The 6 Hottest Topics in the Field of Diabetes Right Now

From diabetesincontrol.com

Diabetes is a chronic condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood due to insulin resistance or the lack of insulin production. In recent years, numerous advances have been made in the field of diabetes research and treatment, and the following are some of the hottest topics in the world of diabetes.

1. Artificial Pancreas Technology: One of the most exciting areas of research in diabetes is the development of an artificial pancreas. This device would monitor glucose levels and automatically deliver insulin to regulate blood sugar. The goal is to create a closed-loop system that can help people with diabetes maintain healthy glucose levels without the need for constant monitoring and manual insulin injections.

2. Non-invasive glucose monitoring: Another important area of research is the development of non-invasive glucose monitoring methods. Currently, people with diabetes need to regularly prick their fingers to check their glucose levels. This can be painful and inconvenient, and many people with diabetes struggle with regular monitoring. Researchers are working on developing methods that can measure glucose levels without the need for blood samples, such as optical sensors and skin patches.

3. Personalized medicine: Advances in genomics and personalized medicine are also having a significant impact on diabetes treatment. By understanding the genetic factors that contribute to the development of diabetes, doctors can tailor treatments to the specific needs of each patient. This could result in more effective treatments and better outcomes for people with diabetes.

4. Stem cell research: Stem cell research is another area of diabetes research that is attracting a lot of attention. Scientists are studying the use of stem cells to regenerate insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. This could be a potential cure for diabetes and could revolutionize the way the disease is treated.

5. Diet and lifestyle: Diet and lifestyle have long been known to play a significant role in the management of diabetes. However, recent research is shedding new light on the importance of these factors. For example, studies have shown that low-carb diets can be effective in controlling blood sugar levels and reducing the need for insulin. Exercise has also been shown to be beneficial in the management of diabetes.

6. Prevention and early detection: Finally, there is an increasing focus on preventing and early detecting diabetes. This includes initiatives aimed at promoting healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, as well as screening programs to identify people who are at high risk of developing the disease. Early detection can lead to earlier treatment and better outcomes for people with diabetes.

These are some of the hottest topics in the world of diabetes. Advances in technology, personalized medicine, and lifestyle changes are all playing a significant role in the management and treatment of this chronic condition. While there is still much work to be done, these developments provide hope for people with diabetes and their families and offer a brighter future for those affected by this disease.

*This article was produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence. Please always check and confirm with your own sources, and always consult with your healthcare professional when seeking medical treatment.

https://www.diabetesincontrol.com/the-6-hottest-topics-in-the-field-of-diabetes-right-now/ 

"I’m a dietitian – here are 6 ways to reverse your ‘silent killer’ type 2 diabetes"

From the-sun.com

As it stands, upwards of 4.9 million in the UK have diabetes, a disease involving high blood sugar levels. 

This figure is set to rise, with the charity Diabetes UK predicting that 5.5 million people in the UK will have diabetes by the year 2030 if we don’t take steps to avoid it.

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Making some healthy lifestyle tweaks can put you on a path to type 2 diabetes remission - and potentially prevent you from ever developing itCredit: Getty

While ten per cent of those with diabetes have type 1 diabetes - a genetic condition - the remaining 90 per cent have type 2 diabetes. 

This develops over time and is predominantly lifestyle-related.

While both are serious, type 2 can often be avoided.

Worryingly, 13.6 million people in the UK are now at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to Diabetes UK, and 850,000 people currently living with it but are yet to be diagnosed.

Diabetes in a nutshell 

“Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body destroys its own insulin-making cells, so eventually you cannot make insulin, which is needed to control blood glucose (sugar),” explains Dr Paul McArdle, Dietitian for the BSDA. 

“Currently, the only treatment is insulin injections or insulin through a pump.”

In type 2 diabetes, “the body is still making insulin but is not very sensitive to it or needs more than the body can make”. 

“Type 2 diabetes runs in families, so your risk of it can be inherited, but whether you develop type 2 diabetes is very strongly linked to your lifestyle,” explains Dr McArdle. 

