How Obesity Increases Risk for Diabetes and its Effect on Blood Glucose Level

 

 

Type 2 diabetes and obesity are both serious health conditions. Millions of people have been diagnosed with diabetes and obesity can worsen insulin resistance. The early stages of type 2 diabetes feature the development of insulin resistance during which the body does not use insulin properly. The rise in need for insulin in an obese person overwhelms the pancreas that becomes unable to carry out sufficient insulin production.

 

Obesity and Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is significant aspect of type 2 diabetes and losing weight has proven to be an effective way of preventing, managing and curing the disease. Along with how obese an individual is, it is important to find out where the body has stored most of the fat treating diabetes. People that have stored excessive fat around their abdomen are more likely to be at risk of developing diabetes.

 

Losing weight is an essential objective for anyone who is overweight or obese and has type 2 diabetes. Weight loss helps to enhance insulin production and decrease the amount of medication required for treating diabetes. A healthy diet, physical activity as well as lifestyle adjustments can effectively treat diabetes.

 

Obesity Linked to Diabetes

Obesity accounts of a large percentage of the risk for developing diabetes with obese people being significantly more likely to have type 2 diabetes than people who have normal weight. There is a clear link between type 2 diabetes and obesity that can only be dealt with through healthy eating and exercise. An obese person can quickly develop the condition and doctors recommend timely intervention.

 

Gradual Weight Loss

Decreasing your weight even in small amounts over a given period will have the effect of improving the insulin action in your body, reducing the danger of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Visit onetouchdiabetes.co.in for more information.

 

Healthy Eating

Obese patients who have diabetes need to cut down on their consumption of complex carbohydrates that have a tendency to cause a rise in blood glucose. Since the body has developed insulin resistance, higher levels of insulin in the body can result in weight gain. Complex carbohydrates include bread, cereal and rice. Opt for whole grain versions of carbohydrates.

 

Lean protein such as fish and chicken is the best option for people who want to lose weight. The intake of dietary fiber needs to be higher to facilitate weight loss, weight control and prevent hunger pangs. A balanced diet is important and should contain protein, vegetables, fruits and limited fat. It is advisable to note down the food you eat and keep track of the progress you make to remain motivated.

 

Regular Exercise and Medication

Regular exercise helps you lose weight and maintain your weight loss. It prevents you from gaining the weight back, enhances sensitivity to insulin and reduces the threat of becoming diabetic. Exercising moderately at least five times each week will contribute to weight loss.

 

Different types of medication can treat type 2 diabetes and deal with resistance to insulin. Check out the recent kiwibox.com’s article on diabetes. Obesity prevention will help to prevent and treat diabetes.

 

Categories: Blood glucose, Diabetes, diabetes nbsp, diabetes obesity, Healthy Eating, insulin resistance, Lose weight, Losing Weight, obese person, obesity, treat diabetes, Weight Loss

Breakthrough Diabetes Pill Could Be Available Within Months

Diabetes is a major health concern, with type 2 accounting for between 85 and 95% of all people with the disease. Type 2 diabetes, then, affects wellness in a big way, but a new pill looks set to change all that. The breakthrough treatment works to slash blood sugar levels and offers hope to the wellbeing millions of diabetes sufferers. And, if you’re thinking we’re talking about a “promising study” or “preliminary finding”, think again: the pill has now been launched in the UK.

 

 

According to wellness writer Jo Willey, ‘The breakthrough treatment is being unveiled at the same time that the drug watchdog has recommended it for use on the NHS. Experts say the drug, canagliflozin, which is taken once a day, is a vital new weapon in the battle against the Type 2 diabetes epidemic and its devastating complications. It reduces blood sugar levels in people for whom diet and lifestyle measures or other blood sugar-lowering medicines do not work well enough, say the manufacturers Janssen. The drug, also called Invokana, blocks the re-absorption of glucose in the kidneys, which is instead passed in the urine.’

 

Professor Anthony Barnett, Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Birmingham, commented, ‘We are seeing a growing number of people with Type 2 diabetes which can have the extremely serious consequences of heart attack, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputations. Canagliflozin, which can offer patients significant reductions in blood sugar levels whilst not increasing risks of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugars), represents an important new option in the management of a major UK epidemic.’ The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has given the pill a preliminary positive recommendation, and so the medication could be available within months.

