Diabetes|Diabetic supplies

Saturday

Anti-Malarial Drug May Reduce Risk of Diabetes for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Anti-Malarial Drug May Reduce Risk of Diabetes for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

CHICAGO, IL -- -- Preliminary research suggests that use of the anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine may help reduce the risk of the development of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, according to a study in the July 11 issue of JAMA.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus affects nearly 8% of US adults, and its prevalence has been increasing. Antimalarials such as hydroxychloroquine, a long-standing safe and inexpensive treatment for an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, theoretically may improve glucose tolerance and prevent diabetes mellitus, according to background information in the article.

In vitro and animal studies indicate that antimalarials improve insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity.Mary Chester M. Wasko, MD, MSc, of the University of Pittsburgh, Pa., and colleagues examined the association between hydroxychloroquine therapy and risk of diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

The study included 4,905 adults with rheumatoid arthritis (1,808 had taken hydroxychloroquine and 3,097 had never taken hydroxychloroquine) with no initial diagnosis or treatment for diabetes, with 21.5 years of follow-up (Jan. 1983 through July 2004).During the observation period, incident diagnoses of diabetes were reported by 54 patients who had taken hydroxychloroquine and by 171 patients who had never taken it.

Analysis indicated that patients who had taken hydroxychloroquine had a 38% lower risk of developing diabetes, compared with those who had not taken hydroxychloroquine. This risk was further reduced with increased duration of hydroxychloroquine use.

Patients who took hydroxychloroquine for more than four years had a 77% lower risk of diabetes compared with those who had never taken hydroxychloroquine."We report herein the first evidence, to our knowledge, suggesting that use of hydroxychloroquine is associated with a reduced risk of developing diabetes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis," the authors write.

"Moreover, risk reduction increased with duration of hydroxychloroquine exposure, supporting a biological action of this drug on glucose metabolism.""While our study showed a reduction in diabetes incidence specifically in a rheumatoid arthritis cohort taking hydroxychloroquine, these findings also may be expected to occur in patients without rheumatoid arthritis.

The beneficial changes in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity reported among patients with lupus, patients with type 2 diabetes, and in animal models suggest that these effects are not specific to rheumatoid arthritis."

"Antimalarial drugs may have a role in treating rheumatoid arthritis not only to suppress synovitis [inflammation around the joints] but also to reduce the likelihood of developing glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia [abnormal concentrations of lipids]. As quality of life and life expectancy improve for patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and health care costs escalate, the use of inexpensive, safe therapies that have multiple beneficial effects is attractive.

Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether this treatment option should be considered a standard component of rheumatoid arthritis combination therapy in the future, and to evaluate the potential role of hydroxychloroquine as a preventive agent for diabetes among high-risk individuals in the general population," the researchers conclude

SOURCE: American Medical Association

Labels: type 2 diabetes

posted by blogger at 12:07 AM | Permalink | 0 comments

Thursday

Boosting Key Milk Nutrients May Help Lower Type 2 Diabetes Risk

Most Americans fail to get the calcium and vitamin D they need, but this shortfall could be affecting more than their bones. It may, at least in part, be one reason behind the epidemic of type 2 diabetes, suggests new research conducted at Tufts University.

Drinking more milk -- a leading source of calcium and vitamin D in the American diet -- could help decrease the risk of type 2 diabetes by nearly 15 percent, according to the new meta-analysis and review published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (1).

In the thorough analysis of previously published studies, the researchers found chronically low levels of vitamin D were linked to as high as 46 percent greater risk of type 2 diabetes. Yet boosting vitamin D alone would likely have little effect in healthy adults.

Instead, the researchers suggested that a combination of vitamin D and calcium, like that found in milk, would have the greatest potential to help prevent diabetes, especially among those at highest risk for the disease.

Examining the intake of milk and milk products specifically, the researchers found there was nearly a 15 percent lower risk for type 2 diabetes among individuals with the highest dairy intake (3-5 servings per day) compared to those getting less than 1 ½ servings each day.

Most of the studies assessed were observational and the limited number of intervention trials makes definitive conclusions difficult, yet the Tufts researchers suggest calcium and vitamin D may affect the body's ability to produce or utilize insulin, the hormone the body makes to process sugar that is impaired in those with diabetes and pre-diabetes.

