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When Phil Southerland, now 37, was 7 months old, doctors told his parents he likely wouldnt live past the age of 25.

The baby was thirstier than normal, crying all the time, losing large amounts of weight, and struggling to breathe. One doctor first dismissed his condition as the flu, but a nurse noticed something important: fruity breatha tell-tale sign of diabetes, which occurs as a complication of uncontrolled high blood sugar.

The attending physician at time told my mom, Good newsyour son is going to live for now, but the bad news is, he has juvenile diabetes, Southerland, a resident of Atlanta, told Bicycling. They basically said heres your insulin, and good luck, he says.

His parents knew Southerlands life was in their hands. They squeezed urine from diapers to check glucose levels and pricked his toes 10-15 times a day to check his blood sugar.

As an infant, I was captive to my insulin, he says.

As he grew, his doctors always advised his parents that type 1 diabetesa condition where your pancreas doesnt make enough insulin, causing blood sugar to build up in your bloodstreamand sports were a no-no.

But his parents encouraged him to give it a try, and he got on his first bike at 4 years old. It marked the beginning of a lifelong passion for cyclingand the start of advocacy so that others with his same condition could find a respite in riding, too.

As Southerland got older, his love for riding seemed to fit with his diabetes.

When I was on the bike, I was normal. I didnt have to check my sugar, my insulinit was a great equalizer for me, he says. The bike made me feel freedom. It became an addiction.

It also influenced him to manage his diabetes better so he was able to get out and ride his best.

He developed a close relationship with riders at a local bike shop in his native Tallahassee, Florida, and started riding competitively. He competed in his first racemountain bikingat the age of 12, and by 14, he knew he wanted to be a serious bike racer. This meant he had to focus on managing his diabetes even more.

In the early stages, Id have to check my blood sugar 4-5 times an hour before we went out on rides to make sure my glucose high enough, and once I went out, I just had to go by feel, he says. I was always over preparedthe journeys were stuffed with food.

Soon, he started riding on roads, and completed his first road race at 16.

He attended the University of Georgia and was quickly adopted into Athenss strong cycling community. His teammates and competitors knew he had type 1 diabetes, something that at the time was a bit of a hush-hush disease.

It was there where he met one of his best friends, Joe Eldridge, who saw him checking his blood sugar before a race. Eldridge had diabetes too, but unlike Southerland, was not managing it properly.

I took it upon myself to get him to finally care, he says. Wed go on rides together, and I made bets with himwhoever had higher blood sugar pays for dinner. He bought my meals for a while, but one day, the tab was on me. He told me, Hey man, I just want you to know you saved my life. That was a big turning point for me. The bike brought us together, and I wondered what the bike could do for others with diabetes.

It was a catalyst for Southerland to start talking to other people with diabetes. Back in 2004, he said, it was a disease that you hidand was still a disease about what you could not do.

Despite how others viewed diabetes, Southerland didnt believe it to be a limiting factor. That belief was only strengthened during a 165-mile bike ride home over Christmas in 2004, when he found himself mulling over Lance Armstrongs impact on those with cancer.

It got me thinking, why not use the biking platform to unite people with diabetes, to inspire people to take control of it? he says.

At the time, Southerland was taking business classes at UGA, and during his final semester, he was assigned a project to create a real-life business plan. He decided to combine his love for biking and new passion for type 1 diabetes awareness with the creation of Team Type 1.

His goal? To assemble a full team of cyclists with type 1 diabetes.

In February 2005, a chance meeting at an Atlanta Starbucks led to his first investment.

I was working on my project, and a man named Daniel Hopkins started asking me about what I was working on. He said, What would you do if you had $400? I told him I would buy T-shirts, get business cards, Southerland said. He said, Kid, go start your business. He gave me $400 cash right then and there, and I drove straight to the bank and opened an account for Team Type 1.

He quickly ordered 100 Team Type 1 T-shirts, and called Daniel Hopkins to thank him again, only to find out the number didnt exist.

I sent him an email that bounced. I tried calling every Daniel Hopkins in the Atlanta phonebook. I never found the guy, he says.

To this day, he has copies of his bank statement from that $400 investment framed in his office.

With time, the team grew from two athletes to eight athletesincluding Joe Eldridge. They participated in clinical trials for continuous glucose monitors so they could monitor their blood sugar levels throughout their rides and take out the guesswork.

Then, in 2006, they competed in their first Race Across America, a 3,000-mile race across the United States, which the team used to raise awareness. When Team Type 1 arrived at the start, they were viewed as the charity team. Five days, 16 hours and four minutes later, they finished second overall. A year later, they arrived smarter in their diabetes management and were the competition to beat.

Five days, 15 hours and 43 minutes later, Team Type 1 won the Race Across America and at the time set a new record for fastest time. (They repeated wins again in 2009 and 2010).

In 2008, they became a professional team and had earned UCI Professional Continental status by 2011. Team Type 1 ran a mixed squad of diabetic and non-diabetic riders.

By 2012, the team was in the top 25 in the world, and caught the attention of Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company. In December 2012, Novo Nordisk partnered with Team Type 1, creating Team Novo Nordisk.

The team just had one requestall the riders competing must have type 1 diabetes. Southerland complied, and it became the first professional cycling team made entirely of cyclists with the condition.

We went on a recruiting mission and were able to find 17 athletes from around the world to try out with our development team. The rest of cycling world said that it was impossible, that there was no way we could do this, he said. We had kids from 10 different countries, and the majority had never used continuous glucose monitor, let alone race professionally. And we got teeth kicked in.

But the team slowly got better. By 2014, the team had three podium appearances at the Tour of California.

We put our stamp down, and people finally said, Oh, they can race! It was on a global scale, and they saw that, he says.

Since then, theyve created a junior team and training camps for further team development.

We have an amazing family environment. Of the athletes on our professional team, 14/16 came from our pipeline, he says. (At press time, the team was ranked 109th in the world.)

And of course, each athletes health and diabetes management are top priority.

Everyone wears a continuous glucose monitor, and we use technology to see glucose levels at every moment of a bike race, he says. A lot of fans just assume were perfectly controlled diabetics. But we recently started showing our data on social platforms, and it shows that we have the same challenges they do. But we have the technology to take very swift action. When glucose levels are high or low, it negatively impacts performance, so we just have to stay on top of it all the time, adapting to every situation.

So, whats next for the team?

[Want to fly up hills? Climb! gives you the workouts and mental strategies to conquer your nearest peak.]

Its been my dream to get to the Tour de France, says Southerland. 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of insulin being admitted as treatment for diabetes, and I would love for my team to do the Tour de Italia in 2021 to mark it.

While competitively there are big goals, ultimately, he hopes the team inspires awareness and hope in others with diabetes.

This team is the inspiration they need. We stand proud living with type 1 diabetes, he says. We make it about what you can do with diabetes, not what you cant. You can do anything, and I hope that weve inspired those dreams.

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Meet the Man Who Started the First-Ever All-Diabetes Pro Cycling Team - Bicycling

People living with diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack or stroke as people without diabetes thats because people with diabetes, especially those with type 2 diabetes, often have other conditions that contribute to a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

High blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

The longer you have diabetes, the higher the chances that you will develop heart disease, according to the institute.

Dr. Nicholas Mills, an internal medicine physician at Memorial Regional Health, said high blood glucose or high levels of sugar in the bloodstream affects every part of the body that has blood supply, including all organ systems.

