Defeat Diabetes: November 2003 Articles

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	Head-To-Head Trial of The Four Popular Diet Plans (11/26/03) The first head-to-head trial of four popular diet plans - Atkins, Dean Ornish, Weight Watchers and the Zone - has found that people who stick with any of them for a year lose about 5 percent of their body weight, far fewer pounds than most dieters hope for, and at least a third drop out of all of them before the year is up. The real secret to any diet is reducing calorie intake.
	Being Overweight in Middle-Age Linked to Poor Health in Later Years (11/26/03) Having a higher body mass index in middle age may be associated with a poorer health and quality of life in older age.
	Moving to the Suburbs Linked to Obesity & Diabetes Risk (11/26/03) Americans living in areas of great urban sprawl are more likely to be obese and get diabetes than those who dwell in denser areas.
	Alcohol Consumption After Eating Reduces Insulin Levels (11/26/03) Moderate alcohol consumption after a meal produces a significant drop in plasma insulin levels, which could have an important effect on glucose metabolism.
	Ten Minutes of Exercise A Day Reduces Cardiovascular Risk 50% (11/26/03) According to researchers from Tokyo, Japan regular aerobic exercise, just 1 hour of exercise per week, halved the risk of cardiovascular disease.
	The Many Faces of Diabetic Eye Disease (11/26/03) “Glaucoma” is the term used to describe a group of eye diseases that share the following characteristics: progressive, structural damage to the optic nerve, often but not always associated with an increase of internal eye pressure, resulting in a progressive and characteristic pattern of visual field (peripheral and then central vision) loss.
	Buckwheat Helps To Control Diabetes (11/26/03) Research on buckwheat, a grain used in making pancakes and noodles, has proved it may be beneficial for diabetics. In a controlled study, Canadian researchers have shown that extracts of the seed lowered blood glucose levels by 12 to 19 percent when fed to diabetic rats.
	Susceptibility Genes Explain High Rate of Diabetic Kidney Failure in Blacks (11/26/03) New evidence found that genetic variations in regions of certain chromosomes are linked to severe kidney disease in younger African Americans with diabetes. The findings may ultimately lead to new drugs to prevent kidney failure in diabetics.
	Almost Half of US Physicians Favor National Health Insurance (11/26/03) 50% of the physicians in the US support legislation to establish national health insurance, according to results of a survey published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
	Maternal Infection During Pregnancy Tied to Lower Diabetes Risk in Female Offspring (11/26/03) Among girls at increased risk of type1 diabetes, those whose mothers had colds or certain other infections during pregnancy seem to be less likely to develop diabetes.
	Insulin Travel Adjustment Guide (11/25/03) TABLE 2: Insulin Adjustment Traveling EAST Across Multiple Time Zones and TABLE 3: Insulin Adjustment Traveling WEST Across Multiple Time Zones
	Diabetes Cure 'In Sight After Major Breakthrough' (11/25/03) Injection Leads to Islet Regeneration in Autoimmune Diabetes. A possible cure for insulin-dependent diabetes is in sight following a major medical breakthrough. Scientists in the United States have not only halted the disease in mice mimicking human type 1 diabetes, but reversed it. The MGH scientists injected diabetic mice with the spleen cells. The cells migrated to their pancreases, prompting the damaged organs to regenerate into healthy, insulin-making organs, ending their diabetes.
	Staying in Shape Staves Off Diabetes in Women (11/25/03) Being physically fit may help prevent the development of diabetes in healthy women. Physicians need to be prescribing physical activity to their female patients to help prevent the development of diabetes.
	Diabetes: Dealing With Holidays (11/20/03) Holidays can be filled with food temptations. Busy schedules make it hard to work in regular exercise and healthy meals. But don't despair. With a little planning, you can enjoy the holidays.
	Diabetes in Developing Nations May Double (11/18/03) It estimated the number of cases in the developing world could soar from 115 million in 2000 to 284 million in 2030. Some 90 percent of the world's estimated 171 million people with the disease have type-2 diabetes. At least one death in every 20 worldwide is due to diabetes, WHO said. Direct health care costs range from 2.5 percent to 15 percent of annual health care budgets. Indirect costs, such as loss of production, may be five times that.
