Diabetic and struggling with weight loss? Things to know about diabetes and alcohol use

Repeated binge drinking can take a serious toll on your health. Studies have shown that heavy alcohol consumption puts you at a higher risk of certain health problems such as liver disease, heart ailments, stroke, brain damage, cancer, etc. Drinking too much can lead to weight gain because alcohol contains a lot of calories. Yet, when you have diabetes, it can be a little more complicated. Hence, people with diabetes are advised to be particularly cautious when it comes to drinking.
 
First of all, alcohol prevents the liver from performing its job, including regulating blood sugar. Alcohol can also interact with some diabetes medications. It can also worsen some complications of diabetes. If you’re living with diabetes and want to know whether it’s safe to consume alcohol, or how much is okay, read on below.

What you need to know about diabetes and alcohol use

Alcohol and your weight: Studies have shown that losing weight can help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. A research published suggested that weight loss may even help reverse type 2 diabetes. However, researchers  suggest that alcohol intake may weaken long-term weight loss in people with overweight or type 2 diabetes. Their study showed that participants in the Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) group who abstained from alcohol consumption over the four-year period were able to lose more weight than those who drank any amount during the intervention. Moreover, since alcohol is very high in calories it can make it difficult for people to shed those extra pounds. Hence, diabetes who are trying to lose weight should be encouraged to limit alcohol intake.

Alcohol and your blood sugar levels: Drinking alcoholic beverages can cause fluctuations in blood sugar levels. For instance, consuming moderate amounts of alcohol may cause blood sugar to rise, heavy drinking can actually make your blood glucose levels drop within a few minutes of taking. 

Alcohol and your appetite: Alcohol can have a significant impact on your appetite and eating habits. It stimulates your appetite, making you overeat. This may affect your blood sugar control.

Alcohol and your liver: The liver stores glycogen, a form of glucose that the body reserves for future use. But drinking alcohol impairs the liver from doing its job. When you drink, your liver has to compromise with its function while trying to remove alcohol from your blood instead of working to regulate blood glucose.

Alcohol and your blood pressure: People with diabetes are more like to have high blood pressure, and having these conditions together can worsen both the diseases. Alcohol can lead to high blood pressure, which is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Perhaps, being diabetic raises your risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and other health issues.

If you are living with diabetes, it is always safe to check with your doctor to determine whether drinking alcohol is safe for you.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

The Coimbatore Medical College Hospital on Wednesday launched a non-invasive procedure to treat angina (chest pain) and heart ailments.

The ‘Enhanced External Counterpulsation (EECP)’ has been introduced at CMCH at a cost of Rs. 2 crore under a public private partnership. Hospital Dean R. Vimala inaugurated the new wing in the presence of Deputy Medical Superintendent Isaac Christian Moses who is also in charge of the Cardiology Department.

Dr. Vimala said that patients would receive treatment free of cost under the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme. This treatment was likely to cost between Rs.80, 000 and Rs. 1 lakh at private hospitals.

The CMCH had spent around Rs. 10 lakh for constructing a new building with the rest of cost borne by Vaso-Meditech which installed three equipment each costing Rs. 70 lakh. The CMCH was the second hospital in the State after Madras Medical College to offer this treatment. S. Ramasamy, director of Vaso-Meditech, said that patients who cannot afford surgery such as angioplasty or were at risk of heart failure would benefit from this treatment. In this, pressure was given on the legs for an hour for 35 days.

This would improve the blood flow to the heart and result in the creation of new blood vessels, which become a natural by-pass around the blocked arteries. It had already installed five equipment for this treatment at Madras Medical College last year, he added.

M. Vanithamani, Head, Department of Cardio-thoracic Surgery, D. Chakkravarthi, Assistant Professor, Department of Cardiology, were present.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

Positive outlook in heart disease tied to fewer deaths

People with heart disease who are more upbeat and excited tend to live longer than those who don't have such a positive outlook, a new study suggests, possibly because they are often more active.

Researchers surveyed people with ischemic heart disease - when the heart doesn't get enough blood due to narrowed arteries - and found earning a high score on measures of "positive affect" was tied to a greater chance of being a regular exerciser and a lower risk of dying over the next five years.

