StemCell Therapy

A newly released study found that people with heart failure who received the diabetes drug empagliflozin showed significant improvements in heart structure and function, with many experiencing a reversal of the disease.

Approximately 6.2 million adults in the United States have heart failure. As a result of its high prevalence, the national cost of healthcare services, medicines, and missed workdays related to this disorder reached an estimated $30.7 billion in 2012.

Globally, the disease affects approximately 23 million people.

Heart failure occurs when the heart cannot pump blood effectively to other parts of the body, causing symptoms that include shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, weakness and tiredness, and weight gain and swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, or stomach.

It may progress to congestive heart failure due to the buildup of fluids in the lungs, liver, and lower extremities.

Underlying causes of heart failure include coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, obesity, heart valve disease, and diabetes. Over time, these diseases may result in adverse modeling, which is the hearts attempt to compensate for its added workload by getting larger, developing thicker walls, and pumping more frequently.

Among people with heart failure, about 50% present with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). The lowered ejection fraction occurs when the hearts left ventricle cannot pump blood effectively, decreasing the amount of blood that leaves the ventricle to circulate the body after each contraction.

Treatment options for heart failure include taking prescription drugs, reducing the amount of sodium in the diet, consuming a lower volume of liquids, and making any necessary lifestyle changes, such as reaching a moderate weight, quitting smoking, and eating a heart-healthy diet.

With limited heart failure treatment options available, researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai set up a clinical trial called EMPATROPISM to investigate the use of empagliflozin, a diabetes drug, for treating HFrEF in people without diabetes.

The researchers presented the trial results on November 13 at the American Heart Association (AHA) Scientific Sessions 2020, with a pre-proof appearing in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

In the double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study, the scientists divided the 84 participants, who were 1885 years of age, into two groups. One group received 10 milligrams (mg) of empagliflozin daily, and the other took a placebo.

At the trials onset, all of the participants underwent baseline evaluations, which included cardiac MRI, a 6-minute walk test, and a cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine their oxygen levels. They also completed questionnaires regarding their quality of life.

After 6 months of receiving either the placebo or empagliflozin, the participants completed the same tests again.

The researchers found that approximately 80% of those who received the medication showed significant improvement in their condition, with a 16.6% improvement in left ventricle ejection fraction.

They also experienced a reduction in heart size and thickness and had less congestion, indicating that their heart failure had become less severe.

Remarkably, the investigators note that the heart returned to near normal in this group of participants.

Additionally, those who received empagliflozin experienced no severe side effects and saw improvements in their exercise levels and quality of life, which occurred relatively quickly after beginning the medication.

Although empagliflozin is an antidiabetes drug, the investigators noted no adverse blood sugar-related side effects, such as hypoglycemia, in the study participants, despite them not having diabetes.

Conversely, the study participants who took the placebo showed no improvements. Their condition either stayed the same or worsened, with a further reduced ejection fraction, increased heart size and thickness, and an abnormal change in the hearts overall shape.

According to the researchers, the study results also explain why this medication effectively treats heart failure. They explain that it essentially reverses the adverse modeling that occurs when the heart attempts to restructure itself to compensate for changes associated with other chronic conditions.

The EMPEROR-Reduced trial, a slightly earlier study that featured in the New England Journal of Medicine, saw similar results. In this double-blind trial, 3,730 people with HFrEF took either empagliflozin (10 mg once daily) or a placebo, in addition to recommended therapy.

The results concurred with the EMPATROPISM findings, showing that people both with and without diabetes in the empagliflozin group experienced a lower risk of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure than those in the placebo group.

The EMPATROPISM studys first author, Carlos Santos-Gallego, a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine, explains the implications of these findings.

He says, Our clinical trials promising results show this diabetes drug can ameliorate lives of heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction, enhance their exercise capacity, and improve their quality of life with little to no side effects.

We expect this work will help lead to U.S. Food and Drug Administration [FDA] approval of empagliflozin for this patient population in the coming months.

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Diabetes drug shows promise in treating and reversing heart failure - Medical News Today

KING CITY Mee Memorial Healthcare System observed Diabetes Awareness Month and World Diabetes Day with a Nov. 12 drive-thru educational event.

Attendees were able to pull through the hospital parking lot in King City and pick up diabetes information, which included a risk-assessment questionnaire.

Heidi Pattison, Mee Memorials director of outpatient clinics, said an estimated 45% of residents in Monterey County are prediabetic.

We have some providers in the clinic where up to 80% of their patients are diabetic or prediabetic, Pattison said. Its crucial to get the word out about warning signs, eating properly and behaviors they can change.

The drive-thru format was a first for the event, which staff said would typically be run with more of a health fair format, if not for health concerns due to Covid-19. Staff were able to not only provide materials to attendees, but also explain the information contained within for those with questions.

People who have diabetes are at higher risk of severe coronavirus infection, said Dr. Joshua Deutsch, a family practice provider with Mee Memorial.

Deutsch added that South Monterey County has a higher percentage of people with diabetes and a higher percentage of obesity than the overall county.

Access to care is poorer here, so people with diabetes are more likely to have uncontrolled diabetes or to have some of the complications of diabetes neglected, so it becomes a more severe disease burden, he said.

The diabetes event came as part of Mee Memorials interest in being more active in the community, part of a goal of the new administration, Deutsch said.

To be more active and address more of the communitys needs, he said. It is challenging with coronavirus to have an active community presence and to go out and meet people.

In order to address more of the community and their health issues, Deutsch said it takes meeting people halfway and in public. That allows reaching people who might be afraid or havent thought of meeting with a physician in a clinic.

The overall campaign is designed to get the publics attention, to motivate people to action and to encourage community members to get further education or see their physician.

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Mee Memorials drive-thru educational event brings awareness to diabetes - King City Rustler

BANGOR November is National Diabetes Awareness Month and a time for all Bangor region residents to assess their risk for developing prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. Currently, of the 88 million adults with prediabetes only 20 percent know they have the condition. In addition to the high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, people with prediabetes are also at risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease and stroke.

Prediabetes is a condition in which a persons blood glucose is elevated, but not high enough for a diabetes diagnosis. To address this issue, The Bangor Region YMCA will be introducing the YMCAs Diabetes Prevention Program to the region in January, which will help adults lose weight through healthier eating and increased physical activity, potentially preventing or delaying the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The YMCAs Diabetes Prevention Program is a group-based lifestyle intervention for adults who are prediabetic and at high-risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This program has been shown to reduce the number of new cases of diabetes by 58 percent overall and by 71 percent in adults over 60.

