A New Version Of Gastric Bypass Surgery May Cure Diabetes

A modified version of gastric bypass surgery is eliminating diabetes in its patients.

After 2 years of testing, 19 of 20 diabetic patients that have undergone the modified gastric bypass surgery no longer have diabetes.

First, let's look at basic anatomy of the upper digestive system. From the stomach, food first goes into the upper small intestine called the duodenum. This is the first 25 centimeters of the small intestine. The next 25 meters of the small intestine is called the jejunum.

In a normal bypass operation, the size of the stomach is reduced. In addition, the duodenum is bypassed, and food from the smaller stomach goes directly to the jejunum.

In the modified version of this operation, the stomach is untouched. But, the duodenum is bypassed just like in the normal bypass operation.

This modified version of the gastric bypass operation was developed by Dr. Francisco Rubino of the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York. Dr. Rubino has been researching, since 1999, the possibility that gastric bypass surgery cures diabetes.

What is interesting about his findings is that these patients get cured of their diabetes long before experiencing weight loss. This indicates that something other than weight loss is curing these diabetic patients.

Due to his findings, Dr. Rubino has received approval to study experimental bypass surgery on diabetics with a healthy Body Mass Index or BMI. Normally, this type of surgery is only considered for diabetic patients with a BMI of 35 or higher.

Researchers at the University of Toronto are offering a possible explanation why the modified bypass operation is curing diabetes.

By bypassing the duodenum, the jejunum receives more nutrients than it normally gets. When this happens following the surgery, the jejunum tells the brain that it has too much sugar. In turn, the brain then tells the liver to stop making glucose. The net result is that blood sugar levels are reduced to normal levels, and no more diabetes.

Additional good news is that this surgery may also work with type-1 diabetes.

Of course, invasive surgery always comes with some risk. About 0.3% die within 30 days of the operation. And a small percentage of patients experience infections, leaking from the stomach into the abdominal cavity and gallstones. Also, there is less intestines to absorb nutrients, which may cause anemia and osteoporosis.

Each patient must weigh the risks of invasive surgery with the possibility of curing their diabetes. However, we may have a way to cure a once incurable disease.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

Reuters: " Curing Diabetes Via Surgery, Without Weight Loss "

Changing The Time of Day When You Eat May Help Prevent Obesity And Diabetes

Changing the time of day when you eat, rather than what you eat, may help you maintain a healthy weight and prevent diabetes.

That is the result of a very interesting study by the researchers at the Salk's Regulatory Biology Laboratory.

This is a study that was conducted with mice, but may have relevance to humans. However, human tests will have to be conducted to make that claim.

This is what the researchers found. When mice were restricted to eating during an 8 hour period and forced to fast during the remaining 16 hours of the day, they weighed less and were healthier than mice that could eat whenever they wanted to eat.

Just think about that for a second. If you could restrict your eating to an 8 hour period of the day and fast for the remaining 16 hours, you might be able to reduce your weight and fat content, and be healthier. And you may be able to be healthier without changing what you eat. Just change when you eat, and lengthen the fasting period.

Most of us do not eat during our sleep cycle of about 8 hours. To be healthier and slimmer, just find a way to increase that period of fasting to 16 hours. You don't have to change anything else. However, if you also eat healthier foods and fast for 16 hours, you may become even more healthy.


On the other hand, if you eat around the clock and have very short fasting times, you may have difficulties in maintaining a healthy weight. Not only that, but you also increase your risks of developing diabetes, liver and heart disease.

In other words, the length of your fasting time each day is an important factor in whether or not you can maintain a healthy weight and lower your risk of diabetes, according to this new research study.

The mice that ate around the clock, compared to the mice that had a 16 hour fasting period,

1. Weighed 28% more
2. Developed high cholesterol
3. Had high blood sugar
4. developed liver damage
5. and had diminished motor control

The researchers found that when you eat frequently without fasting, your body keeps making and storing fat, which eventually can lead to liver damage. Your liver also continues to make additional glucose, which raises your blood sugar, which can eventually develop into diabetes.

However, if you fast for several hours, your body makes less fat, glucose and cholesterol. If you regularly fast for long periods each day, your body starts burning fat cells during the fasting period. In addition, instead of producing extra glucose, your body uses that nutrition to repair damaged cells and make new DNA. The net result is lower cholesterol, less fat cells and lower blood sugar levels.

