Diabetes-Child-Sugar Substitute-Retinopathy-Risk-Type 2-type 1-Screening Device
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Today, subject is about DIABETE , understand about sugar intake and what type of substitute product in the market. Scientific progress Against Diabetic Retinopathy, Why Losing Weight Could Save Hours In Hospital Waiting Rooms, How To Reduce Diabetes Risk By Increasing Fiber And Magnesium Intake, More About Children With Diabetes , What is Non-Invasive Diabetes Screening Device.
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Article no 1: On Sugar Consumption And Sugar Substitute
According to a survey conducted by The NPD Group, the growing concerns about obesity and type-2 diabetes is driving low-sugar, sugar-free or sugar substituted products forward. About 70 percent of adult Americans want to cut down or avoid sugar completely, with 40 percent admitting they check food labels regularly for sugar content.
44 percent of American homemakers are extremely or very concerned about serving foods with sugar, with over 50 percent of consumers noting they are aware of and concerned about high fructose corn syrup (one of the most commonly-used sweeteners today). All of these concerns are giving rise to more consumption of foods and beverages that are low-sugar, sugar-free, or contain sugar substitutes.
Although according to Harry Balzer, “There’s little doubt that Americans right now are increasingly concerned about sugar consumption. But we’ve been here before; back in the 1980s, nearly 60 percent of Americans expressed concern about the sugar they were consuming, before declining during the early 1990s. I suspect we’ll see the same trend during the next 10 years.”
Honestly, I’ve always been apprehensive on sugar substitutes – I’ve always felt that they are chemically wrong and will do more harm than good. If I would watch out for my sugar consumption, I’d go for low-sugar or go totally for sugar-free products. It can also be a danger with respect to weight, metabolism and diabetes that is.
One sugar substitute that has always been in the limelight is aspartame – a low-calorie sweetener used to sweeten a wide variety of low- and reduced-calorie foods and beverages, including low-calorie tabletop sweeteners.
Aspartame – which is commercially popular – is composed of two amino acids (aspartic acid and phenylalanine) as the methyl ester (L-alpha-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) and also popular because of its implication to cancer.
Can aspartame really cause cancer?
Clinical oncology dietitian Dena McDowell, MS, RD answers that very question in a scrutinizing review of aspartame.
Bottom line is that:
Although research is ongoing, products containing aspartame are generally considered to be safe. As long as consumption of aspartame is within the ADI, no chronic health issues should be seen as a result of ingestion.
Like in anything else, moderation is the key. Whether it be sugar per se or any sugar substitute, if you overdo the intake it will do more harm than good.
That been said, I really do not care anymore whether it is sugar or a sugar substitute in my food as long as I eat moderately, I’ll be safe even if I have diabetes or not.
The author writes about snacks for diabetics and blogs at fayebautista@yahoo.com
Article no 2: Scientific Progress Against Diabetic Retinopathy
You probably already know the very common eye condition brought about by diabetes – diabetic retinopathy which is caused by the swelling and leaking of blood vessels or the growth of abnormal new blood vessels on the surface of the retina, which could eventually leave patients blind.
Although it has no obvious symptom in the earliest stages, through time the condition can progress into a state in which the eye’s blood vessels leak and rupture easily, eventually causing blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood glucose levels. Almost all type 1 diabetics exhibit symptoms of this eye disorder.
For the time scientists have been able to show in clinical trials that a therapeutic compound can be used to protect against the complications of diabetic retinopathy.
The compound ruboxistaurin has been found to slow the progression of retinopathy by inhibiting an enzyme in the body called protein kinase C beta (PKC beta). PKC is believed to contribute to the blood vessel damage that leads to the disease.
Such were the findings of a study led by Dr. Lloyd Aiello of the Joslin Diabetes Center:
According to Dr. Richard Insel, Executive Vice President of Research for JDRF:
“Since retinopathy is the most common and serious eye-related complication of those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and is the leading cause of adult blindness in Americans the outstanding research being done in this area will have a significant impact on the millions of people with diabetes.”
