulates appetite and is used in gastrointestinal complaints. However many people do not know the wonderful health benefits it has. Let’s now check them out and incorporate it into our daily food habits to enjoy health benefits.

Keeps check on diabetes: Cinnamon improves one ’s glucose levels and lipid levels by activating his insulin receptors. It also reduces the total serum, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol.
Tip – Cinnamon tea is the most effective method to beat diabetes. Boil cinnamon in water for 15 minutes. Add few tulsi leaves for flavour and honey for sweetness. Strain and drink.

Helps in delaying Alzheimer: Extracts of cinnamon, when consumed on a daily basis slows down the progression of the disease Alzheimer. Cinnamon is a type of protein that aggregates around that part of the nerves that is responsible for transmitting impulses of the brain.
Tip – Have a teaspoon of freshly ground cinnamon with a little bit of honey every day on an empty stomach. If u find this mixture too spicy, have it as a tea.

Relieves arthritic pain: Cinnamon has very strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They make it a great home remedy for arthritic pain. It relieves aching joints because of its natural heating mechanism.
Tip – Grind cinnamon and make it a paste with water. Apply on the aching joints and place a soft muslin cloth on the paste to keep it wet for a longer.

Protects from cancer: A study done by the USDA (United States Agricultural Department) founded that cinnamon extract blocked the path of certain components that were important for the generation of the cell,  restrained further multiplication of cancerous cells and slowly reduced their spread. The extract only subdued the growth of unhealthy cells untouched unlike conventional therapies like chemotherapy, etc.
Tip – Sprinkle cinnamon on any food you eat or consume with honey.

Fights tooth decay: Cinnamon not only beats tooth decay but also prevent gingivitis and bad breath because of its antibacterial properties.
Tip – Gargle with cinnamon boiled water for bad breath and chew a small piece of cinnamon, to get relief from a toothache and gingivitis.

Great for a heart: Packed with fibre and calcium, cinnamon translates to lower cholesterol levels which protect the heart from blockages and the arteries from atherosclerosis.

Relieves cold and cough: Cinnamon is an effectual remedy against a cold and cough. It is great for relieving cold oriented congestion and sore throat when combined with ginger.
Tip – Boil a teaspoon of cinnamon powder, a few tulsi leaves, some crushed pieces of ginger, crushed black pepper in two cups of water. Simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain the liquid. Add a teaspoon of honey and drink to clean up blocked nasal passage and sinuses.

Helps beat acne: Pimples often arise from an infection within the pores of the skin. Combination of cinnamon and honey is an effective remedy.
Tip –  Crush a little cinnamon and add a bit of honey to make a paste. Apply it on pimples and leave for few minutes. You can leave it on overnight for better results. Wash off with warm water and watch that pimples disappear.

Helps in weight loss: Cinnamon regulates the breakdown of carbohydrates and production of insulin. It improves digestion and assimilates food within the body helping in losing weight.
Tip – Drink cinnamon tea half an hour before breakfast. Add cinnamon powder to your meal by sprinkling on fruits, salads, coffee or other foods.

Helps in digestion: Cinnamon is rich in fibre, manganese, calcium and essential oils. It improves digestion and reduces inflammation caused due to indigestion, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and ulcers. The fibre content helps to relieve constipation and diarrhea.
Tip – Have cinnamon tea infused with mint leaves about two to three times a day.
Having these ample benefits cinnamon is a blessing of nature to the humankind. Now it is in our own hand to extract health benefits out of it. Cinnamon has a fragrant perfume and a sweet and aromatic taste. Delicate in flavour , it is used in desserts and biryanis. This spice is used in Indian curries and forms a part of garam masala. It’s flavour when added to anything, makes that unique.

https://www.thestatesman.com/lifestyle/health/cinnamon-spice-cures-1502595797.html

How To Stop Over-Eating and Over-Treating Low Blood Sugars

From asweetlife.org

Ever have one of those low blood sugars where you stumble from your bed and consume the contents of your fridge?  You know the lows I’m talking about… the ones where the logical portion of your brain knows that a few grams of quick-acting carbs will fix the problem, but the rest of your brain is in panic mode and wants to dive straight into a vat of Golden Grahams.
Having the wherewithal to only consume the carbs I need in order to treat a low blood sugar has always been a struggle for me.  Sometimes my low blood sugars come with a heavy-handed dose of adrenaline, making me feel like the only way to survive is to chomp on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chasing it with a handful of jellybeans.  It’s a horrible, panic-infused experience, often ending up in out-of-range blood sugars as a result of over treating, which also comes with its own side of guilt.
We talked with some A Sweet Life readers and they also feel the intense need to shovel food during episodes of hypoglycemia (and hyperglycemia).  “When I’m low I sometimes have these ridiculous cravings. I usually want to just eat everything in sight,” wrote one reader.  “I feel like I am starving to death and could eat everything in the house,” said another.  Seems like I’m not alone.

