We saw this article on a recent study at www.healthandage.com and thought it was worth re-posting for those of you who still resist the benefits of milk.
Can a diet that includes plenty of dairy foods cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
Milk drinking has declined over the past 30 years. During this same time, the prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes has increased. Is this just a coincidence, or are the two trends related? Harvard University researchers recently took a look at this question by examining the relationship between dairy consumption, obesity, and factors leading to the development of type 2 diabetes in young adults.
Their focus was on health factors --- including obesity and abnormally high levels of insulin in the bloodstream --- that appear to contribute to high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar levels, low HDL (good) cholesterol, and elevated blood triglycerides. This cluster of risk factors, called the insulin resistance syndrome (IRS) or syndrome X, is linked to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
A look at diet and lifestyle
For this analysis, more than 3,000 young adults from 4 US cities completed a questionnaire that documented lifestyle habits, including smoking status, physical activity, and diet. A physical exam and blood tests measured blood pressure, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and body fat.
Study participants were monitored over a 10-year period, and were diagnosed with insulin resistance syndrome if they had at least two of the following symptoms: high blood sugar, obesity, high blood pressure, and a combination of low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides.
Dairy foods benefit overweight adults
Among the volunteers who were somewhat overweight, there was a significantly lower incidence of IRS characteristics --- obesity, high blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar levels --- in those who ate more dairy foods. Those who ate at least 5 servings per day (of milk, cheese, yogurt, and dairy-based desserts) reduced their odds of developing IRS by 72%, even after taking into consideration other dietary and lifestyle factors that affect the likelihood of developing IRS.
In normal weight individuals, there was no consistent pattern between dairy consumption and development of IRS.
Why dairy?
Scientists aren't yet sure how specific foods might affect the risk of developing IRS. They speculate, though, that the protective benefits of dairy products may come from calcium, potassium, and magnesium --- all of which may lower the risk of high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes.
Insulin resistance syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease are on the rise in all racial, ethnic, and social class groups. Even children and young adults are developing these diseases at higher rates. The authors point out that dietary trends such as increased soda consumption (which often displaces milk) and snacking may contribute to overweight and poor health.
Make dairy decisions wisely
The downside of dairy is the high amount of saturated fat it contains. But consumers can minimize fat and calories by choosing low-fat and fat-free milk, yogurt, and cheese.
Source
* Dairy consumption, obesity, and the insulin resistance syndrome in young adults: The CARDIA Study. MA. Pereira, DR. Jacobs, L. Van Horn, et al., JAMA , 2002, vol. 287, pp. 2081--2089
Showing posts with label Diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Diabetes. Show all posts
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Monday, December 7, 2009
Increase In Diabetes Will Fuel Explosion Of Alzheimer's Dementia
We thought this article, written by Dr. Scott Mendelson, would be a very interesting read for everyone. We see so many clients suffering from both diabetes and Alzheimer's and this article discusses some interesting parallels between the two. Dr. Mendelson is the author Beyond Alzheimer's.
In a new report published in the December issue of the journal Diabetes Care, it is predicted that in the United States the number of people suffering from Diabetes will double over the next 25 years. This is bad news for those of us concerned about the looming epidemic of Alzheimer's Dementia.
Diabetes is a disease of metabolic function in the body that is defined as an inability to control levels of sugar in the blood. However, Diabetes does far more than disturb blood sugar levels. Diabetes adversely affects the functions of virtually every organ in the body. Consequently, it is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other illness, among which are various forms of dementia.
There are actually two types of diabetes. Diabetes Type I, often referred to as Juvenile Onset Diabetes, is most often seen in children and young people. This form of Diabetes results from a loss of pancreatic function and subsequent decrease in the production of the essential hormone, insulin. The other, far more common form of Diabetes is Diabetes Type II, or what is sometimes referred to as Adult Onset Diabetes. Diabetes Type II is not primarily due to a lack of insulin, but rather to a loss of the body's sensitivity and response to insulin. Whereas Diabetes Type I is usually caused by infections or autoimmune diseases of the pancreas, Diabetes Type II is almost always the result of poor diet, stress and lack of exercise. That is, it is generally the result of poor lifestyle choices. It is Diabetes Type II that is expected to grow in such disturbing fashion over the next 25 years.
Diabetes Type II is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's Dementia. Indeed, having Diabetes Type II is thought to at least double the risk of developing Alzheimer's Dementia. Over the last ten years we have greatly increased our understanding of the relationship between Diabetes Type II and Alzheimer's. The most obvious reason that Diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's Dementia is because it increases the incidence of heart disease; high blood pressure; high levels of fat in the form of triglycerides in the blood; decreases in the levels of the good cholesterol, HDL; and increases in levels of the bad cholesterol, LDL. All of these factors are individually known to increase the risk of Alzheimer's Dementia. These conditions also increase the risk of stroke and other forms of damage to blood vessels in the brain, which thus increases the risk of vascular dementia. Unfortunately, vascular dementia accelerates the pathological changes that occur in Alzheimer's Dementia. Thus, vascular dementia is itself a risk factor for Alzheimer's Dementia.