Also, based on a new animal study found that long-term supplementation of Vitamin C could later prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Vitamin C is one of the most common Vitamins in supplement/drug form that is widely commercially available. An antioxidant, it helps build our immune system and prevent us from common flu and colds-causing viruses, which could also be found naturally in most sour, citrus fruits.
But the question really is, do we take-in vitamin C supplements (or eat more Vitamin C-rich foods) for a long time on a regular basis? I don’t too. Sporadically only: when I somehow feel that I will catch cold soon or when its flu season. But we should really, because Vitamin C is one of those vitamins that the human body doesn’t make on its own and so must be supplied but get depleted from the body very quickly because it is also water-soluble.
Going back to the mice study of Vitamin C and diabetic retinopathy, according to lead author Amporn Jariyapongskul from Srinakharinvirot University in Bangkok:
“Vitamin supplementation suppressed leukocyte adhesion and thus endothelial dysfunction, associated with increase in iris blood flow perfusion in diabetes. The antioxidant vitamin C may be a therapeutic agent for preventing diabetic retinopathy.”
While the results are still preliminary to draw conclusions from (after all, the findings have to tested on humans first, right?), I guess it wouldn’t hurt to remind ourselves to pop some Vitamin Cs even if we aren’t diabetic.
The author writes about berberine and blogs at
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Article no 3: Diabetes – Why Losing Weight Could Save Hours In Hospital Waiting Rooms
I’ve just spent several hours in the waiting room at my local hospital. I have problems with my eyes and this was a scheduled check up to see how they had fared since my last visit.
I have what is known as CSR – central serious retinitus, which basically means fluid leaks into the back of my eyes and forms blisters making it difficult to see.
The problem is fluid, being precisely that, moves around, so sometimes I can see clearly with glasses and sometimes I can’t.
It’s frustrating to say the least.
No-one really knows what causes it although it has been linked to having an accident, taking steroids or being under stress.
Normally the problem corrects itself over a period of time and there is no specific treatment. Occasionally, if the situation goes on for too long and the fluid is not over the centre of the eye, laser treatment is offered.
Failing that you just wait it out which is annoying. If you wear glasses the prescription you need continually changes as the fluid is reabsorbed into the eye and the blisters disappear. Either you have to change your specs regularly or struggle on with the wrong ones.
I have done the latter and thankfully received good news this time that my eyes are now as good as they are likely to be, so I shall be off to my optician to get my vision re-checked as soon as possible.
That’s great news except I will no longer have any excuse for my typing errors!
However, going back to my hospital trip, I was really surprised by the amount of people in the waiting room and the long delays to see the specialists. One poor couple waited seven hours; the man had two lots of drops put in his eyes and still had to leave before ever being seen. They were relying on public transport and couldn’t wait any longer.
The problem, it seems, was that it was also the diabetic clinic and most of the people that particular day had diabetes. Often diabetics require photography or laser treatment, which cannot always be predicted beforehand so this inevitably leads to long delays.
Luckily they can get a drink or snack if they need one, which brings me to the point of this article.
Many of those waiting were comparatively young and suffering from type 2 diabetes. This is the most common and appears to be on the increase. It has been suggested the rise may be linked to obesity and lack of exercise, and apparently 9 out of 10 people with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes are overweight. I didn’t know that, did you?
Since some complications of type 2 diabetes include: heart disease (cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage (neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy) it is in every diabetics interest to lose a bit of weight to help better manage their situation.
Fast, processed food and a sedentary lifestyle is a recipe not only for potential weight gain but ill health, and the sooner you do something about it, the better.
Losing weight and keeping it off is a real challenge for most people and if you have diabetes it is advisable to consult your health care team and possibly a dietician in order to get the best possible advice.
Hopefully you’ll find ways to decrease calories but still consume the foods you enjoy. Even losing a few pounds can make a real difference.
Exercise and physical activity of course is always beneficial as it helps burn extra calories and naturally increases glucose uptake by increasing metabolism and muscle mass.
It also improves the body’s response to insulin and can, in some cases of type 2 diabetes actually reduce or eliminate the need for medication by lowering blood glucose levels.
