Cyndrome

Archive for December, 2010

Judicious eating habits are key to fight diabetes; experts said in a conference held to mark World Diabetes Day 2010, speakers noted that guarantee proper diet, mostly among high-risk patients, could help stem the high incidence of diabetes in the Sultanate.

Information from the International Diabetes confederacy show that this year, 10.7 per cent of 262,000 Bruneians were found to be suffering from diabetes. The disease is the third cause of death in the Sultanate.

Roziah Othman, Diabetic Education nurse (HSSB), said that complications from the disease could be reduced by controlling blood sugar. Roziah was one of three speakers at the symposium which was held at the Bumiputera Complex, Bangar Town.

Another speaker, Ripas hospital clinical dietitian Zakaria Kamis, said diet could help in managing diabetes and prevent the occurrence of the disease in high-risk patients. Meals should be eaten in small portions, but frequently, he said. “It is important to eat at fixed times. Eat three main meals and three light snacks. Make sure there are fruits and vegetables. However, control your rice intake as too much rice can lead to high blood sugar level,” he said.

He added that skipping breakfast would cause people to be hungry at the end of the day. This results in overindulgence and excess sugar intake. The dietician, however, added that it was not feasible to totally cut off sugar from the diet.

As sugar from simple carbohydrates causes the blood sugar level to rise and fall quickly, it is better to consume complex carbohydrates as it takes time for the sugar to be broken down. This provides enough sugar to last until the next meal.

Too much carbohydrate intake, though, can cause blood sugar level to spike. Zakaria also said that the amount of oil used in cooking is also a consideration. “Opt for boiled food and reduce use of oil,” he said. Alternatives such as olive oil, canola oil, corn oil, sesame oil or soya bean oil, he added.

In the meantime, carbonated drinks, syrup, three-in-one products and milk that are obtainable in the market are not suitable for people who suffer from diabetes, he said. He added that for milk, low fat or skimmed are better alternatives to full cream. Zakaria said with suitable modifications, even nasi katok can be a healthy meal. “Eat only one packet of nasi katok, add vegetables and throw away the chicken’s skin,” he said.

For those seeking a healthy diet, dairy products, while fats and trans fats are not usually on the menu at least not yet. Scientists have fallen to a component of Trans fats are found mainly in milk fat may prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular health protection. Although the investigation is far from conclusive and requires much more study, suggested that fat may play a more complex role in human health than previously thought.

The researchers found that adults with high levels of fatty acids (one of the most important parts of fat molecules) are called trans-palmitoleic acid in the blood was three times lower risk of developing diabetes, according to a study published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine. This naturally produced trans fats are found mainly in dairy component, and the flesh. These subjects also had less fat, better cholesterol and reduce triglycerides, which are all linked to improved cardiovascular health.

“It’s exciting because traditional fats have also been considered clogs arteries, but they seem to be both dangerous and protective,” said lead author and epidemiologist at Harvard Dariush Mozaffarian. “The fat of the world becomes more interesting and complex.”

Little is known about trans-palmitoleic acid. In a 1970 study, nutritionists found it comprised only 0.2 percent of all dairy fats. Mammals actually don’t produce it naturally. Bacteria found in cattle make the fatty acid during digestion, and it eventually finds its way to their milk.

Mozaffarian and his colleagues grew interested in the fatty acid after examining a small body of evidence linking dairy consumption with lower diabetes and cardiovascular disease risk factors. “Because trans-palmitoleic acid is fairly unique to dairy, we knew if we found it in subjects there’s a good chance it came from eating some dairy product,” he said.

Analyzing blood samples and lifestyles of more than 3,700 adults 65 years or older, Mozzaffarian found that even when adjusting for various demographic and lifestyle differences, subjects with high levels of trans-palmitoleic acid or reported eating whole-fat dairy appeared to be in better shape than those who didn’t. 739 people in the study had trans-palmitoleic acid at the highest protective level.  The acid was found in each person studied.

“This one of the strongest confirmations that there’s something in dairy fat that lowers risk of diabetes,” Mozzaffarian said.