At the Y, we take a community integrated approach to improving health, meaning we move health care out of the clinic and into the community where people can more easily access the care they need, said Diane Dickerson, CEO of The Bangor Region YMCA. Currently much of our focus is on prevention programs like the YMCAs Diabetes Prevention Program that provides a safe and supportive environment where people can learn to change behaviors and potentially decrease chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Individuals can assess their risk for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes by taking a simple test at YMCA.net/diabetes. Through this assessment, visitors can also learn how lifestyle choices and family history help determine the ultimate risk for developing the disease. Several factors that could put a person at risk for type 2 diabetes include family history, race, age, weight and activity level. If a person is at risk, a diabetes screening conducted by a physician can confirm a diabetes or prediabetes diagnosis.

The YMCAs Diabetes Prevention Program, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) led National Diabetes Prevention Program, is a 12-month evidence-based program for those who are prediabetic that features a lifestyle coach who helps participants learn tactics for healthy eating, physical activity and other lifestyle changes during 25, one-hour classroom sessions. Long-term program goals include reducing participants body weight by 5 to 7 percent and increasing physical activity to 150 minutes per week. Nationally, more than 68,000 people participated in the program at almost 1,100 sites in 40 states throughout the country. Participants who completed the yearlong program lost an average of 5.5 percent of body weight and completed an average of 168 minutes of physical activity per week.

For more information about how to qualify for access to the upcoming YMCAs Diabetes Prevention Program at The Bangor Region YMCA, contact Jennifer Crane, healthy living programs manager, at jcrane@bangorY.org.

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Know the risks: November is National Diabetes Awareness Month - Bangor Daily News

Highlights

Afflicting millions across home and abroad, diabetes is a condition marked by fluctuating blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for diabetes. The condition cannot be reversed but can be managed to a great extent. Diabetics need to be extra cautious about their diet, lifestyle and medicines. With the festive season upon us, most of us are left with a trail of mithai ka dabbas and snacks that need to be consumed well within their shelf life. Then there are the mid-meal cravings that steer you towards the unhealthiest of snacks. It is important to sort your priorities. If you happen to be a diabetic, you know you cannot really gorge on sweets like other people with blessed metabolism. So, what do you do? Think about healthier options, perhaps?

(Also Read:Carrot Nutrition: Benefits Of Carrot, Nutrition Chart And More)

Winter season is renowned for many fruits and vegetables that could help keep your blood sugar levels in control. Carrots, guavas, radish, beetroot, methi, sarso are just some of the winter superfoods that you can include in your diet. You can tuck into them raw, blend them in smoothies, use them in soups, make healthy curries out of it, or make a quick and yummy salad. Yes, you heard us. A 'yummy' salad is no paradox. If you are willing to experiment, salads need not be the same old banal and boring affair.

(Also Read:11 Best Paneer Recipes | Easy Paneer Recipes | Popular Cottage Cheese Recipes)

Salads often have enough room for creativity, so put those thinking caps on and think about all high-fibre, seasonal treats you can add to your salads. Fibre helps the slow release of sugar in the bloodstream, preventing abrupt blood sugar spikes. Here's one recipe we have tried recently that you catch your fancy.

Low-Carb Diet: Add carrots to your diet for a healthy boost

Winter Salad For Diabetes:

Ingredients:

Promoted

Method:1. Take a big mixing bowl and add onions, carrots, tomatoes.2. Now add the paneer, black pepper powder, lemon juice and coriander.3. Mix everything well. Ad chomp away.

Try making this salad at home. Add or remove elements according to your preferences. It is your salad after all!

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)

About Sushmita SenguptaSharing a strong penchant for food, Sushmita loves all things good, cheesy and greasy. Her other favourite pastime activities other than discussing food includes, reading, watching movies and binge-watching TV shows.

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Diabetes Diet: This Winter Salad Made With Carrots And Paneer Is A Soul-Soothing Treat - NDTV Food

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. and ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Today, Abbott (NYSE: ABT) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) announced that Abbott has become the first anchor sponsor of the Health Equity Now(HEN) platform to address health disparities for people with diabetes. Abbott's sponsorship includes a three-year, $5 million commitment to support the ADA's advocacy and community-driven projects aimed at removing barriers to care and providing greater access to the latest medical technologies and health resources for underserved diabetes populations.

"It's important that people with diabetes in the U.S. have access to the latest innovations to effectively manage their condition and help them thrive," said Tracey D. Brown, chief executive officer of the American Diabetes Association. "It is time to tear down the systemic barriers that separate us based on zip code, income level, education, color and gender, and it's time that we demand health equity now."

Data show that compared to white adults, the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes is higher among Black Americans (77%), Latinos (66%), and Asian Americans (18%).1 With 50% of low-income Americans with diabetes having lost some or all income during the pandemic,2 COVID-19 has brought greater attention to the large gaps in the U.S. healthcare system, shining a light on the health and economic disparities faced by Americans in underserved communities.

To address these health inequities, the ADA created the Health Equity Bill of Rights, which includes a core right for all to access the latest medical advances. Abbott will support the ADA's advocacy efforts to tear down barriers that limit access to high-quality medical technologies, including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) advancements, among others.

"No matter someone's race, income level or background, quality care and life-changing technologies should be affordable and broadly accessible to all people living with diabetes," said Jared Watkin, senior vice president, Diabetes Care, Abbott. "Abbott is proud to support the ADA's goal to work toward health equity and to advance access to the latest technologies for people with diabetes, helping them lead healthier, fuller lives with dignity."

Another primary focus of Abbott's sponsorship will drive sustained community engagement through local programs and initiatives to help improve diabetes-related health outcomes. With Abbott's support, the ADA will immediately begin work to bring together experts and collaborate with underserved communities to develop key program outreach models that include public health education, professional education and training and other community services that will be rolled out in 2021.

About the American Diabetes Association:Every day more than 4,000 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes in America. More than 122 million Americans have diabetes or prediabetes and are striving to manage their lives while living with the disease. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation's leading voluntary health organization fighting to bend the curve on the diabetes epidemic and help people living with diabetes thrive. For 80 years the ADA has been driving discovery and research to treat, manage and prevent diabetes, while working relentlessly for a cure. We help people with diabetes thrive by fighting for their rights and developing programs, advocacy and education designed to improve their quality of life. Diabetes has brought us together. What we do next will make us Connected for Life. To learn more or to get involved, visit us atdiabetes.orgor call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Join the fight with us on Facebook(American Diabetes Association), Twitter (@AmDiabetesAssn) and Instagram (@AmDiabetesAssn).

