Friday, December 20, 2013

Surgery Beats Dieting for Weight Loss, Diabetes Control:

Diet, exercise, therapy and drugs can help obese people get healthier. But weight-loss surgery does a better job of getting rid of extra pounds and treating Type 2 diabetes, a new review of past studies shows. The studies only followed people for two years. So it's possible the results would look different further down the line, the authors write. So-called bariatric surgery, like gastric bypass or gastric banding, reduces the size of the stomach so patients can only eat small amounts of food. Many doctors have noted the dramatic weight loss that often results. But it wasn't obvious how surgery stacks up against traditional diet and exercise strategies.

 The new review included 11 studies. Each study randomly chose some obese people to have surgery and others to make diet or lifestyle changes instead, for instance. Together those studies included close to 800 people. Participants in the bariatric surgery groups lost an average of 57 more pounds than those in the non-surgery groups. Average weight loss ranged from 45 to 100 pounds among those who had surgery. More people who had Type 2 diabetes saw their blood sugar levels fall into the normal range after surgery than after a different intervention. "Although they try to look at a range of medical conditions, in reality the real importance is the effect of weight loss on diabetes and the relative effectiveness of non-surgical versus surgical approaches," said Dr. Paul O'Brien. O'Brien is an obesity specialist who pioneered the Lap-Band procedure in Australia in 1994. He founded the Centre for Obesity Research and Education at Monash University in Melbourne and was not involved in the new review.  article research by
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 "The clear and consistent message is the bariatric surgical procedures achieve a much better outcome," O'Brien said. Bariatric surgery will certainly help obese people with diabetes better control the disease and may put it into remission entirely, he said. "Given that there are probably in excess of 300 million people across the world with Type 2 diabetes and maybe half of these are obese, this opens up huge possibilities for better health," O'Brien said. But two years isn't really enough time to judge the results. And the analysis included small numbers of studies and patients, Viktoria L. Gloy from University Hospital Basel in Switzerland and colleagues note in the journal BMJ. Longer-term studies, cost-effectiveness studies and comparisons between different surgeries are still missing, O'Brien said  read for more details visit my web page  http://causebadbreath.pagelanding.net/

. The authors did not respond to a request for comment before deadline. Surgery is typically recommended for people with a body mass index - a measure of weight in relation to height - of at least 40, or at least 35 if they also have co-occurring health problems such as diabetes or severe sleep apnea. "I think an important point to consider is that most of the studies suggest that bariatric surgery combined with intensive lifestyle management is superior to lifestyle management alone," said Dr. Richdeep Gill. He is a general surgeon at the University of Alberta in Canada. Generally people who undergo weight-loss surgery must try lifestyle changes like diet and exercise first before going under the knife. So it may not be an either/or choice for most obese people. Gill,  for more information about health   http://bodyodor.campaignsites.net/

who studies bariatric surgery, was not involved in the review. Patients need to be informed about the risks of surgery, he said. According to the National Institutes of Health, gastric bypass surgery carries risks of allergic reactions to anesthesia, blood clots, breathing problems, heart attack, stroke or infection. In the review, 15 percent of people in the surgery groups had anemia from low iron levels post-surgery and 8 percent needed a second operation. It's impossible to say how serious those additional surgeries were. But second surgeries are always more difficult than the first, Gill said. Post-surgery, patients must stick to a special diet for life and often have to avoid some common medications like aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. "Tackling obesity is a challenging issue, and the patient needs to be committed to their own management strategy," Gill said. Only then, with consultation of a multidisciplinary care team, will surgery be considered as an option.

Wild Blueberries Prevent Diabetes: Study

Wild blueberry fans, rejoice. New research shows that diets rich in the sweet, nutritious fruit can help stave off diabetes, as well as heart disease. The study, published in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, eating the equivalent of two cups a day of wild blueberries can improve or even prevent metabolic syndrome (MetS) — a group of high-risk conditions including obesity, high blood pressure, inflammation, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance that increase the odds of developing cardiovascular problems and diabetes. Klimis-Zacas, M.D.,  for more information about health http://darwinsmith.mobilewebpage.net/

 a professor of clinical nutrition at the University of Maine, noted blueberries are a rich source of phytochemicals called polyphenols, which have been reported by a growing number of studies to offer a variety of protective health benefits. The new findings, based on research involving laboratory rats, add to that evidence and suggest blueberries might even reduce the need for medication. "MetS affects an estimated 37 percent of adults in the U.S.," said Klimis-Zacas.   read for more details visit my web page  http://whatiscandida.eventpages.org/

"We have previously documented the cardiovascular benefits of a polyphenol-rich wild blueberry in a rat model with impaired vascular health and high blood pressure. Our new findings show that these benefits extend to the obese Zucker rat, a widely used model resembling human MetS." According to the study, wild blueberry consumption — about two cups per day — for 8 weeks was shown to regulate and improve the blood flow and blood pressure in rats with metabolic syndrome. "Our recent findings reported elsewhere, documented that wild blueberries reduce chronic inflammation and improve the abnormal [cholesterol levels] and gene expression associated with the MetS," Klimis-Zacas said. He added that the new study shows "regular long-term wild blueberry diets may also help improve pathologies associated with the MetS."

