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Unfit young adults may develop diabetes in middle age

 

WASHINGTON – Men and women between 18 and 30 years with low aerobic fitness levels are more likely to develop diabetes in 20 years, a study said.

Study lead author Mercedes Carnethon from Northwestern University said: “These young adults are setting the stage for chronic disease in middle age by not being physically active and fit.”

“People who have low fitness in their late teens and 20’s tend to stay the same later in life or even get worse. Not many climb out of that category,” Carnethon added.

In the study, Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure of the body’s fat content was the most important predictor of who would developdiabetes. Results of the study were measured using a treadmill test.

Carnethon said: “Research shows that combining regular physical activity with a carefully balanced diet can help most people maintain a healthy body weight and lower the likelihood of developing diabetes.”

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How Water Impacts Blood Sugars

Picture a glass of water. Mix in a little sugar and stir until it dissolves. Now place it outside on a hot, sunny day. As the water evaporates, the remaining water gets sweeter and sweeter.

If you have diabetes, this happens to your blood when you’re dehydrated. Because your blood is 83% water, when you lose water, the volume of blood decreases and the sugar remains the same. More concentrated blood sugar means higher blood sugars.

The lesson: stay hydrated to avoid unnecessary high blood sugars.

How Much Water Should I Drink? 
The average person loses about 10 cups of water per day through sweat and urination. At the same time, you gain fluid from drinking liquids and eating food.

So how much you need to drink is a tricky question. You may have heard the “drink 8 glass of water a day” rule. Where did this rule come from? As Barbara Rolls, a nutrition research at Pennsylvania State University says: “I can’t even tell you that, and I’ve writen a book on water!” It turns out that there’s no basis for this in the medical literature.

The easiest way to tell is looking at your urine. If it’s a little yellow, you’re probably hydrated. If it’s darker, then you need to drink more fluids.

You can also go with your own intuition. Are you thirsty? Drink! If you’re busy or stuck at a desk for long periods, make sure you have a water bottle so you can easily answer when your body calls for water.

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Kids born to gestational diabetic moms – suffer from language development problems

It’s Quite true, children born to mothers diagnosed with diabetes during pregnancy have high risks of language delay. Although there are many factors that contribute to poor development of vocabulary and grammar skills, this reason happens to be the most important driving force.

A recent study conducted by a team of experts from Université Laval’s School of Psychology demonstrated that pregnant related diabetes increases the risk about twice.

Researchers compared the vocabulary and grammar skills of 221 children whose mothers were diagnosed with gestational diabetes to those of 2,612 children from a control group. These tests were conducted at different intervals between ages 18 months and 7 years.

Results showed that children born to mothers with gestational diabetes achieve poorer scores on tests of spoken vocabulary and grammar than children of healthy mothers.

However, this trouble is not inevitable. Children born to highly educated mothers are less vulnerable. genes or environment may be responsible for this.

Future moms must try to prevent this diabetes. Age is a vital factor. So is obesity. With the increase in number of obese women, the curve of gestational diabetes is slowly going up. If you want a healthy kid with no complications cut down your weight, please.

 
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Food that Lower Blood Sugar

 

High blood glucose levels cause a condition called diabetes or high blood sugar. Ignoring the condition can seriously affect the functioning of the body. If the glucose level reached alarming levels, they will immediately attack the function and integrity of vital organs such as the eyes, heart, brain kidneys, etc.. On the other hand, very low blood sugar levels can cause hypoglycemia and coma. The risk of death can occur if not treated promptly.

Monitoring of eating habits along with the drug played a important role in the control of diabetes. People with diabetes do not always have to be starved of sugar-rich foods. In fact, some amount of sugar is very important to keep our cells and tissues function.Glucose acts as energy booster and is required for the activity of every cell in the body.

Eating food should be at the right time in a very systematic manner will help in controlling blood sugar levels. irregular eating habits will cause damage to the body’s metabolism.

Consuming fruits and raw vegetables as needed. These foods are rich in fiber, a constituent that helps in slow and controlled release of sugar into the bloodstream. It is advisable to avoid highly refined foods such as white flour, bakery items that are naturally rich in sugar, concentrated sugar fruits like banana, mango, etc..

