Thin as a baby, obese as an adult -- a diabetic in old age?

ScienceDaily (May 21, 2012) — Small babies had significantly higher blood glucose and insulin levels and a higher risk of diabetes at the age of 75 and older. The risk of diabetes in old age was five-fold among those born small but who were obese in midlife compared to those with higher birth weight and low body mass index in adulthood.

See Also:Health & MedicineDiabetesObesityDiet and Weight LossHealthy AgingInfant's HealthDiseases and ConditionsReferenceDiabetes mellitus type 2Birth weightBlood sugarGlycemic index

- Studies have shown that small body size at birth is associated with diabetes in adulthood. However, little is known about the effect in old individuals. In our study, the association between birth weight and glucose metabolism in old age was strong in spite of the long time between the exposure and the outcome as well as the age-related changes that occur in the glucose and insulin metabolism, says Dr. Mikaela von Bonsdorff from the University of Jyväskylä.

The Finnish researcher worked with an Icelandic dataset at the National Institute on Aging, NIH, US. Iceland has one of the highest average birth weights in the world and also one of the lowest rates of diabetes. High birth weight has been attributed to the high protein nutrition and the universal use of cod oil which is known to lengthen gestation. In spite of these unique features, the present findings are in line with earlier studies conducted in the Western countries.

- In terms of identifying risk factors for diabetes, it is important to consider body size at birth along with the traditional risk factors as low birth weight seems to yield a lifetime risk for diabetes. The present findings are concerning while obesity is increasing in all age-groups, says Dr. Mikaela von Bonsdorff.

The 1682 participants belonging to the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility – Reykjavik (AGES-Reykjavik) Study were born between 1914 and 1935. They had taken part in the follow-up as middle aged and in old age and these data were linked with anthropometrical birth data extracted from medical records in Iceland. The international study group included researchers from the US, Iceland, the Netherlands and Finland.

Share this story on Facebook, Twitter, and Google:

Other social bookmarking and sharing tools:

View the Original article

Carnosine is Lacking in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Carnosine is one of the most potent nutrients known for protecting against the adverse consequences of high blood sugar.  Thus, it is a wake-up call for every type 2 diabetic to find that a new study shows that patients are lacking carnosine in their muscles. 

One of the key factors to correct type 2 diabetes is an active exercise program.  This helps muscles use extra calories while reducing insulin resistance.  However, the muscles of diabetic patients are under stress, due to high blood sugar that can be acting as “cement;” it is like honey or maple syrup drying on the counter for a few days.  This process is called glycation, which means sugarcoating and cementing of flexible structures.  While one’s eyes, kidneys, and heart are very sensitive to this issue over time, in general, muscles also suffer problems.  This can prevent a person from getting a good response to exercise. 

Carnosine is highly concentrated in muscles, including your heart.  It acts as both an antioxidant and anti-glycation compound, helping prevent high blood sugar from inducing damage.  Thus, it is one of the very best nutrients to help a type 2 diabetic, yet it is lacking in type 2 diabetics.  Possibly carnosine has been used up trying to defend against the problem or a non-red meat diet has predisposed a person to a lack of this nutrient. Regardless of the reason, there simply is not enough carnosine.

Carnosine does a great deal more than simply protect muscles.  It has previously been shown to prevent kidney damage from type 2 diabetes.  A new study shows that it can enhance wound healing and another shows it can help protect the vascular system in the eyes so that high blood sugar does not induce glycation damage. 

Several days ago I mentioned the importance of getting iron to work properly in your body, especially if you are overweight, as are many type 2 diabetic patients are.  Carnosine is an important iron buffer compound, helping to keep iron working in a friendly way in your body.  Many studies show that carnosine also protects your brain, contributing to an anti-aging benefit.

Doses of carnosine in the range of 50 – 300 mgs are good for basic stress management and nerve health.  Doses of 1,500 mg per day are more likely to be of help for any person whose fasting blood sugar is over 90 and would like some help to protect against the glycation problems caused by high blood sugar that wreak so much health damage over time.  Of course, people must still take steps to fix their metabolism.

Share:
Supplements that contain carnosine
Related Entries:

Stunning Discoveries Regarding Iron, Obesity, Candida & Thyroid
Carnosine Protects Brain Cells from Excitotoxic Death
Carnosine Inhibits Excess Amyloid Beta Formation
Carnosine Stops Nerve Excitotoxicity
Carnosine May Help Prevent and Reverse Cataracts
Carnosine Offsets Liver Aging
Carnosine Helps Parkinson’s Patients

Other Health News

Pulling Data...

View the Original article

Silymarin Helps Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Healthy liver function is required for the proper storage, release, and overall metabolism of blood sugar.  Individuals with compromised liver function often develop type 2 diabetes, often in conjunction with weight gain and the development of fatty liver.  A new study shows that silymarin can help patients with liver problems who also have Type 2 Diabetes. 

The study showed that five months of silymarin reduced blood sugar levels of 8%.  Significant improvements also important measures of liver health (bilirubin was lowered 40%, SGOT was lowered 29%, SGPT was lowered 35%, and ALP was lowered 12%).  Such improvement in liver function is rather dramatic, as the general trend in the liver of diabetic patients is one of increased free radical damage and scar tissue formation, tending to lock in the problem of Type 2 Diabetes.

Any person gaining excess weight around their midsection is likely developing excessive fatty deposits in their liver with consequent impairment of liver function and risk for blood sugar problems.  This study shows that silymarin can help guard against the progression of serious liver deterioration, helping to give a person more time to fix their weight and metabolic issues.

Share:
Supplements that contain silymarin
Related Entries:

Tocotrienol E Helps Reduce Fatty Liver
Fish Oil Activates Thyroid Signaling in Your Liver to Burn Fat
Acetyl-L-Carnitine Improves Serious Liver Malfunction
Whey Protein Improves Fatty Liver while Lowering Cholesterol
Quercetin Helps Correct Fatty Liver and Poor Metabolism
Aerobic Exercise Improves Stiff Arteries and Fatty Liver
Gut Problems Associated with Fatty Liver

Other Weight Loss News

Pulling Data...

View the Original article