It adds to the body of literature suggesting that there may be relationships between positive affect … and all-cause mortality.

The new study included 607 heart patients who were seen at one  hospital.

The Dr. and her colleagues asked the patients about their quality of life, mood and lifestyle habits including physical activity in 2005. Then they used death and hospital records to track participants through 2010.

On a mood scale ranging from 0 to 40, where higher scores indicate feeling more relaxed, self-confident and excited, half of participants scored a 24 or above. (Negative affect was measured separately - so a person could score high or low on measures of both positive attitude and insecurity or helplessness.)

During the follow-up period, 30 of the high positive affect patients died of any cause, compared to 50 people with a lower positive attitude score.

Some of that association appeared to be driven by exercise habits, the researchers found. People with high mood scores were more likely than other participants to say they exercised at least once a week, and exercisers were half as likely to die as non-exercisers.

There was not a clear difference, however, in how often people were hospitalized for heart-related conditions, based on their positivity. During the study period, about half of all participants were hospitalized for a heart attack, heart failure or chest pain.

The researchers said past studies also found a link between having a positive outlook and better heart health, but it was unclear what explained the association.

"There is some evidence to suggest that even among people who are already ill, who already have heart disease or diabetes or related conditions, that those people who are happier also have better outcomes..

Health behaviours such as exercise are one possible explanation for that link, she told. Some researchers have also proposed another mechanism, suggesting optimism may affect physiologic processes in the body that would ultimately influence heart health, such as inflammation levels.

Dr. and her colleagues noted that they did not have information on participants' type or intensity of exercise. The researcher also said the study can't say how exercise and positive affect may be linked.

"We do not know what comes first (also known as the ‘chicken and egg' problem) and thus cannot make any conclusions about the direction of causality - is it exercise that increases positive affect or positive affect that leads to more exercise with an effect on mortality or both?" she said.

"Irrespectively, it cements what we already know - namely that exercise is good for the heart."

"Hopefully you would have the added benefit of feeling more happy (and) optimistic," she said.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com

PUFA MAY HELP TO REDUCE BREAST CANCER !

Regularly eating oily fish such as salmon, tuna or sardines may help reduce the risk of breast cancer, a new report suggests.

These fish contain a type of fatty acid known as n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

"Increased n-3 PUFA intake has a protective effect for breast cancer," said researcher .

Fish include several types of PUFAs that are involved in chemical messaging in the brain, blood helping to regulate both blood vessel activity and the immune system. The fatty acids also have been linked with other health benefits, such as lower risk of heart problems.

 Women with a high intake of PUFAs had a 14 percent reduction in breast cancer risk. For every 0.1-gram-per-day increase in the intake of the fatty acids, there was a 5 percent lower risk of breast cancer, the study found.

One to two servings of oily fish per person per week is suggested.

Besides eating oily fish, a Dr. tells patients to exercise regularly, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and not smoke to reduce the risk of breast and other cancers.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/

I've not given details about designs, but those interested are free to mail me for the same.

IMPORTANCE OF MAGNESIUM IN YOUR FOOD

Low magnesium levels have been linked with health problems like osteoporosis, high blood 

pressure, diabetes, muscle cramps, and heart disease. Some people, such as the elderly, 

people with stomach or intestinal problems, or those who regularly drink alcohol, are at risk 

for having low magnesium levels. So eat your spinach -- and your beans, peas, whole grains, 

and nuts (especially almonds). They could do a lot for your health.

Simple Breath Test Might Diagnose Heart Failure

 An experimental breath test, designed to quickly identify 

patients suffering from heart failure simply by analysing the 

contents of a single exhaled breath, has demonstrated 

promise in early trials, a team of researchers says.

The investigators stressed that their evaluation is based on a 

small group of participating patients, and that more 

extensive research will have to be done to confirm their initial 

success.

But by subjecting a patient's breath to a rigorous but fast 

analysis of the hundreds of so-called volatile organic 

compounds contained therein, the study team said it has so 

far been able to correctly diagnose heart failure among 

newly hospitalized patients with a 100 percent accuracy.