After eating foods rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole wheat flour, wheat bran and rice along with protein-rich food is the perfect recipe to keep blood sugar. Chicken and fish are good sources of protein. Vitamin C rich fruits like oranges, lemons, etc. are also useful.

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The Genetics of Restless Legs Syndrome

Do you have uncomfortable sensations in your legs or an uncontrollable urge to move around when you’re trying to rest? Is it interfering with your sleep? These are all signs of restless legs syndrome, a type of sleep disorder that often runs in families. About half of all people with restless legs syndrome have a family history of the condition. Recent research has pinpointed several genetic variants that may increase the risk of developing restless legs syndrome.

One study followed 671 people with restless legs syndrome and their family members for 15 years. The researchers found that siblings of people with restless legs syndrome are 3.6 times more likely to develop the condition, compared with the general population. So while the cause of restless legs syndrome is unknown — although it’s common in people with low iron levels — the evidence is mounting that some people can trace their condition back to their relatives.

Sharing a Restless Leg Syndrome Diagnosis

If you have restless leg syndrome, you may want to alert close relatives and monitor your children for symptoms. Research has shown that people who are pregnant or have anemia or arthritis are at increased risk of developing familial restless legs syndrome, the type of restless legs syndrome that runs in families. They may want to be especially vigilant in watching for restless legs syndrome symptoms, since simple restless leg treatments, like iron supplements, can often bring relief.

For parents of children with restless legs syndrome, understanding the cause of your child’s symptoms can help you be more supportive. Researchers believe that early diagnosis and treatment may, in some cases, help relieve or eliminate restless legs syndrome symptoms.

The main symptom of restless legs syndrome is an uncomfortable sensation in one or both legs. People describe this sensation as a burning, creeping, crawling feeling, or tugging inside their legs. These feelings usually occur in the lower part of the leg, but they can also happen in the feet, upper leg, or arms and hands.

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome are usually most noticeable at rest and at night when you’re trying to sleep, and they often subside in the morning. Since moving the legs or walking around relieves the uncomfortable sensations in the legs, people with restless leg syndrome describe an uncontrollable urge to move their legs. In children, you may want to watch for:

  • http://images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/css/bullet_green.gif); background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 8px; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; “>Pacing the floor at night
  • http://images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/css/bullet_green.gif); background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 8px; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; “>Constant movement of the legs when sitting down
  • http://images.agoramedia.com/everydayhealth/css/bullet_green.gif); background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 8px; margin-bottom: 10px; overflow: hidden; background-position: 0px 0.7em; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; “>Tossing and turning in bed while trying to fall asleep

Restless Legs Treatment Strategies

There is currently no cure for restless legs syndrome, and symptoms tend to get worse with age. But if you, your child, or another family member is diagnosed with restless legs syndrome, there are some treatment options that can help make you more comfortable. They include:

  • Identifying the underlying cause. In some people with restless legs syndrome, the cause of the condition, such as peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, or anemia, can be identified. In these cases, treating the underlying condition can relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome.
  • Making certain lifestyle changes. Taking steps such as limiting the use of caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco; taking iron, folate, and perhaps magnesium supplements; adjusting your sleep schedule; exercising moderately; and therapies such as soaking in a hot bath, icing the legs, or having a leg massage may help relieve or reduce restless leg symptoms.
  • Trying medications. Certain medications, such as dopaminergic drugs, benzodiazepines, or opioids, have been shown to help reduce symptoms of restless leg syndrome in some people.

Researchers are still working to determine how genes may play a part in your risk for developing restless legs syndrome, with the hope that future discoveries will help prevent it or lead to better treatment strategies.

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Hospital Care- DIabetes

 

When illness strikes, even the most diligently managed diabetes can become hard to handle. Add in a hospital stay where the timing and type of care you receive may not be totally up to you – or out of your hands altogether – and you may feel you are at your most vulnerable. Even in the hospital, you can still be the leader of your diabetes care. A little planning can help minimize your risk of various diabetic complications while you are hospitalized and give you the control you need to keep your blood sugar on target.

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8 Healthy Habits for Weight Loss

 

Losing weight and keeping it off is a matter of cutting back what you eat and increasing your amount of exercise. “The simplest equation in the world, calories in and calories out, determines your weight loss,” says Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, of Sarasota, Fla., spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association.