About Abbott:As part of our purpose to help people live fuller lives through better health, Abbott is committed to advancing health equity, working side-by-side with the communities we serve to address health disparities and tackle barriers to health. This includes efforts across our business and in partnership with others to expand access to technology, quality care and nutrition, and to advance STEM and health education to inspire a diverse and innovative next generation. Looking ahead, Abbott will further extend these efforts with the launch of its 2030 sustainability strategy and plan later this year, with forward-looking targets to build a stronger, more sustainable Abbott that better serves the many people who depend on us. To learn more about Abbott's strategic approach to sustainability, please visit abbott.com/sustainability.

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 107,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Connect with us at http://www.abbott.com, on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/company/abbott-/, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Abbott and on Twitter @AbbottNews.

1Ying-Ying Meng et al. Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Diabetes Care and Impact of Vendor-Based Disease Management Programs. Diabetes Care, May 2016.2Diabetes and COVID-19: New Data Quantifies Extraordinary Challenges Faced by Americans with Diabetes During Pandemic. Survey by dQ&A and The American Diabetes Association. July 2020.

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TEXARKANA, Texas -- This month's emphasis on Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness gives healthcare workers the chance to spread the wordabout how people with diabetes can protect theirvision.

People with diabetes are more likely to develop eye diseases that lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision impairment or blindness in working-age adults.

Dr. Roshan George, a retina surgeon at Collum and Carney Clinic in Texarkana, says the condition is caused by damage to blood vessels in the eyes.

So, when you have diabetes in the eyes, it starts decreasing the blood circulation. And as a result your body can create new and abnormal vessels, which bleed, George explains. Sometimes the bleeding can turn into scar tissue formation. And ultimately, those lead to blindness.

Diabetes can also cause macular edema, which is a build-up of fluid in the retina. George says early intervention can help many people who are losing their eyesight due to diabetes.

So there are definitely plenty of patients, even when theyve had diabetic retinopathy, as long as we address it early, address it effectively, those patients actually do very well.

Both conditions can be treated with injections and laser surgery. Early intervention can make all the difference.

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Early intervention key in treating diabetic eye disease - KTBS

Just a few years after Vivek Ramaswamys epic Alzheimers fail, another one of his startups is cutting its losses because of a high-risk endeavor this time on the diabetes front didnt pan out.

Metavant, Ramaswamys biotech #7, has decided not to advance its lead candidate imeglimin into Phase III, instead of looking for a quick sell-off. If it doesnt secure a deal within 60 days, the rights go back to Merck KGaA spinout Poxel, which licensed the drug to Roivant the parent company to Ramaswamys suite of vants back in 2018 for $50 million in cash and up to $600 million in milestones.

A spokesperson for Metavant tells Endpoints News there are currently no disclosed drugs in the pipeline, and didnt rule out that possibility. But for now, barring some stealth programs or deals in the works, the company looks dormant.

Poxel says Metavants decision wasnt based on efficacy, safety, or other data. We conducted an internal review and determined that advancing imeglimin was not strategically appropriate for us, Metavant said in a short email statement to Endpoints.

In a separate partnership with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma, the drug successfully completed a Phase III program and is currently under regulatory review for Type 2 diabetes in Japan. Poxel CEO Thomas Kuhn said the drug could hit the market next year, adding that the company is fully committed to future development and commercialization.

Todays announcement does not impact the agreement for Imeglimin with Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma. Moving forward, we are preparing to explore various options to advance Imeglimin into a Phase 3 development program in the US, Europe and other countries currently covered under the Metavant agreement, Kuhn said in a statement.

Metavants only other program was a diabetes drug licensed from Ligand, for which it returned the rights earlier this year. Roivant paid $20 million in cash and promised up to $513.8 million in milestones for the glycogen receptor inhibitor, called LGD-6972.

In its Q2 2019 financial report, Ligand said continued development of the program was highly unlikely due to changes in FDA requirements.

Metavant has been working with FDA to determine a path forward for the glucagon receptor antagonist or GRA program now known as RVT-1502 in diabetes. Ligand believes that continued development of RVT-1502 for diabetes in the U.S. is highly unlikely based on preclinical and clinical trials now required by FDA for any drug in the GRA class intended for long-term use. Metavant may choose to explore certain other indications and/or geographies for RVT-1502 and expects to make a decision later this year.

Earlier this month, Ramaswamys Axovant changed its name to Sio Gene Therapies in a complete rebrand, marking its three-year shift away from Alzheimers disease. Were not a vant any longer, CEO Pavan Cheruvu said, adding that Roivant is no longer a majority stakeholder.

The implosion of the Metavant deal underscores just how rare it is for a biotech company to attempt to try anything on the diabetes front, a field dominated by a handful of giant players that can afford to cover the immense cost of huge late-stage studies often in pursuit of marginal medical gains for patients. And with this latest failure, its even less likely well see more in small companies anytime soon.

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UPDATED: Vivek Ramaswamy's Metavant hits a brick wall, abandoning a lead program for diabetes. And there's nothing visible left to see here -...

SALT LAKE CITY November is National Diabetes Month, a month when Americans across the country join together to bring awareness to diabetes.

Learning more about diabetes, its risk factors and treatments is key to prevention, as well as improving outcomes. The American Diabetes Association lists many risk factors for diabetes such as diet, lifestyle, genetics and environment but what about your gut health? Let's look at what the research says, plus learn how you can improve your gut health.

Gut health refers to how well your gut performs the various aspects of digestion. From that first bite of food to emptying your bowels, and everything in between, digestion encompasses simple processes, such as chewing, as well as other more complex processes.

When talking about gut health, you'll often hear the term "gut microbiome." This simply refers to the trillions of microorganisms and bacteria that call your gut home. These beneficial bacteria help your body with many different functions, including digestion and absorption of nutrients, supporting your body's immune system, protection against pathogens you may have consumed, making vitamins and other compounds, and eliminating waste products.

Studies, like this 2019 study out of South Korea, have shown when the number of bad bacteria outweighs the number of good bacteria in your gut, these intricate processes suffer. Oftentimes inflammation is introduced, followed by a number of possible health problems.