Every individual has a breath print that differentiates them 

from other people, depending on what's going on in their 

body," explained study lead author. And that print can tell us 

a lot about a person, what they've been exposed to and what 

disease they have," he added.

That's what makes the new field of breath testing so 

promising, because it is non-intrusive, so there is no risk 

involved. And you can do it anywhere, in a clinic, in a 

hospital, anywhere.

Currently, a diagnosis of heart failure comes from a variety of 

factors. These include medical history and symptoms, and a 

physical exam in which a doctor will listen to a patient's heart 

and lung sounds, and check ankles, feet, legs and abdomen 

for signs of fluid build-up. Blood tests and an 

electrocardiogram can help confirm that heart failure exists.

In the new study, to gauge how well the non-invasive breath 

test could identify heart failure, the team collected exhaled 

breath samples from 41 patients who had been admitted as 

in-patients to the Clinic.

Of those, 25 had been admitted with a primary diagnosis of 

"acute de compensated heart failure" while another 16 

patients had shown no signs of heart failure but did have 

other cardiovascular issues. A single breath sample was 

obtained from each of the patients within 24 hours of 

admission, as well as from an additional 36 patients with 

acute de- compensated heart failure as an independent 

point of comparison.

Within two hours of collection, all the samples were subject 

to the breath test analysis, which relied upon "mass 

spectrometry" technology to scan the samples for their 

molecular and chemical compound content. Some of those 

compounds had been pegged as potential tell-tale signs of 

heart failure.

The result: The breath test correctly identified all the patients 

with heart failure, clearly distinguishing them from those 

cardiac cases where heart failure was not an issue.

A Dr.  said that if further research were able to establish its 

effectiveness, a breath-driven tool for identifying heart failure 

would be a helpful diagnostic innovation -- but more so in a 

doctor's office or clinic than in the hospital.

If it is clear that it is highly reliable and specific and sensitive, 

then yes, it would be a welcome advance, he said. But I 

would say it would be perhaps more helpful for primary care 

physicians in an outpatient setting, because that is where it's 

most challenging to identify heart failure. Today a diagnosis 

in that environment is based on a patient's history and exam, 

but symptoms for heart failure can easily overlap with a lot of 

other diagnoses. And the blood work that would be taken in 

a doctor's office might not come back until the next day, 

delaying identification," he noted.

Study author added that the test is "theoretically cheap. But 

of course we're still early in the process of exploring its 

potential. This study is really a proof of concept. There is 

much more work that needs to be done to get it to the point 

where it would become widely available.

Cholesterol and Statins ?

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is an important part of your cells and also serves as the building block of some hormones. The liver makes all the cholesterol the body needs. But cholesterol also enters your body from dietary sources, such as animal-based foods like milk, eggs, and meat. Too much cholesterol in your blood can increase the risk of coronary artery disease.

The first line of treatment for abnormal cholesterol is usually to eat a diet low in saturated and trans-fats, and high in fruits and vegetables, nuts, and seeds, and to increase exercise. But for some, these changes alone are not enough to lower blood cholesterol levels. These people may need medicine, in addition to making lifestyle changes, to bring their cholesterol down to a safe level.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs include:

• Statins
• Niacin
• Bile-acid resins
• Fibric acid derivatives
• Cholesterol absorption inhibitors

Cholesterol-lowering medicine is most effective when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

Statins- how it works and the side-effects

Statins block the production of cholesterol in the liver itself. They lower LDL, the "bad" cholesterol, and triglycerides, and have a mild effect in raising HDL, the "good" cholesterol. These drugs are the first line of treatment for most people with high cholesterol. Statins have been shown in multiple research studies to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and death from heart disease. Side effects can include intestinal problems, liver damage, and in a few people, muscle tenderness.  

Statins also carry warnings that memory loss, mental confusion, high blood sugar, and type 2 diabetes are possible side effects. It's important to remember that statins may also interact with other medications you take. 