Beside calcium and vitamin D, milk is the primary beverage source of magnesium, which a second meta-analysis found may also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes (2). The analysis concludes that for every 100 milligram increase in magnesium up to the recommended dietary intake, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes decreased by 15 percent.

Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome (or pre-diabetes) affect a staggering 75 million Americans and death rates from diabetes have increased nearly 45 percent over the past 20 years, elevating the importance of finding new ways to treat and prevent this deadly disease.

Milk is a primary source of calcium and vitamin D in the American diet. In fact, government reports indicate that more than 70 percent of the calcium in our nation's food supply comes from milk and milk products. Additionally, milk is one of the few food sources of vitamin D, which is fast emerging as a "super nutrient."

The recommended three servings of lowfat or fat-free milk provides 900 mg of calcium, 300 IU of vitamin D and 80 mg of magnesium daily.

Source: Weber Shandwick Worldwide

Labels: milk, pre-diabetes, type 2 diabetes

posted by blogger at 12:41 AM | Permalink | 0 comments

Saturday

Type 2 diabetes:guide for the newly diagnosed

Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1996, Becker quickly learned that there are many ways to approach diabetes care. She uses appropriate humor and presents basic information to take the reader through each day of the first week, each subsequent week of the first month, and the next 11 months after diagnosis.

Emphasizing the self-management skills that all diabetics must master for adequate control of the disease, Becker addresses the questions not always anticipated or answered by healthcare providers.

For instance, she covers necessary and optional tests, diet, drugs, weight and stress management, and the emotional strain of the disorder.
Her sections on insurance and paying medical bills are excellent.

What others say:

-"I got her book when I was first diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, before talking with a diabetes educator or attending any classes on diabetes. She really helped me understand why there isn't a consensus of opinion on the "best" diet for diabetics, and the source of many unfounded and/or unsubstantiated arguments for and against the popular approaches.

For example, she discusses the pros and cons of the Food Pyramid (USDA, ADA), low-fat diets (Ornish, etc), exchange diets (ADA, Zone, Weight Watchers, etc), low-carb diets (Atkins, etc)."

-"Having just learned that I have type 2 diabetes, I couldn't ask for a better book to refer to than THE FIRST YEAR. The book is written from the first days, weeks, and months and the order is perfect for what (at least) I have been going through.

Becker understands that the reader doesn't really want to get too deep in details about the illness but tells enough that anyone can get a better picture as to what is going on with their body."

-"For those of us recently diagnosed with Diabetes 2, this is a very helpful book. Hearing the diagnosis for the first time can conjure up a lot of fears, but this book helps to calm the fear and gives you the answers and guidelines you need."

-"An invaluable resource for those newly diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes, this book is packed with information about managing blood glucose, insulin and food intake."

-"When I was first diagnosed with Type II diabetes, my HMO provided a training class. At first, I was just using diet and exercise to control the disease so maybe I did not pay as close attention to the parts about insulin and the various drugs. Ten years have gone by since the class, so I needed more information because the doctor says it is time for insulin. The book answered most of my questions and I trust the author because she also has the disease and knows what she is taking about."

Labels: type 2 diabetes

posted by blogger at 4:50 PM | Permalink | 0 comments

Wednesday

A Field Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

A Field Guide to Type 2 Diabetes

The best consumer guide to type 2 diabetes. Explains in down-to-earth language the best way to live with this chronic disease that is affecting a growing number of people. Information for all the "times" with type 2 diabetes that you will experience over the years--when you are newly diagnosed; taking one, two, or three kinds of diabetes pills; or adding insulin.

It explains the tools to use to prevent complications. It includes chapters on women, children and teens, and how to prevent diabetes from occurring in family members who are at high risk for it.

What Others Say:

-"The Field Guide pays special attention to everyday issues that people with diabetes face, such as finding medical services or dealing with a doctor who is not very interested in diabetes. These are issues that it might take several years for a patient to address, especially if they don't attend diabetes classes or support groups.

This is a comprehensive resource, written by well-known diabetes experts, which serves as a good beginner's guide to the nuts and bolts of diabetes....The format is similar to a travel guide, which makes it easy to find the destination (or topic) of choice and go directly to it. "

-"As a newly diagnosed diabetic I found this book to be the easiest to understand and most informative one I read. Everything was clearly written and I felt all pertinent topics were discussed. "

Diabetes Items on eBay

Labels: diabetes, diabetic, type 2 diabetes

posted by blogger at 4:38 PM | Permalink | 0 comments