It has more recently become apparent that insulin itself plays an important role in brain chemistry, and that disturbances in the body's response and sensitivity to insulin may play a role in the pathology of Alzheimer's Dementia. Thus, in respect to the growing epidemic of Alzheimer's Dementia, the predicted increase in the incidence of Diabetes is particularly ominous. The hallmarks of the damage done to brain tissue in Alzheimer's Dementia are plaques of abnormal amyloid protein, and tangles of abnormal forms of the brain protein tau. Insulin plays an important role in maintaining normal forms and functions of those proteins. A lack of insulin or insufficient sensitivity to insulin in the brain results in increased build up of amyloid plaques.
Interestingly, the enzyme that breaks down insulin in the brain after it has served its purpose, an enzyme known as Insulin Degrading Enzyme (IDE) is also able to destroy amyloid plaques. Insulin stimulates the production of IDE, and when there is insufficient insulin activity, there is also a decrease in the presence of IDE that could help reduce amyloid plaque build up. Another curious relationship between amyloid and insulin is that amyloid protein resembles insulin closely enough to bind to insulin receptors in the brain and block the effect of insulin. Thus amyloid plaques further decrease the brain's sensitivty to insulin. Insulin also prevents the production of abnormal neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein by inhibiting an enzyme in the brain known as glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3). GSK3 adds phosphate to tau protein and "hyperphosphorylation" of tau protein causes it to tangle.
Beyond its direct effects on amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau, insulin serves as a growth factor in the brain that helps maintain nerve endings where neurons communicate with each other. Maintenance of these nerve endings is essential for what is referred to as "neural plasticity". Neural plasticity allows us to learn and adapt to changing conditions, and without it our brain function deteriorates. Insulin acts to reduce inflammation in the brain. It is known that inflammatory processes play a major role in the progression of Alzheimer's Dementia.
Although increases in the incidence of Diabetes Type II will almost certainly increase the number of individuals who will develop Alzheimer's Dementia, there is also a hidden danger. In most cases, Diabetes Type II arises in individuals who have first developed the condition known as Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome is the presence of high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. The other characteristic of Metabolic Syndrome is high blood sugar. However, the levels of blood sugar in Metabolic Syndrome are not high enough to reach those necessary to diagnose Diabetes. In fact, Metabolic Syndrome is often referred to as "pre-Diabetes".
The underlying cause of Metabolic Syndrome is thought to be insulin resistance, and it is largely due to poor lifestyle choices, that is, too much sugar, too much saturated fat along with it, too much stress, and too little exercise. The frightening fact is that along with the doubling of cases of Diabetes Type II, there will also be an enormous and less apparent growth in the number of individuals with Metabolic Syndrome but not actual Diabetes. Unfortunately, Metabolic Syndrome, even when it does not progress to full-blown Diabetes Type II, is also a major risk factor for developing Alzheimer's Dementia.
The answer to this looming health catastrophe, which will destroy both lives and financial plans, is the dissemination and implementation of common sense protocols of preventative medicine. We must reduce our intake of sugars and simple carbohydrates; reduce our intake of saturated fats, particularly when consumed along with simple carbohydrates; fight obesity and maintain ideal weight; promote exercise and stress reduction; and build a health care system that is dedicated to prevention of disease and monitoring for signs of risk factors for disease that can be improved or reversed. If these steps are not taken, our society faces a heartbreaking and extraordinarily expensive future of ill health, regardless of what type of health care plan congress is able to establish.
In a new report published in the December issue of the journal Diabetes Care, it is predicted that in the United States the number of people suffering from Diabetes will double over the next 25 years. This is bad news for those of us concerned about the looming epidemic of Alzheimer's Dementia.
Diabetes is a disease of metabolic function in the body that is defined as an inability to control levels of sugar in the blood. However, Diabetes does far more than disturb blood sugar levels. Diabetes adversely affects the functions of virtually every organ in the body. Consequently, it is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and other illness, among which are various forms of dementia.
There are actually two types of diabetes. Diabetes Type I, often referred to as Juvenile Onset Diabetes, is most often seen in children and young people. This form of Diabetes results from a loss of pancreatic function and subsequent decrease in the production of the essential hormone, insulin. The other, far more common form of Diabetes is Diabetes Type II, or what is sometimes referred to as Adult Onset Diabetes. Diabetes Type II is not primarily due to a lack of insulin, but rather to a loss of the body's sensitivity and response to insulin. Whereas Diabetes Type I is usually caused by infections or autoimmune diseases of the pancreas, Diabetes Type II is almost always the result of poor diet, stress and lack of exercise. That is, it is generally the result of poor lifestyle choices. It is Diabetes Type II that is expected to grow in such disturbing fashion over the next 25 years.