Examples of statins include:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Rosuvastatin (Crestor)

 How Nicotinic Acid Works And Side-effects

Nicotinic acid is a B-complex vitamin. It's found in food, but is also available at high doses by prescription. It lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol. The main side effects are flushing, itching, tingling and headache. A recent research study suggested that adding nicotinic acid to statin therapy was not associated with a lower risk of heart disease. Examples of nicotinic acid medication include:

• Nicolar and Niaspan

How Bile Acid Resins Work And Its Side-effects

These drugs work inside the intestine, where they bind to bile from the liver and prevent it from being reabsorbed into the circulatory system. Bile is made largely from cholesterol, so these drugs work by depleting the body's supply of cholesterol. The most common side effects are constipation, gas and upset stomach. Examples of bile acid resins include:

• Questran and Questran Light
• Colestid
• WelChol

How  Fibrates Work?

Fibrates reduce the production of triglycerides and can increase HDL cholesterol. Examples of fibrates include:

• Atromid
• Tricor
• Lopid

Ezetimibe lowers bad LDL cholesterol by blocking cholesterol absorption in the intestine. Research studies have not found that ezetimibe is associated with a lower risk of heart disease.

The Side Effects of Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs- 

• Muscle aches- then call your doctor at once, as it isn't a good sign.
• Abnormal liver function
• Allergic reaction (skin rashes)
• Heartburn
• Dizziness
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Decreased sexual desire
• Flushing with nicotinic acid

The Foods One Should avoid while having cholesterol medications

You should limit grapefruit juice and fresh grapefruit consumption while taking statins, as grapefruit can interfere with the liver's ability to metabolize these medications. Talk with your doctor about your other medications, as it may be appropriate to adjust the dosing of your cholesterol medication depending on interactions.

HEART DISEASES- Cinnamon and Honey

Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply it on bread instead of jelly and jam and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, when they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF CORN

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF CORN INCLUDES CONTROLLING DIABETES,

PREVENTION OF HEART AILMENTS, LOWERING HYPERTENSION. IT PROVIDES

NECESSARY CALORIES, RICH IN VITAMINS A, B, E & MANY MINERALS. ITS HIGH

FIBRE CONTENT PREVENTS DIGESTIVE AILMENTS, LIKE CONSTIPATION,

HAEMORRHOIDS & COLORECTAL CANCER.

THE ANTI-OXIDANT PRESENT IN CORN ACT AS ANTI-CANCER AGENTS &

PREVENT ALZHEIMER'S. CORN IS RICH IN VITAMIN B CONSTITUENTS

ESPECIALLY THIAMINE & NIACIN. IT HAS ABUNDANCE OF PHOSPHORUS,

MAGNESIUM, MANGANESE, ZINC, IRON & COPPER. THE VITAMIN B-12 & FOLIC

ACID PRESENT IN CORN HELP PREVENT ANAEMIA.


FOR A CORN/MAIZE FLOUR RECIPE SEE MY RECIPE BLOG-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

CRUSTY FOODS WORSENS HEART PROBLEMS IN DIABETICS

 Eating crusty foods may worsen heart problems in diabetics. 

There is evidence that cooking methods that create a crust—

think the edge of a brownie or the crispy borders of meats 

prepared at very high temperatures—produce advanced 

glycation end products (AGEs). And AGEs are associated with 

plaque formation, the kind that is seen in cardiovascular 

disease.



For years nutrition experts have advised people with diabetes 

to bake, boil, or grill their food instead of frying it.


That’s still true, but if you have diabetes, you should know that 

AGEs— by-products of food preparation methods that feature 

very high, intense, dry heat—tend to end up on other tissues in 

the body, causing long-term damage.


If you’re fighting this vascular build up anyway, that consuming 

products containing AGEs could worsen the cardiovascular 

complications of diabetes.


In the study, the scientists compared the 10-day food intake of 

65 study participants in two ethnic groups: Mexicans (who have 

higher rates of diabetes and a greater risk of complications 

from the disease) and non-Hispanic whites.


It was found that people with higher rates of cardiovascular 

complications ate more of these glycated products. For each 

unit increase in AGEs intake, a study participant was 3.7 times 

more likely to have moderate to high risk for cardiovascular 

disease.


The study showed that non-Hispanic whites had a higher intake 

of AGEs, and they consumed more saturated fats. However, 

the association between AGEs and cardiovascular disease 

was stronger than for saturated fats and heart disease.