 

In the Nice draft guidance, canagliflozin was said to be “useful” and recommended for use by some NHS patients with Type 2 diabetes when used in combination with other anti-diabetic drugs. Professor Carole Longson, of Nice, pointed out that ‘Type 2 diabetes can be difficult to treat and most people will eventually require a number of drugs, often used simultaneously. Canagliflozin represents a useful addition to the armoury of anti-diabetic drugs available. Nice is pleased to be able to ­recommend its use for some people with Type 2 diabetes.’ Dr Peter Barnes, the medical director at Janssen UK, added, ‘With the relentless increase in Type 2 diabetes, there is an ongoing need for additional treatment options. Not only does canagliflozin provide a new once-a-day oral treatment to help control blood glucose levels, it offers real value to the NHS.’

 

When your wellbeing is affected by type 2 diabetes, this means that your sugar – glucose – levels in your blood have become too high. The chronic disease is associated with 24,000 excess deaths each year, mainly from cardiovascular disease. In the UK, 3.2 million people are diagnosed with diabetes, and type 2 accounts for between 85 and 95% of all people with the disease. Your body develops type 2 diabetes when it can no longer produce insulin, or when the insulin that your body does produced does not work properly.

 

Typically, type 2 diabetes is treated with a healthy diet, increased physical activity and medication, but this doesn’t always prove effective. The National Diabetes Audit found that more than one in three patients with Type 2 diabetes in England and Wales are currently failing to achieve recommended blood glucose levels. Simon O’Neill of Diabetes UK noted, ‘Developing new treatments that give people more choice about how to manage their condition effectively are really important and so we look forward to seeing the results of the Nice consultation.’

Categories: anti diabetic, Blood glucose, Blood Sugar, Blood Sugar Control, breakthrough treatment, canagliflozin, Diabetes, diabetic drugs, glucose levels, sugar levels, type, Type 2 Diabetes

Is Low Blood Sugar Making You Gain Weight?

Most people are aware of the risks of diabetes, but few are as educated on the dangers of low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia to give it its medical name. In a more serious form, hypoglycemia can lead to seizures and unconsciousness, as well as weight gain and obesity. It is more frequently seen as a side effect of diabetes, and occurs after aggressive insulin treatments which push the blood glucose levels a little too low. Because your blood sugar levels are connected to what you eat, finding and maintaining your glucose levels isn’t an exact science. There will be fluctuations, naturally, which makes treatment early on quite difficult. When your diet has been modified and other lifestyle factors have been considered, such as weight and exercise, then treatment can be considered more thoroughly.

Hypoglycemia can occur in people without diabetes as well though, occurring in conjunction with certain types of cancer, due to hormonal imbalances, during pregnancy, as a result of too much alcohol, and after vigorous exercise. It can also be caused by endocrine, renal and liver disorders. There isn’t an anti-insulin treatment for this problem, which means that hypoglycemia can only be solved by managing your diet and getting plenty of exercise. In fact, resolving your obesity and managing hypoglycemia go hand in hand. In normal people, blood sugar levels range between 70 – 80mcg per 100cc of blood before eating, which rises to around 120 – 140mcg in the hour following a meal. When your body is at the lowest ebb, the body becomes hungry; when it’s at its peak, it enables the pancreas to release insulin which prevents blood sugar levels from rising any higher.

The body gets its energy from glucose or blood sugar, and a certain level of glucose is necessary for the body to function every day. The brain needs a steady supply of glucose to function properly, which is why a person with hypoglycemia will experience confusing abnormal behaviours, blurred vision or dizziness. Exercise is a challenge or impossible with someone who has hypoglycemia as this only depletes your energy supplies. This means that your diet has the job of controlling both your weight and low blood glucose levels.

There are some important things to remember when you have hypoglycemia. Firstly, high-sugar is not a solution for your problem. When your body is loaded with high sugar treats, it launches an insulin attack to bring the glucose levels down. However, in a hypoglycemic, those levels are already at an all-time high so this simply leads to the pancreas going into overdrive. It’s actually better to do the opposite and cut out processed sugars completely. Stick to complex carbs, whole grains and vegetables which gradually release their glucose content over time which helps to balance the levels in the body. The problem lies in that hypoglycemics crave sugary foods, as the body knows it needs glucose to survive so it sends signals to get the highest concentrate of what it needs. Unfortunately, cookies and cakes cause the blood sugar levels to spike too high. This results in the pancreas responding with a powerful surge of activity, and the cycle quickly flips the body’s balance upside down. This constant seesaw action can cause a vicious cycle of feeding the body what it doesn’t need. If you’re worried you have a problem with your low blood sugar levels, speak to your GP who can advise if you need treatment.