In fact, type 2 diabetes is preventable in 60 to 90 per cent of cases, and it can also be reversed, for those who have already been diagnosed. 

This can occur within a few weeks or up to a few months of making the correct changes. 

It’s worth noting though that diabetes can return later, so lifestyle changes often need to remain permanent. 

Whether you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, have been warned that you may be at risk, or simply want to take precautions to stay free from type 2 diabetes, these are some of the lifestyle adjustments you need to be making…

1. Make carbs, complex 

Dr Caitlin Hall, Chief Dietitian and Head of Clinical Research at myota, says it’s wise to avoid simple carbohydrates such as sweets, chocolate, soft drinks, white bread and white rice.

“These are examples of ‘simple’ carbohydrates that give you a spike in blood sugar and cause insulin to be released. 

“A rapid rush of energy is followed by a crash. 

“If you tend to eat a lot of sugary foods and refined carbohydrates across the day, it’s likely that you experience the extremes of both high and low blood glucose, also known as blood sugar spikes and crashes. 

“This can affect things like energy, sleep quality, hunger, appetite, and exercise in the short-term.”

However, in the long-term, our bodies can become resistant to insulin, or the pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin. This is type 2 diabetes. 

“People with type 2 diabetes experience uncontrollably high blood sugar levels after consuming high-carbohydrate meals. 

“High blood sugar can damage organs and tissues over time, leading to a range of complications such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and eye problems.”

Switch to complex carbs such as whole grain breads, wholemeal pasta and brown rice.

2. Avoid trans fats

Saturated and trans fats are best avoided according to Dr Hall. 

“A diet high in saturated and trans fats can lead to inflammation, which can contribute to insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes. 

“They can also contribute to the accumulation of fat in and around organs like the liver and pancreas, which can interfere with the organs' ability to produce and respond to insulin.”

These fats are often found in fried foods, processed baked goods such as cakes and pastries, the meat of skin and high fat dairy foods like cream and butter.

3. Fill up on fibre 

“Foods that are high in prebiotic fibre can play a big role in reducing the risk of, and reversing, type 2 diabetes,” says Dr Hall.

“Fibre absorbs water in the gut and delays emptying, which in turn slows down the absorption of sugar into the bloodstream and prevents ‘spikes’ in blood sugar levels.”

She recommends oats, rye, barley, chicory, onion, asparagus, artichokes, beans and parsnips, which are all good sources of prebiotic fibre.

Dr Hall also adds that prebiotic fibre is an excellent fuel for the good bacteria in our guts, also known as our gut microbiome.

“Properly fuelling the microbiome increases its production of short-chain fatty acid molecules (SCFAs) which help reduce diabetes risk.”

4. Get moving 

You don’t need to exercise intensely, but research has found that exercise is helpful in preventing and potentially reversing type 2 diabetes, as it can help to improve insulin sensitivity. 

Aim to incorporate more movement into your day by walking when possible, swapping the lift for the stairs, and adding some resistance-based exercise into your week, either using weights, or your own bodyweight. 

5. Eat a Mediterranean diet 

“Following a Mediterranean style diet has good evidence for reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes,” says Dr McArdle. 

“This is a diet that includes lots of vegetables, salad and fruit; very few processed foods; less red and processed meat; more fish and shellfish; olive oil as the main source of dietary fat and few foods high in sugar. “

6. Lose weight 

“The best way to put type 2 diabetes into remission is to lose weight if you are overweight or obese,” says Dr McArdle.

“The research shows that as little as 5kg weight loss could help but losing 15kg is likely to put type 2 diabetes into remission for a lot of people living with obesity, especially if the weight is lost as soon as possible after diagnosis.”

He adds that various dietary approaches to lose weight, supported by a healthcare professional, can help with type 2 diabetes remission.

“The first is to follow a low-calorie diet of roughly 850 calories for about 12 weeks. 

“This is based on meal replacements of shakes, soups and bars and is followed by a staged reintroduction of normal food and education about portion sizes.”

“Two other diets can lead to remission: the Mediterranean style diet and a low-carb diet. 