Thats why its especially important to practice lifestyle habits that lower a persons risk for both diabetes and heart disease. If you already have diabetes, there are steps you can take to reduce your heart disease risk.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition where ones body is no longer able to properly process sugar in the blood into energy, said Dr. Mills.

This can be caused when the pancreas no longer produces insulin, or the body becomes unable to use insulin efficiently, he said.

Insulin helps the body digest sugars that you eat and drink. Without enough insulin, sugar builds up in your blood, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and over time, that sugar buildup damages nerves, blood vessels, the heart and kidneys.

Dr. Mills said some signs and symptoms of diabetes include feeling thirsty all the time, using the restroom frequently, slow-healing skin wounds, numbness and/or burning in the hands or feet, and changes in vision. Treatment involves lifestyle modifications and medications that will help decrease the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood.

Why diabetes can lead to heart disease and stroke

Dr. Mills said a non-diabetics body uses blood glucose (sugar and carbohydrates) for energy, and insulin helps the glucose get into the cells to be used as energy. However, in diabetics, the process of moving glucose into the cells is disrupted by either not having enough insulin or not being able to process insulin at the cells, Dr. Mills said.

Because cells always need energy, the liver can use fat and cholesterol as an alternate source of energy, he said. As a result, when blood glucose levels are elevated, cholesterol (lipids) tends to be high. High cholesterol is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Prevention

Type 2 diabetes and heart disease are often associated with poor lifestyle habits. Dr. Mills said diets that are high in carbohydrates and sugar, combined with sedentary activity levels, result in poorer health outcomes later on.

Exercise more, sit less. Eat healthier. Drink more water and less sugary drinks, juice, soda and alcohol. Stop smoking, Dr. Mills said. Assess your risk of heart disease with your primary care physician and develop an individualized plan to improve your health and decrease your risks.

The CDC recommends the following steps to lower your risk of diabetes:

Reach a healthy weight. Even a small amount of weight loss can prevent or delay type 2 diabetes in those who are high risk. Ask your doctor what a healthy weight is for you.

Stay physically active. Adults should aim for at least 2 hours and 30 minutes each week (or about 30 minutes per day on most days) of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking or cycling. Children should get at least an hour of physical activity each day. Remember: Any physical activity is better than none.

Choose healthy foods. Choose fiber-rich foods, such as fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat.

Quit smoking. If you have diabetes and use tobacco, your risk of heart and blood vessel problems is even greater. Quitting smoking will lower your risk for heart attack, stroke, nerve damage and kidney disease. Take your medicine as directed. It is important that you take any medicine you have been prescribed for your diabetes, such as medicine to control your blood sugar, as directed.

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Living Well: The diabetes connection to heart disease and stroke - Craig Daily Press

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Coming in as the seventh-most deadly disease in the United States, diabetes isnt something you want to ignore. But according to research conducted by the American Diabetes Association, 32.3 million Americans had diabetes in 2015 but a whopping 7.2 million of them went diagnosed. What gives?

There are common signs to diabetes, such as frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, blurred vision and fatigue, Lucille Hughes, a registered nurse and director of diabetes education for South Nassau Communities Hospital and treasurer of the American Association of Diabetes Educators, tells SheKnows. However, many signs and symptoms of diabetes are vague and can be a symptom of other things.

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This is especially true for women. While rates of diabetes are relatively equalacross the board, there are several signs of diabetes that are unique to women that you may not have even realized. Especially as November is National Diabetes Month, here are some of the red flags you may be overlooking.

Believe it or not, some urogenital conditions can be signs of diabetes.

Genital symptoms may show up more in women than in men, Dr. Margo Hudson,a Harvard Medical School instructor and physician at the Fish Center for Womens Health at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, told SheKnows. A typical case is a woman with recurrent yeast infections and recurrent urinary tract infections who goes to the gynecologist and also finds high blood sugar.

Hughes explains that diabetes causes more glucose to be excreted in your urine, leading to these increased tract infections. However, she also points out that some of these symptoms are often misunderstood, especially by older, postmenopausal women.

Menopause brings about changes in a womans body, such as increased weight, vaginal dryness and discomfort during sexual intercourse, Hughes says. Vaginal dryness and discomfort during sexual intercourse are also signs of diabetes, and weight gain puts a woman at risk for diabetes.

As this risk increases as both men and women age, it is important to note these overlapping symptoms.

In addition to vaginal yeast infections, oral yeast infections (AKA cases of oral thrush) are also a common sign to look out for. You may see white patches, experience redness or soreness in your mouth, have swollen red gums or the inner parts of your cheek or experience trouble eating or swallowing because of these infections.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal disorder that occurs when a person with ovaries produces an excess of androgens. If it is not treated, it can lead to a number of complications, including diabetes.

The common denominator of PCOS and diabetes is insulin resistance, a condition that up to 70 percent of people with PCOS exhibit. But while insulin resistance is understood to be a cause of diabetes, medical professionals are not sure whether this condition is a consequence or a cause of PCOS.

With diabetes, we can measure blood sugar and you meet criteria or you dont, Hudson explains. With PCOS, there is no single marker. In my practice, patients are often first diagnosed with diabetes, and it is not until you put together their whole medical history that you realize that the patient also has PCOS.

And since its estimated that almost half of PCOS cases go undiagnosed, it may not be the most recognizable sign of diabetes. But if you have already been diagnosed with PCOS, talk to your health care provider about managing your insulin, and thus mitigating your risk for developing diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a specific type of diabetes that only appears when people are pregnant, causing high blood sugar levels that could harm both the pregnant person and the baby.

Most women are not aware they have gestational diabetes, Hughes says. Keep in mind that some of the symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, increased urination and fatigue are all common in pregnancy, so they may not trigger an expecting mom to seek medical attention.

According to Hughes, women are especially at risk if they have developed gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, if they have previously given birth to a child weighing more than 9 pounds or if their body mass index is over 30. She suggests that all women get screened for gestational diabetes within the first 24 to 28 weeks of their pregnancy to best manage the potential health risks.

Typically, with proper medical attention, these cases of diabetes disappear after the baby is born. Problem solved, right?

Not so fast.

Gestational diabetes is a huge warning sign to patients, Hudson explains. Depending on their ethnicity, these patients have anywhere from a 50 to 70 percent chance of getting diabetes later in life.

While this sounds a little scary to any new moms out there, Hudson points out that this indicator may actually be a good thing, as patients can now understand and manage their risk at an earlier age.

While the signs of diabetes seem to be scattered around different medical specializations, dont be afraid to talk to a medical professional about symptoms that seem to be unrelated.

Whether it is a gynecologist, a [physician assistant] or a nurse practitioner at a walk-in center, a patient needs to tell all of their symptoms, Hudson says. It will not take the system long to figure out what the problem is and who within the system would be the best person the patient needs.

So when in doubt, ask a medical practitioner about any symptoms you think might be a sign of diabetes. The sooner you are diagnosed, the sooner youll be able to start getting the treatment you need.