Prebiotics are components of nondigestible fibers (a carbohydrate) found naturally in many plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sometimes they are also added to processed foods.

Prebiotics pass through the digestive system without being digested. As they move through your digestive tract they promote the growth and activity of "good" bacteria. In a nutshell, they are the food for probiotics.

Probiotics are the "friendly" or "good" bacteria in your digestive system. These are live bacterial cultures found in certain foods or supplements, such as yogurt with live cultures, aged cheeses and fermented foods. They live in your gut and perform specific functions, as mentioned previously, to help keep your gut healthy and functioning properly.

Additionally, some of your gut bacteria form vitamin K and short-chain fatty acids. Short-chain fatty acids are the main source of nutrition for the cells that line the colon. They build a strong gut barrier that helps keep out harmful bacteria, viruses and other substances. Research published by MDPI in 2011 shows this process also reduces inflammation, and a 2020 article in the journal Current Medicinal Chemistry says it may reduce the risk of colon cancer.

When there is a lack of beneficial bacteria in the gut, there is less fermentation of dietary fiber, resulting in decreased short-chain fatty acid production. A 2018 study published in the March issue of Science magazine examined the link between short-chain fatty acid production and Type 2 diabetes. Chinese researchers randomized patients with Type 2 diabetes to receive either traditional patient education and dietary recommendations (control group) or a high-fiber diet composed of whole grains, traditional Chinese medicinal foods, and prebiotics (test group).

Researchers found that in the high-fiber test group there were more bacteria that produced short-chain fatty acid through fiber digestion, resulting in better improvement in blood glucose levels when compared to the control group. These results suggest that reduction in short-chain fatty acids in the gut may be associated with Type 2 diabetes.

Additionally, 2017 research from the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study found that people who had more fiber in their diets had more anti-inflammatory markers in their blood made by gut bacteria. They also had a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

While these findings suggest possible links between gut health and diabetes, there is still much research to be done in this area. More large, high-quality studies are needed to determine how and why diabetes is affected by the gut microbiome.

1. Eat a healthy, varied diet

It really is true that you are what you eat, or at least your gut health is what you eat. Consuming a variety of prebiotic- and probiotic-rich foods will help your gut bacteria thrive, allowing them to better perform their daily digestive functions.

Prebiotics are found naturally in many plant-based foods, including asparagus, chicory root, garlic, Jerusalem artichokes, leeks, dandelion greens and onions. Other sources include bananas, apples, peas, beans, sweet potatoes, flaxseed, oats, wheat bran, whole wheat and cocoa. Sugar alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol can act as prebiotics as well.

Probiotics are found in cultured yogurt, tempeh, miso, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha tea, kefir (both dairy and non-dairy), and non-pasteurized pickled vegetables. There are many different probiotic supplements available. However, there are many different strains and not enough specific research done on each. With that said, a few specific strains of probiotic bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, have been shown to be beneficial and effective for overall gut health.

2. Stay hydrated

Staying hydrated is a simple way to support a healthy gut. Water is pulled into the large intestine by fiber to create softer, bulkier stools, allowing things to keep moving along smoothly. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water each day and avoid too much soda, sports drinks, punch and other sugar-sweetened beverages.

3. Enjoy meaningful movement

Finding a form of physical activity you enjoy can have a beneficial effect on your gut health. Physical activity helps food move along our digestive tract, leading to more regular bowel movements. Exercise can also help manage symptoms of an irritable bowel, such as constipation and bloating.

4. Reduce stress

This is easier said than done, but taking steps to decrease your stress levels will go a long way in improving your gut health. In an article from the December 2015 issue of Nutrition in Clinical Practice, the Cleveland Clinic's Gail Cresci explains how stress has been linked to irritable bowel symptoms and overall decreased gut health.

Explore and find ways to manage your stress and practice them regularly. Some ideas include meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises, exercise, journaling or talking with a good friend.

5. Get enough sleep

Getting seven to nine hours of good-quality sleep each night helps improve mood, cognition and gut health. A 2019 study found that better sleep quality was associated with higher proportions of the gut microbiota.

If you don't get enough quality sleep, start by creating a routine of going to bed and getting up at the same time each day. Putting away cellphones and turning off the TV at least an hour before bedtime can help your body get ready for sleep, too.

Editor's Note: Anything in this article is for informational purposes only. The content is not intended, nor should it be interpreted, to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition; Any opinions, statements, services, offers, or other information or content expressed or made available are those of the respective author(s) or distributor(s) and not of KSL. KSL does not endorse nor is it responsible for the accuracy or reliability of any opinion, information, or statement made in this article. KSL expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on the content of this article.

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Gut health: How to improve yours and help fight diabetes - KSL.com

Scientists at the University of Alberta just cured diabetes in mice, opening the floodgates for research on adapting this cure for humans.

The potential cure is a landmark moment in preventing the growing prevalence of diabetes in our society, a disease which, according to WHO, burdens 422 million people worldwide.

The process involves a stem cell application that reverse-engineers insulin islets out of blood cellsthis cured mice of the disease.

Weve been taking blood samples from patients with diabetes, winding those cells from the blood back in time so that they can be changed, and then were moving them forward in time so that we can turn them into the cells we want, explains the procedures pioneer Dr. James Shapiro to CTV, who famously developed the Edmonton Protocolanother diabetes treatment, in the 1990s.

The Edmonton Protocol involved using islet cells from organ transplants, but required powerful anti-rejection medication. The new stem cell process uses the patients own cells so rejection is impossible.

Like any good scientist, Shapiro wont move beyond the phrase more research is needed, but hopes he can receive support from governments if he can prove the science is the same in humans.

There needs to be preliminary data and ideally a handful of patients that would demonstrate to the world that this is possible and that its safe and effective, said Shapiro.

RELATED: Excited Scientists Make Type-2 Diabetes Breakthrough With First-Ever Glimpse At How Protein Behind Disease Works

The lack of funding has led to a group of volunteers to create a 22 by 22 campaign to raise $22 million by 2022 in order to help advance the procedure so it can be available to humans as soon as possible.

Canada is no stranger to making breakthroughs in diabetes treatmentsSir Frederick Banting had the idea for insulin 100 years ago, with 2022 marking the centennial anniversary of its groundbreaking first use.

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100 Years After First Diabetes Breakthrough, Canadian Scientists Believe They've Found a Cure - Good News Network

HONOLULU (KHON2) From Halloween to Thanksgiving and Christmas, the foods we all enjoy can add up to becoming on of the most unhealthy times of the year. And with a global pandemic, health professionals say those with type 1 or type 2 diabetes need to pay close attention to their body and what they put in it.

