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 The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition recently published a study suggesting that eating as little as one serving a day of red meat increases your risk of type 2 diabetes. Taken from dietary surveys of more than 200,000 participants in the Harvard Nurses’ Health and the Health Professionals Follow-up studies,Dr. Frank Hu, a professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health, said  "we found that one serving per day of processed meat like a hot dog or sausage was associated with a 50 percent increased risk of diabetes compared with people who ate processed meat less than once a month." (Unprocessed meats in the diet led to a 20 percent increased risk)

Dr. Hu suggested the following:

• The high iron content of red meat can increase inflammatory chemicals, which can destroy insulin-producing beta cells.
• The nitrates in processed meats may also be toxic to beta cells, which could explain why processed meats contributed even more to risk
• Last, those who ate the most red meat also tended to eat fewer fruits and vegetables and were more likely to smoke and be obese.

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I try to learn something new everyday. I knew that the sweetener Fructose was not good for most people and especially people with Diabetes. I just didn't know how bad it was. Here are some facts from Dietician Joan Endyke and others who ask if YOU knew the following regarding Fructose:

• As opposed to other sugars, fructose is metabolized in the liver, converted to triglycerides (fat) and sent to the bloodstream, causing triglyceride levels to rise and  increasing the risk of diabetes and heart disease.
• Fructose  diminishes the effects of leptin, a hormone that regulates appetite,  leading to overeating, weight gain and belly fat.
• Excessive fructose can lead to gout. 
• Sucrose, better known as table sugar, contains 50% fructose
• Commonly used sweetners like molasses, honey, apple & grape juice concentrates all contain at least 50% fructose.
• Pepsi, Coke, and Sprite contain "Really High Fructose Corn Syrup" (RHFCS) with 65% fructose. These results were  recently published in the journal Obesity and easily explains why consuming large amounts of soft drinks can also  lead to diabetes and heart disease.
• There is growing evidence that excess fructose consumption may lead to insulin resistance and eventually Type 2 Diabetes.

To everyone, eat healthy, excercise daily , and read the labels on your food. Avoid foods containing high amounts of fructose.

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Scientists in the UK, at Newcastle University, have found that Type 2 Diabetes can be cured by diet alone. In a small study, eleven people cut their food intake to just 600 calories( equivalent to two bowls of cereal) a day for 2 months. And, 90 days later, seven people  or 64% of the dieters , no longer had any symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes.

"To have people free of diabetes after years with the condition is remarkable – and all because of an eight-week diet," said Roy Taylor, professor at Newcastle University, who led the study. "This is a radical change in understanding Type 2 Diabetes. It will change how we can explain it to people newly diagnosed with the condition. While it has long been believed that someone with Type 2 Diabetes will always have the disease, and that it will steadily get worse, we have shown that we can reverse the condition."

Presented at an American Diabetes Association conference, the research demonstrated that an extremely low-calorie diet, consisting of diet drinks and non-starchy vegetables, prompts the body to remove the fat clogging the pancreas and preventing it from making insulin

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Just saw this ad and could not believe it. It's almost like having people save up enough Raleigh Cigarette Coupons (remember them?) so they could get a treatment for lung cancer!  It would be a whole lot better if they just donated $1.00 to JDRF with every  combo meal or every chicken sandwich. But to promote a  HUGE cup of soda ( I realize it could be a "diet soda") is not very P.R. smart.

And what's more, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation defends it by saying the following:

 “JDRF supports research for type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease that results when the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, therefore requiring a child or adult with the disease to depend on insulin treatment for the rest of their lives. It is a common misconception that type 1 diabetes is caused by obesity or eating too much junk food or sweets.”

Okay, they may be right but a bucket of regular soda sure isn't going to help a person who may be pre-diabetic or have diabetes.  Why not give a dollar for each half gallon of ice cream  or each box of Oreo cookies sold then?

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Much has been written about the benefits of the antioxidant Lycopene which is found in tomatoes. Research has shown that Lycopene protects against a wide range of cancers, may help prevent heart attacks (by lowering cholesterol) and may even increase bone mass.