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These Are the Signs of Diabetes in Women - Yahoo Lifestyle

Nitt Hanprathet,1 Somrat Lertmaharit,1 Vitool Lohsoonthorn,1,2 Thanapoom Rattananupong,1 Palanee Ammaranond,3 Wiroj Jiamjarasrangsi1,2

1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; 2Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; 3Department of Transfusion Medicine, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

Correspondence: Wiroj JiamjarasrangsiDepartment of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Rama IV Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, ThailandTel +66 2 256 4000 ext. 3700Fax +662 256 4292Email wjiamja@gmail.com

Purpose: The gender differential evidence of the association between shift work and type 2 diabetes risk remains scarce. This longitudinal study determines whether the association between shift-work exposure and type 2 diabetes risk and abnormal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) differs according to gender; the study aims to find the association between shift work and changes in physiological, behavioral, and psychosocial stress.Patients and methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted among 5947 workers (4647 female and 1300 male) aged 60 years old in Bangkok, Thailand. Participants required a normal FPG level (<100 mg/dL) at baseline and at least two health check-up results from 2009 to 2016. Shift-work exposure history was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire; FPG levels were measured annually. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the aforementioned association.Results: During the follow-up period, 1470 new abnormal FPG and 154 new type 2 diabetes cases developed. Stratified analysis of male workers data revealed an association was significant in the unadjusted model, which tended to be stronger after adjustment for demographic data and the baseline values of anthropometric and biochemical parameters. This was the case both for type 2 diabetes [Hazard Ratio (HR) (95% Confidence Interval (CI))=2.98 (1.585.62)] and abnormal FPG [HR (95% CI)=1.86 (1.432.41)]; this association was less obvious among women.Conclusion: Shift work is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and abnormal FPG; this risk is gender differential, being more pronounced in men. Preventive measures aiming at ameliorating shift work induced type 2 diabetes risk should pay more attention to men.

Keywords: shift-work exposure, diabetes, abnormal fasting plasma glucose, gender difference, behavioral stress, retrospective cohort study, Cox proportional hazard models

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Increased Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes And Abnormal FPG Due To Shift Work D | DMSO - Dove Medical Press

Community comes together to help find a cure for diabetes

IMPERIAL, Calif. - Dozens filled the track at Imperial Valley College on Saturday,for the inaugural "Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation One Walk",to help raise awareness for those battling diabetes.

Matthew Jaime, one of the event organizers saidImperial County has one of the highest rate of incidences involving diabetes.

They hope the walk will have an impact onthe current health care for local diabetics.

"An event like this is a testament to the fact that we can make improvements in the way that we approach care to diabetes here in the Imperial Valley. And that just because we're our own little community out here in the desert doesn't mean that we can't bring the resources down to our people. And this event is a testament to that," said Jaime.

Funds raised at the walk go towards research to find a cure for type one diabetes. For a link to local agencies that help residents prevent diabetes you can click here.

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Community comes together to help find a cure for diabetes - KYMA

LAS VEGAS An investigational agent, bimagrumab (Novartis) which was originally being tested to see if it would increase lean muscle mass in people with sarcopenia is effective and safe for weight loss, according to preliminary results from a study in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Laura A. Coleman, PhD, RD, a researcher at Novartis in Cambridge, Massachusetts, presented intriguing phase 2 trial findings with this activin receptor antagonist here in a late-breaking research forum before the start of Obesity Week 2019.

The investigators randomly assigned 75 patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes to receive monthly injections of the drug, or placebo, plus twice monthly visits with a registered dietitian.

"Neither group really changed their diet" or met their goal of a 500 calorie/day deficit, Coleman reported.

However, at 48 weeks, on average, patients in the treated group had a 21% drop in body fat mass (-7.5 kg, or -16.5 lb), a 6.5% reduction (-5.9 kg) in body weight, and a 3.6% increase (1.7 kg) in lean body mass.

In the placebo group, patients had a 0.5% drop in body fat mass (-0.2 kg), a 0.8% fall in body weight (-0.8 kg), and a loss of lean body mass of 0.8% (-0.4 kg).

Invited to comment, session chair Lee M. Kaplan, MD, PhD, president of the Obesity Society, pointed out that by gaining lean muscle mass, the participants receiving bimagrumab were also losing more fat mass, with the resulting net weight loss of 6.5%, which is similar to that seen with other anti-obesity medications that suppress appetite.

"What it suggests," Kaplan told Medscape Medical News, "is that there may be a completely new mechanism at play here, because in this situation, patients weren't eating less but [those taking bimagrumab]were losing the same amount of weight as [those taking] other drugs that work by causing patients to eat less."

"Is this going to be the kind of complementary drug with a different mechanism that's going to augment the effects of other drugs?" wondered Kaplan, the director of the Obesity, Metabolism & Nutrition Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He was not involved in the current study but has previously served as a scientific consultant to Novartis.

Research is suggesting that there are "multiple subtypes of obesity, like cancer," he added, saying he believes what will eventually be required are "multiple drugs with multiple mechanisms, for multiple subtypes of obesity."

Coleman told Medscape Medical News: "It's exciting that we were able to achieve this profound weight loss with an increase in lean mass in our subjects, along with metabolic benefits."

Coleman explained to delegates that data from a prior phase 2 trial of patients with sarcopenia showed that bimagrumab increased lean muscle mass, but this did not translate into an improvement in function which had been the primary efficacy endpoint of the study so Novartis stopped work on that indication.

Researchers had observed, however, that the drug decreased fat mass in humans, an effect which had not been seen in animal studies.

To further investigate this, researchers first performed a study in 16 patients with prediabetes, which showed that bimagrumab reduced body fat.

Building on this, the current phase 2 study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of bimagrumab on body composition and glycemic control in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The investigators enrolled 75 patients who had a BMI of 28 to 40 kg/m2, and an A1c of 6.5% to 10% at 8 sites in the UK and 1 site in the US.

Most patients were were receiving metformin (85%), some metformin plus a DPP-4 inhibitor (4%), while 11% were not on any antidiabetic medication.

Patients in both the bimagrumab and placebo groups had a mean age of about 60 and a mean A1c of about 8%.

However, there were more women in the bimagrumab group than in the placebo group (62% vs 32%) and they had a lower mean weight (90.1 kg vs 98.9 kg) and BMI (32.7 vs 33.1), both of which were adjusted for in the subsequent calculations.

In addition to the frequent visits with a dietitian, all patients were advised to follow a walking program as recommended by the American Diabetes Association.

The patients received subcutaneous injections of 10 mg/kg bimagrumab or placebo every 4 weeks, for 48 weeks, with the last dose at week 44.

Adverse events were primarily mild (such as diarrhea) and transient, and most occurred with the early doses.

At 48 weeks, 96% of the patients receiving bimagrumab had lost at least 5% of their total body fat, and 77% had lost at least 15% of their total body fat.

In terms of weight loss, 66% of those on the active drug had lost at least 5% of their total body weight and 12% had lost at least 15% of their body weight.

A1c was decreased by 0.76% in the bimagrumab group vs 0.04% in the placebo group.

And this despite the fact that those "in the placebo group received more than standard of care," Coleman stressed.

"Nobody's insurance pays for a dietitian every 2 weeks for a year," she said,"and the weight loss diet didnt work."

36th ASMBS Annual Meeting at Obesity Week 2019: Presented November 4, 2019.

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Investigational Drug Promising in Obese Patients With Diabetes - Medscape

Type 2 diabetes causes the body not to respond to insulin properly, and it may not produce enough, which leads to blood sugar levels becoming too high. If the condition is left untreated, a number of problems can occur, including kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke, so doing what you can to control blood sugar levels and prevent the condition is very important.

Regularly eating a poor diet is one of the risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, so making changes to the food you eat is recommended.

The NHS says theres nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but certain foods should be limited.

It states: Eat a wide range of foods - including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, keep sugar, fat and salt to a minimum, and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day - do not skip meals.

