Diabetics

Research

Antacids may improve blood sugar control in diabetics: Study

New York, June 26 (IANS) Antacids improved blood sugar control in people with diabetes but had no effect on reducing the risk of diabetes in the general population, according to a new study. Type-2 diabetes is a global public health concern affecting almost 10 per cent of people worldwide. Doctors may prescribe diet and lifestyle changes, diabetes medications, or insulin to help people with diabetes better manage their blood sugar, but recent data points to common over the counter antacid medicines as another way to improve glucose levels. "Our research demonstrated that prescribing antacids as an add-on to standard care was superior to standard therapy in decreasing hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels and fasting blood sugar in people with diabetes," said study author Carol Chiung-Hui Peng, from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. "For people without diabetes, taking antacids did not significantly alter their risk of developing the disease," added Huei-Kai Huang from the Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital in Hualien, Taiwan. For the study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the team conducted a meta-analysis on the effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) -- a commonly used type of antacid medication -- on blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and whether these medications could prevent the new onset of diabetes in the general population. The analysis included seven studies (342 participants) for glycemic control and 5 studies (244, 439 participants) for risk of incident diabetes. The researchers found antacids can reduce HbA1c levels by 0.36 per cent in people with diabetes and lower fasting blood sugar by 10 mg/dl based on the results from seven clinical trials. For those without diabetes, the results of the five studies showed that antacids had no effect on reducing the risk of developing diabetes. "People with diabetes should be aware that these commonly used antacid medications may improve their blood sugar control, and providers could consider this glucose-lowering effect when prescribing these medications to their patients," said Kashif Munir, Associate Professor from the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore.  
CoronaVirus Updates

90% diabetics in low-income countries not treated adequately

New York, May 23 (IANS) Ninety per cent people with diabetes living in low- and middle-income countries do not receive the kind of care that could make their lives healthier, longer and more productive, according to a new study published in the journal Lancet Healthy Longevity.The study, led by physicians at the University of Michigan and Brigham and Women's Hospital, showed that nearly half a billion people on the planet have diabetes, but many don't even know they have the condition.Just one among 10 people with diabetes in low- and middle-income countries receive ample care -- low-cost medicines to reduce blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels; and counseling on diet, exercise and weight, which can help lower the health risks. The risks include future heart attacks, strokes, nerve damage, blindness, amputations and other disabling or fatal conditions."Diabetes continues to explode everywhere, in every country, and 80 per cent of people with it live in these low- and middle-income countries," said lead author David Flood, National Clinician Scholar at the University of Michigan's Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation."It confers a high risk of complications such as heart attacks, blindness, and strokes. We can prevent these complications with comprehensive diabetes treatment, and we need to make sure people around the world can access treatment," he added.The team analysed data from surveys, examinations and tests of more than 680,000 people between the ages of 25 and 64 worldwide conducted in recent years. More than 37,000 of them had diabetes; more than half of them hadn't been formally diagnosed yet, but had a key biomarker of elevated blood sugar.The team analysed data from surveys, examinations and tests of more than 680,000 people between the ages of 25 and 64 worldwide conducted in recent years. More than 37,000 of them had diabetes; more than half of them hadn't been formally diagnosed yet, but had a key biomarker of elevated blood sugar.--IANSrvt/sdr/
Herbs