However, new research has found another nutrient in tomatoes, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid , will fight Dyslipidemia, lowering cholesterol and fat in the bloodstream and thus possibly preventing arteriosclerosis and type-2 diabetes. 

“Finding a compound which helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in foodstuffs is a great advantage to tackling these diseases”, concluded research leader Dr. Teruo Kawada of Kyoto University in Japan, “It means that the tomato allows people to easily manage the onset of dyslipidemia through their daily diet.”

 

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A new animal study has led researchers to speculate that the ketogenic diet, low in carbohydrates and high in fat , could have the potential to replace dialysis and reverse kidney disease in Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics.

Researcher Charles Mobbs, the leader of the study and professor of neuroscience and geriatrics and palliative care medicine at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, said "I speculate that this may be useful to completely cure diabetic kidney failure and I hope that it's possible," Mobbs told MyHealthNewsDaily. "If it's possible, we can potentially not require dialysis. That's a big deal."

Dr. Mobbs added: "Our study is the first to show that a dietary intervention alone is enough to reverse this serious complication of diabetes". He also believes the diet could also help with related diabetic complications such as retinopathy and neuropathy.

 

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Just read a great article by Melanie Smith that names 12 foods that help you deal with STRESS. If you're like me, then you EAT when you're stressed. That means cookies, pretzels, ice cream, and other nosh that make you feel better..... albeit temporarily.

Instead, have some Almonds which help produce serotonin and have lots of Vitamin Bz, Vitamin E, magnesium and zinc. Have some Blueberries which have tons of Vitamin C and antioxidants. For meals, be sure to add Fish, Sushi,  Asparagus, Broccoli, and Whole Grain Pasta to your diet. Milk and Cottage Cheese are important as well as Lean Beef, and Oranges.

In these times, everyone has a lot of stress. If you can deal with it by following a healthier diet, you'll be able to think clearer and get through the tough times feeling better about yourself.

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A new study  purports that children with Diabetes generally have poorer eating habits than other children, leading to, what could be,  very serious complications in their future.

 Minority male adolescents 15 and above are those with the highest risk. Influential factors include a low level of parental education, low-to-middle family income,  and low parental involvement in Diabetes management. A sedentary lifestyle is also a factor. These young adults tend to have numerous cardiovascular disease risk factors. Ninety percent of children with Type 2 Diabetes have metabolic syndrome — a group of conditions that  increases the risk for coronary artery disease and stroke.

Dr. Beth Mayer-Davis, a leader in the field of childhood Diabetes, spoke about the study, part of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute’s Appetite for Life Seminar Series. She said that "Diet in children with Diabetes is, then, of utmost importance. Children with Diabetes need to be able to match insulin to food intake, eat foods high in fiber, consume whole grain breads and cereals, get enough fresh fruits and vegetables and increase physical activity."

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People who eat two or more servings of brown rice a week reduce their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by about 10 percent compared to people who eat it less than once a month. And those who eat white rice on a regular basis — five or more times a week — are almost 20 percent more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes than those who eat it less than once a month according to a new report from researchers at Harvard University..

 Why is there such a big difference?                                                                                                           

 In addition to having a lower glycemic index , which improves diabetes management, brown rice also contains important nutrients like magnesium that are stripped during the refining  process. Magnesium deficiency is typical in chronic, stable, mild type 2 diabetes. Brown rice also contains much more fiber which actually helps to control blood glucose spikes.
.

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Besides the fact that some cookies taste so darn good, what's the real reason that  I can't eat just ONE COOKIE? Chances are that if it contains Glucose-Fructose Syrup, a type of sugar  that is used to add bulk and moisture to foods, you've found the answer.

Found in processed snack foods, cereals, yogurt and sodas, it makes the brain think you need to eat more and, worse, according to a new study, can contribute to diabetes, obesity and heart disease.