Categories: Blood, Blood glucose, Blood Sugar, body, diet, glucose levels, high sugar, hypoglycemia, levels, Sugar, sugar levels

ACE Advice: Safe and Effective Exercise for Type 2 Diabetics

Whether you’ve only just found out that your wellness is affected by diabetes, or you’ve known about it for years, you face a certain challenge: exercising safely without having to stress about your blood sugar. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) says you need to ‘check your blood glucose about every 45 minutes after a hard workout and gauge whether your blood glucose is going down, going up, or levelling off.’ But don’t let the faff get in the way of the fitness; here’s why it’s so important to get it right.

 

According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), “Type 2 diabetes is strongly linked to lifestyle factors, especially diet and exercise. People at highest risk of developing type 2 diabetes have a family history, as well as other cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. However, the same techniques that are used for prevention of this disease—a healthy diet and regular exercise—can be used to control and possibly reverse its progression.”

 

The reason why regular exercise is so effective is that it lowers your insulin resistance, helping your body respond in a healthier way to glucose. Plus, fitness reduces your risk of heart disease due to the ways in which it promotes weight loss and reduces your cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Still, you still need to be careful when engaging in exercise, and check your glucose levels before and after your workouts. It also important to exercise with a friend, and wear your diabetes ID bracelet – just in case.

 

So if you want to improve your well-being and fitness levels, what should you be aiming for? George Griffing, MD, professor of endocrinology at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in St. Louis, notes that your goal should be 30 minutes total of exercise each day, and several brief workouts are fine. He comments, ‘We need people with diabetes up and moving. If you can do your exercise in one 30 minute stretch, fine. But if not, break it up into increments you can manage that add up to at least 30 minutes each day.’ Remember; you should always consult your doctor before starting any exercise programme.

Categories: Benefits, Blood glucose, blood pressure, Diabetes, exercise, Exercise Goals, regular exercise, Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes: Why watchdog is on the case

The medicinal team for Watchdog has warned patients dealing with diabetes to check their glucose monitors following a report that a manufacturer recalled numerous faulty devices which were giving dangerously false readings. The manufacturer Lifescan, used by more than 22,000 people who suffer with diabetes, recalled the blood glucose equipment after the company found a software glitch which would lead to patients missing extremely high glucose levels – a situation could cause serious complication for the individual in question. This fault causes the OneTouch Verio Pro device to give a low reading, and the OneTouch Verio IQ models to switch off if the blood glucose level exceeds the dangerously high level of 56.8 mmoI/L – the company stressed that such an occurrence was rare. The OneTouch Verio Pro+ was also affected. The faulty devices don’t alert the user to the dangerous levels of glucose beyond this level, so there could be a risk of a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of extreme hyperglycaemia.

Blood glucose testing is a key part of the management of diabetes, so it’s vital that your devices work effectively in order to reduce the risk of danger. Diabetes is a lifestyle condition which often affects those who are overweight or have a poor diet. In order to reduce the risk of developing diabetes, doctors recommend that you eat a diet which is low in fat and sugar, and packed with plenty of fruit and vegetables, as well as getting plenty of exercise. This will help you to maintain a healthy weight, as well as helping to stave off other health problems such as heart disease and stroke. If you think you may be at risk of developing diabetes, or think you might have some symptoms which suggest you already have the condition, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible who can run tests.

 

Diabetes: Why watchdog is on the case

Categories: Blood glucose, blood glucose levels, developing diabetes, devices, Diabetes, diet, faulty devices, Glucose, onetouch verio, risk, verio pro

Is Government to Blame for Nation’s Poor Diabetes Control?

Diabetic wellness is at a major risk unless the government makes improving healthcare for people whose wellbeing is affected with the disease a priority. This is according to Diabetes UK, whose latest figures show that only one in five people in England and Wales are reaching the targets for keeping their diabetes under control.

The National Diabetes Audit statistics reveal that just 18.5% of diabetics in Wales, and 19.9% of people with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in England, meet the recommended targets for blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. When those figures are broken down by type of diabetes, English Type 1 diabetics have demonstrated particularly bad control of their condition, with just 11.4% meeting treatment targets.

the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that, every year, patients with diabetes are supposed to get nine health checks; weight and body mass index (BMI) measurements, blood pressure, whether you smoke, blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, eye check, foot check and two different checks to measure kidney function. Diabetes UK says that, as it stands, just 54% of patients in England are receiving these health checks.

According to Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, ‘Given that diabetes is serious, and can lead to early death if people with diabetes are not supported to manage their condition, it is extremely worrying that so few people have it under control. There are now three million people diagnosed with diabetes, and this number is rising quickly. The fact that so many of them do not have good control over their diabetes means that unless something changes we face a public health disaster. Whether these people have high blood glucose levels, blood pressure or cholesterol, they are at increased risk of diabetes-related complications such as heart disease, amputation and stroke.’