Pumpkin Health Benefits, Uses, Dosage

Pumpkin Health Benefits: Pumpkin or bitter melon is a vegetable which has various medicinal uses. This is because of the presence of different types of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.  It helps in managing blood sugar levels as it increases the production of insulin in the body. It is useful for enhancing the immunity of the body. All the parts of this plant are useful for several medicinal purposes.   However, the seeds of this plant have high nutritional value due to certain bioactive compounds. The oil made from pumpkin seed is used as a preservative ingredient in cosmetics, food, and nutraceutical. It is also helpful in rejuvenating the skin and keeps the skin glowing.   Treating diseases/health problems using pumpkin   • For worm infection Due to active constituents like cucurbitine and alkaloids in pumpkin, it is quite helpful in managing worm infection. This is because these compounds inhibit the activity of intestinal worms (that is, anthelmintic).   • For Overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms Due to the presence of sitosterols in pumpkin seed oil, it can help manage an overactive bladder. It refers to a condition related to the sudden urge to urinate. However, sufficient evidence is not available regarding the exact mechanism of sitosterols.   • For hair loss Due to the presence of phytosterols in pumpkin seed oil, it can help to manage hair loss. This is because phytosterols affect the enzymes that are responsible for male hormones like testosterone and androsterone. However, enough evidence is not present; it is believed pumpkin oil is quite beneficial for hair loss.   Forms of pumpkin in Ayurveda with the recommended dosage Pumpkin can be used in various forms such as capsules, oil, and churna for treating different disorders. Every part of the pumpkin has its medicinal importance; however, pumpkin seeds are more famous for their nutritional value.   If you have not consulted any doctor regarding pumpkin consumption, you can follow the dosages given below. • Pumpkin capsules –Take 1 to 2 capsules two times a day. • Pumpkin churna – Take ½ to 1 teaspoon two times a day. • Pumpkin oil - Take ½ to 1 teaspoon two times a day. • Pumpkin oil for skin – Take 2 to 5 twice a day. However, if you have consulted any doctor regarding pumpkin use, it is advised to follow that prescription strictly.   Ayurvedic care with the help of pumpkin   1. Pumpkin seed churna a. Take some water or honey. b. Add ¼ to ½ teaspoon of pumpkin seed churna to it. c. Take this remedy, preferably after meals.   2. Pumpkin seed oil a. You can take around ½ to 1 teaspoon or according to your requirement of pumpkin seed oil. b. Add it to the freshly prepared salad or soup to enhance the taste.   3. Pumpkin seed capsules a. Take a glass of lukewarm water. b. Swallow 1 to 2 capsules of pumpkin seed with it. c. Use this remedy, preferably after meals.   4. Pumpkin seed oil for skin a. Take some coconut oil. b. Then put 2 to 5 drops of pumpkin seed oil to it.  c. Mix them well. d. Apply gently on the skin. e. Let it stay. f. Use this remedy to keep the skin hydrated.   5. Pumpkin Hair pack  a. Take around ¼ to ½ cup of coconut oil in a container. b. Add around 2 tablespoons of honey to it.  c. Take around 1 cup of chopped pumpkin. d. Mash it properly. e. Add it to the above mixture. f. Mix them well. g. Distribute our hair in small parts. h. Apply this mixture to each part of the hair. i. Gently massage it. j. Let it stay for around 20 to 30 minutes. k. Then wash it with a mild shampoo and water.   6. Pumpkin juice a. Firstly, wash the pumpkin properly. b. Then remove the rinds of the pumpkin. c. Please put it in the blender. d. Make a puree. e. Add some water also. f. You can also add carrot juice, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger juice to enhance the taste. g. Add a few drops of lemon juice to it to add flavor. h. Please put it in the refrigerator and serve cold.   Precautionary guide while using pumpkin   • During breastfeeding You can take pumpkin in food amounts at the time of breastfeeding. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking supplements at the time of breastfeeding.   • During pregnancy  You can take pumpkin in food amounts at the time of pregnancy. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking supplements at the time of pregnancy.   • Moderate Medicine Interaction It is advisable to consult a doctor before consuming pumpkin or pumpkin supplements if you take CNS drugs. This is because pumpkin tends to react with CNS drugs. It can behave as a water pill and decreases lithium absorption in the body.   