“Making use of low or no calorie sweeteners may be helpful in maintaining a low carb diet, which can otherwise be hard to follow.”

https://www.the-sun.com/health/7827563/dietitian-reverse-type-2-diabetes-diet-exercise/ 

Fasting diet reduces risk markers of type 2 diabetes, study finds

From medicalxpress.com

A fasting diet which focuses on eating early in the day could be the key to reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) compared two different diets: a time restricted, intermittent fasting diet and a reduced calorie diet to see which one was more beneficial for people who were prone to developing type 2 diabetes.

"Following a time restricted, intermittent fasting diet could help lower the chances of developing type 2 diabetes," said senior author the University of Adelaide's Professor Leonie Heilbronn, Adelaide Medical School.

"People who fasted for three days during the week, only eating between 8am and 12pm on those days, showed a greater tolerance to glucose after 6 months than those on a daily, low-calorie diet.

"Participants who followed the intermittent fasting diet were more sensitive to insulin and also experienced a greater reduction in blood lipids than those on the low-calorie diet."

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body's cells don't respond effectively to insulin and it loses its ability to produce the hormone, which is responsible for controlling glucose in blood.

It's estimated that nearly 60 percent of type 2 diabetes cases could be delayed or prevented with changes to diet and lifestyle.

Almost 1.3 million Australians are currently living with the condition, for which there is no cure.

There were more than 200 participants recruited from South Australia in the 18-month study, which was published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Participants on both the time restricted, intermittent fasting diet and the low-calorie diet experienced similar amounts of weight loss.

"This is the largest study in the world to date and the first powered to assess how the body processes and uses glucose after eating a meal, which is a better indicator of diabetes risk than a fasting test," said first author Xiao Tong Teong, a Ph.D. student at the University of Adelaide.

"The results of this study add to the growing body of evidence to indicate that meal timing and fasting advice extends the health benefits of a restricted calorie diet, independently from weight loss, and this may be influential in clinical practice."

Further research is needed to investigate if the same benefits are experienced with a slightly longer eating window, which could make the diet more sustainable in the long term.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-fasting-diet-markers-diabetes.html 

New test could help identify type 2 diabetes risk

From sciencedaily.com

Analysing changes to DNA in the blood can improve the ability to predict a person's risk of developing type 2 diabetes within a decade. The findings could lead to preventative measures being put in place earlier, reducing the economic and health burden caused by type 2 diabetes. 

Scientists looked at the influence of these changes -- known as DNA methylation -- alongside other risk factors in almost 15,000 people to predict the likelihood of developing the condition years in advance of any symptoms developing.

The findings could lead to preventative measures being put in place earlier, reducing the economic and health burden caused by type 2 diabetes.

Methylation is a chemical process in the body in which a small molecule called a methyl group is added to DNA.

Current risk prediction tools for type 2 diabetes use information such as age, sex, BMI and family history of the disease.

Researchers from the University of Edinburgh found that the inclusion of DNA methylation data alongside these risk factors provided a more accurate prediction.

The scientists used their results to estimate the predictive performance using a hypothetical screening scenario of 10,000 people, where one in three individuals develop type 2 diabetes over a 10-year period.

The model that used DNA methylation correctly classed an extra 449 individuals compared with traditional risk factors alone.

The addition or removal of these methyl groups can affect how some molecules act in the body. These methylation patterns can help to track ageing processes and development of disease.

Data came from 14,613 volunteers in the Generation Scotland study -- a large study designed to help scientists investigate the causes of disease, understand the country's healthcare priorities, and inform future medical treatments and health policies.

The team also repeated the analyses in 1,451 individuals from a study based in Germany to ensure their findings could be replicated in people from different backgrounds.

Type 2 diabetes is a serious condition where the insulin a pancreas makes cannot work properly, or a pancreas cannot make enough insulin. This can lead to high blood sugar levels and, in turn, a range of health issues such as heart diseases and stroke, nerve damage and foot problems.

More than 4.9 million people live with diabetes in the UK, with 90 per cent of those with type 2.

