Moms who don't breastfeed more likely to develop diabetes

A new study says that mothers who don not breastfeed their babies are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.

The study was conducted by University of Pittsburgh.

Reports quoting said Dr. Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, assistant professor of medicine, epidemiology, and obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh said diet and exercise are widely known to impact the risk of type 2 diabetes. But a few people realize that breastfeeding also reduces mothers' risk of developing the disease later in life by decreasing maternal belly fat.

The study was conducted in 2,233 women between the ages of 40 and 78. Twenty-seven percent of mothers who did not breastfeed developed type 2 diabetes and were almost twice as likely to develop the disease as women who had breastfed or never given birth.

On the other hand, mothers who breastfed their children were not likely to develop diabetes than women who never gave birth.

The study has been published in the American Journal of Medicine.

Grapefruit help treating diabetes

A study has found that grapefruit could help treat diabetes. The study says that Naringenin, an antioxidant which gives grapefruit its bitter taste, can do the same job as two separate drugs currently used to manage Type 2 diabetes.

Naringenin was found to increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin. It also helps in maintaining a healthy weight, which is important to the treatment of diabetes.

The study shows that Naringenin makes the liver burn fat instead of storing it. They say that its effect mimics the action of Fenofibrate and Rosiglitazone, two lipid-lowering drugs which are used to help control Type-2 diabetes.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem conducted the study.

Fasting for 24 hours cut the risk of diabetes

Regularly fasting for a day may reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease, a research has suggested.

The researchers conducted studies on the health and habits of more than 200 residents in the state of Utah, where fasting for at least one day a month is a way of life for many Mormons.

The study found narrowing of the arteries in around 75 per cent of those who did not fast and clogged arteries in 63 per cent of those who said they often skipped meals.

The study was also conducted in people who were not regular fasters. The tests revealed fasting triggers a significant surge in human growth hormone, a hormone credited with speeding up metabolism and burning off fat. It was seen that the levels rose 13-fold in women and 20-fold in men. If fat is shed, then it cut the risk of diabetes and related heart problems.

Though fasting caused levels of cholesterol to rise, it returned to normal after the fast was over.

Test predicts diabetes ten years earlier

Researchers have stated that diabetes could be detected very much earlier, about ten years before, with measuring levels of small molecules in the blood.

The researchers said the levels of five amino acids not only indicated increased diabetes risk but also could differentiate, among individuals with traditional risk factors such as obesity.

The researchers say that these findings raises the possibility that the patients at highest risk of developing diabetes could be detected earlier so that early preventive measures could be instituted.

The researchers found the five amino acids — isoleucine, leucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine — were significantly associated with the later development of type 2 diabetes.

Aspirin for diabetic patients at high risk for CVD

Low-dose aspirin therapy is found to be good for preventing myocardial infarction or stroke among patients with diabetes at high risk for cardiovascular disease.

A joint statement released by the American Diabetes Association, American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association disclosed this.

The statement was published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Diabetes Care and Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

It said that the overall data suggested that aspirin moderately reduces the risk. However, it said that more research was needed to better define the specific effects of aspirin on diabetes.

The statement said the use of aspirin therapy depended on the use of other treatments like cholesterol-lowering medications, smoking cessation and blood pressure control.

In 2007, the ADA and AHA had issued a joint recommendation for 75 mg to 162 mg aspirin per day for men and women aged 40 years or older with a major risk factor for CVD.

Low-dose aspirin is not recommended for CV prevention for men younger than 50 years and women younger than 60 years with diabetes.

Diabetes and Feet

Diabetic patients should have to be very careful with their feet or they can get into trouble. There are possibilities that one can come across reduced blood circulation and nerve damage.

In case you feel that the feet is constantly getting cold and legs are becoming sore when walking, then you have to be careful as it could be because of decreased blood circulation. If you feel so, it is better to do some physical activity to improve the blood circulation. It is better to control blood sugar, blood fat and pressure.

Another symptom that diabetic patients come across is that the feet may become numb or you may have a burning sensation on the soles. This may be because of nerve damage. If you feel so, you have to check the feet regularly. Wash and dry in between the toes carefully. If corns or calluses are developed, immediately see the doctor. The nails should be trimmed regularly.

Diabetes patients: some Tips for Travel

A diabetic person when travelling should take plan ahead. This will reduce tension while travelling. Here are some tips for diabetic travel.

Before travelling, it is better to have a check up. Make sure that the glucose levels, cholesterol levels and pressure are ok. If there is any deviation, take some precautions.

Check the baggage for the medical kit. You should also have glucose snacks in your baggage.

The medication, including insulin and syringes should be kept in separate boxes so that no confusion arises.

Another thing that has to be seen is the time difference as this is important for taking medications. In case you re travelling east, the day become shorter and when travelling west, the day becomes longer.

It is good to wear a diabetes medical ID.