A Department of Health spokesperson responded by saying, ‘We are determined to improve NHS services across the country for people with diabetes and end the unacceptable variation in care that still exists. We have set clear objectives for the NHS to improve the care and management of people with diabetes and we will be monitoring NHS England to make sure this is delivered.’ He added that over 98% of people were offered retinal screening in 2012 and 750,000 more people had all nine care processes checked in 2010-11 compared with 2006-7.

Is Government to Blame for Nation’s Poor Diabetes Control?

Categories: Blood, Blood glucose, blood pressure, control, Diabetes, Diabetes UK, Disease Management, glucose levels, health checks, people, Research

What Does Your Diabetic Child Need from You?

As a parent of children with diabetes, there’s a lot you need to learn and deal with in order to take care of their wellbeing. Start by educating yourself, as you will feel more comfortable and confident with handling the disease if you know exactly how it’s going to affect your child’s wellness.

Plus, the more you know about diabetes, the more you can teach your child and help them to understand their condition. You need to communicate with your child as much as possible about diabetes, as he or she is going to need to manage the disease throughout life. Make sure your child at least knows the basics about diabetes, which include blood glucose testing, healthy meals and injections.

When it comes to insulin injections, you need to know as much as possible about insulin and how it works. For example, you should be aware that when insulin is broken down by your child’s digestive system, it is rendered ineffective. Your child can take two injections, one before breakfast and one before dinner. However, your diabetic child can also use an insulin pump instead of taking injections.

Blood sugar monitoring is fundamental to your child’s diabetes care. You have to regularly monitor your child’s blood sugar levels, as blood glucose data is the cornerstone for all diabetes management. This data will help you to adjust your child’s diabetes management as needed, and will alert your child’s doctor to any potential complications. Remember, the readings of your child’s blood glucose aren’t “good” or “bad” – they’re just numbers, but they can make a real difference in your child’s life.

With meal planning, it’s important to account for morning and afternoon snacks, as well as planning your child’s main meals. Crackers with peanut butter are a good snack option, as diabetes snacks need to be rich in protein and carbohydrates. It may be helpful in the long-run to not only give your child healthy meals, but teach them about healthy eating along the way. Have the whole family make the same lifestyle changes so that the child with diabetes doesn’t feel excluded or different, and everyone’s health will also benefit!

What Does Your Diabetic Child Need from You?

Categories: Blood, Blood glucose, Blood Sugar, Child, Child Diabetes, Diabetes, Diabetes Management, diabetic child, Education, healthy meals, injections, Insulin

Type 1 Diabetes – Treatable with Gene Therapy?

A step forward in gene therapy may mark further benefits for those suffering from Type 1 Diabetes.

By applying gene therapy to dogs for up to four years, minus the effects of hypoglycaemia, the advance could prove advantageous for diabetics. The change from using the methods on mice and using dogs (namely Beagles) instead has shown positive success.

“Moving from mice to large animals is a big step,” said Dr. Fatima Bosch, Director of the Center of Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy. “If something works well in large animals, we have reason to believe, based on the previous experience in the field of gene transfer, that it is likely that we will see a similar outcomes in humans. For example, gene therapy that worked well in large animals to treat haemophilia is now seeing positive results in clinical trials with humans. We hope that in a few years, we’ll be able to test this therapy for type 1 diabetes in humans as well.”

The dogs were given insulin and glucokinase through an adenoassociated virus (AAV) vector – a vehicle which transports DNA using a virus that is not designed to harm its host. It can still “infect” them, but the cargo could contain whatever the creator wishes. In this case, the insulin and glocokinase is the cargo, which is beneficial.

Insulin is a very familiar component for those suffering from either type of diabetes, which helps to regulate the glucose in the blood. Whilst naturally created by the pancreas, those suffering from diabetes go through the issue that the pancreas produces too little, meaning that the body’s blood sugar is not regulated properly. Through injections and (or) a healthy diet, this is often maintained quite well. Glucokinase is partnered to insulin, which also helps to regulate the rise and fall of circulating glucose levels.

By injecting them into the dogs, researchers found that the dogs maintained normal blood glucose levels for up to four years without any signs of hypoglycaemia and without any need of further injections.

With further testing proving to be promising, the researchers hope to be able to test on humans in the future.

Type 1 Diabetes – Treatable with Gene Therapy?

Categories: Animal Testing, Blood glucose, Diabetes, Dogs, gene, gene therapy, Glucose, glucose levels, large animals, therapy, treatment, type, type one diabetes