Yipeng Cheng, a PhD student from the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, said: "It is promising that our findings were observed in the Scottish and German studies with both showing an improvement in prediction above and beyond commonly used risk factors. Delaying onset is important as diabetes is a risk factor for other common diseases, including dementias."

The study's principal investigator, Professor Riccardo Marioni, also from the University of Edinburgh's Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, said: "Similar approaches could be taken for other common diseases to generate broad health predictors from a single blood or saliva sample. We are incredibly grateful for our study volunteers who make this research possible -- the more people that join our study, the more precisely we can identify signals that will help delay or reduce the onset of diseases as we age."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/04/230406114014.htm

Defeat Diabetes Month: What You Need To Know About Diabetes

From nwi.life

Diabetes affects over 37 million people in the U.S. and an estimated 1 in 5 of them don’t know that they have it, according to the American Diabetes Association. To spread awareness and encourage the public to monitor their risk for diabetes, the Defeat Diabetes Foundation commemorates the month of April as Defeat Diabetes Month.

Read on to learn more about diabetes, how it is diagnosed and the treatment options available.

Causes and symptoms

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition characterised by high levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a type of sugar that provides energy to the body’s cells. People with diabetes either don’t produce enough insulin or their body doesn’t use it effectively.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps regulate blood glucose levels by facilitating the absorption of glucose into the cells. When insulin is not functioning properly, glucose builds up in the blood, leading to high blood sugar.

There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Type 2 is a metabolic disorder that results from insulin resistance and is often related to lifestyle factors such as lack of physical activity and being overweight or obese. An additional type of diabetes is known as gestational diabetes, which occurs in pregnant women.

Symptoms of diabetes depend on the type and severity of the disease. Common symptoms of diabetes include:

• Increased thirst
• Abnormal weight loss
• Frequent urination
• Increased appetite
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Slow-healing sores or frequent infections
• Areas of darkened skin

Diagnosis and testing

When it comes to diagnosing diabetes, providers utilize three types of blood tests to measure the patient’s blood glucose levels.

Fasting plasma glucose: This test checks your fasting blood glucose levels, which requires not eating or drinking fluids (except water) for at least eight hours before the test. This test is usually done first thing in the morning, before breakfast. Patients with a fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dl or higher are considered to be diabetic.

Oral glucose tolerance test: This testing method takes place over two hours and involves checking blood glucose levels two times — once at the start of the exam a second time at the end of the exam. After collecting the first blood sample, patients are asked to drink a special sweetened beverage and wait two hours. Then another blood sample is collected. Patients who test at 200 mg/dl or higher are considered to be diabetic.

A1C: This testing method measures your average glucose levels for the past two to three months. Patients don’t have to fast before an A1C test. An A1C of 6.5% or higher is considered to be diabetic.

Treatment and management

The goal of diabetes treatment is to regulate blood sugar levels so they stay within a healthy range. The three main types of diabetes treatment and management are lifestyle changes, medication and blood sugar monitoring.

Lifestyle and diet changes: For people with diabetes, a healthy diet that’s low in refined carbohydrates and sugar can help regulate blood sugar levels. It’s also recommended that patients exercise regularly, as daily exercise improves insulin sensitivity and can help keep blood sugar levels in check.

Medication: Several types of medications are used to treat diabetes. Insulin therapy may be used in people with Type 1 diabetes, as well as some people with Type 2 diabetes who have difficulty regulating their blood sugar levels through lifestyle changes alone. Insulin injections help even out blood sugar levels in people with Type 1 diabetes, while oral medications that stimulate insulin production or improve insulin sensitivity can be used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Blood sugar monitoring: People with diabetes need to monitor their blood sugar levels regularly to ensure that they are within a target range. They may also need to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and other factors. Regular check-ups with a healthcare provider are important to prevent further complications developing as a result of the treatment plan.

https://nwi.life/article/defeat-diabetes-month-what-you-need-to-know-about-diabetes/ 

What does being pre-diabetic mean?