Acidic Foods Found to Increase Diabetes Risk

To avoid developing type 2 diabetes, you may have been told to watch your calories and kick up your activity level. Now researchers say there's something else you might consider: your so-called dietary acid load. A diet heavy in animal products and other acidic foods can cause an acid load in the body, resulting in health complications. This includes reduced insulin sensitivity, which can lead to type 2 diabetes, according to the new study. "We have demonstrated for the first time in a large prospective study that dietary acid load was positively associated with type 2 diabetes risk, independently of other known risk factors for diabetes," the researchers said.  article research by   http://cellulitereview.willgetmarried.com/

 "Our results need to be validated in other populations, and may lead to promotion of diets with a low acid load for the prevention of diabetes." The term animal products refers to meat, eggs and dairy. Greater consumption of fruits and vegetables is believed to lead to a lower acid load, the researchers said. The study included more than 66,000 women in Europe who were followed for more than 14 years. During that time, nearly 1,400 of the women were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.   for more information about health  
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 Those with diets highest in acidic foods were 56 percent more likely to develop diabetes than those with diets lowest in acidic foods, according to the study, which was published recently in the journal Diabetologia. This link between a highly acidic diet and increased risk of diabetes remained even after the researchers adjusted for dietary patterns, meat consumption and intake of fruit, vegetables, coffee and sweetened beverages.

 The study did not, however, prove that a highly acidic diet actually causes diabetes. "A diet rich in animal protein may favor net acid intake, while most fruits and vegetables form alkaline precursors that neutralize the acidity," wrote Dr. Guy Fagherazzi and Dr. Francoise Clavel-Chapelon, of the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health at INSERM, in Paris. "Contrary to what is generally believed, most fruits -- such as peaches, apples, pears, bananas and even lemons and oranges -- actually reduce dietary acid load once the body has processed them."

Breathalyzer Tracks Blood Sugar Without Needles

The world's first functional breathalyzer for diabetes has been created by scientists who say the new hand-held device can be used to track blood sugar levels, offering a needle-free alternative to pin pricks now used to draw blood to test for glucose multiple times a day.  for more information about health  http://fatloss.photographist.me/

 The advance, unveiled at a meeting of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists in San Antonio this week, uses nanotechnology to detect acetone in the breath of diabetics — a chemical that has been shown to correlate with blood-glucose levels. "Breathalyzers are a growing field of study because of their potential to have a significant positive impact on patients' quality of life and compliance with diabetes monitoring," said Ronny Priefer, of Western New England University, who created the new device.  for more details go to the link  http://customizedfatloss.isourchurch.com/

"What makes our technology different is that it only accounts for acetone and doesn't react with other components in the breath." Priefer noted the current device is the size of a book, but his team is working with an engineering team to make it as small as a typical alcohol-detecting breathalyzer. Priefer said he will use two Western New England University clinics to test the new device on patients over the next two years, by comparing readings from the breathalyzer, finger pricking, and actual glucose levels from drawn blood. Diabetes, which affects nearly 350 million people worldwide, is an autoimmune disease that prevents the cellular uptake of sugar from the blood and often requires continuous blood-glucose monitoring using needle sticks to draw blood.

Diabetes War 'Being Lost' as Cases Hit Record 382 Million

The world is losing the battle against diabetes as the number of people estimated to be living with the disease soars to a new record of 382 million this year, medical experts said on Thursday. article research by http://newbodyreview.theclever.me/

  The vast majority have type 2 diabetes - the kind linked to obesity and lack of exercise - and the epidemic is spreading as more people in the developing world adopt Western, urban lifestyles. 

The latest estimate from the International Diabetes Federation is equivalent to a global prevalence rate of 8.4 percent of the adult population and compares to 371 million cases in 2012.

By 2035, the organization predicts the number of cases will have soared by 55 percent to 592 million.

"The battle to protect people from diabetes and its disabling, life-threatening complications is being lost," the federation said in the sixth edition of its Diabetes Atlas, noting that deaths from the disease were now running at 5.1 million a year or one every six seconds.  for more information about health http://sixpacksabs.thenerd.me/

People with diabetes have inadequate blood sugar control, which can lead to a range of dangerous complications, including damage to the eyes, kidneys and heart. If left untreated, it can result in premature death.

"Year after year, the figures seem to be getting worse," said David Whiting, an epidemiologist and public health specialist at the federation. "All around the world we are seeing increasing numbers of people developing diabetes."

He said that a strategy involving all parts of society was needed to improve diets and promote healthier lifestyles.

The federation calculates diabetes already accounts for annual healthcare spending of $548 billion and this is likely to rise to $627 billion by 2035.

Worryingly, an estimated 175 million of diabetes cases are as yet undiagnosed, so a huge number of people are progressing towards complications unawares. Most of them live in low- and middle-income countries with far less access to medical care than in the United States and Europe.

