Global Diabetes 2019

A new study shows that cheese improved insulin sensitivity in prediabetic rats, but industry funded the research. Can people with diabetes benefit from eating cheese? According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA ), 30.3 million adults in the United States live with diabetes, and the condition is the seventh leading cause of death in the U.S. In type 2 diabetes, a person's body is unable to properly use insulin to absorb sugar from the blood into cells. Cheese loaded with fat and salt is a contentious subject when it comes to diabetes and health in general.  While many people enjoy it as part of their diet, the ADA recommend reduced-fat varieties over regular fat cheese. The big problem with research into the effects of cheese is that many studies receive backing by dairy organizations. A recent study adds fuel to the fire by showing that both regular-fat and low-fat cheese improve insulin sensitivity in prediabetic rats. Dairy Farmers of Cana...

Beans are a diabetes superfood, meaning they are an excellent choice for people with diabetes and provide many health and nutritional benefits. The American Diabetes Association (ADA) created a list of beneficial foods for diabetes, or diabetic superfoods, that are "rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber" and may help prevent disease. Beans are at the top of this list.   Carbohydrates Although beans contain carbohydrates, they are low on the glycemic index (GI) scale and do not cause significant spikes in a person's blood sugar levels. Beans are a complex carbohydrate. The body digests this form more slowly than other carbohydrates, helping to keep blood sugar levels stable for longer. According to the University of California, a ½ cup serving of the following beans contains 125 calories, 15 grams (g) of carbohydrates, 7 g of protein, and 0–3 grams of fat when cooked Baked beans may contain more carbohydrate. Cans of baked beans can also...

Mother Nature could have the answer to treat several causes of blindness, according to a ground-breaking study involving scientists from the University of Surrey and the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute at Indiana University School of Medicine in the USA. The scientists have found and tested compounds from a group of plants that could possibly be used to treat the causes of degenerative eye diseases such as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. This abnormal growth of new blood vessel cells in the eye is linked to a number of types of blindness, including in premature babies (retinopathy of prematurity), diabetics (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) and older adults (wet age-related macular degeneration). In a paper published by the American Chemical Society, the University of Surrey, together with experts from Indiana University in America and Kingston University, detailed their testing of naturally occurring homoisoflavonoids found in the Hyacinthaceae plant fam...

A high-protein, low-fat snack before bed may help people with diabetes stabilize their blood sugar levels overnight. Everyone's blood sugar levels change throughout the night. In people with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, these fluctuations can cause high blood sugar levels, or hyperglycemia, in the morning. A tactical late-night snack before bed may help balance these levels.     How do glucose levels change overnight? A person can identify how their glucose levels change during the night by taking various readings. A person's blood sugar levels change during the night, mainly, because of two processes: The dawn phenomenon:  Between roughly 3:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m., blood sugar levels surge as part of the process of waking up. This causes high blood sugar levels in the morning. The Somogyi effect:  Glucose levels drop significantly between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. The body responds by releasing hormones that raise blood sugar levels a...

A red spot on the eye may look worrying, but it is rarely a medical emergency. Usually, a red spot on the eye occurs when blood collects under the conjunctiva due to a subconjunctival hemorrhage. A red spot on the eye, or subconjunctival hemorrhage, usually occurs as a result of increased blood pressure. In some cases, subconjunctival hemorrhages can appear without any identifiable cause. Rare causes of subconjunctival hemorrhages include: high blood pressure taking blood thinners medical disorders that cause bleeding and  diabetes Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetic Retinopathy can also lead to a red spot on the eye. This occurs when blood vessels in the eye break due to high blood sugar levels. Blood from broken or leaking vessels can cause "floaters" or dark spots in the vision. People may not realize they have diabetic retinopathy until it affects their vision. Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include: floaters blurred vision re...