	New Fasting Glucose Level Means More Prediabetes (11/18/03) New guidelines will place even more people into the “prediabetes” category. At least 20% more which, could mean 30 million people with “prediabetes.”
	HHS Launches New Campaign to Curb Growing Diabetes Epidemic in Hispanics (11/18/03) Diabetes in the Hispanic community has reached epidemic proportions. Of the 30 million Hispanics living in the United States, about 2 million have diagnosed diabetes. HHS' National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) developed the "Prevengamos la diabetes tipo 2. Paso a Paso" (We Can Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Step by Step) campaign.
	Donor Spleen Cells Save Diabetic Mice (11/18/03) A specially bred strain of mice develops diabetes similar to the type 1 form of the disease that afflicts humans. Now scientists have shown that injections of live, donor spleen cells from healthy non-diabetic mice into these diabetic mice leads to permanent reversal of the disease, even in animals with end-stage diabetes.
	Having 1 or More of 4 Risk Factors Increases Risk of Coronary Death 95% (11/18/03) Two analyses now show that 80%-90% of CHD (Coronary Heart Disease) patients—and 95% of those with fatal CHD events—have at least one of four major risk factors (smoking, hypertension, high cholesterol, or diabetes).
	Weight Management a Therapeutic Priority for Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes (11/18/03) Weight management may be the most important therapy for obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, according to a recent American review. Obesity and weight gain are important risk factors for the development of diabetes and can significantly influence the outcome for those already diagnosed with the disease. Obesity is also a known risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD), which is responsible for 70% to 80% of deaths in diabetics.
	New Fiber Fat Substitute - No Calorie ”Z-Trim” Available Soon (11/18/03) A new no-calorie fat substitute is being tested in several food laboratories, and the product's maker hopes it could eventually be used to slash calories in everything from cookies to burgers.Z-Trim, an insoluble fiber that goes through the body without being digested, was invented by a government scientist. It's intended to replace some of the fat, including unhealthy trans fat, found in processed foods.
	Resistance Training Improves Glucose Disposal in Type 2 Diabetes (11/18/03) Resistance training added to aerobic training significantly improved glucose disposal in postmenopausal obese type 2 diabetics. The improved insulin sensitivity is related to loss of abdominal subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue and to increased muscle density.
	New Drug Mimics HDL “Good Cholestrol" to Clear Coronary Arteries In 2 Weeks (11/18/03) A synthetic form of "good cholesterol" has been shown to quickly shrink blockages clogging coronary arteries, offering for the first time the possibility of a drug that could actually rapidly reverse heart disease.
	Ace Inhibitor Helps Diabetics Live Longer After Heart Attack (11/18/03) Diabetics improve chances of survival after a heart attack if they take a ACE inhibitor. In fact, diabetics seemed to benefit more from these drugs than people without a sugar disorder. ACE inhibitors as captopril, lisinopril, or enalapril are widely prescribed drugs used to lower blood pressure.
	Higher Whole-Grain Intake Associated With Increased Insulin Sensitivity (11/18/03) Higher whole-grain intake is associated with increased insulin sensitivity (SI), according to a study published in the November issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. "Given that insulin sensitivity is one of the main predictors of diabetes, our findings support previous reports on the protective effects of whole grains on the risk of developing diabetes in men and women."
	Glycemic Index Gaining Acceptance as Useful Dietary Tool (11/17/03) The glycemic index or GI - one of the most talked about topics in nutrition today - ranks foods based on the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels over a 2 hour period. Foods with a low GI can result in a modest rise and fall in blood sugar, which helps provide lasting energy. "Growing evidence suggests that moderating the glycemic response of foods may have important health implications."
	Prediabetes Diagnosis Guidelines Changed from 110 to 100mg/dL (11/17/03) A blood glucose reading of 100mg/dL is Prediabetes. The newer threshold or cut-off point for fasting plasma glucose will increase those with Prediabetes to 5 million more with Prediabetes.
	New Weight Loss Drug Works in Diabetes (11/17/03) A new drug that appears to help tell your body when you've had enough to eat is showing promise as the next weight loss drug -- even for people with diabetes. There's some evidence that weight loss is more difficult to achieve in people with diabetes. "Some of the drugs that people with diabetes take promote weight gain, and these patients may also have a more difficult time losing weight due to insulin resistance and other factors."