 Dr. Carel Le Roux, a consultant in metabolic medicine at Imperial College London, says that fructose can "scramble mesages to the brain about being full. When we eat sugar, our body releases insulin which tells the brain that we have had enough to eat. High insulin levels are one of the factors that dampen the appetite, But fructose doesn’t trigger as much of an insulin response as regular sugar, so the brain won’t get the message that you are full.”

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Joan Yankowitz  on healthylivingtimes.com suggests that there are 7 changes that you can make to your daily lifestyle that may prevent you from developing Type 2 diabetes:

1) By putting less food on your plate, you will gradually eat less and start to lose weight. Drink a glass of plain water or a sugar-free drink before eating to lessen your hunger pains.

2) Reduce your fat intake by grilling or baking foods instead of frying.

3) Read food labels and check the Glycemic Index of the food you are eating to make better choices.

4) Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day. Keep a bottle of water with you and sip frequently  throughout the day.

5) Choose a healthy snack rather than a chocolate bar.

6) Use skimmed rather than full-fat milk in hot drinks.

7) Exercise is good for health. But, if you are not used to exercising,  then start in moderation by walking each day for 15 minutes until you gradually get into a regular exercising pattern.

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 The risk of developing type 2 diabetes may be reduced by consuming more whole fruits and green leafy vegetables on a daily basis.
 Researchers at the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine and the Harvard School of Public Health have discovered that eating three more servings of whole fruits each day was associated with a lower risk of developing diabetes. And, with an additional serving of green leafy vegetables daily, the risk for diabetes was further decreased. 

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Do want to remember your wedding anniversary next year? Go on a diet!

The first link between calorie-restricted diets and improved memory in people was seen in a study published Monday in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Although the study was small, involving 50 people ages 50 to 72 who ranged from normal weight to overweight, the calorie-restricted group averaged 20 percent improvement in memory performance. The other groups showed no significant change.

Dr. Agnes Flöel, of the University of Münster in Germany, and a researcher in the study, said the memory improvement might be linked to a decrease in insulin and inflammation in the calorie-restricted participants, who lost four to seven pounds.

In my opinion, maybe those who lost weight had better blood flow to the brain and therefore more nourishment and oxygen helped memory.

In either case,  if you want to do well on Jeopardy or remember your kid's birthday or recall all of the words to the Star Spangled Banner, go on a diet and lose weight. You may feel better as well!

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A recent study published in Diabetes Care showed that older men who take Vitamin K supplementation for 36 months, at doses that can be achieved through dietary intake, may be able to reduce the progression of insulin resistance.

US researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, report their top 10 Vitamin K food sources:

1. Kale

2. Collards

3. Spinach

4. Turnips greens

5. Beets greens

6. Dandelion Greens

7. Mustard Greens

8. Brussels sprouts

9. Broccoli

10. Spring Onions

Drink your Green Smoothies, eat your salads and stay healthy and strong.

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"I do not like broccoli. And I haven't liked it since I was a little kid and my mother made me eat it. And I'm President of the United States and I'm not going to eat any more broccoli.”                                -  Ex-President George H. W. Bush

Little did Mr. Bush know at that time how important broccoli may be to people with diabetes. A compound called sulforaphane has been found in broccoli by researchers at the University of Warwick. This compound seems to have protective benefits for blood vessel damage caused by high glucose levels in people with diabetes. It is believed that sulforaphane causes a protein to become activated which then protects cells and tissues from damage. Damaged blood vessels increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, or cardiovascular disease by five fold in people with diabetes

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New research published in the journal BMJ finds that people who adhered closely to a traditional Mediterranean diet, which includes fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish, olive oil and wine and small amounts of meat and dairy products, had "substantial protection" against Type 2 diabetes.

In an article by Sally Squires of WashingtonPost.com, studies show that eating foods from the Mediterranean menu not only helps lead to a healthier body weight, but there's strong evidence that it can lower the risk of heart disease, reduce some types of cancer and perhaps even cut the risk of Alzheimer's disease. It seems to produce these benefits by reducing inflammation  and thereby limiting the production of substances that are known to accelerate aging and contribute to chronic conditions, including arthritis and heart disease.