[Hawaii news on the goLISTEN to KHON 2GO weekday mornings at 7:30 a.m.]

November is Diabetes Awareness Month. According to the American Diabetes Association about 12 percent of all Hawaii adults have diabetes. And many more arent even aware they have it.

This is definitely a time where things are up and down, said Dr. Alan Parsa, Director of the Diabetes Program at The Queens Medical Center West. We have the coronavirus keeping people indoors and you have all this food thats about to be coming up for the holiday. Its the best time to be taking care of yourself.

Dr. Parsa says having diabetes doesnt make you more susceptible to COVID-19, but if you catch it, your chances of a swift recovery drop quickly.

If someone is out there with very poorly controlled diabetes. Theyre not taking care of themselves or theyre drinking soda all day long and their sugars are running in the 200s or 300s on a regular basis. Those people just in general all right increased risk in general when it comes to having poor outcomes to any infection.

Another concern here in Hawaii is what we eat.

Thats the thing with the local diet, said Dr. Parsa. While our foods are really good, theyre not the best when it comes to diabetes and management care. The nutrition foods that youre eating, the drinks that youre drinking, make sure that everything is staying in that nice healthy level to prevent yourself from over indulging on the things that we typically would do.

Parsa adds that if you are going to indulge, balance your behavior. For every big meal or dessert, add an hour in the gym or another mile or two out on the road.

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Dealing with diabetes, the holidays and a global pandemic? Heres what you need to know - KHON2

Do you want to feel better, increase your quality of life, or improve your experience with healthcare providers?

Spectrum Generations in partnership with Healthy Living for ME will be offering a free workshop to help individuals with diabetes or prediabetes, and their caregivers or family members. Living Well with Diabetes will be offered beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19 and running through Feb. 23. Workshops participants will meet weekly from 3 to 5 p.m. on Zoom, a video conferencing platform.

Topics such as testing your blood sugar, menu planning, stress management, increasing activity level, treating low blood sugar, caring for your feet, and healthy eating will be discussed.

Slow internet, no computer? No problem! We have officially launched our free tablet lending program just in time for this workshop.

This series is free and open to the public but registration is required. Please call (207) 620-1642 or email jpaquet@healthylivingforme.org for more information and to register. Technical support is available.

Healthy Living for ME is a statewide network of evidence-based programs that empower adults to address and better manage their health issues.

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Free diabetes and nutrition program to meet on Zoom - Boothbay Register

If you are living with type 2 diabetes, you certainly are not alone. One in 10 people in the US has diabetes, according to the CDC. However, despite considerable progress in diabetes treatment over the past 20 years, fewer than half of those with diabetes actually reach their target blood sugar goal.

In part, this may be because doctors can be slow to make changes to a patients treatment plan, even when a patients treatment goals are not being met. One reason for this may be the overwhelming number of medications currently available. And yet, waiting too long to adjust treatment for type 2 diabetes can have long-lasting negative effects on the body that may raise the risk of heart and kidney disease and other complications.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease where the bodys ability to use glucose or sugar as fuel is impaired. Our bodies produce a hormone called insulin which enables sugar from carbohydrates in food we eat to reach the cells and be used as energy. In type 2 diabetes, insulins ability to do its job is compromised, and over time the body actually produces less of it. This means less sugar in the cells for fuel, and more sugar in the blood where it cant be used. Having high levels of blood sugar over time can cause damage to vital organs like the heart, kidneys, nerves, and eyes.

Some risk factors that predispose people to developing type 2 diabetes, such as genetics and age, are not modifiable. Other risk factors, such as being overweight or having obesity, can be altered. This is why losing 5% to 10% of ones baseline weight by healthful eating and physical activity remains the backbone of type 2 diabetes management.

The blood sugar goal for most adults with diabetes is an A1C of below 7%. (A1C is a measure of a persons average blood sugar over a period of about three months.) In many people, diet and exercise are not enough to reach this goal, and one or more medications may be needed. Metformin is a tried and tested medicine that has been used for many decades to treat type 2 diabetes, and is recommended by most experts as first-line therapy. It is affordable, safe, effective, and well tolerated by most people.

When metformin does not adequately control blood sugar, another medication must be added. It is at this point that doctors and patients must choose among the many drugs and drugs classes available to treat type 2 diabetes. In general, for people who are at low risk of heart disease or have no history of diabetic kidney disease, most diabetes medications that are added to metformin effectively reduce blood sugars and can lower A1C to under 7%.

So, how to choose a medication? Each person with diabetes has their own goals, needs, and preferences. Before choosing a medicine, it is important to ask some relevant questions: Is my blood sugar at goal? Is this medicine affordable? Do I have heart or kidney disease? What are the side effects? Is it a pill or injection, and how often is it taken?

Regardless of which treatment is selected, the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care recommends reassessment of diabetes control every three to six months, followed by modifications to treatment if needed.

Lately, newer treatment options for type 2 diabetes glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been heavily advertised. These newer drug classes lower blood sugar and also have cardiovascular and kidney benefits.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are drugs that lower blood sugar after eating by helping your bodys insulin work more efficiently. All drugs in this group except one are self-injected under the skin, either daily or weekly. Several of them, such as liraglutide (Victoza), semaglutide (Ozempic), and dulaglutide (Trulicity), have been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in people who are at high risk for it, or who have pre-existing heart disease. They also promote weight loss. Some people who take GLP-1 receptor agonists may have side effects such as nausea and vomiting, and in very rare cases pancreatitis.

SGLT2 inhibitors like empagliflozin (Jardiance), canagliflozin (Invokana), dapagliflozin (Farxiga), and ertugliflozin (Steglatro) are also a newer class of medications that work by blocking your kidneys from reabsorbing sugar back into your body. They also have cardiovascular benefits, especially in those who have heart failure, and have been shown to slow the progression of diabetic kidney disease. Other benefits include lowering blood pressure and promoting weight loss. Use of these medications may increase the risk of genital yeast infections, especially in women. A rare but serious consequence of SGLT2 inhibitors is diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a medical emergency that can be avoided by stopping these medications in consultation with your doctor before major surgeries, or if you are ill or fasting.

While these diabetes medications certainly have more to offer than just improvements in blood sugar, they remain costly and inaccessible to many individuals. This is why it is essential to have an open and honest conversation with your doctor about what is most important to you and what aligns with your goals and preferences. Management of a complex disease like diabetes takes an entire team, with you being the key team member.