But individual food and drink have also been found to hold blood sugar lowering properties.

READ MORE:Type 2 diabetes: The simple lifestyle change to put the condition in remission

One food which has become increasingly popular to have at breakfast and been shown to prevent diabetes is avocado.

Researchers have shown how a compound found only in avocados can inhibit cellular processes int he pancreas that normally lead to diabetes.

Commenting on the research, Dr Sarah Brewer, whos on the CuraLife advisory board, said: While avocado is often thought of as a vegetable, it is in fact a fruit. Unlike most other fruit, avocados are low in sugar and rich in oils.

As much as 30 percent of the weight of avocado pulp consists of oils, of which 80 percent are beneficial monounsaturated fats similar to those found in olive oil. Although they have a high energy content, avocados also have one of the highest protein content of any fruit.

DON'T MISS

Many people avoid eating avocados because of their high fat and calorie content.

But Dr Brewer advised: But they can aid weight loss and are beneficial if you have diabetes.

The main sugar found in avocado is a unique form known as D-mannopheptulose which does not act like a conventional sugar. It helps to satisfy sensations of hunger and supports improved blood glucose control and weight management.

Together with their protein content, avocados are particularly filling so you tend to eat less overall.

The monounsaturated fat content of avocado also has benefits for glucose control. Research shows that replacing a low-fat, complex-carbohydrate rich diet with an avocado-rich diet can significantly improve blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

The research from the University of Guelph suggests avocado may even protect against type 2 diabetes by inhibiting some of the abnormal cell metabolic processes that occur in diabetes.

Dr Brewer explained more about the findings: A particular molecule that is unique to avocados, and known as avocatin B can reduce insulin resistance in skeletal muscle and pancreas cells.

Healthy volunteers who took avocatin B extracts as a dietary supplement lost some weight while continuing to eat their normal diet, and no safety concerns were highlighted. Trials in people with type 2 diabetes are now planned.

Pharmacists and other healthcare professionals are providing increasing support for people who prefer to take more control over their own health.

And Dr Brewer said healing systems such as Ayurveda, which uses more natural approaches such as herbal medicines, are also increasing in popularity.

She said: Medicine is moving away from the old paradigm of diagnose and treat towards one of self-help and prevent.

Dr Brewer also recommended: The blend of 10 Ayurvedic herbs within CuraLin have a range of beneficial effects on glucose control and metabolism.

As a result, users report that their glucose control quickly improves and, in some cases, normalises within four weeks. Users also report reduced cravings for sweet food, and experience improved energy, sleep and general quality of life.

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Type 2 diabetes: Eating this fruit for breakfast could lower blood sugar - Express

When a 41-year-old African-Canadian man who enjoyed long bike rides on his fixie and pick-up basketball and whose go-to snack was broccoli buds was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, it obviously came as a surprise.

Oddly, it was a welcome one.

I really thought I was dying, says Daaki Meade, So, when they told me it was diabetes, I was actually relieved.

Daakis symptoms began in 2016. Suddenly, he found it difficult to lift things, and when he stood up too quickly he got head rushes.

Walking home with groceries, I was finding it difficult to carry the bag, he recalls, I had to stop twice in a two-block radius. I was so tired, and it was so heavy.

Daakis appetite decreased but he was thirsty all the time and urinated frequently. He was anxious, depressed and sleeping a lot. He lost weight rapidly, dropping from 250 to 200 pounds over only a few weeks. Soon he was bedridden.

It really seemed like I could lose him, recalls his fianc, Arlee-Anne Goldson. She called 911.

When the ambulance arrived, Daaki couldnt walk. The paramedics brought him to the Schwartz/Reisman Emergency Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital, where tests revealed his blood sugar levels were four times higher than normal a telltale sign of diabetes.

In fact, it was severe onset type 1 diabetes, a disease that usually presents under the age of 35.

Daaki was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit while his care team assessed the disease.

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The Changing Face of Diabetes - yorkregion.com

When it comes to diabetes, control is the goal

More than 30 million people in the United States have diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention . However, a quarter of them have not been diagnosed.

That matters because, when controlled, diabetes is a condition you can live with. However, to control it, you must know you have it.

Diabetes occurs when your hormones dont regulate blood sugar appropriately.

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by cells that dont respond to insulin as they should. They dont absorb glucose appropriately, leading to fatigue, weight loss, excessive thirst, frequent urination and itchiness. As the disease progresses, your body may produce insufficient levels of insulin.

Type 1 diabetes shows signs in childhood or early adulthood. Your pancreas does not make insulin, necessitating continuous insulin therapy to help the cells learn to use sugar effectively.

When you have diabetes, you face a lifelong balancing act of maintaining healthy blood sugar and insulin levels. It can be a struggle to keep that balance, which is why diabetes specialists, like those at the Providence Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition Center, exist.

I tell every patient theyre the boss, and Im just here to help guide them, endocrinologist Meredith Roth says. I want to know what their goal is when they come in. For a patient, that might be them saying, Im ready to get my blood sugars under control, and I can help give them a framework and make that into an objective goal that we can work towards together.

Many of the techniques for controlling diabetes are similar to habits people should have, anyway, but some are unique.

Test your blood sugar

How often you need to test depends on the type of diabetes you have, how often you eat and exercise, how recently you were diagnosed, whether youre ill, and the medications you take. On average, you may test your blood sugar one to seven times a day, according to Everyday Health .

Eat a balanced diet

Avoiding processed foods and foods high in sugars or carbohydrates helps prevent blood sugar spikes. The better part of your diet should be made up of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, whole grains, and lean meats. Aim for snacks with high fiber, healthy fats, and protein.

Recognize the signs of low blood sugar

Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, happens when blood sugar levels fall below normal, usually anything less than 70 milligrams per deciliter. Symptoms include shakiness, abnormal nervousness, sweatiness, confusion, lightheadedness, a fast heartbeat, pale skin, hunger, tingling or numbness in your face, clumsiness, nausea, and hunger, according to the American Diabetes Association .

Maintain a healthy weight

The healthier your weight, the easier it will be to control blood sugar levels. If you need to lose weight, it doesnt have to be a dramatic amount, as WebMD reported. It takes only a seven percent loss to improve insulin sensitivity by 57%.

One simple way to cut calories and, therefore, pounds is to replace foods like white bread and pastries that are high in carbs but low in fiber. Choose healthy fats that come from foods like avocado, flaxseeds, canola oil and nuts.

For more information on how to control your diabetes, call or visit a Providence Health & Services location near you.

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When It Comes To Diabetes, Control Is The Goal - KPAX-TV

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Podiatric Medical Association announced today a new public education campaign, Don't Lose Your Nerve to Diabetes. The campaign will educate the public about the importance of preventing diabetic peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) before it happens and will underscore the critical role podiatrists play in treating diabetes and complications such as neuropathy.

Neuropathy is caused by blood sugar levels that get too high or too low, damaging the nerves that lead to the feet and preventing them from functioning properly. The result could be anything from intensely painful burning, tingling sensations to numbness and heaviness in the feet. Those who lose sensation altogether may not notice an injury or sore, which could lead to a serious infection. Numbness can also lead to balance problems or cause a fall.

Startling statistics indicate as many as 70 percent of people with diabetes suffer from neuropathy, and the nerve damage is most often permanent. Visiting a podiatrist regularly can help patients avoid peripheral neuropathy and address the symptoms if nerve damage does occur.