From cbsnews.com

By Dr. Mallika Marshall 

Missy writes on Facebook, "I was told by my primary care physician that I was pre-diabetic.  Is this something I should be concerned about?"  

Having pre-diabetes means your blood sugar is higher than normal but not high enough to be called diabetes. However, you're at risk of developing diabetes if you don't make lifestyle changes.

For example, take stock of your diet. Make sure you're eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy, and lean proteins and avoiding sweets, juice, soda, and refined grains. And get plenty of physical activity throughout the day.

If you have prediabetes, losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can improve your blood sugar and help you avoid diabetes down the road.

https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/prediabetic-diabetes-blood-sugar-weight-loss/

Morning superfoods for diabetes; 5 drinks and snacks to have on empty stomach

From hindustantimes.com

People with diabetes can give their day a perfect start by consuming these healthy foods that will help in controlling blood sugar throughout the day.

Morning is the best time to fuel your body in the right manner. For people with diabetes, it is especially important to have foods that promote satiety, lead to slow release of glucose and the ones that provide sustained energy throughout the day without causing sugar spikes. Eating a balanced diet with the right proportion of protein, carbs, healthy fats, fibre and are non-starchy can give your body the perfect start. Morning is also the time when people with diabetes may experience rise in blood glucose as our liver produces extra glucose to fuel the body for the day. This may lead to hyperglycaemia in some. If you feel thirsty, urinating excessively or have blurry vision in the morning, you have a high blood sugar level. This is especially common in people with type 1 diabetes as they are at an increased risk of blood sugar fluctuations.

People with type 2 diabetes should periodically monitor fasting blood sugar done on an empty stomach when you wake up in the morning(Freepik) 

"People with type 2 diabetes should periodically monitor fasting blood sugar done on an empty stomach when you wake up in the morning and a post prandial sugar which is taken two hours after a big meal like lunch or dinner. It is important to keep a tab on both these readings because some persons have a high sugar in the fasted state or some others have high sugar post prandial with the fasted state being normal," says Clinical Nutritionist Avantii Deshpaande.

Avantii says the rise in the sugar levels is the body’s way of making sure one has enough energy to get up and start the day.

"In case of diabetes, your body may not have enough insulin to counter act these hormones and hence there could be surge in blood sugar in the morning. The opposite scenario might be true too where there is hypoglycaemia in the morning and the blood sugar levels are lower than threshold. The food that you consume first thing in the morning often depends on these levels," says the nutritionist.

Based on these blood sugar readings, Avantii suggests the following foods to manage blood sugar in the morning.

1. Ghee and turmeric powder

If you have normal blood sugar levels, you can trust this powerful combination to work wonders on your blood sugar levels. Take 1 tsp of cow ghee with turmeric powder is the best thing to be consumed first thing in the morning if your sugar readings are normal.

People with diabetes experience sugar cravings and ghee helps them to get better satiety and help control sugar cravings throughout the day. Turmeric on the other hand aids in lowering inflammation which is commonly seen in diabetes.

2. Alkalising drinks

1 tbsp of apple cider vinegar or 30 ml of amla juice or lemon juice with 100 ml of water, has an alkalising effect on the body and one can choose to have this too to keep the body alkaline, which in turn helps in healing the body better.

3. Infused water

Cinnamon is a spice which is known to imitate the effects of insulin in lowering the blood sugar. You can prepare an herbal tea infused with cinnamon powder for helping you manage the blood sugar levels in the day.

4. Fenugreek water

This is another remedy which will help you lower the absorption of carbohydrates in the day. So soaking 1 tsp of fenugreek seeds overnight night and consuming this water along with chewing the seeds can help to control diabetes.

5. Protein snack

In case of hypoglycaemia or low blood sugar in the day, you can choose to consume a small protein snack first thing in the morning like soaked almonds, walnuts or then fruit with nut butter. Taking tea or coffee might not be a great idea in the morning on an empty stomach but have a puffed millets chivda or protein snack like moong khakra or moong jor garam and soaked sprouts with this.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/morning-superfoods-for-diabetes-5-drinks-and-snacks-to-have-on-empty-stomach-101680674990990.html