But if that’s all you do, you may find yourself ultimately regaining the weight you worked so hard to lose. The reason: Weight loss is a matter of lifestyle and, if you don’t adopt the healthy habits necessary to sustain your weight loss, you could backslide into overweight and obesity.

Here are some tips aimed at helping you create a healthy lifestyle that will improve your chances for successful weight loss. They might seem like common sense, but many people committed to losing weight neglect these healthy habits and end up struggling to succeed.

1. Watch Your Portions

Portion control is a key challenge to Americans pursuing weight loss. “The best way to control the calories is to go with portion control,” says Dr. Gerbstadt. Piling food onto your plate can make you feel pressured to eat it all. Start with small portions, and go back for (a little) more if you’re still hungry. Keep in mind that your stomach will grumble early on, until it has shrunk to adapt to the smaller meals you’re now eating.

Portion control is doubly important when eating out. “Most people are catching on to the fact that when you eat out at a restaurant, the calories are two to three times what you really need for that meal,” says Gerbstadt. “You might get a salad and an appetizer and call it a meal, rather than get a salad and an entrée.”

2. Eat Slowly

It takes a little while for your body to realize that you’ve eaten and to stop sending signals of hunger. If you slow down and savor your food, you probably will eat less before your body acknowledges that you’re full.

3. Eat Your Vegetables First

Vegetables contain plenty of fiber and bulk but few calories. By eating them first, you might eat less of any fatty or high-calorie items on your plate.

4. Don’t Skip Meals

Skipping meals sounds like a good idea, but it actually undermines your weight-loss plan. Your body thinks it is being starved and starts building body fat in an attempt to store energy away for later. On top of that, you’re likely to be even hungrier for your next meal and eat far more than you would have otherwise. The best course is to eat three small meals, with two or three small snacks in between.

5. Drink Plenty of Water

Water helps you feel full throughout your day, aiding your weight-loss efforts. Water also provides innumerable health benefits to your skin and your digestive and circulatory systems.

6. Switch to Healthy Snacks

Swap out the high-calorie or high-fat snacks in your diet for healthier alternatives. Fruits, low-fat string cheese, peanut butter, and whole-grain crackers are some good options. Create snacks that combine carbohydrates and proteins, like peanut butter on apple slices, as they will make you feel full longer.

7. Exercise as Often as You Can

Burning calories through physical activity is essential to weight loss. If you don’t burn more calories than you eat, you won’t lose weight. “People think they’re too busy to walk 20 minutes a day or do a little weight training or ride a bike, and then they wonder why they can’t lose weight,” Gerbstadt says. “If you try to diet without exercise, it just takes that much more effort.” Any physical activity, even long walks, will help.

8. Keep a Record

Food diaries are a proven aid to people pursing weight loss. Keep track of what you’ve eaten and how many calories the food contained. If you also keep a record of your exercise, you can compare how many calories you’re burning to how many calories you’re consuming.

Healthy and sustainable weight loss does not occur overnight, despite the promises of fad diets. Losing a pound or two a week is normal, and shows that you are adopting weight-loss habits as a part of your lifestyle.

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The Importance of Water in Your Diet Plan

One of the most important things you can do for better nutrition and successful diet is to drink enough water. Learn about water’s vital role in your diet and in helping you lose weight.
Want a great diet tip? Drink more water.

Drinking plenty of cold, clear water is essential for your health and, in fact, for your very survival. You can live much longer without food than you can without water. Water is an important part of all body functions and processes, including digestion and elimination. When you’re on a diet, water also acts as a weight-loss aid because it can help you eat less.

“Drinking water is important during weight loss because it provides hydration without unwanted calories. Drinking non-caloric fluids like water before or with a meal can help a dieter feel full sooner,” explains Donna Logan, RD, a registered dietitian at the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. “So in addition to not adding calories, drinking water may help replace or avoid unnecessary food calories found in snacks or extra servings at mealtime. Drinking water also helps flush wastes from the body, which is especially important during times of fat metabolism and weight loss.”

Water: Drinking Enough to Boost Your Diet

Recommendations from the Food and Nutrition Board are for women to get 91 ounces per day and men 125 ounces from all sources — water, other beverages, and foods with a high water content.