"Pain or numbness in your feet is never normal," said APMA President David G. Edwards, DPM. "What you can't feel can hurt you. Daily self-exams are critical for people with diabetes, but if you notice any changes in sensation in your feet, don't wait to see your podiatrist!"

The Don't Lose Your Nerve to Diabetes campaign, which takes place during November's Diabetes Awareness Month, features educational material geared toward the public and a depth of materials for health-care providers. To learn more about the campaign, and to find a podiatrist in your area, 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: Kevin Hessklhess@apma.org(301)-581-9221

View original content to download multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nerve-damage-in-the-feet-a-prominent-consequence-of-diabetes-300939938.html

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Nerve Damage in the Feet a Prominent Consequence of Diabetes - BioSpace

November 01, 2019 -With news that the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program isnt drawing a crowd, lawmakers are urging federal officials to add telehealth to the program.

A group of 19 senators has written a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Seem Verma, asking them to make virtual care part of a Medicare-backed service that aims to improve health and wellness for roughly 84 Americans at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

And theyre arguing that connected health could turn the program around.

A Medicare beneficiarys access to the life-improving program should not, and cannot, be determined solely by the zip code in which he or she lives, the senators wrote. Furthermore, lack of access for eligible beneficiaries has the potential to not only depress enrollment, but also to reduce potential cost savings.

CMS has done outstanding work developing online resources to show where MDPP suppliers are located, but these resources make clear that there are geographic regions where eligible beneficiaries lack reasonable access to a qualified supplier, the letter continues. Including virtual providers could empower these beneficiaries with feasible options for preventive, value-based care.

READ MORE: Brigham and Womens to Use Telehealth Platform in Dementia Study

The original Diabetes Prevention Program was developed by the National Institutes of Healths National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK), and focused on in-person classes and one-on-one coaching. Based on that model, which is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CMS created the National Diabetes Prevention Program for Medicare beneficiaries and launched that program in 2018.

But the Medicare model does not reimburse care providers for using telehealth or mHealth tools. And thats keeping a lot of healthcare providers and public health programs from adopting the program.

Some 70 healthcare providers are now listed on the CDCs DPP website, though only a handful have been recognized as offering proof that their online programs reach recognized benchmarks for activity and weight loss. A growing number of programs are using virtual care as a means of expanding the programs reach and making the most of limited resources, and theyre asking CMS to cover those services.

Federal officials have long argued that virtual programs havent proven enough value to be included as a covered resource. Acknowledging that pressure, CMS did announce plans to include a telehealth model as a demonstration project, but hasnt offered an update yet on that model.

In the event that your agency believes it needs additional authority to include virtual providers in the MDPP expansion, we request additional information on the statutory changes that would be necessary, the senators wrote. In the meantime, we also ask you to update us on the status of your consideration for a virtual MDPP demonstration. While our preference is the inclusion of virtual providers in the existing model expansion, if an additional demonstration project is required, we request information on the plan for the launch of this demonstration project.

READ MORE: CMS Under Pressure to Cover mHealth Tools for Diabetes Management

The senators have the support of the American Medical Association, which issued a statement backing the letter. This past January, the AMA launched its own lobbying effort in support of adding connected health resources to the program, arguing that digital health access to coaching and health and wellness resources could help roughly 84 million Americans avoid diabetes.

Although the DPP lifestyle change program has strong evidence to support its effectiveness in preventing type 2 diabetes, many of the 84 million patients with prediabetes arent able to participate in an in-person program, the AMA said in an article posted in January on the organizations website. Some patients may not have the time or resources to attend weekly or monthly classes, or they may prefer an on-demand interaction at their convenience. Digital health, and specifically virtual diabetes prevention LCPs (lifestyle change programs), offer a way to overcome those barriers and connect more patients with programs to improve their health.

Theres also support from the American Diabetes Association, which this past June unveiled a study that found that a DPP enhanced with digital health tools can engage participants for an extended period of time and encourage healthy behaviors, including sustained weight loss and lower blood pressure.

In its latest letter, the AMA urged federal officials to recognize the value of connected health in efforts to promote value-based care.

We recognize that scaling an ambitious new model takes time, the organization wrote. Early returns suggest that a few changes would expand the programs reach. Allowing Medicare patients to virtually access this program, as many patients with private insurance are doing, would benefit the most underserved and vulnerable patients, as well as those in remote areas, who cannot access the program without this option. Here is an opportunity for Medicare to encourage a practical use of digital health tools.

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Could Telehealth Save the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program? - mHealthIntelligence.com

Study suggests BPA exposure make increase risk of type 2 diabetes

Researchers in the study said the link remained after adjusting for traditional diabetes risk factors.

MELBOURNE, Australia - A new study found that exposure to chemicals commonly found in plastics, food and beverage can linings and other consumer products may be associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The study, conducted by Australian and French researchers published Wednesday in Environmental Health Perspectives, found associations between exposure to bisphenol A, commonly known as BPA, and the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

The same result was found for bisphenol S, a common BPA replacement known as BPS.

Researchers said the findings add to a growing body of evidence that indicates that these chemicals might play a role in increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes.

BPA is a chemical commonly used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins and is found in consumer products such as food and beverage containers and thermal cash register receipts.

Plastic bottles are shown in a file image. (Photo by Karol Serewis/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

The study tracked data from 755 people without diabetes over a nine year period. The participants BPA levels were tested at the start of the study and three years later.

Researchers found that those with higher levels of BPA in their fasted urine samples had a near doubling of the risk of type 2 diabetes, compared to those with the lowest average exposure. Additionally, the study found that those with detectable levels of BPS were also associated with an increased diabetes risk.

The link remained after adjusting for weight, diet and physical activity, researchers said.

The present study adds to the limited literature on the prospective relationship between BPA exposure and diabetes risk and contributes to the growing body of evidence that BPA exposure may be a risk factor for diabetes independent of traditional diabetes risk factors, the study authors note.

According to Professor Dianna Magliano, one of the study authors from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia, the association was not as strong as some other risk factors for diabetes such as obesity but there is mounting evidence to warrant caution.

I would advise people to use glass where they can or better quality plastic and if there is an alternative to BPA receipts such as electronic receipts, I think we should consider it, Magliano said.

Magliano said the study is one of the first to look at BPS as a substitute for BPA and further research is needed to confirm the results.

BPA has been used in food packaging since the 1960s, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Some research has shown that BPA can migrate into food or beverages from containers that are made with the chemical. Concern of possible health effects on fetuses, infants and children led to a ban of BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups and infant formula packaging in the United States.

However, the FDA has said that BPA is safe at the low levels that occur in some foods and is continuing its review of ongoing research.

We cannot completely eliminate BPA. But we can live a bit cleaner, Magliano told the Sydney Morning Herald. Limit your exposure to crappy plastic. Buy decent water bottles. And chuck out your takeaway plastics.

This story was reported from Cincinnati.

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Exposure to chemicals in plastic linked to increased risk of type 2 diabetes, study finds - FOX 10 News Phoenix

Andre Doctor Dre Brown, who used to co-host the music video show Yo! MTV Raps with Ed Lover,talked about having diabetes during a recent visit to ABCs Here and Now.

Dre was diagnosed with the disease in 2007, and he revealed that he lost much of his sight because of it.

Im a Type 2 diabetic who has lost his vision, he explained. I have a foundation called the Doctor Dre VIC, which is called the Visually Impaired Can Foundation, and basically Ive been going through a whole different resurgence of my life.

