Higher risk of alcohol and mental health problems in diabetes – Mindful Monday
A new study suggests a concerning correlation between mental health problems and diabetes. The study, conducted by Universities of Helsinki and Tampere and Helsinki University Hospital, investigated the relationship between diabetes the the risk of death due to mental health problems.
People with diabetes have an increased risk of cardiovascular events, cancer and kidney disease. However, this is not the only concerning health risk that is associated with diabetes.
One study published in the Journal of Medicine and Life in 2016, for instance, discovered that the occurrence of depression in people with diabetes is two to three times higher than in other individuals.
Many people with diabetes have spoken out about their mental health problems associated with the disease. The study suggests that these mental health issues put those with diabetes at a greater risk of death due to suicide, alcohol and accidents. Interestingly, those who required self-injecting insulin were at an even greater risk!
The pressure of monitoring and balancing glucose levels, “combined with the anxiety of developing serious complications like heart or kidney disease may also take their toll on psychological well-being.”
All of these findings speak to the fact that mental health assessment and support should play a greater role in disease management. These problems can be managed, but only if they are communicated first.
See our Psycho-social Resourse Page for mental health screening tools
To learn more: Higher risk of alcohol- and suicide-related death in diabetes – Medical News Today
“Diet high in vitamin C could protect against gestational diabetes”
A new study finds that women who incorporate more vitamin C into their diets, lower their risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Nianhong Yang, PhD, a professor and director of the department of nutrition and food hygiene at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Hubei, China, studied the data of over three thousand pregnant women during the gestational period. Participants provided lifestyle information through a questionnaire and vitamin C supplement intake and dietary behavior were assessed via in-person interviews.
“The researchers defined dietary vitamin C intake into three groups: inadequate (< 115 mg per day), adequate (115 mg per day to 200 mg per day) and above adequate (> 200 mg per day).”
During the study 344 women developed gestational diabetes and 744 women had “inadequate” vitamin C intake. “The primary source of dietary vitamin C consumption was leafy green vegetables, cabbage and chili, along with other fruits and vegetables.”
The study found that women with above adequate vitamin C intake were less likely to develop gestational diabetes. However, women with inadequate had a negative correlation with gestational diabetes.
To learn more: Diet high in vitamin C could protect against gestational diabetes – Healio
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“Remembering Quincy, a Beloved Koala with Type 1 Diabetes”
In the summer of 2018, the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute and San Diego Zoo teamed up to help Quincy, a koala, manage his diabetes. Quincy was well-known for being diagnosed with diabetes and then treated with a CGM (continuous glucose monitor).
“Working with Quincy allowed us to extend our digital technology into an entirely new population,” said Athena Philis-Tsimikas, MD, corporate vice president for the Scripps Whittier Diabetes Institute
Interestingly, Dr. Tsimikas reported that working with Quincy gave additional insight into working with someone who was unable to speak, like a person who is unconscious due to hypoglycemia or a small child.
The CGM transmitted Quincy’s blood glucose levels to an app, which helped caretakers manage his Diabetes. Prior to using the CGM, the zoo staff would have to prick Quincy many times a day.
Quincy passed in late 2018 due to pneumonia but continues to be a beloved mascot for those with diabetes.
“Hopefully our experience with Quincy provided new approaches to the Zoo, not only for marsupials but for other species that may develop diabetes and need ongoing therapy for the future.”
To learn more about how technology was used to help Quincy the koala: Remembering Quincy, a Beloved Koala with Type 1 Diabetes
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]“Many Americans Slicing Meat From Their Diet”
A recent study by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore has found that Americans are beginning to cut down on poultry, fish, and red meat consumption. The two primary findings for this study, include the cost of meat products as well as their negative implications towards health and the environment.
The research provided a survey to 1,100 individuals asking them about their meat consumption habits over the past three years. Lead scientist, Roni Neff, says, “Many Americans continue to have strong preferences for meat, but this survey adds to a growing body of evidence that a significant portion of the population may be purposefully reducing their meat consumption.”
55% of participants reduced overall meat consumption and 41% cut down on red meat specifically. 64% of the participants who reduced overall meat consumption admitted to doing so due to finances. This was evident as individuals with incomes less than $25,000 were more likely to decrease meat intake while households bringing in $75,000+ were less likely. 42% chose to have meatless meals, 32% had meatless days, and 9% avoided meat altogether.
It was also reported that middle aged individuals (ages 45-59) were more likely to decrease intake than younger participants. Women typically ate less than men as well. Individuals who did not curb meat intake “felt that meat was essential for a healthy diet.”
The survey is thought to help fuel future campaigns on the importance of raising awareness about nutrition, plant-based eating and the effect meat production has on the environment.
“The report was published recently in the journal Public American Nutrition.”
For more information, visit “Many Americans Slicing Meat From Their Diet” HealthDay
You can learn more: Risk in Red Meat? National Institute of Health
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Lack of sleep increases anxiety | Mindful Monday
Announced at the annual meeting of the Science for Neuroscience, research finds even in healthy adults, sleep deprivation can have an effect on anxiety levels and even alter brain activity.
A recent study by Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center has determined that a lack of sleep may induce increased levels of anxiety. Also, people who are diagnosed with anxiety typically have difficulty sleeping. This study shows that there is an inverse relationship between anxiety and poor sleep.
The anxiety levels of 18 healthy individuals were examined for the sake of this study. Anxiety tests were conducted for each subject after a full night of sleep and a sleepless night. Those who experience sleep deprivation demonstrated anxiety levels 30% higher than the group of individuals who had a full night sleep. The brain activity of the sleep-deprived individuals changed as well. Subjects seemed to become more emotional in response to videos played in the lab. The prefrontal cortex, the area that reduces anxiety levels, was less active as well according to MRI scans.