When it comes to water alone, explains Logan, “A general recommendation is to drink eight 8-ounce cups of water per day, for a total of 64 ounces. This is a generalization only, and actual fluid needs are affected by diet, physical activity, body composition, and climate.”

For instance, this number goes up if you exercise — a key to successful weight loss — and even more so in hot weather when it’s possible to lose about the equivalent of a quart of water in an hour, according to the American Council on Exercise. You’ll want to drink water before, during, and after every workout.

Don’t wait to feel thirsty to start sipping — that’s a sign that dehydration has already started to occur. You want to drink water throughout the day, on a regular basis.

Water: Four Tips for Getting Your Fill

Here are some easy tricks for getting enough water while dieting:

Use a water tracker. “A water tracker is merely a device which helps you keep track of how much water you drink. A water tracker can provide a graphic record of eight glasses of water which are checked off as they are consumed. For example, drinking a 20-ounce bottle of water would translate into two and a half cups on the tracker. Such trackers are available online or can be easily replicated,” explains Logan.

Add water throughout your day. “People can use a variety of methods to help ensure they get enough water. Some carry a 64-ounce container of water and drink throughout the day, with the goal of drinking all the water before they go to bed. Those who spend time away from home may take a portable 16-ounce container, knowing that they need to fill and drink it four times throughout the day. Others associate drinking with routine activities throughout the day, such as drinking fluid at meals, before brushing their teeth, or after feeding the dogs,” says Logan.

Get water through food. “Fruits and vegetables, especially those that are fresh and juicy, provide fluid to the diet. Like water, clear soups and broths help dieters feel full for very few calories, contributing to weight loss. However, beware of creamy soups that, while adding fluids, contain many calories. Skim milk, and low-fat and no-added sugar yogurts and puddings also help hydration and nutrition without excessive calories,” recommends Logan. Melons and citrus fruits also have a very high water content.

Jazz up your water glass. “Many people find that adding low- or non-caloric flavorings to water, such as a wedge of fruit, helps satisfy their appetite cravings,” adds Logan. This is also a very inexpensive way to make your own flavored water.

If you want your diet to work, you need to drink plenty of water. Water can fill you up, decrease your appetite, and help your body get rid of waste from that fat you’re burning. So what are you waiting for? Water is available right now from your tap, and it’s free.

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High insulin levels may increase prostate cancer risk

WASHINGTON – Researchers have found that high insulin levels might increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Lead researcher Dr Demetrius Albanes, of the Nutritional Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md., examined the relationship of the level of serum insulin and glucose, as well as surrogate indices of insulin resistance, to the development of prostate cancer.

The study showed that elevated insulin levels in the normal range appear to be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

When subjects in the second through fourth quartiles of serum insulin concentration were compared with those in the first or lowest quartile, higher insulin levels within the normal range were associated with statistically significantly increased risk of prostate cancer.

The findings appear in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 

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Gene that may play role in type 1 diabetes identified

 

 

WASHINGTON – A gene that may play a role in the development of type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s insulin-producing cells has been identified by scientists at Stanford University.

Insulin, a hormone produced by cells of the pancreas, helps the body to absorb sugars found in food and to maintain blood sugar at appropriate levels.

The study team, led by C. Garrison Fathman, M.D., examined genes from mice that develop a type 1 diabetes-like disease.

The investigators found that cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes of mice make two forms of the same gene called deformed epidermal autoregulatory factor 1 (Deaf1). One form is full-length and functional and the other is a shorter, nonfunctional variant form. The full-length, functional form of Deaf1 controls the production of molecules needed to eliminate immune cells that can destroy insulin-producing cells.

The presence of the Deaf1 variant was found to prevent the full-length Deaf1 protein from functioning normally.

Further experiments showed that the variant form blocked the genes needed to produce certain molecules involved in immune regulation.

When the researchers measured the levels of these two forms in people with type 1 diabetes and in healthy individuals, levels of the variant form were found to be higher in people with type 1 diabetes compared with those in healthy controls. In addition, the variant form, as in mice, inhibited the full-length form from functioning normally.

The researchers propose that the development of type 1 diabetes may in part be due to increased levels of the Deaf1 variant protein in pancreatic lymph nodes of people with this disease. Increased levels of Deaf1 variant may, in turn, lead to reduced production of molecules that are required to educate the immune system not to attack the body’s own cells, including the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. (ANI)