 If you are looking for ways to maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of diabetes without the use of drugs, consider increasing your fasting time every day. This means, of course, no late night snacking.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

Salk Institute for Biological Studies: " Salk Study May Offer Drug-free Intervention To Prevent Obesity and Diabetes "

Is Fructose Really Just Sugar?

Sugar is just Sugar, right?

Not really, according to the researchers at the Duke University Medical Center.

Increased fructose consumption may increase the risk of developing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease for the obese and those with diabetes.

What is fructose?

Fructose is a type of sugar that is found in many plants. It is also the sweetest tasting of the most available type of sugars.

Sources with the highest concentrations of fructose are

1. High Fructose Corn Syrup
2. Honey
3. Molasses
4. And Dried Figs

Fructose is also the most common form of sugar added to many processed foods, candies, sodas and fruit juices.

What is Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)?

It is a condition that involves the accumulation of fat in the liver without alcohol abuse. Overtime, NAFLD can lead to more serious health conditions of hepatitis, liver failure and death.

Being overweight is a risk factor for NAFLD along with a family history of fatty liver. And now, the results of this new research suggest that a high consumption of fructose, especially for the obese, is also a risk factor for NAFLD.

Why is Fructose Different from the other sugars?

The researchers at Duke indicate that fructose, unlike other sugars, requires a molecule called adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in order to be metabolized in your liver. ATP is a molecule in every cell in your body that chemically stores energy. When your cells need energy to do mechanical work, it gets that energy from ATP.

If you consume large amounts of fructose from processed foods, it can deplete the amount of ATP in your liver. This is especially true for the obese and those with diabetes, since they may already have an inability to produce adequate amounts of ATP. With the addition of fructose, their livers can easily be depleted of necessary energy to function properly.

This, in turn, can lead to the development of fatty liver disease and hepatitis.

This is just another reason to avoid processed foods with added fructose, especially if you are obese and have diabetes. Focus on eating more fresh fruits and vegetables, and staying away from sweetened juices and sodas to improve your overall health and fitness.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

Duke Health: " Increased Fructose Consumption May Deplete Cellular Energy in Patients with Obesity and Diabetes "
Fatty Liver Diets: " Fatty Liver "
Wikipedia: " Adenosine Triphosphate "
Wikipedia: " Fructose "
" Is Fructose Stealing Energy From Your Liver? "

Can Diabetes Be Prevented or Cured?

Is there anything that an obese patient can do to prevent or possibly cure themselves of diabetes?

Yes according to a study presented at the International Congress of Endocrinology/European Congress of Endocrinology in Florence, Italy.

This study states that lowering your BMI by 5 units can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes. And severely obese patients can possibly rid themselves of diabetes by reducing their weight enough to reduce their BMI by 5 units.

What is BMI?

BMI is an acronym that stands for Body Mass Index.

It is a correlation based on your weight and height to identify potential weight related health problems. The BMI number is categorized as

1. Severly Underweight if it is less than 16.4
2. Underweight if it is from 16.5 to 18.4
3. Normal if it is from 18.5 to 24.9
4. Overweight if it is from 25 to 29.9
5. Obese Class I if it is from 30 to 34.9
6. Obese Class II if it is from 35 to 39.9 and
7. Obese Class III if it is 40 and over.

Results of the Study

For patients who did not lose weight during the 2 and 10 year follow-up, the diabetes incidence rates were

1. 6.5% for patients with a BMI less than 35
2. 7.7% for patients with a BMI between 35 and 40
3. and 9.3% for patients with a BMI greater than 40.

For patients who lost at least 5 BMI units, the diabetes incidence rates were

1. 2.4% for patients with a BMI between 35 and 40
2. 2% for patients with a BMI between 40 and 45 and 
3. 3.4% for patients with a BMI greater than 45.

As you can see, lowering your weight enough to reduce your BMI by 5 units can significantly reduce the likelihood that you will develop diabetes.

How Much Weight Represents 5 BMI Units?

Losing 5 BMI units is not easy, but it can be accomplished. However, it does take dedication by the patient to change their lifestyle significantly for the rest of their lives. With the help of your doctor, dietician or support group, it can be done.

