Dealing with 'Diabesity' - Diabetes and Obesity: How low-carb diet can help in weight, blood sugar management

Diabetes associated with being obese a.k.a. ‘Diabesity’ is a twin global threat. As obesity and blood sugar levels are concurrently increasing, it is a dual epidemic or an 'exploding nightmare' as the World Health Organization describes it. Apart from encompassing the two lifestyle diseases, the term ‘diabesity’ also emphasizes the intricate relationship between them. The global rise in obesity explains the epidemic rise in both the incidence and prevalence of diabetes in recent times.
The world loses someone to diabetes complications every six seconds and about 90 per cent of people diagnosed with this condition have excessive body fat. Diabetes isn’t anymore the 'old man’s disease' and over the past few decades, even children have been diagnosed with it. And in the current pandemic scenario, the obese and the diabetics are said to have a worse prognosis to COVID-19 due to their impaired immune response to infections and other mechanical limitations.

Dr. Ethan Sims coined the term ‘diabesity’ to describe the result of genes interacting with other genes alongside environmental factors to produce obesity-induced diabetes. As he sought to explain the relationship between obesity and diabetes, he experimented to find out what would happen if non-obese individuals who never had a weight issue got fat. The results of the study indicated that people who gain body fat were at a higher risk of becoming diabetic. In this article, Mr Sudarshan Gangrade, Founder, Lo! Foods, explains the link between diabetes and obesity, and how a low-carb diet can help manage both conditions.

Diabetes and Obesity - The link between the two health conditions

Anyone with a BMI of over 30 is considered obese. Numerous weight-loss strategies including lifestyle interventions, pharmacotherapy, or surgical procedures have been used to reduce muscle mass and achieve weight reduction. Several studies have claimed that greater degrees of weight loss helped achieve progressive improvements in glucose homeostasis. And lifestyle interventions like dietary modifications in individuals at an increased risk of developing diabetes can result in long-term prevention of progression to type 2 diabetes.

Carbohydrate metabolism plays a crucial role in the development of type 2 diabetes and it occurs when your body fails to secrete enough insulin or in case of impaired insulin secretion. 

When you consume foods high in sugar or carbohydrates, there is a spike in blood sugar and insulin levels. As insulin levels increase, there is a sudden dip in your blood sugar levels. And since insulin hormone is responsible for fat storage and when you keep activating this process through improper eating habits, all the excess sugar and carbs that aren’t utilized by your body gets stored as fat and leads to obesity.

How a low-carb diet can help manage weight, blood sugar

A low carb diet can do wonders when it comes to managing diabesity as it helps in both weight loss and maintaining blood sugar levels.

Even before insulin was discovered, it was the very low carb diets that were considered the gold standard for diabetes management. A low-carb diet can be the first line of treatment for anyone who is recently diagnosed with diabetes but wants to avoid medication. Studies have demonstrated that diabetics saw long-term improvements in blood sugar levels while consuming a low-carb diet.

Cutting down carbs can help curb your appetite, which in turn leads to weight loss. Moreso, low-carb diets are more effective than low-fat diets when it comes to weight loss. Limiting carbohydrate intake can also help stabilize your blood glucose which in turn might counteract some other effects of diabetes like weight gain. 

A low-carb diet can give you a lot of energy, reduce your HbA1c levels, curb food cravings, and also help cut down the risks of long-term diabetes complications.

The extra protein and fat you consume on a low-carb diet will help you feel satiated for a longer time. Also, since low-carb diets emphasize healthy sources of carbs, fats, and protein, they can help cut down the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

But before changing your diet, talk to your doctor and find out what’s best for you. Some of you will need to reduce your dosage of diabetes medications or insulin when adhering to a low-carb diet. And alongside limiting carbs in your diet, regular physical activity, good sleep, and stress management are equally important.

Stop being a victim of diabesity or its stigma. No better time than now to act against it and get healthier!

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Follow These Tips To Maintain Healthy Blood Sugar Levels During Lockdown

Diabetes requires constant management. It is extremely important to maintain healthy blood sugar levels to prevent complications of diabetes. A healthy lifestyle is an effective way to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. When at home, diabetics should follow a few precautions to avoid any major fluctuations in blood sugar levels. In such a situation, living a sedentary lifestyle can be dangerous for people with diabetes. Read here to know some tips for diabetes management amidst the ongoing lock down.
Diabetes management: Tips to maintain healthy blood sugar levels during lock down
1. Consume a balanced diet

Diet plays a major role in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. You should also focus on maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. A healthy and balanced diet will ensure the intake of all necessary nutrients and also promote a healthy weight. Add more fibre to your diet keeping glycemic index into consideration.