Apparently one of the leading causes of death for people with diabetes is heart disease and strokes and exercise” title=”http://i-carehaven.com/?p=74\”>exercise” target=”_blank”>i-carehaven.com/?p=74″>exercise can help reduce that risk. Of course that advice applies to most people – me included.
My trip to the eye clinic proved a revelation. Unless I want to potentially spend many more hours sitting around in hospital waiting rooms I’d better start to actually take notice of the things I write.
Thankfully, for the time being at least, I can now see to read them!
Jean Shaw is the author of I’m Not Naughty – I’m Autistic – Jodi’s Journey and Autism, Amalgam and Me – Jodi’s Journey Continues. Read more of her articles at www.jeanshaw.com/site/1357437/page/846833 or visit her blog at http://www.whataslimmingworld.com
Author: Jean Shaw
Author’s Email Address: jksaofh@aol.com
Article no 4: Reduce Diabetes Risk By Increasing Fiber And Magnesium Intake
As a young child I’ve been taught that milk is a complete food because it contains most of the nutrients necessary for good health. Most especially, milk is the best natural source of Vitamin D and Calcium – the key nutrients for bone health.
Now, the combination of Vitamin D and Calcium has been found to reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, giving us (even adults) additional reason to drink milk.
According to this article: the recommended three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk provides 900 mg of calcium, 300 IU of vitamin D and 80 mg of magnesium daily.
Magnesium in there caught my eye – because increased magnesium in the diet has recently been linked to reduced risk of type 2 diabetes as well.
Well, I guess we should all start drinking milk – especially if like me, you’ve lost the habit somewhere in time – though we should remember to keep it fat-free.
A German study suggests that increased intake of fiber and magnesium-rich grains can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetes. The said research, led by Matthias Schulze, from the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbruecke revealed the following:
8932331754564396- Consumption of fiber through cereal, bread and other grain products (cereal fiber) was associated with a reduced risk of diabetes; highest fiber intake (an average of 29 grams per day) resulted to 27% lower risk than those with the lowest intake (an average of 15.1 grams per day).
- No difference observed in the reduction of risks between soluble or insoluble fiber
- Highest consumption of cereal fiber was associated with a 33 % reduction in the risk of diabetes
- Consumption of the most magnesium had a 23 per cent lower risk, compared to those who consumed the least In both cases (fiber or magnesium), no association was found between fruit or vegetable fiber and diabetes risk. The study’s findings, reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine, strongly support the importance of whole grain foods in diabetes prevention.
But of course, it cannot be just fiber and magnesium but an entirely nutritionally balanced diet that will lower our risks of developing diabetes.
Other sources of magnesium are green leafy vegetables, meats, starches, grains and nuts, and eating more of these may be able to reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes, according to meta-analysis of observational studies by Karolinska Institutet researchers. “Findings from this meta-analysis of cohort studies indicate that increased intake of magnesium may reduce the incidence of type-2 diabetes. This observational evidence should be treated as compelling but not definitive.
The potential protective role of magnesium intake against type-2 diabetes may be due to improvement of insulin sensitivity. Studies in animals have demonstrated an adverse effect of magnesium deficiency on glucose-induced insulin secretion and insulin-mediated glucose uptake.
In contrast, magnesium supplementation was shown to prevent fructose-induced insulin resistance and reduce the development of diabetes in a rat model of spontaneous type-2 diabetes.” The author writes about berberine and blogs at http://www.daily-diabetic.com/.
Author: faye bautista
Author’s Email Address: fayebautista@yahoo.com
Article no 5: Children With Diabetes – On The Rise
An article which looks at the increasing statistics of diagnosed diabetes cases in children, including a huge increase in Type 2 diagnoses, and asks, ‘why?’ Are our habits hurting our children?
Children will be children, of course, and they can make poor health choices by eating the wrong foods. But isn’t it really up to families to encourage and incorporate a healthy lifestyle at home? And when they don’t, children are more likely to fall prey to health problems and are more prone to diabetes.
At the end of the day, everyone in the family needs to pull together as one team on the same side — the side that keeps illnesses like diabetes and other unhealthy issues at bay.