The average man in the US is 5' 10", and the average women in the US is 5' 5". For the average obese man to reduce his BMI by 5 units, he would have to lose 35 pounds. The average obese women would have to lose 31 pounds.

5 Habits of People Who Have Succeeded at Long-Term Weight Loss

1. They have modified their food intake in some way to lose weight. Basically, they eat fewer calories. On average, they eat about 1400 calories each day.
2. They increased their physical activity with walking being their favorite activity. On average, they exercise 1 hour a day.
3. They eat breakfast everyday. Research has shown that a protein rich breakfast will help you snack less often.
4. They weigh themselves at least once a week. Actually, research at the University of Minnesota determined that people who weighted themselves every day lost twice as much weight as people who weighted themselves less often.
5. They watch less than 10 hours of TV each week. This helps them to stay more physically and socially active.

In addition, these successful weight losers limited their fast food intake, cut back on sugars and sweets, and ate more fruits and vegetables.

It does take a lot of work and a dedication to completely change your lifestyle to reduce your weight by 5 BMI units, but research has shown that it is worth the effort to drastically improve your health and fitness and be free of diabetes for life.

Charles A. Pennison

References:

ScienceDaily: " Losing Weight When Obese Can Prevent or Cure Diabetes "
Disabled World: " Height Chart of Men and Women in Different Countries "
Exercise-to-a-healthier-life: " BMI Calculator "
Health and Fitness Articles Blog: " 5 Important Habits of People Who Have Lost Weight and Kept It Off For Over a Year "

Reversing Diabetes

Diabetes can be reversed, according to new research findings.

Below is a summary of testimonials by government officials, doctors, researchers and diabetes sufferers who are now demonstrating ways to not only prevent diabetes but reverse the disease.

Ann Albright, PhD, RD of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - " Preventing Diabetes "

Dr. Albright states that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes for those at a high risk for diabetes or pre-diabetics can be reduced by 58% by following a structured lifestyle program which includes

1. A modest weight loss of 5 to 7%
2. Changing to a healthy diet
3. And increasing physical activity.

WebMD - " Can You Reverse Type 2 Diabetes? "

This is the story of Karen Parrish, who knew that she was at risk for type 2 diabetes due to a family history of the disease on both sides of her family. Still, she did not live the proper lifestyle to prevent the onset of diabetes.

As she stater, "Knowing what you have to do is not the problem, the problem is doing it."

Karen did not change her lifestyle until she realized that the disease was damaging her eyes.

These are the steps that her doctor recommends:

1. Lower your carbohydrate consumption
2. Skip the starchy vegetables like peas, corn, and carrots
3. Eat a lot of leafy vegetables
4. Eat poultry rather than red meat
5. Eat cold water fish twice a week
6. Buy breads that have a lot of fiber
7.  If you are overweight, expect to cut 700 to 1000 calories from your diet
8. Exercise to build muscle, stimulate insulin and control blood sugar. Your goal should be to exercise 150 minutes each week. 
9. Stay motivated to stick with your new lifestyle plan by setting achievable goals

CNN Health - " Reversing Diabetes Is Possible "

This is the story of Jonathan Legg who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 39. Jonathan decided to try to reverse his diabetes with lifestyle changes rather than drugs.

Jonathan has been able to lower his blood sugar below the diabetic range, but as his doctor states, "It takes a real dedication for the rest of their lives."

With an exercise routine and a change in diet, Jonathan has lost 40 pounds of excess weight. In addition to exercise, he also cut back substantially on alcohol, sugars and carbohydrate consumption. He also increased his consumption of protein and fiber.

Huffpost Healthy Living - " New Research Finds Diabetes Can Be Reversed "

Dr. Mark Hyman talks about a new research study indicating that just a change in diet can reverse type 2 diabetes.Not only that, but the study showed the disease can be reversed in 1 to 8 weeks.

According to the study, "A dramatic diet change (protein shake, low glycemic load, plant-based low-calorie diet but no exercise) in diabetics reversed most features of diabetes within one week and all features by eight weeks."

 To reverse diabetes, Dr. Hyman recommends:

1. Eating a low glycemic load, high fiber and plant based diet consisting of vegetables, beans, nuts, some whole grains, fruit and lean animal protein.
2. An exercise routine that consist of 30-minutes of aerobic exercise 4 to 5 times each week, and strength training for 20-minutes 3 times each week.
3. Take multivitamins, fish oil, vitamin D, chromium and alpha lipoic acid supplements.