How do we curb our body’s enthusiasm about overeating when we’re experiencing a low blood sugar?  We have a few ideas.  (And if you have your own tips and strategies for managing the urge to overeat and over-treat during a low, we’d love to hear them!)

Portion control.  Keep a stash of treatments for low blood sugar that are pre-measured and single-portioned.  For example, keeping 15 grams worth of raisins or glucose tabs in a Ziploc bag on your bedside table is a good way to have hypo treatments at the ready without the option of over-indulging.

Don’t pick your favourites.  When choosing your glucose sources, steer clear of your favourite treats. Swedish Fish are quick-acting glucose sources in a pinch, but they are my favourite candy indulgences, so I refuse to purchase them to treat lows.  Instead, I’ll pick glucose tabs or raisins, knowing I won’t ever want to eat those things unless I’m hypoglycemic.

Keep it convenient.  Arming your bedside table, kitchen counter, office desk, or other areas you frequent with pre-portioned low blood sugar treatments can also help keep you from over-eating during a low.  Keeping your glucose stash close at hand can prevent you from venturing into the kitchen, where you’re more likely to start panic-grazing.

Graze responsibly.  If you know you’re the type of person who needs to crunch on something in order to work through hypoglycemic panic, have snacks on hand that you can eat while waiting for your fast-acting snack to work.  Keep carrot sticks or cucumber slices on hand so you can continue to munch without compromising your attempt to responsibly treat a low.

Set a timer.  Hearing a clinician say, “Eat 15 grams of carbs and wait 15 minutes” when your blood sugar is in the trenches can be so frustrating because it’s hard to wait those 15 minutes without climbing the walls.  Even when you’re doing your best to wait fifteen minutes, time feels like it slows to a crawl.  Use technology to your advantage and set a timer on your phone to help you wait out the dreaded 15 minutes.

Distract yourself.  Waiting out a gross-feeling low blood sugar?  Try and distract yourself.  Listen to a song on the radio.  Doodle on a scrap of paper.  Pick up some yarn and crochet up a scarf (yeah, I’ve been known to actually do that).   I know a guy who keeps crayons at work and he colours in a colouring book while low.  (He says he’s outside the lines most of the time, but whatever works, right?)
While some of these tips might work for you, I know it can be hard to be reasonable and rationale during a low blood sugar.  (We all have those lows where we’ve had to bolus mid-way through because of mass consumption, right?  No?  Just me?)  If you find that you’ve over-treated a low, don’t add guilt to that high blood sugar.  Do what you can to correct it quickly and move on.

https://asweetlife.org/how-to-stop-over-eating-and-over-treating-low-blood-sugars/?utm_source=ASweetLife.org+List&utm_campaign=8f0443c2db-ASweetLife+Weekly+Update++-+Nov.+14%2C+2017&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5125b14cf8-8f0443c2db-413392997

2008 Great Recession led to increase in obesity, diabetes and mental health issues

From medicalxpress.com

The 2008 Great Recession resulted in changes to individuals' health behaviour, with a significant increase in the likelihood of obesity, diabetes and mental health problems, according to a new study from City, University of London and King's College London.
In particular, the researchers discovered that the probability of being obese and severely obese increased by 4.1 and 2.4 percentage points respectively. Similarly, the probability of having diabetes was 1.5 percentage points higher after 2008, with the prevalence of mental health problems increasing by 4 percentage points.
It was also found that there was a decrease in smoking and drinking, as well as fruit intake. These changes were also seen to impact particularly on women and those less educated, with the authors suggesting that uncertainty and negative expectations generated by the recession rather than unemployment might explain the changes seen.
The findings are also relevant for policymakers and clinicians, as universal health coverage and free provision of healthcare - and prescriptions in some cases - via the NHS might have worked as a protective factor during economic hardship.
However, the authors point out that as some health outcomes deteriorate during recessions, demand for health services might increase, leading to longer waiting times that can further worsen any negative effects. An increase in welfare benefits is another factor that may have protected people during the recession.
The reductions in smoking and drinking are also relevant given that lifestyle-related health problems cost the NHS £11 billion a year, but the authors emphasise that the right level of support from health specialists needs to be delivered if these positive behavioural changes are to be preserved beyond the duration of economic downturns. The research is published in the journal Social Science & Medicine.
As the second largest economy in the EU and one of the largest financial hubs in the world, the UK was one of the countries hit the hardest by the Great Recession in 2008. The UK shrunk by 4.3% in 2009 alone and the government had to bail out and nationalise large domestic banks, leading to increased government debt and deficit.
To explore this issue and its impact on health, the researchers looked at data from the Health Survey for England (HSE), a cross-sectional survey taken yearly from a representative sample of about 9,000 English households. They specifically used data on respondents above 16 years of age for the period 2001-2013. In addition to socio-economic characteristics, the HSE includes information on a wide range of health lifestyles and health conditions.
The results of the study suggest that the start of the recession was associated with worse dietary habits and increased BMI and obesity. It was also associated with a shift away from risky behaviours, as a decrease in smoking and alcohol consumption was seen. In addition, there was an increase in the use of medicines and a higher likelihood of suffering diabetes and mental health problems, all of which were generally experienced more acutely by those with less education and by women.
Speaking about the research, Professor Mireia Jofre-Bonet from the Department of Economics at City, University of London and lead author of the study, said:" Our study confirms the close relationship between health and the economic environment as we found that the 2008 Great Recession led to a decrease in risky behaviour, such as smoking and drinking, but also an increase in the likelihood of obesity, diabetes and mental health problems.
"With the NHS and health-related services under increasing pressure - and with another recession becoming increasingly likely - our findings have a number of important policy considerations. In particular, the fact that those less educated were more vulnerable to the health effects of the recession highlights the need for an urgent policy response as it is clear that this population need to receive information on health behaviours and risk factors to avoid the negative consequences and also the potential future impacts."