	HHS Launches New Effort to Reach People With Diabetes Who are Undiagnosed (11/17/03) HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced a new community-based effort to identify persons with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes and refer them for follow-up blood testing and treatment if appropriate. The focus of this initiative is to help Americans better understand their diabetes risk and take appropriate actions based on those risks.
	Generation D: Young Adults with Diabetes (11/17/03) Until recently, type 2 diabetes and heart disease have affected older adults almost exclusively. But the obesity epidemic in America is now putting younger adults at risk for life-threatening diseases that were once rare in those under age 50. But over the last decade, type 2 diabetes—formerly known as adult-onset diabetes—has increased by 70 percent in adults aged 30 to 39, reflecting, researchers say, the 70 percent increase in obesity in adults aged 18 to 29.
	Obesity May Soar to 40 Percent in Single Generation (11/17/03) Obesity affects three times more people in Britain now than it did 20 years ago and levels could soar to 40 percent of the population within a single generation, health experts warned. The rise (in obesity) in Britain is as fast or faster than anywhere else in the world.
	The Presidents Message and Proclamation National Diabetes Month (11/17/03) During National Diabetes Month, we recognize advancements in preventing, treating, and detecting this disease, and we renew our commitment to helping Americans with diabetes live longer, healthier lives. I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 2003 as National Diabetes Month. I call upon all Americans to increase their awareness of the risk factors and symptoms related to diabetes and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.
	Diabetic Eye Disease May Foreshadow Amputation (11/17/03) The eye disease that commonly affects diabetics predicts their risk of having a foot or leg amputated, new research suggests. The link between these problems is blood vessels. Changes in eye blood vessels are believed to reflect vessel damage occurring elsewhere in the body.
	Cause of Diabetes Affects Treatment (11/17/03) Treating type 2 diabetes effectively may depend on understanding the underlying cause of the disease itself in each person. A new study shows that people with a certain, inherited form of diabetes respond differently to common diabetes medications than people with other forms of type 2 diabetes.
	Early Diabetes Leads to Early Heart Disease (11/17/03) The ever-increasing waistlines of young adults in the U.S. have led to more and more cases of type 2 diabetes in young people -- and these young people are having far too many heart attacks and strokes, new research suggests. In the study, young adults -- younger than 45 -- with type 2 diabetes were many times more likely to have a heart attack than their peers who did not have diabetes. The increased risk was most pronounced in women.
	New Programs on Childhood Obesity Out (11/17/03) The goal is to set up a registry of programs and source of information for parents, teachers, doctors, foundations, government agencies and others interested in the latest research and strategies. "We are seeing Generation Y grow into Generation XL, and this weight gain has long-term health consequences," said the surgeon general, Dr. Richard H. Carmona
	Inhaled Insulin Good Option for Some Diabetics (11/17/03) The addition of inhaled insulin before meals improves control of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not adequately controlled by oral diabetes drugs.
	Diabetics' Dyspepsia Not Same as Slow Food Transit (11/17/03) More than one in four people with controlled diabetes are affected by slow passage of food out of the stomach into the intestines. Many diabetics also experience common symptoms of indigestion. However, the two conditions are not related.
	Childhood Obesity Clearinghouse Announced (11/17/03) A new survey, database and Web site of childhood anti-obesity programs were announced by the surgeon general. More than 1,000 exercise, nutrition, healthy baby and other anti-obesity programs are expected to participate in the new clearinghouse, called Shaping American's Youth.
	Dairy Products Helps Control Weight in Kids (11/17/03) Study shows dairy products for children keep weight down. Only 30 percent of children get the minimum recommended amount of dairy products.
	Gastric Bypass Urged for Very Obese Diabetics (11/14/03) Researchers recommend that stomach bypass surgery should become "standard treatment" for morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes, because the majority achieve excellent glucose control following the procedure.
	Lessons from a Diabetic Eye Doctor: How to Avoid Blindness and Get Great Eye Care (11/14/03) When thinking about the eye complications of diabetes, most people, including most health care professionals, think of diabetic retinopathy, the process through which the eye’s light sensitive retina is damaged by chronic hyperglycemia. There are seven different “diabetic eye diseases”: diabetic cataract; glaucoma; diabetic keratopathy; diabetic optic neuropathy; diabetic cranial neuropathy; diabetic retinopathy; and retinal vascular occlusion.