Diabetes drug offers Alzheimer’s hope

Tuesday, 3 February 2009 From Belfast Telegraph -World News

Hopes were raised that diabetes drugs could be developed as treatments for Alzheimer’s disease after scientists demonstrated the beneficial effect of insulin on the brain.

A US-led research team found the hormone, released by the pancreas to help control levels of sugar in the blood, protected memory-forming parts of the brain. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, concluded that insulin may slow or prevent the memory loss caused by toxic proteins which attack the brains of Alzheimer’s sufferers.

It boosts theories the disease — characterised by progressively catastrophic dementia — could be due to a type of brain diabetes.

People with diabetes either fail to produce insulin, do not produce enough or fail to use what is produced effectively.

Researchers from Northwestern University in Illinois and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil carried out a study that involved treating neurons taken from one of the brain’s memory centres — the hippocampus — with insulin and diabetes drug rosiglitazone.

Cells in the hippocampus are susceptible to damage caused by ADDLs, toxic proteins that build up in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

ADDLs (amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands) are known to attack memory-forming synapses, according to the scientists.

After the proteins have attached, the synapses lose their capacity to respond to incoming information, resulting in memory loss.

The researchers discovered damage to neurons exposed to ADDLs was blocked by insulin, which stopped the proteins from attaching to the cells.

The insulin-sensitising drug rosiglitazone enhanced protection by low levels of insulin, the study found.

Is honey dangerous for diabetes patients?

There are many discussions about the use of honey in diabetes mellitus patient. As we know, honey contains fructose, nutritive sugar, (and seems to be able to raise blood glucose level of diabetes patients) that is different with i.e., saccharine, as non nutritive sugar, which often advised for diabetes mellitus patients. Thus, for some years ago, the use of honey is contraindicated for diabetes patients. But today, many researches show the beneficial effect of honey in diabetes patients. In some articles, fructose is defined as a substance that doesn't need insulin to be changed into glycogen. So it can be safely consumed by diabetes patients. (1) honey raises only low glycemic level compared with other sugar. (2) Other sugar and natural processed honey can raise triglyserid level, but natural unprocessed honey lower triglyserid and raise HDL (good cholesterol). (3) 25 days natural unprocessed honey consumption can lower total cholesterol and LDL (bad cholesterol), and raise HDL level. (good cholesterol) On diabetic patients, natural honey can lower total cholesterol, LDL, and CRP. Honey can increase insulin level better than sucrose. (Ali Waili, 2004) Honey can lower prostaglandin levels in plasma of normal person. After consuming 250 ml of water containing 1.2 g/kg body weight of natural unprocessed honey, once a day, for 15 days, plasma concentrations of thromboxane B2, PGE2, and PGF2a were decreased by 48%, 63%, and 50%, respectively. (Ali Waili, 2003). In general, prostaglandins are thought of as mediators of inflammation in the body. Both prostaglandins and thromboxanes have been implicated in immune suppression and atherosclerosis Pure honey, especially from the wild has multifactor anti-bacterial, haemostatic and nutritious properties, explained Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) Prosthodentics Department Head and Dental Care for Physicians Programme Director Prof. Dr Muhammad Amin. Pure honey is used to maintain oral hygiene and various inflammatory problems of the teeth and gums such as gingivitis periodontitis, plaque and caries, Open ulcers are better healed with honey when applied locally instead of medicated gel, ointments or creams. In one case of Hepatic Cirrhosis, the ulcer of the mouth and tongue were completely healed with honey, while selective therapy did nothing good for the case. .The antibacterial properties of honey, both the peroxide and non-peroxide, are effective against several strains of bacteria which are notoriously resistant to antibiotics (Heggers 1987). Other topical uses of honey include treatment and healing of eczema and masking of acne (Green 1988). Health benefits of honey use include anti-allergic properties.The anti-oxidant effects of honey (Gheldof et al 2002) would thus make it a useful adjunct in the management of diabetes mellitus. In conclusion, there are many researches show the beneficial effect of honey in diabetes mellitus patients. Some of the mechanisms are, however, not well understood. It can be concluded that the use of moderate amount of honey isn't contraindicated in diabetes mellitus persons, and even has some beneficial effects.