Diabetes Type II is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's Dementia. Indeed, having Diabetes Type II is thought to at least double the risk of developing Alzheimer's Dementia. Over the last ten years we have greatly increased our understanding of the relationship between Diabetes Type II and Alzheimer's. The most obvious reason that Diabetes increases the risk of Alzheimer's Dementia is because it increases the incidence of heart disease; high blood pressure; high levels of fat in the form of triglycerides in the blood; decreases in the levels of the good cholesterol, HDL; and increases in levels of the bad cholesterol, LDL. All of these factors are individually known to increase the risk of Alzheimer's Dementia. These conditions also increase the risk of stroke and other forms of damage to blood vessels in the brain, which thus increases the risk of vascular dementia. Unfortunately, vascular dementia accelerates the pathological changes that occur in Alzheimer's Dementia. Thus, vascular dementia is itself a risk factor for Alzheimer's Dementia.
It has more recently become apparent that insulin itself plays an important role in brain chemistry, and that disturbances in the body's response and sensitivity to insulin may play a role in the pathology of Alzheimer's Dementia. Thus, in respect to the growing epidemic of Alzheimer's Dementia, the predicted increase in the incidence of Diabetes is particularly ominous. The hallmarks of the damage done to brain tissue in Alzheimer's Dementia are plaques of abnormal amyloid protein, and tangles of abnormal forms of the brain protein tau. Insulin plays an important role in maintaining normal forms and functions of those proteins. A lack of insulin or insufficient sensitivity to insulin in the brain results in increased build up of amyloid plaques.
Interestingly, the enzyme that breaks down insulin in the brain after it has served its purpose, an enzyme known as Insulin Degrading Enzyme (IDE) is also able to destroy amyloid plaques. Insulin stimulates the production of IDE, and when there is insufficient insulin activity, there is also a decrease in the presence of IDE that could help reduce amyloid plaque build up. Another curious relationship between amyloid and insulin is that amyloid protein resembles insulin closely enough to bind to insulin receptors in the brain and block the effect of insulin. Thus amyloid plaques further decrease the brain's sensitivty to insulin. Insulin also prevents the production of abnormal neurofibrillary tangles of tau protein by inhibiting an enzyme in the brain known as glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3). GSK3 adds phosphate to tau protein and "hyperphosphorylation" of tau protein causes it to tangle.
Beyond its direct effects on amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau, insulin serves as a growth factor in the brain that helps maintain nerve endings where neurons communicate with each other. Maintenance of these nerve endings is essential for what is referred to as "neural plasticity". Neural plasticity allows us to learn and adapt to changing conditions, and without it our brain function deteriorates. Insulin acts to reduce inflammation in the brain. It is known that inflammatory processes play a major role in the progression of Alzheimer's Dementia.
Although increases in the incidence of Diabetes Type II will almost certainly increase the number of individuals who will develop Alzheimer's Dementia, there is also a hidden danger. In most cases, Diabetes Type II arises in individuals who have first developed the condition known as Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome is the presence of high blood pressure, abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, and low HDL cholesterol. The other characteristic of Metabolic Syndrome is high blood sugar. However, the levels of blood sugar in Metabolic Syndrome are not high enough to reach those necessary to diagnose Diabetes. In fact, Metabolic Syndrome is often referred to as "pre-Diabetes".
The underlying cause of Metabolic Syndrome is thought to be insulin resistance, and it is largely due to poor lifestyle choices, that is, too much sugar, too much saturated fat along with it, too much stress, and too little exercise. The frightening fact is that along with the doubling of cases of Diabetes Type II, there will also be an enormous and less apparent growth in the number of individuals with Metabolic Syndrome but not actual Diabetes. Unfortunately, Metabolic Syndrome, even when it does not progress to full-blown Diabetes Type II, is also a major risk factor for developing Alzheimer's Dementia.
The answer to this looming health catastrophe, which will destroy both lives and financial plans, is the dissemination and implementation of common sense protocols of preventative medicine. We must reduce our intake of sugars and simple carbohydrates; reduce our intake of saturated fats, particularly when consumed along with simple carbohydrates; fight obesity and maintain ideal weight; promote exercise and stress reduction; and build a health care system that is dedicated to prevention of disease and monitoring for signs of risk factors for disease that can be improved or reversed. If these steps are not taken, our society faces a heartbreaking and extraordinarily expensive future of ill health, regardless of what type of health care plan congress is able to establish.
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