Link:
Type 2 diabetes: Which medication is best for me? - Harvard Health Blog - Harvard Health

Bariatric surgery, or weight loss surgery, significantly reduced the risk for pancreatic cancer in patients with obesity and diabetes, according to study results presented at UEG Week Virtual 2020.

Obesity and diabetes are well-known risk factors for pancreatic cancer via chronic inflammation, excess hormones and growth factors released by body fat, said Dr. Aslam Syed, fellow of gastroenterology and hepatology at Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and lead author of the study, said in a press release. Previously, bariatric surgery has been shown to improve high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, and our research shows that this surgery is a viable way in reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer in this growing, at-risk group.

In this study, data from 1,435,350 patients with obesity and diabetes were assessed over a 20-year period. Of these patients, 10,620 (73% women) underwent bariatric surgery, during which the digestive system is changed to help patients lose weight.

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery were less likely to develop pancreatic cancer compared with those who did not undergo the surgery (0.32% vs. 0.19%).

Clinicians should consider bariatric surgery in patients with metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity to help reduce the risk and burden of pancreatic cancer, said Syed.

In the press release, Syed elaborated on the importance of pancreatic cancer prevention, especially since survival has not improved in this area for decades. The average survival time at diagnosis is particularly bleak for this silent killer, at just 4.6 months, with patients losing 98% of their healthy life expectancy, said Syed. Only 3% of patients survive more than five years.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, dont forget tosubscribe to CUREs newsletters here.

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Weight Loss Surgery May Reduce Pancreatic Cancer Risk in Patients With Diabetes and Obesity - Curetoday.com

Compared with men and patients with HIV not receiving integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), women are more susceptible to INSTI-associated weight gain, according to a study results presented at IDWeek, held virtually from October 21 to 25, 2020.

An emerging issue associated with INSTI antiretrovirals is excessive weight gain. There is also a known association between excess weight and impaired glucose tolerance; however, the metabolic implications of INSTI-associated weight gain have not been established. Therefore, in the current study, researchers evaluated the prevalence of INSTI-associated weight gain among a diverse, urban population, and investigated potential risk factors and metabolic implications.

Of the 612 patients included in the study, 123 were initiated with INSTIs and 489 with alternative anchor regimens (non-INSTIs). Patients with a diabetes mellitus (DM) prescription before antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation were excluded. Researchers compared patients who were initiated with INSTIs with those with an alternative regimen who remained on their initial regimen for at least 18 months. In total, 237 patients (38.7%) were women, had an average age of 41.56 years, and an average body mass index (BMI) of 25.55 (range, 22.9-28.9); 339 patients (55.4%) were Black/African American.

The primary outcome of the study was percent weight change in the first 24 months of ART. The secondary outcome was incident DM diagnosis in the 19 months after ART using progression-free survival.

Results suggested that women were more susceptible to INSTI-associated weight gain. The INSTI vs non-INSTI cohort experienced a higher percent weight gain in the first 24 months post-ART initiation. Furthermore, women vs men in the INSTI cohort experienced a higher percent weight gain in the first 24 months (+9.57%; P =.002).

The adjusted multivariable analysis of 24-month weight gain due to INSTIs showed a weight gain of 1.68% (95% CI, -3.88% to 7.24%) in White men, 2.08% (-2.52% to 6.68%) in non-White men, 10.62% (2.83%-18.41%) in White women, and 11.02% (5.17-16.88) in non-White women.

Compared to non-INSTI regimens, the use of INSTIs was also associated with more incident DM diagnoses in the first 18 months of ART (hazard ratio, 3.27; P =.014).

Women having higher INSTI-associated weight gain suggests they may be more susceptible to adverse metabolic issues, the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Several study authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

Reference

Asundi A, Olson A, Jiang W, et al. Risk factors and metabolic implications of integrase inhibitor associated weight gain. Presented at: IDWeek 2020; October 21-25, 2020. Poster 946.

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Women Show Higher INSTI-Associated Weight Gain and Incident Diabetes Mellitus Than Men - Infectious Disease Advisor

Research suggests that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Lets try to understand how these two conditions are related. Also Read - That stubborn acne could be a sign of PCOS: Know how they are related

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that is common among women of reproductive age. It is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, also called male sex hormones. The hormonal imbalance can interfere with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation) and cause irregular periods, acne, and excess hair growth on the face and body. Also Read - Ayurvedic treatment of PCOS: Herbs used to manage the symptoms

Women with PCOS are also often insulin resistant, a risk factor for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is when your body cant respond properly to the insulin it makes and cant use glucose from your blood for energy. Over time this results in elevated levels of glucose in the blood and increases risk for type 2 diabetes. Also Read - Beat PCOS with these easy lifestyle changes

Insulin resistance is believed to play a role in causing PCOS as well as exacerbating its symptoms.

The pancreas, a gland in the abdomen, produces insulin in response to increased blood levels of glucose that comes from the food you eat. Insulin allows the cells throughout the body to absorb glucose which serves as energy to them. When someone has insulin resistance, the cells do not respond to insulin as efficiently as it should be, leading to high glucose levels in the blood. Insulin resistance usually precedes type 2 diabetes.

Insulin resistance may also contribute to inflammation and other metabolic complications associated with PCOS. However, the relationship between these two conditions are not very clear yet. Moreover, not all women with insulin resistance develop PCOS.

Some experts opine that obesity-associated insulin resistance alters the function of the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that helps control the release of hormones from the pituitary gland. This leads to increased production of androgenic hormones, which contribute to PCOS.

As insulin is an appetite stimulant, an increase in appetite could be a symptom of insulin resistance. This may explain why women with PCOS experience frequent cravings for sweets. An increase in appetite may lead to weight gain, which in turn increases risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Insulin resistance may cause high blood sugar levels for a prolonged time after eating. This can lead to symptoms like decreased energy, increased thirst, and frequent urination. Over time, it can lead to type 2 diabetes and other metabolic conditions.

Therefore, women with PCOS are recommended to regularly check for insulin resistance. Early detection can allow earlier initiation of treatment. Fasting Blood Glucose Test: Glucose Tolerance Test: Glycosylated Hemoglobin A1C are common tests used to screen for insulin resistance.