2. Exercise regularly

Exercise can also help in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. You can try exercising at home. But do not indulge in heavy exercises. Also, make sure that you do not exercise on an empty stomach or after consuming a meal.


3. Check your blood sugar levels constantly

To avoid any major complication check your blood sugar levels regularly. This will help you take all the necessary precautions at the right time. Also, keep in touch with your doctor for right guidance.

4. Keep all your medications

Due to the lockdown, it can be difficult to get every medicine instantly. Keep all your medicines in stock. Many also need insulin. Keep insulin ready to avoid any kind of emergencies.

5. Do not panic

Many are also dealing with mental health issues during lockdown. It is extremely important to maintain good mental health. Try different activities which can lift your mood. Also, try yoga or meditation to boost overall health.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Respiratory distress management in paediatric care

Respiratory system in the human body starts from the nose, pharynx [throat], windpipe opening [glottis], wind pipe [trachea, bronchus] and its branches [bronchioles] to the lungs full of alveoli, which are grape-shaped. A disease of any part of the respiratory system due to swelling, or obstruction or compression or aspiration; this is going to give you respiratory distress.

Few other medical problems of the heart, brain or even fever can also trigger respiratory distress. A Senior Consultant, Paediatricians and Neonatal Intensivists, shares some signs and symptoms of respiratory distress in children.

How will you come to know?
When you see a child or a person breathing faster, if breathing is deeper with or without retractions in the chest, in rib cage or upper abdomen or neck; with or without different kind of audible breath sounds associated with fatigue and sweating, should be considered as alarming sign to approach closest casualty and find immediate treatment.

Why does this happen?

The human body is made up of cells. Our cells need oxygen to stay alive and to remove carbon dioxide from the blood by breathing. This normally happens with the use of diaphragm unconsciously throughout the day in a normal healthy child or person. But due to any medical diseases, if enough oxygen does not reach to the cells, due to increased utilisation or decreased supply; or if lungs are not able to remove carbon dioxide, it leads to change in blood pH level.

Thereby, using all backup accessory muscles as auto compensatory mechanisms; our body tries to meet increased demand or decreased supply to prevent tissue death. This reflects through rapid breathing, deep rasping, with retractions, nasal flaring and audible noisy breath sounds sometimes. Untreated severe respiratory distress can lead to cardiac arrest if not treated in time.

What are the common medical problems leading to respiratory distress?
Respiratory Distress can happen due to various medical conditions like pneumonia, pleural effusion, lung malignancies, acute exacerbation of asthma, bronchitis and lung abscess, presence of foreign bodies in the respiratory system, severe laryngitis, peritonsillar abscess and others.

What can be done?
An obvious next step upon experiencing or witnessing respiratory distress is rushing the child to the nearest emergency room. Treatment is to supplement oxygen, to reduce work of breathing; followed by investigations to find the cause of respiratory distress by X-ray, blood tests and USG. Treatment depends on the cause. Many patients with respiratory distress not only require hospitalisation, but also monitoring in pediatric or adult ICU, and sometimes even ventilator care, if the disease evolves rapidly and severely.

Which age groups are more susceptible?
Respiratory distress can happen due to infections as well as be a part of a generalised illness, due to non-infectious diseases. Susceptibility for respiratory tract infection depends on the type or nature of infection and host response. Children can be protected against vaccine-preventable diseases if vaccinated in time adequately. But younger children have a low threshold to deteriorate, compared to older children or adults.

Most respiratory diseases are acute, screening is not required. But when you see your child breathing at a faster rate, deep rapid or laboured breathing, you should seek consultation by a doctor. Don’t delay, if the child’s distress progresses faster and further, reversibility will be slow and difficult. Here is how you can take care of respiratory distress.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement            

Glycemic Index and Diabetes

The glycemic index, or GI, measures how a carbohydrate-containing food raises blood glucose. Foods are ranked based on how they compare to a reference food — either glucose or white bread.

A food with a high GI raises blood glucose more than a food with a medium or low GI.

Meal planning with the GI involves choosing foods that have a low or medium GI. If eating a food with a high GI, you can combine it with low GI foods to help balance the meal.

Examples of carbohydrate-containing foods with a low GI include dried beans and legumes (like kidney beans and lentils), all non-starchy vegetables, some starchy vegetables like sweet potatoes, most fruit, and many whole grain breads and cereals (like barley, whole wheat bread, rye bread, and all-bran cereal).