About the Author

http://preventordoctor.blogspot.com/

indonesian- clinical- medical student

Published in GoArticles.com 7/1/09
URL: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1325110

Diabetes And Alcohol

Diabetes is undoubtedly a life changing disease. Diabetics after been diagnosed with Diabetes have to change the way of living as their disease will follow them for the rest of their life unless a cure for the disease will be discovered. The main change in their life is that they must include watching on what they eat and drink.
This post will be focused in drinking, more specific in drinking alcohol.
Is diabetes and alcohol compatible? How does alcohol affect their body?
In general there is no restriction on consuming alcohol in small quantities. Is self-evident that diabetic must avoid alcohol beverages which have a lot of sugar and calories in them.
These beverages will increase the blood sugar immediately and increase weight gain. These are against the basic principles of a diabetic life which dictate blood sugar levels as steady as possible and body weight kept within a specific range.
The human body process the alcohol intake via the liver and this process takes a long time depending on the quantity of alcohol, on the condition of the liver and on the size of the body. In a normal person one ounce of alcohol will take approximately two hours to completely metabolize. During this time the liver stops making glucose. Some times especially on an empty stomach blood sugar level drops to a point where the person becomes hypoglycemic. A person that is hypoglycemic will feel lethargic or could pass out. Notice that if you take any medication for diabetes then you shouldn't drink until around 2 hours afterwards. Hypoglycemia can be controlled if you eat a small meal before starting to drink. This will allow the liver to create some glucose and it will enter the bloodstream before any alcohol enters the body. This should ensure that a person doesn't get hypoglycemic.
Don't drink excessively. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels will make blood circulation worse and may lead to serious diseases..

Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes

One of the most undemanding and the most workable ways to knock over blood sugar amount, eliminate the dangers of “cardiovascular disease,” and perk up health and welfare in general is exercise.

In spite of that, in today’s inactive world where almost every indispensable job can be carried out online, from the ergonomic chair in front of a computer, or with a streaming line of messages from a fax machine, exercising can be a hard argument to win over.

The Weight of Exercise

Everyone should exercise, yet the health experts tells us that only 30% of the United States population gets the recommended thirty minutes of daily physical activity, and 25% are not active at all. In fact, inactivity is thought to be one of the key reasons for the surge of type 2 diabetes in the U.S., because inactivity and obesity promote insulin resistance.

The good news is that it is never too late to get moving, and exercise is one of the easiest ways to start controlling your diabetes. For people with type 2 diabetes in particular, exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, lower the risk of heart disease, and promote weight loss.

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes is on the rise. The number of people diagnosed with diabetes every year increased by 48% between 1980 and 1994. Nearly all the new cases are Type 2 Diabetes, or adult-onset, the kind that moves in around middle age. Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes include increased thirst, appetite, and need to urinate; feeling tired, edgy, or sick to the stomach; blurred vision; tingling or loss of feeling in the hands.

The causes of type 2 diabetes are complex and not completely understood, although research is uncovering new clues at a rapid pace.

However, it has already been proven that one of the reasons for the boom in type 2 diabetes is the widening of waistbands and the trend toward a more deskbound and inactive lifestyle in the United States and other developed countries. In America, the shift has been striking; in the 1990s alone, obesity increased by 61% and diagnosed diabetes by 49%.

For this reason, health experts encourage those who already have type 2 diabetes to start employing the wonders that exercise can do for them. Without exercise, people have the tendency to become obese. Once they are obese, they have bigger chances of accumulating type 2 diabetes.

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that over 80% of people with type 2 diabetes are clinically overweight. Therefore, it is high time that people, whether inflicted with type 2 diabetes or not, should start doing those jumping and stretching activities.

Getting Started

The first order of business with any exercise plan, especially if you are a “dyed-in-the-wool” sluggish, is to consult with your health care provider. If you have cardiac risk factors, the health care provider may want to perform a stress test to establish a safe level of exercise for you.

Certain diabetic complications will also dictate what type of exercise program you can take on. Activities like weightlifting, jogging, or high-impact aerobics can possibly pose a risk for people with diabetic retinopathy due to the risk for further blood vessel damage and possible retinal detachment.

If you are already active in sports or work out regularly, it will still benefit you to discuss your regular routine with your doctor. If you are taking insulin, you may need to take special precautions to prevent hypoglycemia during your workout.

Start Slow

For those who have type 2 diabetes, your exercise routine can be as simple as a brisk nightly neighborhood walk. If you have not been very active before now, start slowly and work your way up. Walk the dog or get out in the yard and rake. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park in the back of the lot and walk. Every little bit does work, in fact, it really helps a lot.