If you have PCOS, incorporating some healthy lifestyle habits including daily exercise and a well-balanced diet can help prevent developing diabetes. Cut down on fats and sugars, eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Being overweight is associated with an increased risk of developing insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance also runs in families. But no matter what caused the insulin resistance, losing weight will help improve symptoms associated with it.

Published : November 11, 2020 7:26 pm

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PCOS and Diabetes: Whats the connection? - TheHealthSite

American Diabetes Association (ADA), the nations leading organization for all people living with diabetes, published a scientific review addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and diabetes. Toward the goal of understanding and improving the health of people with diabetes through addressing SDOH, a writing committeeconvened by the ADAreviewed past evidence and research on diabetes risk and outcomes, as well as the impacts of interventions in these determinants.

People living with diabetes face many challenges. Some of these relate to the disease itself, but increasingly we recognize the importance of many social determinants, said Robert A. Gabbay, Chief Scientific and Medical Officer for the ADA. The scientific review not only defines these issues but shines a bright light on the resulting health disparities and articulates an important research agenda to address these issues. The release of this important scientific review underlines the American Diabetes Associations commitment for #HealthEquityNow.

As defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power, and resources at global, national, and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequitiesthe unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed unequal vulnerabilities that impact racial and ethnic minority groups and disadvantaged communities. Understanding and mitigating the impact of SDOH for people with diabetes are priorities due to disease prevalence, economic costs, and disproportionate population burden.

The ADA committee summarized the following recommendations from international and U.S. national committees that have convened to provide guidance on SDOH intervention approaches:

This is a critical time in our nations history. As researchers and providers, we have the opportunity to advance solutions to the longstanding inequities that impact diabetes and other health conditions, said Dr. Felicia Hill-Briggs, past ADA President of Health Care and Education and Chair of the SDOH writing committee. Through this SDOH review, the American Diabetes Association is taking an important step toward acknowledging and setting the stage for the important research, policy, and implementation work that must be done in order to change the trajectory of inequity.

The paper begins with a general outline of key definitions and SDOH frameworks and includes a literature review that focuses primarily on U.S.-based studies of adults with diabetes and on five aspects of SDOH: socioeconomic status (education, income, occupation); neighborhood and physical environment (housing, built environment, toxic environmental exposures); food environment (food insecurity, food access); health care (access, affordability, quality); and social context (social cohesion, social capital, social support). The paper concludes with recommendations for linkages across health care and community sectors, diabetes research, and research to inform practice.

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Scientific Review on Social Determinants of Health and Diabetes - The Ritz Herald

This article was originally published here

Curr Pharm Des. 2020 Nov 1. doi: 10.2174/1381612826666201102102233. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs represent a class of small (19-25 nucleotides) single-strand pieces of RNA, that are non-coding ones. They are synthesized by RNA polymerase II from transcripts which fold back on themselves. They mostly act as gene regulatory agents, that pair with complementary sequences on mRNA and produce silencing complexes, which in turn suppress coding genes at a post-transcriptional level. There is now evidence that microRNAs may affect insulin secretion or insulin action, as they can alter pancreatic beta cells development, insulin production, as well as insulin signalling. Any molecular disorder that affects these pathways can deteriorate insulin resistance and lead to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) onset. Furthermore, the expression of several microRNAs is up- or down-regulated in the presence of diabetic microvascular complications (i.e. peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, foot ulcers), as well as in patients with coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. However, more evidence is needed, specifically regarding T2DM patients, to establish the use of such microRNAs as diagnostical biomarkers or therapeutic targets in daily practice.

PMID:33138753 | DOI:10.2174/1381612826666201102102233

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The role of microRNAs in the development of type 2 diabetes complications - DocWire News

Among patients diagnosed with HIV-1 or hepatitis B, the adjusted risk of incident type 2 diabetes was 33% lower among those who had been exposed to nucleoside reverse-transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) drugs compared with those not exposed, suggesting that NRTIs have the potential to be repurposed for diabetes prevention in the future, according to a study published in Nature Communications.

After examining patient data from the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) over a 17-year period, researchers concluded that NRTIs are associated with a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes after adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. To confirm this finding among more diverse populations, researchers examined patient data from 4 additional insurance databases: Truven, PearlDriver, Medicare, and Clinformatics.

In the VHA database, a total of 79,744 patients had a confirmed diagnoses of HIV or hepatitis B and did not have a prior type 2 diabetes diagnosis; 12,311 of these patients eventually developed type 2 diabetes. NRTI users had a 34% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

In the Truven database, 1630 of 23,634 HIV-positive or hepatitis B-positive patients developed incident type 2 diabetes; NRTI users had a 39% reduced risk of developing diabetes compared to non-NRTI users. Similarly, 1068 of 16,045 eligible patients in the PearlDriver database developed type 2 diabetes; NRTI users had a 26% reduced risk. A total of 3097 Medicare patients were eligible; 707 of these patients developed type 2 diabetes, and NRTI users had a 17% reduced risk. Researchers identified 6341 eligible patients in the Clinformatics database, 1067 of whom developed type 2 diabetes. NRTI users in this group had a 27% reduced hazard of developing type 2 diabetes.

At 1, 2, 5, and 10 years of follow up, NRTI users maintained a reduced hazard of developing type 2 diabetes. In the VHA cohort, follow-up durations and mortality rates were comparable between NRTI users and non-users; researchers concluded that differences in mortality rates were not responsible for the observed risk reduction for type 2 diabetes among NRTI users.

Among patients in the VHA cohort who were hepatitis B-positive and HIV-negative, NRTI use was associated with a 28% reduced risk for developing type 2 diabetes. For HIV-positive and hepatitis B-negative patients, researchers observed a 38% reduced risk for type 2 diabetes in the veterans cohort.

With each additional year of using NRTIs, patients diagnosed with HIV-1 or hepatitis B in all 5 cohorts had a 3% to 8% reduced hazard of developing type 2 diabetes. Researchers could not establish a consistent association between other drug classes aside from NRTIs that are used to treat HIV or hepatitis B and incident development of type 2 diabetes.

Researchers then studied insulin resistance-induced human cells to observe the effects NRTIs have on non-HIV-positive or hepatitis B-positive patients, and concluded that NRTI drugs such as lamivudine, azidothymidine, and stavudine were effective in improving insulin resistance.

We find that NRTI exposure is associated with reduced development of type 2 diabetes in people and that lamivudine inhibits inflammasome activation and improves insulin sensitivity in experimental systems, concluded the study authors.