Most people groan and moan at the thought of healthy living. But it doesn’t have to be such a grind. Physical exercise can be fun when done together as a group. Family members can take turns in coming up with new and interesting, but healthy recipes to cook every day. Slowly but surely, the benefits of healthy living will rub off on everyone.
This is an important issue to discuss with the entire family.
Having diabetes as a child is difficult, along with often painful treatment, there is often a sense of deprivation and “not being like the other kids.” A new study has found that children may lose up to an hour a day because of their diabetes.
Diabetic children spend up to an hour a day managing their condition, adversely affecting their attitudes towards treatment, new Australian research shows. A study by University of Adelaide researchers tracked 160 children with chronic illnesses over two years to find out how much time it takes to do their daily treatment tasks.
The results, published in the latest Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, show children with cystic fibrosis, an incurable genetic disease, spend 57-74 minutes a day on treatments like physiotherapy.
Therapies for type 1 diabetes – including daily glucose testing, insulin injections and dietary changes – took 28-58 minutes out of each child’s day.
Also, even to kids without diabetes, spending more time in front of the TV makes them sedentary, increasing their risk of becoming obese.
How much more if your child has type1 diabetes? More TV time will do no good in controlling their blood sugar levels.
As confirmed by a Norwegian study:
…diabetic children who spend a great deal of time watching television had a tougher time controlling their blood sugar.
… encouraging children with Type-1 diabetes to watch less television may play an crucial role for improving blood sugar control and better health overall.
Kids should really have more active time and even adults too for that matter. But I understand how difficult this is to accomplish sometimes, especially when TV time is the easiest “baby-sitter’ to young kids in this day and age of computers and playstations.
However, as parents we should encourage our kids to have a more active lifestyle, with or without diabetes. The author writes about berberine and blogs at http://www.daily-diabetic.com/.
Author: faye bautista
Author’s Email Address: fayebautista@yahoo.com
Article no 6: The First Non-Invasive Diabetes Screening Device
VeraLight Inc. is the developer of the non-invasive diabetes-screening device code-named “Scout” and its researchers conducted the study on 322 subjects ranging from 21 to 88 years old with a broad range of skin color. Manufactured in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Scout DS is a simple-to-use device that weighs about 10 pounds and does not require the patient to fast or provide a blood sample but instead uses light directed onto a small area of an individual’s forearm to be able to detect abnormal concentrations of advanced glycation end products (AGEs).
AGEs has been found to correlate well with diabetes and pre-diabetes and are associated with the disease’s serious complications. AGEs are a sensitive metric for the cumulative damage the body endures due to the effects of abnormally high blood sugar and oxidative stress. AGEs harm the proteins that make up the blood vessels, connective tissue, and are thought to be major factors in aging and age-related chronic diseases. Previous studies have shown that a Scout DS prototype is better than both the fasting plasma glucose (FPG) test and the A1C test as a rapid and non-invasive screen for pre-diabetes and type2 diabetes. IGT is a condition that often progresses to type 2 diabetes, therefore its detection is very crucial. “
…results showed a prototype of the device was able to identify 78% more individuals with the IGT form of pre-diabetes than the FPG test, and 47% more than the A1C test.”
This medical device is slated for U.S. market introduction in the second half of 2008 and was previewed for the first time last week at the 67th annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association held at McCormick Place in Chicago. It is able to detect abnormal concentrations of the skin biomarkers known to be associated with diabetes in less than one minute using fluorescent light from an individual’s forearm.
According to Timothy J. Lyons, M.D., a clinical investigator for VeraLight who heads the endocrinology section at the Oklahoma University Health Science Center: “Considering its excellent speed, convenience and sensitivity, the Scout DS may be ideally suited to detect the more than 70 million individuals worldwide who have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
VeraLight’s diabetes screening technology represents a critical response to the worldwide diabetes epidemic, making screening more accurate and accessible to everyone at risk for this devastating disease.”
Take note: WITHOUT drawing blood and no overnight fasting prior to testing, unlike the FPG and AIC test.
Wow, non-blood pre-diabetes screening?!
I am all for that kind. The author writes about snacks for diabetes and blogs at http://www.daily-diabetic.com/.
Author: faye bautista
Author’s Email Address: fayebautista@yahoo.com
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