Previous research had suggested that the Mediterranean diet could help reduce diabetes risk only in those who already have health problems, such as heart disease. But a new study found that healthy adults who most closely adhered to the traditional Mediterranean diet had the lowest risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This held true even for those who were older, heavier and had a family history of Type 2 diabetes -- all factors that placed them at increased risk for the disorder.

As with everything, though, moderation is a key ingredient. It does not mean liberally pouring olive oil on foods and drinking a lot of wine -- common misconceptions. Olive oil adds 120 calories per tablespoon and should only be used for cooking and flavoring rather than butter or oils with unhealthy trans fatty acids. Wine is beneficial only in moderation, which means one drink a day for women, two for men.

The traditional Mediterranean diet contains :

• high consumption of fruits, vegetables, bread and other cereals, potatoes, beans, nuts and seeds
• olive oil as an important monounsaturated fat source
• dairy products, fish and poultry  consumed in low to moderate amounts, and little red meat is eaten
• eggs consumed zero to four times a week
• wine consumed in low to moderate amounts  

Eating well has never been so healthy!

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A cup of hot tea, a glass of red wine, and now a mug of hot cocoa all have one thing in common; they all contain natural plant compounds called Flavonols.  New research suggests that by satisfying a craving for cocoa,  you can actually help blood vessels to function better. Furthermore,  cocoa  might soon be considered part of a healthy diet for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the number one cause of death in people with diabetes.

Remember, it's the Flavonols that are responsible for cocoa’s healthful benefits.

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Ahhh. You come home late after a busy and aggravating day at work, you throw your coat on the chair (or floor), and sit down to dinner. But first, a sip of that new Merlot that you purchased last week. All of a sudden, you feel better, and can deal with the balance of your day.                                  
But, here's another reason for you to indulge in that glass of red wine - resveratrol, a chemical commonly found in it has the ability to lower blood sugar levels. Resveratrol is a naturally occurring anti-oxidant found in grapes that has been reported to have cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and glucose-lowering properties.

That's great news, huh? A few more glasses of Merlot on a regular basis and I'll be able to throw away my diabetes medication, cancel my gym membership, and have that chocolate fudge sundae.Whoa Nellie!   I DON'T THINK SO!

Here's the bad news:"It's exciting to see resveratrol's glucose-lowering effect in diabetic experimental animals. However, studies are currently underway in our laboratory to determine whether the agent inhibits glucose transport in the brain of normal and diabetic animals," said Dr Kimberly Martin, MD, and mentor, Dr. F. Ismail-Beigi,Martin.The research will be presented at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 17th Annual Meeting & Clinical Congress on May 16th, at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort in Orlando.

And, by the way,all kidding aside,  NEVER stop taking your medications or vary from  your healthy lifestyle without getting the authorization from your physician. He or she is well versed on all of the newest treatments and medications and can make a more educated decision about YOU than you can.

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I have a question.

How can you have a story about higher rates of diabetes and obesity in New York than elsewhere  and have a banner ad for Dunkin Donuts smack in the middle? Ok, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because I understand how "key words" in stories trigger certain advertisers on websites but I just don't think it's right that just after the AP writer states that "health officials say a big reason for the gain is sugary sodas and sweetened drinks which add a lot of calories", a banner ad for Dunkin Donuts appears, Check it out for yourself. You may not see it right away because the ad alternates with other advertisers but it's there. Believe me. I printed it out. It may not cause the obesity and diabetes rate to increase but it sure doesn't help.

 APRIL 30, 2008 UPDATE: The ad is no longer there but the article is. We'll keep checking to see if it comes back! JDS

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Vitamin D supplements in early childhood may ward off the development of type 1 diabetes in later life, reveals a research review published ahead of print in the Archives of Disease in Childhood.  MORE.

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Dr. Neal Barnard claims that the approach of the American Diabetes Association and its diet is all wrong when it comes to preventing and treating diabetes. In his new book, Dr. Barnard comes up with an alternative that may be much more effective at preventing, treating and even reversing diabetes   Click here for more

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