The country with the most diabetics overall is China, where the case load is expected to rise to 142.7 million in 2035 from 98.4 million at present.

But the highest prevalence rates are to be found in the Western Pacific, where more than a third of adults in Tokelau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands are already living with the disease.
 
Pharmaceutical companies have developed a range of medicines over the years to counter diabetes but many patients still struggle to control their condition adequately, leading to a continuing hunt for improved treatments.


3 Cups of Coffee Daily Prevents Diabetes:

Coffee drinkers, rejoice. Drinking at least three cups of coffee a day may decrease your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to the latest research spotlighting the health benefits of the noble caffeine bean. ALERT: 5 Signs You’ll Get Alzheimer’s Disease The findings, published by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee, are based a series of studies published in the past year compiled by the World Congress on Prevention of Diabetes.  http://calories.blooming.me/

Among the key research findings: Epidemiological evidence shows drinking three to four cups of coffee per day is associated with an approximate 25 percent lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, compared to consuming none or less than two cups per day.  http://dietfoods.likeapro.me/

 Research suggests with each additional cup of coffee consumed daily, drinkers reduce their relative risk of developing diabetes by 7-8 percent. Caffeine is unlikely to be responsible for the protective effects of coffee, with one study finding both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee are associated with a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes One study found regular but not decaffeinated coffee was much more protective against diabetes in women of all ethnic groups than in men.  http://venusfactor.thecrazy.me/

 The report also noted some research suggests the caffeine in coffee stimulates metabolism and increases energy expenditure and may play a key role by influencing the blood sugar in the body. In addition, some scientific evidence indicates coffee contains components that may improve insulin sensitivity by modulating inflammation, affecting hormones, and reducing iron stores.

Safety Restrictions Lifted on Diabetes Drug Avandia

The Food and Drug Administration is lifting severe safety restrictions on the former blockbuster diabetes pill Avandia, citing recent data suggesting that the much-debated medication does not increase the risk of heart attack. The repeal means patients will no longer have to enroll in a special registry to be eligible to receive the drug. Additionally, the drug will be available at most pharmacies, whereas it was previously limited to certain registered pharmacies. Those safety restrictions and others were put in place in 2010, severely curbing U.S. prescriptions for the GlaxoSmithKline drug. Monday's ruling is a belated victory for the British drugmaker, which has spent more than a half-decade defending the safety of Avandia, once the best-selling diabetes drug in the world. Sales began plummeting in 2007 after researchers first raised questions about possible links to heart attacks  article research by   http://www.articlesempire.com/article.php?id=20693

After three years of debate, the FDA limited access to the drug in 2010. But FDA regulators said Monday a more recent analysis of a key Avandia study shows that the drug's heart risks are no greater than other diabetes drugs. "Given these new results, our level of concern is considerably reduced," said FDA drug center director Dr. Janet Woodcock, in a statement. The announcement also represents a vindication of sorts for FDA leadership, including Woodcock, who only agreed to put restrictions on the pill after years of pressure from outside researchers, safety advocates and several members of Congress. Dr. Steven Nissen of the Cleveland Clinic, whose research first raised concerns about Avandia, said the announcement "is about the FDA's effort to save face." "This is about appearances, not changing medical practice," said Nissen, who chairs the Cleveland Clinic's department of cardiology. read for more details visit my web page
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 "A single reanalysis of a trial does not exonerate a drug where all the other data point to increased cardiovascular risks." Nissen said he doesn't expect doctors to return to prescribing the drug, considering how many newer diabetes drugs are now available. Nissen drew attention to Avandia's safety in a 2007 study pooling thousands of reports of heart attack and stroke from dozens of unrelated studies involving the drug. His so-called meta-analysis combined 42 studies and showed a higher risk of heart attack among patients taking Avandia compared to other diabetes drugs.

 The FDA eventually agreed to restrict use of the drug, while noting the shortcomings of the analysis that first raised the concern. FDA policy generally holds that mixing data from multiple studies can lead to misleading trends and conclusions. That focused the agency's attention on a study known as RECORD, the only trial to specifically compare heart attack rates in patients taking Avandia versus other standard drug treatments for diabetics. Under instructions from the FDA,

 Glaxo hired Duke University to reanalyze the RECORD study, reviewing each report of heart attack or stroke at a patient-by-patient level. Duke's findings, released last year, matched Glaxo's initial conclusion on the study: Avandia did not appear to increase the risk of heart attack compared to standard treatments. Last June a panel of outside experts voted to recommend easing the safety restrictions on Avandia. The FDA is not required to follow the guidance of those experts, though it often does. 

A spokeswoman for London-based Glaxo said the company will work with the FDA to revise the drug's labeling and remove current access restrictions. The company has previously stated it has no plans to resume advertising of the drug. In 2012 Glaxo pleaded guilty to failing to report safety problems with Avandia to government officials over a seven-year period. The guilty plea was part of a larger $3 billion settlement with the Department of Justice for various criminal and civil violations involving 10 of the company's drugs.