Meats and fats don’t have a GI because they do not contain carbohydrate.

Below are examples of foods based on their GI.
Low GI Foods (55 or less)

    100% stone-ground whole wheat or pumpernickel bread
    Oatmeal (rolled or steel-cut), oat bran, muesli
    Pasta, converted rice, barley, bulgar
    Sweet potato, corn, yam, lima/butter beans, peas, legumes and lentils
    Most fruits, non-starchy vegetables and carrots

Medium GI (56-69)

    Whole wheat, rye and pita bread
    Quick oats
    Brown, wild or basmati rice, couscous

High GI (70 or more)

    White bread or bagel
    Corn flakes, puffed rice, bran flakes, instant oatmeal
    Short-grain white rice, rice pasta, macaroni and cheese from mix
    Russet potato, pumpkin
    Pretzels, rice cakes, popcorn, saltine crackers
    melons and pineapple

What Affects the GI of a Food?

Fat and fiber tend to lower the GI of a food. As a general rule, the more cooked or processed a food, the higher the GI; however, this is not always true.

Below are a few specific examples of other factors that can affect the GI of a food:

    Ripeness and storage time — the more ripe a fruit or vegetable is, the higher the GI
    Processing — juice has a higher GI than whole fruit; mashed potato has a higher GI than a whole baked potato, stone ground whole wheat bread has a lower GI than whole wheat bread.
    Cooking method — how long a food is cooked (al dente pasta has a lower GI than soft-cooked pasta)
    Variety — converted long-grain white rice has a lower GI than brown rice but short-grain white rice has a higher GI than brown rice.

Other Considerations

The GI value represents the type of carbohydrate in a food but says nothing about the amount of carbohydrate typically eaten. Portion sizes are still relevant for managing blood glucose and for losing or maintaining weight.

The GI of a food is different when eaten alone than it is when combined with other foods. When eating a high GI food, you can combine it with other low GI foods to balance out the effect on blood glucose levels.

Many nutritious foods have a higher GI than foods with little nutritional value. For example, oatmeal has a higher GI than chocolate. Use of the GI needs to be balanced with basic nutrition principles of variety for healthful foods and moderation of foods with few nutrients.
GI or Carbohydrate Counting?

There is no one diet or meal plan that works for everyone with diabetes. The important thing is to follow a meal plan that is tailored to personal preferences and lifestyle and helps achieve goals for blood glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, blood pressure, and weight management.

Research shows that both the amount and the type of carbohydrate in food affect blood glucose levels. Studies also show that the total amount of carbohydrate in food, in general, is a stronger predictor of blood glucose response than the GI.

Based on the research, for most people with diabetes, the first tool for managing blood glucose is some type of carbohydrate counting.

Because the type of carbohydrate can affect blood glucose, using the GI may be helpful in "fine-tuning" blood glucose management. In other words, combined with carbohydrate counting, it may provide an additional benefit for achieving blood glucose goals for individuals who can and want to put extra effort into monitoring their food choices

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

a toolkit to manage menopause

To fill the void of clear guidelines on menopause diagnosis and management and equip doctors with the fundamentals to care for any woman, researchers have developed a toolkit that has the potential to help manage menopausal conditions for women globally.

The Practitioner Toolkit for Managing the Menopause includes a diagnostic tool, as well as a compendium of approved hormone therapies.

Led by professor Susan Davis at Monash University in Australia, the research team combined existing research on menopause, diagnostic algorithms and extensive clinical experience to develop the diagnostic tool.

It also works through a patient's medical history and risk factors to arrive at the best treatment solution.

The free resource includes a flow chart of standardised questions for doctors to ask, and assess women who are potentially experiencing menopause. The kit also flags safety concerns, provides a list of all hormone therapies approved by regulators in different countries and lists non-hormonal therapies that have evidence to support their use.

The toolkit would also help inform general practitioners and patients on the benefits and risks of menopausal treatment.

"Hormone therapy is commonly prescribed to women, but its success varies according to symptom type and severity, personal circumstances and medical background," Davis said.

"This toolkit has the potential to change that because it is designed to work just as well for a 41 year old woman in Madras (Chennai) as it will for the 48 year old in Manhattan," Davis added.

Menopause marks the end of the monthly cycle of menstruation and reproductive years in a woman's life.

Due to hormonal changes, menopausal symptoms, which include hot flushes, anxiety and depression and joint pain, vary widely from none at all to debilitating, making a straightforward diagnosis difficult, Davis said. 

 

 

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