I stopped at one point, and now Im doing this, and through the blessings of the late, great Dick Gregory and some people hes known, Ive worked through different holistic doctors out there to change what goes in my body and actually work with trying to do the best. We can treat diabetes, added the 56-year-old.

Dre then said hes working on putting an event together for men, so they can do things like test their blood sugar to determine if theyre at risk of having diabetes.

He also said there will be performances there, and the whole idea behind the event is to get men to take their health seriously.

Without your health, youre not wealthy, said the Long Island, New York, native.

But even though Dre doesnt have full use of his sight, hes able to see on occasion. And he also said his issues with vision didnt come solely from diabetes.

I had my retinas reattached, so I really didnt go blind just from the diabetes but in the reattachment, he explained. I have what you call scar tissue behind my eyes, so when that kind of fluctuates my vision comes back.

At the end of his interview, Dre said hes looking to create an army of people to help better treat Type 2 diabetes. And before the discussion concluded, the former TV host gave one piece of simple but crucial advice.

Drink water, he urged. Thats the first big start.

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Former MTV Host Doctor Dre's Battle With Diabetes Resulted in Him Losing Much of His Vision, He Reveals - Atlanta Black Star

SportsPulse: Lorenzo's locks have been just over 70% these season but he isn't satisfied. He wants a perfect weekend. Here's his locks for Week 9. USA TODAY

OWINGS MILLS, Md. Every time Mark Andrews jogs off the field between possessions in a game, he slips off his receiving gloves and pricks his finger. Then he does it again. And again. And maybe one more time, just to be sure.

While his teammates are sipping Gatorade and reviewing film, the Baltimore Ravens tight end has an additional responsibility. As therare Type 1 diabetic in the NFL, Andrews pricks his fingers approximately30 times over the course of game to monitor his blood sugar levels and make sure he's not too high or too low, striking a careful balance that will allow him to play at his best.

"Its one of those things where Im at the stage that this is my job, so I cant let (diabetes) affect it," he told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday."And I havent."

Andrews, 23, has become one of the league's most reliable tight ends and the favorite target of MVP hopeful Lamar Jackson. He leads the team in catches (36) andreceiving yards (449) and is tied for the team lead intouchdowns (3) as the Ravens prepare to host the undefeated New England Patriots on Sunday night the team's first game in November, which is National Diabetes Month.

Sep 15, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) runs for a first quarter touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports(Photo: Tommy Gilligan, Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)

Andrews has reached those professional heights while also managing Type 1, the autoimmune disease that prevents his pancreas from producing insulin unlike Type 2 diabetes, in which the body produces too little insulin or doesn't process it effectively.

"He handles it really well," fellow tight end Hayden Hurst said."He has a system set up and he kind of follows things pretty closely. He does a really good job with it."

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The American Diabetes Association estimates that1.25 million Americans have Type 1 diabetes, butit is extremely rare among NFL players. While retired quarterback Jay Cutler, longtime Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Kendall Simmons and a handful of others played with Type 1,Andrews is believed to be the only active NFL player with the disease, which has no known cure.

Andrews has dealt with diabetes for the majority of his life. He was 9 years old when he received his diagnosis.His parents, Paul and Martha, were worried that their youngest childwas repeatedly subbing out of youth soccer games to use the bathroom, so they took him in for a check up.

"It was the first time Id ever seen my parents break down and cry," Andrews said. "I knew at that point that something serious was going on in my life."

Andrews said his parents were a bit wary, at first, about their son playing sports at least right away. But he loved soccer, and his team had a big tournament coming up the weekend after his diagnosis. So, despite their nervousness, they let Andrews play. And he proceeded to score three or four goals in his return to the field proving to himself that he could still compete, and showing his parents that he was going to be alright.

Football didn't become Andrews' focus until high school, when he was alanky wide receiver in a suburb of Phoenix, carrying a drawstring "diabetes bag" filled with snacks and other supplies that help him check and maintain his blood sugar levels during every game.

Andrews still carries one of those drawstring bags with him now, as a second-year player with the Ravens, though managing his blood sugar has gotten a bit easier thanks to technological advances. He wears a continuous glucose monitor that gives him real-time information on his phoneabouthis blood sugar levels and shares it automatically through an app with family members, his agent and Ravens head trainer Ron Medlin.

"Im always checking this thing before the games and making sure that my numbers are flat and steady and ready to go," said Andrews, who added he prefers to prick his fingers during games for convenience and immediacy.

The 6-foot-5, 256-pounder also keeps a relatively strict diet, especially leading up to games, to keep his blood sugar from fluctuating. He has four eggs before every game, and two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches one the day he plays, and one the night before. ("A lot of peanut butter, not a lot of jelly," he said, noting peanut butter's value as a complex carb.)

During games, and while at practice,the training staff fills separate bottles for Andrews with Gatorade Zero which has no sugar or carbs, and therefore doesn't affect his blood sugar levels. If those levels get too low at any point, he'll eat a pack or two of fruit snacks for a quick jolt. If they get too high, which is rare, he'll have to reconnect his insulin pump.

"He's got to manage all of that while hes still playing football," said Dr. Robert Gabbay, chief medical officer at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston. "And the margin of error is not great. If he gets too low, his muscles wont work as well. ... Too high, he can get dehydrated. And physical performance can be affected, as well.

Its sort of an added thing that he has to do and juggle that other people dont."

Andrews views diabetes as a complicating factor, but not a limiting one. And he's gone out of his way to become a visible advocate and support system for others with the disease particularly children, and their parents.

He doesn't want any high-school football player with Type 1 to wonder if they can make it to the NFL, or any college coach to be concerned about recruiting a player with diabetes.

"I tell this to everybody: Diabetes is incredibly difficult, but I wouldnt change it for the world," Andrews said. "Ive had people tell me I cant do things and doubt me, whatever it may be, because of my diabetes. So Ive used it to kind of fuel me and just shape who I am as a person.

"Its why Im at where Im at, and why Im playing the way I am.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.

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'I wouldn't change it for the world': Ravens TE Mark Andrews not slowed by Type 1 diabetes in breakout season - USA TODAY

Physical exercise helps lower your blood sugar level and you should aim for 2.5 hours of activity a week, according to the NHS. You can be active anywhere as long as what you're doing gets you out of breath, including:

One of the primary benefits of exercise is it helps people to lose weight, and carrying excess weight is particularly risky for people with type 2 diabetes.

According to Diabetes.co.uk, studies suggest that abdominal fat causes fat cells to release pro-inflammatory chemicals, which can make the body less sensitive to the insulin it produces by disrupting the function of insulin responsive cells and their ability to respond to insulin.

The health site added: Obesity is also thought to trigger changes to the bodys metabolism. These changes cause fat tissue (adipose tissue) to release fat molecules into the blood, which can affect insulin responsive cells and lead to reduced insulin sensitivity.

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Type 2 diabetes: Include this oil in your diet to lower blood sugar - Express

In celebration of our 15 Year Anniversary, Academic Editor Ronald CW Ma highlights advancements published in PLOS Medicine in diabetes research and care, including improved precision medicine.

Happy 15th Birthday to PLOS Medicine! I still remember reading about the PLOS journals and the idea of making science accessible to all back when PLoS was first launched. It is amazing how far the Open Access movement has developed, how far that idea has advanced and how scientific publishing has been revolutionized. Congratulations PLOS Medicine on this important milestone!