As little as 15 to 30 minutes of daily, heart-pumping exercise can make a big difference in your blood glucose control and your risk of developing diabetic complications. One of the easiest and least expensive ways of getting moving is to start a walking program. All you need is a good pair of well-fitting, supportive shoes and a direction to head in.

Indeed, you do not have to waste too many expenses on costly “health club memberships,” or the most up-to-date health device to start pumping those fats out. What you need is the willingness and the determination to start exercising to a healthier, type 2 diabetes-free life.

The results would be the sweetest rewards from the effort that you have exerted.

Simple Tips To Preserve Diabetic Foot Health

The most common reason diabetics are hospitalized in the United States is foot infections. I know that's hard to believe, but true. Diabetes can be dangerous and devastating to your feet. The most common causes of these foot infections are improperly cut toenails and poorly fitting shoes. Yes, something as simple as a visit to the podiatrist to have your toenails cut and shoes custom fitted can avoid many amputations. Sadly, the amputation rate is trending upwards not down in the United States. Add common complications of diabetes like poor circulation and lack of feeling known as peripheral neuropathy, and you have the prescription for disaster for diabetic feet.

What is a diabetic to do to protect their feet from a sore that can lead to infection and amputation?

1. Inspect your feet daily. If you can't see your feet, have someone else look at them every day for redness, cuts, swelling, blisters, bruising, or nail problems.

2. Wash your feet daily. Sounds simple, but many people do not bathe their feet daily. Make sure to clean in between your toes and dry them thoroughly.

3. Moisturize your feet daily. Again, a simple habit to get in to, yet most people fail to upkeep their skin every day. Diabetes can cause very dry, flaky skin, so extra moisture is needed.

4. Cut nails very carefully, and straight across. If you can see and reach your toes, be careful to cut your toenails carefully, taking time not to nick yourself or cut them too short. When in doubt, visit the podiatrist at least every 8 to 10 weeks. The podiatrist would rather cut your toenails for you than treat an infection caused by your own handiwork!

5. Never trim corns and calluses. And absolutely no corn or callus remover! The package says, "Do not use if you are diabetic" for a reason. Have the podiatrist trim them when they are thickened or red.

6. Wear clean, dry socks. And change them daily.....sounds simple, but you would not believe how many people don't.

7. Avoid tight or bulky socks. Tight socks can reduce circulation to you feet and bulky socks can bunch up and cause a blister or sore. Check your socks before you put them on and remember that they do shrink with age. Replace them periodically.

8. Wear socks to bed. If your feet are cold, wear clean socks to bed. Never use a heating pad or hot water bottle, you can burn yourself before you realize it! You can warm the bed with a heating blanket, but turn it off before you go to sleep!

9. Shake out your shoes and inspect them before you put them on. I have taken everything from a pebble, piece of basket and a doll house chair out of the bottom of diabetic feet after they walked on them all day. Easy thing to avoid!

10. Keep your feet clean and dry. No puddle splashing or snow drifts for your feet!

11. Never, never, never go barefoot. Not even at home on carpet. You can step on something easily and get an infected puncture wound. Think tacks, sewing needles, even wiry dog hair can be a problem!

12. Take care of your diabetes! Multiple studies have shown the complications of diabetes can be diminished by keeping your sugars under control. Keep that HgA1c under 6 if you can. This is hard to do by yourself. Work with your doctor and nutritionist for optimal care. Communicate often with your medical team.

13. Don't Smoke! Stop smoking if you do. Ever cigarette decreases the circulation to your feet and increases your chance of a non-healing wound.

14. Get periodic foot exams. The recommendations are to have a foot exam at least once a year by your doctor even if you have no foot symptioms. A trip to the podiatrist is recommended at least quarterly if you have neuropathy, a foot deformity, poor circulation, or have had a history of a foot ulcer.

Diabetes can be life's annoyance or it can kill you. It is your choice! Take care of your feet so they will last a lifetime.

Published by Dr Marybeth Crane 27 Dec 2008

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1306883

Dr Marybeth Crane is a board certified podiatric foot and ankle surgeon. Your feet should last a lifetime! For more foot health tips and doctor-approved foot care products including safe pedicure instrument sets, visit http://www.faant.com or read my blog at http://www.myrundoc.com/blog.aspx