Photo by Kenny Eliason @Unsplash Obesity rates are a massive global health problem.1 Unfortunately, there are few medications available to manage obesity.1 Those struggling with obesity face health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease, and a shortened life expectancy.1 Because so many people live with obesity and the disease’s collateral conditions, the […]
Diabetes
Heart Fat: The Yin and Yang of Cardiometabolic Diseases
Image by Allec Gomes @Pexels Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is a fancy term for fatty tissue surrounding the heart. Normally, EAT plays an important role in heart function and offers protective factors for good health.1 In abnormal conditions, EAT is a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases like obesity and insulin resistance.2 Finding a balance of […]
Drugs for Childhood Obesity?
Photo by Aaron Burden @Unsplash Obesity in children is still a rapidly growing public health concern. Nearly one in every five children (aged 6 to 9) is now considered obese with almost 10% of adolescents (aged 10 to 19) falling into the severe obesity category.1 Childhood obesity is linked to poor health and social outcomes […]
Causes and Symptoms of Low Blood Sugar
Photo by Esra Afsar @Pexels What is low blood sugar? The causes and symptoms of low blood sugar vary, but risks for those with type 1 diabetes are most pressing. In instances where insufficient carbohydrates are consumed based on a person’s hormonal and tissue needs, glucose levels in the blood can drop below a healthy […]
Cardamom and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Photo by Nadhezda Moryak @Pexels Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder affecting one in ten people assigned female at birth who are of childbearing age.1 PCOS is also a condition related to gender identity and gender expression, with a prevalence of PCOS in transgender people sitting between 5%-91.7%.2 Studies have shown that cardamom supplementation […]
A Superfood to Fight Disease?
Image by AselvadaAna @Pixabay Widely regarded as a superfood, pomegranate is a vibrant red fruit linked to health and wellness. But can pomegranates help fight disease?1,2 The benefits of pomegranates are attributed to their high levels of antioxidants, even beating out green tea and orange juice for antioxidant content.1,2 Increasing antioxidant intake may help prevent […]
Diabetes: Metformin vs Lifestyle Interventions
In recent years, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been alarming. The World Health Organization predicts a diabetes surge of 39% between 2000 and 2030, or an estimated 366 million people being affected.1 With diabetes, cardiovascular risks add to the complexity and need for interventions. The question at hand is the effectiveness […]
Can Fitbit Help with Diabetes?
The use of smartwatches has become increasingly common throughout the world with over $25 billion USD spent by consumers in 2021 alone.1 One type of wearable devices is the Fitbit. Although Fitbits are available in different models, all are equipped with an accelerometer to count steps taken, a heart rate monitor, and activity trackers.2 These […]
Study describes link between COVID-19 and diabetes
New research continues to emerge surrounding COVID-19, specifically around how, mechanistically, the SARS-CoV-2 virus affects the body. A new study from Osaka University in Japan, revealed that the virus interferes with the insulin/IGF pathway.1 This new finding may explain COVID-19 symptoms including diabetes and insulin resistance; symptoms related to energy metabolism. The insulin/IGF pathway key […]
Heart disease, stroke, diabetes could increase dementia risk, study suggests
A new study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia shows a possible association between diabetes, stroke, and heart disease with dementia.1 The study, conducted by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, followed 2,577 seniors over a 12-year period. According to their results, those who had at least 2 cardiometabolic diseases were more likely to develop dementia.1 […]
Are olives good for diabetics
Effective diabetes prevention and management remain a public health challenge. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 422 million people worldwide have diabetes, and 1.5 million deaths annually are attributed to it.3 Lifestyle modifications which entail healthy eating, physical activity, and medication are routine treatments for diabetes. Recent studies have linked the Mediterranean diet […]
Choosing the best glucose monitor to manage diabetes
Diabetes is one of the fastest growing chronic diseases, with over 400 million people impacted across the world.1 According to the International Diabetes Federation, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated to surpass 700 million by the year 2045.1 This metabolic disorder can be classified into two main groups: type 1 and type 2.2 Both types are characterized […]
What is the best food to prevent diabetes?
Diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent non-communicable, or non-transferable, diseases in North America and around the world. About 8.3% of the world’s entire population is estimated to live with some form of diabetes.1 There are multiple types of diabetes and each type is caused by a different combination of factors. The most commonly […]
E-cigarette use increases risk of prediabetes, study suggests
E-cigarettes are a relatively new product some have claimed to be “healthier” than conventional cigarettes. However, the use of e-cigarettes may also pose health risks. According to a newly published study, e-cigarette use was associated with a higher risk of developing prediabetes.1 Dr. Shyam Biswal, co-author of the study, emphasized the importance of these findings; “With […]
Standing is associated with insulin sensitivity in sedentary adults
A Finnish collaborative study investigates the association between standing and insulin sensitivity in adults with metabolic syndrome and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It controls blood glucose levels and energy metabolism. Normal insulin function may be affected by several factors, such as genetics, sedentary […]