Among the many articles that I have enjoyed reading in PLOS Medicine over the years, I would like to highlight two for sharing with other readers on this special occasion.

1) Event Rates, Hospital Utilization, and Costs Associated with Major Complications of Diabetes: A Multicountry Comparative Analysis

This paper by Philip Clarke and colleagues from the ADVANCE Collaborative Group, published back in 2010, highlighted the significant economic burden of diabetes and rates of hospitalization resulting from diabetes co-morbidities, using data from the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) study, a landmark multi-centre trial on the treatment of diabetes conducted in 20 countries. Within the ADVANCE trial settings, the study demonstrated important differences in the rates of hospitalization for different diabetes complications in different regions of the world (Asia, Eastern Europe, and established market economies such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada), mirroring epidemiological observations of comparative higher nephropathy rates, higher stroke risk, and lower risks of coronary artery disease among Asians (mostly from Chinese centres in this particular trial) with type 2 diabetes, thereby highlighting the heterogeneity of risk of diabetes complications (and costs) in different populations.

This study also provided important tools to facilitate estimation of healthcare expenditure associated with diabetes in different healthcare settings. At the time of the study, it was estimated that the average annual per capita health expenditure was approximately 216 international dollars in China, and 698 international dollars in Russia, but that the annual hospital costs for people with diabetes experiencing major macrovascular complications such as coronary or cerebrovascular events would be around four and ten times these average per capita expenditures. Perhaps not fully appreciated at the time was the significant burden associated with hospitalization with heart failure, which is a topic of much current interest in relation to recent advances in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Although the work was focused on evaluating the economic burden of diabetes in different parts of the world, this work can be considered as an important example of early attempts to deconstruct the heterogeneity of type 2 diabetes. As the diabetes epidemic continues unabated, the healthcare burden of diabetes complications has become a major concern globally.

2) Type 2 diabetes genetic loci informed by multi-trait associations point to disease mechanisms and subtypes: A soft clustering analysis

The second article, by Jose Florez and colleagues, utilized a state-of-the-art multi-omics approach to use available genetic and epigenomic data to probe the issue of heterogeneity of diabetes. The authors showed that identified genetic loci linked to diabetes can be segregated according to underlying biological mechanisms which can be used to classify individuals, to provide a way forward for individualized diagnosis, monitoring and treatment. The study highlighted the potential role of genetic variants related to the beta cell, pro-insulin, obesity, lipodystrophy and liver/lipid traits in accounting for different patient characteristics, as well as long-term diabetes outcomes.

What was particularly interesting is the soft-clustering approach adopted by the authors, which did not require genetic variants to fit into only one pathway, or for individuals to be classified to have diabetes due to only one specific pathophysiological defect, but instead, for individuals to be identified to have scores in each of the above-mentioned categories, and thereby accepting that individuals may have developed diabetes with different contribution from the different underlying pathophysiology. The use of such genetic risk scores may be useful in selecting the most appropriate therapies for individualized care in the future.

Over the last 15 years, the global burden of diabetes has more than doubled, from less than 200 million people affected back in the early 2000s to now more than 422 million people affected globally (with the majority in LMICs). These 2 articles represent important advances in our understanding of type 2 diabetes over the last decade. Whilst the ADVANCE study was a landmark study that generated much interest, the Clarke paper highlighted much of the burden of diabetes complications, and our lack of understanding regarding the heterogeneity in risk of diabetes complications. Together with the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) and Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT) studies, these landmark studies, published between 2008-2010, have highlighted the potential dangers of hypoglycaemia, and heralded the debate and call for more individualized treatment in type 2 diabetes, and contributed to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) to propose in their joint position statement on management of hyperglycaemia in type 2 diabetes in 2012 to move away from a one-size-fit-all approach to treatment, but instead adopt a treatment strategy that is more tailored to individual patient profile, disease duration, co-morbidities and expectations. This represented a major watershed moment in the evolution of diabetes research and care.

With recent advances in genomic medicine and the genetics of type 2 diabetes, some of which have been reported in PLOS Medicine, the era of precision medicine in diabetes is very much here to stay. We, as diabetes researchers and clinicians caring for people with diabetes, look forward to further advances in our understanding of how best to treat individuals with diabetes based on their underlying genetics, pathophysiology, and needs, and to improving outcomes for people with diabetes.

Congratulations again PLOS Medicine and we look forward to the next 15 years of exciting advances!

Ronald Ma is Professor and Head of Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes at the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and co-lead of the Chinese University of Hong Kong-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Research Centre in Diabetes Genomics and Precision Medicine. He is a member of the Executive Board, Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes (AASD), and member of the editorial board of PLOS Medicine.

Acknowledgement: RCWM acknowledge support from the Hong Kong Research Grants Council Research Impact Fund (R4012-18).

Image Credit: stevepb, Pixabay (CC0)

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Charting the evolution of diabetes research and care | Speaking of Medicine - PLoS Blogs

BALTIMORE, Oct. 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --Deadly. Blinding. Costly. Epidemic. These are the words used to describe diabetes, a devastating condition affecting more than 30 million Americans (about 9.4% of the population). Of those, nearly 30 percent (or 10 million people), have diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding disease that costs Americans more than $500 million every year.

The new Versant Health white paper, The health and financial costs of diabetic retinopathy, outlines the toll both physically and financially that diabetic retinopathy can take on a person. Not only can the disease have a debilitating impact on vision, but medical costs associated with diabetic retinopathy are higher than with other diabetes-related conditions, including neuropathy and chronic kidney disease.

"Early intervention is critical when it comes to the successful treatment of diabetic retinopathy," says Mark Ruchman, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Versant Health and contributor to the white paper "In its early stages, when treatment has the greatest likelihood of success, patients are typically asymptomatic. Thus, a regular eye exam is a critical component of any health and wellness program to reduce blindness from this disease."

Versant Health supports the overall health of its diabetic members in several ways, striving to reduce the risk for and/or severity of diabetic eye disease, including Diabetic Outreach, medical management, and detailed provider portal questionnaires. To learn more, download the health and financial costs of diabetic retinopathy white paperfrom the Versant Health website.

About Versant HealthVersant Health is one of the nation's leading managed vision care companies serving more than 33 million members nationwide. Through our Davis Vision plans and Superior Vision plans, we help members enjoy the wonders of sight through healthy eyes and vision. Providing vision and eye health solutions that range from routine vision benefits to medical management, Versant Health has a unique visibility and scale across the total eye health value chain.As a result, members enjoy a seamless experience with access to one of the broadest provider networks in the industry and an exclusive frame collection.Commercial groups, individuals, third parties, and health plans that serve government-sponsored programs such as Medicaid and Medicare are among our valued customers.

For more information visitversanthealth.com.

SOURCE Versant Health

versanthealth.com

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Versant Health releases white paper: The health and financial costs of diabetic retinopathy - PRNewswire

Type 2 diabetes is a common condition in the UK and causes the body not to respond to insulin properly, so it doesn't produce enough. This causes a persons blood sugar levels to become too high. If blood sugar levels arent controlled and stay too high it can lead to a number of problems, including kidney failure, nerve damage, heart disease and stroke, so its important to make lifestyle changes to help keep blood sugar in check.

Regularly eating a poor diet can increase a persons risk of developing type 2 diabetes, so making changes to what you eat is advised.

Experts say theres nothing you cannot eat if you have type 2 diabetes, but certain foods should be limited.