That doesn’t mean you should put down the skim milk and reach for the half and half, however. Excess calories can lead to weight gain which, going unchecked is a contributing factor in diabetes, heart disease and a number of other health problems.  This is only one study that does not show trans-palmitoleic acid or whole-fat dairy directly caused these differences. However, it’s widely accepted that diets high in the saturated fats found in dairy products often lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

“We certainly know that eating a lot of saturated fat is associated with some bad consequences,” said American Diabetes Association Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs and Community Information Dr. Sue Kirkman. “This study is interesting, but people shouldn’t conclude they should eat or drink high fat dairy products. It does, however, generate a great hypothesis for future study.”

Mozaffarian agreed. He hopes others will focus on trans-palmitoleic acid and its effects in the body. If the trans-palmitoleic acid has been found to protect against diabetes or cardiovascular disease, he imagined that maybe the producers can increase the concentration in dairy products or use as a supplement. “It’s exciting because it may be able to reduce the epidemic of diabetes worldwide,” said Mozaffarian. “But it’s really the new science, so we do not oversell. This could be a flash in a pan that proves correct. “

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton called on governments to promote healthy diets and nutrition of mothers and their children’s programmers to eradicate diabetes, which so far has been 300 million people worldwide and is estimated to affect over 50 million people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), the two decades.

Counsel for the fight against diabetes since 2004, Clinton spoke to 550 participants in two days, “Mena Diabetes Leadership Forum” held at Inter-Continental Hotel in the city of festivals. The event was officially opened as part of five days Dubai 6th International Conference on Medical Sciences at the UAE Health Minister Dr Hanif Hassan Ali Al Qassim afternoon Sunday.

Clinton said: “There is much support for child care of mothers and those provided by donors (in countries that have requested support on health issues like HIV / AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria). I say that Governments should include in these programs, diet and nutrition.”

He was answering a question raised by event organizer Novo Nordisk, president and chief executive officer Lars Rebien Sorensen, about recent studies conducted by the Danish pharmaceutical firm against diabetes. Studies showed that “huge” newborns are not necessarily healthy but have been grossly affected by their gestational pregnant diabetic mothers and in the long run, if not guided properly by good diet, nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, become victims of diabetes and its complications such as the non-communicable cardiovascular diseases and cancer, among others.

Clinton added: “My wife once said that every woman in any country has the responsibility gene. So, proper diet and nutrition is a concern of mothers.” On public and private partnerships wherein Sorensen pointed out those pharmaceutical firms may be seen as implementing initiatives for their own vested interests, Clinton said: “We should not be sensitive here. There is no government (which can address on its own harsh effects) of social behaviors.”

Clinton has been involved in the global fight against diabetes when her over the years he noticed that two of his chief of staff, and children with diabetes. Also, when his term of another of his friend, who seemed perfectly healthy and died from complications of diabetes. Clinton has suggested, among other things, the promotion of young people, food and beverage industries, and health professionals to address diabetes and related diseases through partnerships. He said: “so many wonderful things, amazing things happen in your area do not stop just because of diabetes.”

Type 2 diabetes was once called “adult start diabetes” since they are generally overweight adults exaggerated. But with more than 12 million children and young people are now considered obese, type 2 diabetes is arresting more young people than ever.

“Studies show that between 8 and 45 percent of children newly diagnosed with diabetes type 2 diabetes, “says Dr. Kelly McGregory, a pediatrician with North Point Clinic in Roscoe.

Diabetes is a disease that affects how the body processes glucose (a sugar). As the level of glucose in the body increases, the pancreas releases insulin to help process the glucose. Type 1 diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas produces no insulin and people with diabetes need to take insulin to control blood sugar.

Type 2 is when the body still produces insulin but either not enough or the body does not respond to normal. Type 2 diabetes may not require the use of insulin injections or pumps, and can often be controlled through diet and exercise or with oral medications.

“Childhood obesity has been increasing over the last decade, the number of overweight children increased from 5 percent (in 1970 and 1980) to 10.4 percent in 2008, and “says Dr. McGregory. Less active and more food produced in our diet have contributed to the increase in overweight and obese children – and type 2 diabetes.

Genetics is another factor. Children with type 2 diabetes are likely to be a parent with diabetes or a family history of disease. Some ethnic is also a higher risk. The symptoms of type 2 diabetes are frequent urination, excessive thirst, and fatigue.