Charles

Diabetes

What is diabetes, what causes it and can it be prevented?

In the United States, about 26 million people have diabetes, which is 8% of the population. Type 2 diabetes makes up the majority or 90% of the total number of cases.

What is diabetes?

It is a disease that is characterized by high blood sugar.

Normally, our blood sugar or glucose levels is controlled by a hormone called insulin. Under normal conditions, when our blood glucose levels increase, insulin is produced and released by our pancreas. The released insulin then allows glucose to enter cells where the glucose is converted into energy. This energy in turn is used by the cell to survive and do work, such as allowing muscles to move or making new cells for growth.

Diabetes and the resulting increase in blood sugar occurs when

1. Our pancreas no longer produces insulin
2. Or, our pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin
3. Or, the insulin produced no longer is capable of allowing glucose to enter our cells for processing. This is known as insulin resistance.

 Types of Diabetes

The two types of diabetes are

1. Type 1 - this type is also known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. This type occurs when our pancreas produces little or no insulin for glucose metabolism. This condition may occur due to genetics or an exposure to some viruses.
2. Type 2 - this type is also known as adult-onset or non insulin-dependent diabetes. This condition is the result of either your pancreas not producing enough insulin or your cells are resisting the effects of insulin (insulin resistance). 

Causes of Type 2 Diabetes

The exact cause is unknown. However, contributing factors to developing Type 2 diabetes are an excess weight due to a poor diet and physical inactivity.

Type 2 Diabetes Risk Factors

These risk factors include

1. Excess Weight- this is the primary risk factor. This is especially true if you are overweight due to a poor diet. If your pancreas has to constantly work to produce more and more insulin, over time, the cells in your pancreas responsible for producing insulin decrease in number to the point where not enough insulin can be produced by your pancreas. Also, if you have excess fat cells in you body, your cells become more and more resistant to insulin. The net result is a constant increase in your blood sugar.
2. Abdominal Fat - this is also known as visceral fat. We joke about the beer belly physique, however, large amounts of visceral fat increases your risk for type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
3. Physical Inactivity - adhering to a regular physical fitness routine helps you control your weight, lower your glucose levels and helps your cells to be more responsive to insulin.
4. Family History - your risk increases if your parents or siblings have type 2 diabetes.
5. Race - for unknown reasons, blacks, Hispanics, Asian-Americans and Native Americans have a slightly higher risk for diabetes than American Whites.
6. Age - your risk increases with age, especially after age 45.
7. Gestational Diabetes - if you develop gestational diabetes when you were pregnant, your risk for type 2 diabetes increases.

How To Prevent Diabetes

Changing to a more healthy lifestyle greatly increases your chances of preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes.

1. Eating a healthier diet - stay away from alcohol, fatty foods and carefully watch your carbohydrate consumption. Eat foods high in fiber. Fiber is known to help your body control blood glucose levels. Eat a Mediterranean type of diet that is high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. 
2. Get more exercise - do moderate intensity exercises 30-minutes a day for at least 5 days a week. This can include a brisk walk, cycling or swimming.
3. Lose excess weight - even a 5% reduction in your weight can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetes. Aim to lower your weight by 1 pound a week, until you reach your healthy target weight.
4. Cinnamon has also been shown to help type 2 diabetics normalize their blood sugar levels. Try to use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon each day on fruit and cereals.

This change in lifestyle must be a life long dedication in order to prevent diabetes, and improve your health and fitness levels.

Foods High In Fiber

The following foods are high in fiber and will help you control your blood sugar and weight:

1. Raspberries, pears and apples
2. Whole grains like whole wheat, hulled barley, oat bran, steel cut oatmeal and brown rice
3. Peas, lentils and black beans
4. Artichoke, broccoli, turnip greens, sweet potatoes, eggplant, okra and Brussels sprouts

Charles

References:

Mayo Clinic: " Type 2 Diabetes "
Mayo Clinic: " Type 1 Diabetes "
Mayo Clinic: " High-fiber foods "
MedicineNet: " Diabetes Mellitus "
CNN: " Reversing Diabetes Is Possible "
Oregon State University: " Fiber "
American Diabetes Association: " Diabetes Statistics "
Whole Foods: " Ground Cinnamon "