The NHS says you should: Eat a wide range of foods - including fruit, vegetables and some starchy foods like pasta, keep sugar fat and salt to a minimum, and eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day - do not skip meals.

But individual food and drink have also been proven to have blood sugar lowering qualities, and when it comes to the first meal of the day, breakfast, a certain fruit has been shown to have a positive effect on blood sugar levels.

READ MORE:Type 2 diabetes: Adding this superfood to your breakfast could lower your blood sugar

A 2003 animal study showed fig extract can contribute to diabetes treatment by normalising blood fatty acid and vitamin E levels.

But this isnt the only part of the fig plant proven to help blood sugar levels.

A 2016 study in rats showed ficusin, an extract from fig leaves, improves insulin sensitivity and has other antidiabetic properties.

Some people may be sceptical over eating fruit because of its sugar content, but the sugar in whole fruit does not count towards free sugars, so it is not this type of sugar we need to cut down on, explains Diabetes UK.

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The charity explains: This is different to the free sugar in drinks, chocolate, cakes and biscuits, as well as in fruit juices and honey.

Its the amount of carbohydrate you eat that has the biggest effect on blood sugar levels after eating, says the charity.

It continues: A portion of fruit, such as a medium apple, generally contains about 15 to 20g carbs.

It is better to reduce your intake of chocolate, sugary drinks, cakes and other snacks than whole fruit when trying to restrict your carb intake to help manage your blood glucose levels.

Figs could be enjoyed on top of a bowl of oatmeal, which has also been proven to have a positive impact on blood sugar levels.

Oatmeal contains a soluble fibre called beta-glucan that can help improve insulin response and possible reduce blood sugar too.

A review of research on the benefits of oatmeal for people with type 2 diabetes found oatmeal has a positive effect on a blood sugar control.

Alongside eating healthily, being active can help lower blood sugar levels.

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Type 2 diabetes: The 50p fruit you could eat for breakfast to lower blood sugar - Express

INTERVALE The Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Fund and the Conway Area Lions Club are hosting a Diabetes Awareness Event on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Miranda Diabetes Care Center, located at 3 N.H. Route 16 A in Intervale.

This free event will offer diabetes risk assessments, education on the link between diabetes and vision loss, blood glucose screening, blood pressure checks, plus information on diabetes prevention, nutrition advice and more.

Diabetes nurse practitioner Justine Fierman from the Miranda Diabetes Care Center and registered dietitian Brenda McKay from Memorial Hospital will be there to educate the community in the proper management of diabetes symptoms, and how many can decrease their risk in developing Type 2 Diabetes.

With November as National Diabetes Awareness Month, Conway Area Lions Club zone chair Linda Rafferty felt it was the right time to support an event around diabetes and vision loss.

The Conway Area Lions Club is a longtime supporter of the Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Fund and is known internationally for its work to improve health issues.

We are tackling tough problems like blindness and drug abuse as well as diabetes awareness and finding help and training for the deaf, disabled, underprivileged and the elderly. Whatever the community needs to make life better, were there to help, Rafferty said.

Rafferty said the event fits well into the Lions mission and supports a service project she personally is spearheading in her zone, which includes Lions Clubs in Laconia/Guilford, Moultonboro, Wolfeboro, Wakefield, Whittier, Meredith and Conway area.

I have chosen to spread diabetes awareness to all. This illness has affected some of my own family and friends and continues to strike many people. I was fortunate enough to meet with Brenda Leavitt and Justine Fierman from the Diabetes Care Center to work together on this project.

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes causes eye problems and may lead to blindness. People with diabetes do have a higher risk of blindness than people without diabetes. However, with regular checkups, most people with diabetes can keep minor vision problems minor.

Diabetic retinopathy is a general term for all disorders of the retina caused by diabetes. Huge strides have been made in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The sooner retinopathy is diagnosed, the more likely these treatments will be successful. The best results occur when sight is still normal. Several factors influence whether someone develops retinopathy:

Blood sugar control.

Blood pressure levels.

How long you have had diabetes.

People who keep their blood sugar levels closer to normal are less likely to have retinopathy or to have milder forms. This is why the November 16 event will be offering free blood glucose screenings and providing risk assessment information for developing diabetes.

But high blood glucose levels are just one of the risk factors of developing diabetes.

Factors such as age, weight, smoking, gender, family history, high blood pressure, activity level and ethnicity can all be indicators that diabetes could develop. Awareness and prevention efforts, such as weight loss, healthier diet choices, managing blood pressure and quitting smoking can all reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, and symptoms including vision loss.

Brenda Leavitt, founder of the Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Fund stated, We are gearing up for National Diabetes Month and the Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Fund, along with Conway Area Lions, is sponsoring this diabetes awareness event together. This disease is growing in our state and community, so the Diabetes Fund is putting together a series of screening, and education classes to follow. We are so pleased for the support from the Conway Area Lions Club and thank them for working with us on this event.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that the number of Americans with diabetes continues to rise, with over 12 percent of the adult population estimated to have the disease, and more than a third of those aged 20 and over in the U.S. now thought to have prediabetes.

The Miranda Leavitt Diabetes Fund was founded in 2009 with a mission to provide resources, education and awareness for people with diabetes in the Mt. Washington Valley community. Miranda Leavitt passed away from complications of Type 1 Diabetes in 2007, and her parents, Rich and Brenda Leavitt, have tirelessly sought to raise funds and provide outreach around diabetes care and prevention.

The event takes place in the new location of the Miranda Diabetes Care Center in Intervale, NH. It is located at the intersection of Routes 16 and 16A. It is the practice of certified diabetes educator and nurse practitioner Justine Fierman. Fierman specializes in intensive diabetes management, insulin pump therapy, diabetes technologies, diabetes in pregnancy and continuous glucose monitoring.

For information on the Miranda Fund, go to Facebook page MLDFund. For more information on the Conway Area Lions, go to conwayarealions.org.

More:
Diabetes fund teams with Lions for awareness event - Conway Daily Sun

According to the CDC in the recent season, about 30% of adults in the hospital for the flu had diabetes.

The fact is people with diabetes, even if well-managed are at a higher risk of serious influenza complications.

According to the Director of Education and Patient Care at UHC, Brenda Conch these complications can result in hospitalization and sometimes even death.

"If they have diabetes specifically when they get the flu their diabetes is now out of control because that's what happens when an individual is ill, their glucose goes up," said Conch.

The reason those with diabetes or other chronic illnesses can get sicker from the flu is because their body is already fighting an illness.

"Your body is attending to that illness, so it doesn't really pay attention to something else coming at it," said Conch.

Conch says the flu shot is our best defense against the flu.

"Obviously the other ones is good hand hygiene and make certain you, but the best is through the flu vaccine," said Conch.

If someone with diabetes wants to get the influenza vaccine, it is recommended they must get the actual shot. Not the intranasal form because that can give you a minor case of the flu.

Obviously there are some misconceptions about the flu shot and how it works.

"Back in the old days it was a live virus, so there are people that still recall they got a shot a long time ago and they did get the flu with it. When you lived that it's hard to convince someone that is not how it is anymore. It does work, and it does work against flu we're immunizing for," said Conch.

Conch says there is an exception to every rule, but pretty much everyone needs to get the flu shot. The exception being infants or if your doctor tells you otherwise.

In addition, after an individual receives the flu shot it takes 14 days to take full effect.

See the article here:
Those with Diabetes are at greater risk for the flu and flu complications - WDTV