The result of the study concluded that lack of sleep can be more than just a symptom of anxiety, but in some cases, a direct cause!
The new ADA Standards encourage health care professionals to evaluate sleep habits at each visit and help with problem solving to improve sleep quality.
For more information on this topic, visit: A lack of sleep can induce anxiety – Science News, Magazine of the Society for Science & the Public
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]“Even when families have issues, eating together can improve teen diets”
A new study finds that teenagers whose families eat dinner together are more likely to make better food choices, regardless of the family’s communication skills.
The study suggest regardless of the how well the family functions, when you are bringing a family together for a meal you are often considering the adolescent’s nutrition. This leads to setting a healthy example for children and continued nutrition awareness into adulthood.
“Many, many studies have looked at the benefit of family meals, and over and over they have found that this leads to adolescents eating more fruits and vegetables and less fast food and sugar-sweetened beverages,” said Walton, now a research fellow at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Critics of the study suggest the dysfunction of the family would lead to less meals together and it would effect the nutritional value of the food in the house all together. However, researchers found that the more teens ate dinner with their family, the more fruits and vegetables were included in their diet.
There are many benefits to eating a quality meal with family. Kathryn Walton, who was a doctoral student at the University of Guelph, Canada, presents ways in which parents can make family dinner a priority even with a busy schedule. Including your teens in meal prep as well as making dinner a more casual affair can help increase the frequency.
This simple idea, can have a big impact on health!
Learn more: Even when families have issues, eating together can improve teen diets – Reuters
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]Fructose-sweetened drinks increase diabetes risk?
A recent review published by the academic British Medical Journal, “BMJ”, has found that high-fructose containing drinks may increase risk of type 2 diabetes more than other foods containing fructose.
Previous studies have confirmed that there is a link between sugary drinks and obesity. As few as two sugary drinks per week may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes considerably.
Now, a comprehensive review of existing research confirms that fructose-containing drinks can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes more than other foods that contain fructose.
The head researcher on the review, Dr. John Sievenpiper, aimed to find if fructose affects glucose levels and health in individuals with diabetes and without diabetes.
As we know, fructose is a monosaccharide that is found in many foods such as fruit, honey, and root vegetables.
However, processed fructose, often derived from corn and added to foods under the name high- fructose corn syrup, has found its way into many processed foods. These processed foods such as drinks, cereals, and baked goods add extra calories without adding fiber or other nutritional benefits.
Dr. John Sievenpiper’s research reviewed the outcomes of 155 studies and examined the effects that fructose from various food sources had on blood sugar levels. A1c, glucose and insulin levels were assessed.
The studies were separated into four separate groups based on their design:
- Substitution studies compared the energy derived from sugars with that from other carbohydrates.
- Subtraction studies removed sugar-derived energy from the participants’ diet and compared it with a regular diet.
- Addition studies added glucose-derived energy to the diet and compared it with a non-sugar-enhanced diet.
- Ad libitum studies replaced the energy from sugars with other nutrients that the participants were free to consume at will.
The review concluded that “nutrient-poor” foods that add excess calories (sugary drinks and sweetened juices) have harmful metabolic effects.
Some of the studies conducted did find that fructose had a harmful effect on fasting insulin levels.
However, most of the data revealed that fruit and fruit juice, which are high in fructose and fiber, may even benefit blood sugar and insulin levels of those with diabetes, when these foods do not add excess calories, the review suggests.
The take home message is:
Until more information is available, public health professionals should be aware that harmful effects of fructose sugars on blood glucose seem to be mediated by energy and food source.”
For more information on fructose and its effect on blood sugar and insulin levels, by MedicalNewsToday
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[yikes-mailchimp form=”1″]5 Subtypes of type 2 diabetes – Bev
Recent research by the Broad Institute of MIT, Harvard, and Massachusetts General Hospital has shown that there may potentially be five distinct subtypes of type two diabetes based individual genetics.
Three of the subtypes involve insulin resistance where insulin is not used effectively and for the right purpose. The other two subtypes involve a deficiency of insulin where insulin is not being produced in adequate amounts by the beta cells.
The study included 17,365 subjects from four separate studies with type two diabetes. The genomic data of each individual was analyzed and recorded, only to find the five different variances in DNA that led to insulin resistance/deficiency. Those who were insulin resistant typically had a larger waistline and had a higher risk of obesity. Individuals who were insulin deficient were typically thinner than their counterparts.
This new data is critical because “there could be a number of processes which lead to high blood glucose levels.” This information also means that there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to treating type two diabetes with medication therapy.
For more information on the subtypes of type two diabetes, visit subtypes of type 2 diabetes highlighted by genetics study.
Learn more about matching medication therapy to the person with diabetes.
Meds Management Update – 1.5 CEs | Live Webinar, Dec 6, 2019 at 11:30
Join Beverly to gain insight into the increasingly complex world of diabetes medications and management.
This webinar will highlight the key elements of the latest Medication Guidelines by AACE and ADA. We will explore clinical factors to consider when determining the best strategy to improve glucose management in people with type 2 diabetes and discuss new medications.
This webinar will discuss how to integrate new medication recommendations into our practice. We will discuss the benefits, considerations and critical information to share with our patients and providers.
- Overview of classes and actions of diabetes medications
- Medication management updates and new recommendations
- Using the ADA/AACE algorithms to improve diabetes care and outcomes
This course is included in: Level 2: Beyond Fundamentals. Purchase this course individually for $29 or the entire bundle and save 70%.
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