Eating less saturated fat and more fruits, vegetables, and fibre 

are important for people with diabetes, but this study shows 

that food preparation may be important too.


AGEs are higher in any kind of meat, but especially in ground 

meat. If you put hamburgers or brats on the grill, you’ll likely 

have a higher AGEs content than if you chose a whole cut of 

meat, say round steak or chicken.


Boiling or stewing meat would reduce your AGEs intake further. 

And scrambling an egg with cooking spray instead of frying it 

leads to a significant reduction in AGEs.


The scientists said more research is needed before definite 

recommendations can be made. They are planning another 

study in which they’ll examine past AGEs intake of diabetes 

patients.


These findings are preliminary, but they give us ample reason 

to further explore the association between AGEs and 

cardiovascular risk among people with diabetes.

WANT TO SLOW AGEING PROCESS? TRY OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID SUPPLEMETS

Taking enough omega-3 fatty acid supplements to change the balance of oils in the diet could slow a key biological process linked to ageing, researchers say.

The study showed that most overweight but healthy middle-aged and older adults who took omega-3 supplements for four months altered a ratio of their fatty acid consumption in a way that helped preserve tiny segments of DNA in their white blood cells.

These segments, called telomeres, are known to shorten over time in many types of cells as a consequence of aging. In the study, lengthening of telomeres in immune system cells was more prevalent in people who substantially improved the ratio of omega-3s to other fatty acids in their diet.

Omega-3 supplementation also reduced oxidative stress, caused by excessive free radicals in the blood, by about 15 % compared to effects seen in the placebo group.

The telomere finding is provocative in that it suggests the possibility that a nutritional supplement might actually make a difference in ageing.

In another report it is said that omega-3 fatty acid supplements lowered inflammation in this same group of adults.

Inflammation in particular is at the heart of so many health problems. Anything that reduces inflammation has a lot of potentially good spin-offs among older adults.

Study participants took either 2.5 grams or 1.25 grams of active omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are considered "good fats" that, when consumed in proper quantities, are associated with a variety of health benefits.

Participants on the placebo took pills containing a mix of oils representing a typical American's daily intake.

According to the researchers, this combination of effects suggests that omega-3 supplements could represent a rare single nutritional intervention that has potential to lower the risk for a host of diseases associated with ageing  such as coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.

In the case of fatty acids, omega-3 supplementation alone doesn't tell the whole story of how this dietary change can affect health. Also important is the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids that are present in a person's blood.

Omega-6 fatty acids come from vegetable oils, and since the 1960s, research has suggested that these oils, too, can help protect the cardiovascular system.

However, the typical American diet tends to be heavy on omega-6 fatty acids and comparatively low in omega-3s that are naturally found in cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna. While the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids averages about 15-to-1, researchers tend to agree that for maximum benefit, this ratio should be lowered to 4-to-1, or even 2-to-1.

According to researchers that the long chains - or bigger molecules - that make up EPA and DHA fatty acids are believed to be the secret to their effectiveness.

Both groups of participants who took omega-3 supplements showed, on average, lengthening of telomeres compared to overall telomere effects in the placebo group, but the relationship could have been attributed to chance.

However, when the researchers analyzed the participants' omega-6 to omega-3 ratio in relationship to telomere lengthening, a lower ratio was clearly associated with lengthened telomeres.

The researchers also measured levels of compounds called F2-isoprostanes to determine levels of oxidative stress, which is linked to a number of conditions that include heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders.

Both omega-3 groups together showed an average overall 15 per cent reduction in oxidative stress compared to effects seen in the placebo group.

When the scientists revisited their earlier inflammation findings, they also found that decreases in an inflammatory marker in the blood called interleukin-6 (IL-6) were associated with telomere lengthening.

In their earlier paper on omega-3s and inflammation, they reported that omega-3 supplements lowered IL-6 by 10 to 12 per cent, depending on the dose. By comparison, those taking a placebo saw an overall 36 per cent increase in IL-6 by the end of the study.

This finding strongly suggests that inflammation is what's driving the changes in the telomeres.