Disclosure: Multiple authors declared affiliations with the pharmaceutical industry. Please see the original reference for a full list of authors disclosures.

Ambati J, Magagnoli J, Leung H, et al. Repurposing anti-inflammasome NRTIs for improving insulin sensitivity and reducing type 2 diabetes development. Nat Commun. 2020;11(1):4737.

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HIV, Hepatitis-B Drugs Proven to Reduce Risk of Type 2 Diabetes - Clinical Advisor

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- As COVID-19 appears to be building momentum worldwide, America's podiatrists say they're treating some of the sickest patients of their careersbut those patients are not suffering from the coronavirus. Instead, they're patients with diabetes who have delayed care due to fear of exposure to the virus and are suffering serious complications, ranging from severe diabetic foot wounds to gangrene to sepsis. Data have shown amputation rates are anywhere from three to 10 times what they were prior to the pandemic.

Podiatrists witness parallel public health crisis as amputation rates skyrocket during COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is marking November's Diabetes Awareness Month with a public education campaign designed to urge the 34 million Americans living with diabetes to keep their regular health-care appointments. The campaign, Keep Your Appointment, Keep Your Feet, will provide strategies for maintaining control of diabetes during the pandemic and information about when to seek care for a foot or ankle concern.

"People with diabetes are at high risk from COVID-19," said APMA President Seth A. Rubenstein, DPM. "They should absolutely take appropriate precautions, such as wearing masks in public and avoiding large gatherings. In addition to taking such precautions, they also must continue to monitor and care for their diabetes."

In fact, Dr. Rubenstein said, the risks of avoiding diabetes care are much higher than the risk of exposure to the coronavirus in a medical facility. Physicians' practices are taking extensive precautions to keep patients and providers alike safe during the pandemic. Safeguards include additional PPE, requirements for patients to wear masks, social distancing in waiting areas, temperature checks, pre-appointment questionnaires, disinfection between patients, and more. Virtual appointments may also be available.

"We're encouraging people with diabetes to keep their appointments to keep their feet," said Priya Parthasarathy, DPM, chair of the APMA Communications Committee. "During the pandemic, we want patients to stay active, stay alert, and stay in contact with their podiatrist."

Patients can stay active by engaging in regular exercise. They should stick to a sensible diet designed to help control their blood sugar and keep all their appointments with their diabetes care team. They can stay alert by being vigilant about daily foot exams, looking for changes in color or temperature of the feet and new injuries. They should wear shoes, even around the house. Patients can stay in contact by keeping their regular health-care appointments, especially with their podiatrist. If they notice a change in their feet or sustain an injury, they should contact their podiatrist immediately.

To learn more about the campaign, visit http://www.apma.org/diabetes.

The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) is the nation's leading professional organization for today's podiatrists. Doctors of Podiatric Medicine (DPMs) are qualified by their education, training, and experience to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the foot, ankle, and structures of the leg. APMA has 53 state component locations across the United States and its territories, with a membership of more than 12,500 podiatrists. All practicing APMA members are licensed by the state in which they practice podiatric medicine. For more information, visit http://www.apma.org.

Contact: Leon Valentinelvalentine@apma.org301-581-9221

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Podiatrists Caution Patients with Diabetes Not to Avoid Care Due to Fear of COVID-19 - Herald-Mail Media

November is National Diabetes Month.In the U.S., its estimated that some 30 million adults ages 18 and older are living with diabetes and 84 million with pre-diabetes. While these dire statistics arent going to change overnight, the power to change our health is in our hands, a new study says. One of the simplest things we can do to change our risk? Go plant-based.

Back in August, we reported on a study out of the University of Bergen in Norway, that found that plant-based diets help you metabolize glucose, lose weight (particularly for people who are overweight), and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. Now, were back with more encouraging news for implementing a plant-based diet as an affordable, effective way to ward off type 2 diabetes.

In a recent review published in Practical Diabetology titled The Affordability of a Plant-Based Eating Pattern for Diabetes, the papers author, nutritionist Meghan Jardine, MS, MBA, RDN, LD, CDCES, Associate Director of Diabetes Nutrition Education, Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine, recommends that anyone at high-risk go plant-based and that doctors and nutritionists should make it clear that there are affordable options when ditching meat and dairy.

Plant-based eating has become more popular as a healthy eating pattern for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, Jardine writes. Both observational and interventional studies have reported that plant-based diets reduce diabetes risk as well as improve diabetes outcomes, she later states, referencing this 2016 comprehensive review on the use of a plant-based diet for management of type 2 diabetes.

Worth mentioning: When it comes to eating a plant-based for diabetes management or prevention, its important to consider carbohydrates. Its heavily processed, refined carbohydrateslike white bread and chipsyou want to avoid. As Jardine points out, A healthy, affordable, plant-based diet is high in [carbohydrates]. Patients with diabetes are often told to avoid foods high in carbohydrate, as these foods have the greatest effect on postprandial glucose levels. She also notes that studies, such as this 2017 study from the Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, show that a high intake of carbohydrates, such as whole grains and cereal fibers, are associated with a reduction in diabetes risk, whereas refined carbohydrates increase risk. (For more on healthy carb options, check out our guide to whole grains here.)

While vegan eating may have the rap as a costly lifestyle, as Jardine argues and research supports, eating a healthy, plant-based diet can actually be quite wallet-friendly, and even save you money compared to other dietary regimes with animal products. Some healthy, affordable plant-based options the piece suggests include apples, bananas, oranges, broccoli, spinach, carrots, whole wheat bread, rolled or steel-cut oats, quinoa, black beans, pinto beans, and peanut butter, to name a few.

Buying foods when theyre in season and purchasing items like fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grains in bulk can also go a long way in reducing spending. Ditto for shopping the frozen aisle for fruits and vegetablesjust make sure there is no added salt, sugar, or other icky ingredientsand loading up on vegan pantry items when they are on sale. (If youre looking for more ways to save, check out 7 Ways to Save Money on Your Vegan Grocery List, According to Nutritionists.)

Bottom line: Eating a high-quality, plant-based eating pattern can be affordable and palatable and may offer specific benefits in preventing and treating diabetes, including quality of life and psychological health, offers Jardine. Frequent consumption of animal products has been associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, certain types of cancer and overall mortality. A diet thats good for our health and good for our wallets? Well take it. Spread the word, and spread the overnight oats recipes, dear readers.

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The Best Way to Prevent Diabetes: An Affordable Plant-Based Diet - The Beet