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-great-recession-obesity-diabetes-mental.html

Diabetes is actually five separate diseases, research suggests

From bbc.co.uk

Scientists say diabetes is five separate diseases, and treatment could be tailored to each form.

Diabetes - or uncontrolled blood sugar levels - is normally split into type 1 and type 2.
But researchers in Sweden and Finland think the more complicated picture they have uncovered will usher in an era of personalised medicine for diabetes.
Experts said the study was a herald of the future of diabetes care but changes to treatment would not be immediate.
Diabetes affects about one in 11 adults worldwide and increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and limb amputation.

Type 1 diabetes is a disease of the immune system. It errantly attacks the body's insulin factories (beta-cells) so there is not enough of the hormone to control blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is largely seen as a disease of poor lifestyle as body fat can affect the way the insulin works.
The study, by Lund University Diabetes Centre in Sweden and the Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, looked at 14,775 patients including a detailed analysis of their blood.

The results, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, showed the patients could be separated into five distinct clusters.

• Cluster 1 - severe autoimmune diabetes is broadly the same as the classical type 1 - it hit people when they were young, seemingly healthy and an immune disease left them unable to produce insulin
• Cluster 2 - severe insulin-deficient diabetes patients initially looked very similar to those in cluster 1 - they were young, had a healthy weight and struggled to make insulin, but the immune system was not at fault
• Cluster 3 - severe insulin-resistant diabetes patients were generally overweight and making insulin but their body was no longer responding to it
• Cluster 4 - mild obesity-related diabetes was mainly seen in people who were very overweight but metabolically much closer to normal than those in cluster 3
• Cluster 5 - mild age-related diabetes patients developed symptoms when they were significantly older than in other groups and their disease tended to be milder

Prof Leif Groop, one of the researchers, told the BBC: "This is extremely important, we're taking a real step towards precision medicine.
"In the ideal scenario, this is applied at diagnosis and we target treatment better."
The three severe forms could be treated more aggressively than the two milder ones, he said.
Cluster 2 patients would currently be classified as type 2 as they do not have an autoimmune disease.
However, the study suggests their disease is probably caused by a defect in their beta-cells rather than being too fat.
And perhaps their treatment should more closely mirror patients who are currently classed as type 1.
Cluster 2 had a higher risk of blindness while cluster 3 had the greatest risk of kidney disease, so some clusters may benefit from enhanced screening.

Better classification

Dr Victoria Salem, a consultant and clinical scientist at Imperial College London, said most specialists knew that type 1 and type 2 was "not a terribly accurate classification system".
She told the BBC: "This is definitely the future of how we think about diabetes as a disease."
But she cautioned the study would not change practice today.
The study was on only Scandinavians and the risk of diabetes varies considerably around the world, such as the increased risk in South Asians.
Dr Salem said: "There is still a massively unknown quantity - it may well be that worldwide there are 500 subgroups depending on genetic and local environment effects.
"Their analysis has five clusters, but that may grow."
Sudhesh Kumar, a professor of medicine at Warwick Medical School, said: "Clearly this is only the first step.
"We also need to know if treating these groups differently would produce better outcomes."
Dr Emily Burns, from Diabetes UK, said understating the diseases could help "personalise treatments and potentially reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications in the future".
She added: "This research takes a promising step toward breaking down type 2 diabetes in more detail, but we still need to know more about these subtypes before we can understand what this means for people living with the condition."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-43246261