FAQ's about pumpkin   Q Is it safe to drink pumpkin juice? A Yes, you can use fresh pumpkin to make its juice. Process • Firstly, wash the pumpkin properly. • Then remove the rinds of the pumpkin. • Please put it in the blender. • Make a puree. • Add some water also. • You can also add carrot juice, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, or ginger juice to enhance the taste. • Add a few drops of lemon juice to it to add flavor. • Please put it in the refrigerator and serve cold.   Q Is pumpkin a fruit? A Yes, pumpkin is a fruit since fruit is the edible reproductive part of the seed plant.   Q Can we cook a pumpkin? A Yes, pumpkin can be cooked, boiled, baked, and grilled. You can cook or boil pumpkin with or without its rind according to your preferences. You can also make pumpkin soup and juice.   Q Is it safe to eat pumpkin seeds? A. Yes, you can eat pumpkin seeds in various forms, such as they can be eaten whole after baking, roasting, or drying them. They can also be used as a snack or drizzled onto the salad.   Q Is it safe to use pumpkin for babies? A Pumpkin is quite beneficial for babies as it can help enhance immunity, improve the digestive system, manage bowel movements, and improve energy levels. Due to its high fiber content, it can also be used for preventing constipation in babies.   Q What are the side effects of eating too many pumpkin seeds? A. According to the ayurvedic view, eating too many pumpkin seeds can lead to constipation. This is due to the presence of ruksha (dry) property in pumpkin seeds. This property causes more absorption of water and eventually leads to hard stool and constipation.   Q What will happen if you consume too much pumpkin? A. Eating too much pumpkin can cause carotenemia. It is a situation in which skin turns temporarily orange. It is caused due to ten presence of a pigment called beta-carotene in pumpkin. This condition is most common in the case of infants.   Q Is pumpkin helpful for diabetes? A Yes, due to a constituent called D-chiro-inositol in pumpkin, it can help manage diabetes. This is because this constituent increases the production of insulin in the pancreas. However, sufficient evidence is still not available regarding the antidiabetic action of the constituent.    Q Is pumpkin helpful in weight loss? A Yes, pumpkin can be quite beneficial in weight loss. It enhances insulin sensitivity by reducing insulin resistance and controls blood sugar levels, and, thus, eventually helps in losing weight faster.    Q Are pumpkin seeds useful for the body? A Yes,                Scientific Ayurvedic According to the scientific view, the presence of high levels of unsaturated fatty acids in pumpkin seeds can help prevent the accumulation of fat in arteries and lowers the risk of heart diseases. The antioxidant property of pumpkin seeds can help fight free radicals and inhibit cell damage and, therefore, prevent the risk of lung, breast, or gastric cancer. It is also helpful in managing the levels of cholesterol in the body and prostate enlargement. According to the Ayurvedic view, the presence of krimighna property (anti-worm) in pumpkin seeds can help remove worms from the intestines. You can take crushed pumpkin seeds in milk or honey on an empty stomach to get rid of worms.   Q Is it safe to apply pumpkin seed oil to the skin? A. Yes, it is safe to apply pumpkin seed oil to the skin. However, you need to dilute it with some base oil like coconut oil or olive oil before applying on skin.   Q Is pumpkin good for the skin? A Yes, pumpkin is quite beneficial for the skin. This is due to certain active constituents like tocopherols, beta-carotene, and phytosterols that make up for the pumpkin's antioxidant property. This antioxidant property helps in promoting collagen formation and also produces new cells. Thus, giving a glowing and healthy skin.   Q Is pumpkin helpful for arthritis? A. According to certain studies and research, a Yes, pumpkin seed oil can help manage symptoms of arthritis.   Q Is pumpkin oil helpful for hair? A Yes,              Scientific Ayurvedic According to science, pumpkin is quite beneficial for hair. This is due to the presence of certain minerals like zinc and potassium that can help manage hair in the case of men. It helps in improving blood circulation and enhances healthy hair growth. The presence of anti-inflammatory properties helps in opening up the follicles of hair. According to the ayurvedic view, pumpkin oil can be quite beneficial for hair due to its snigdha (oily) properties. This property helps in preventing dryness, controlling dandruff, and enhances hair growth.   Pumpkin pack for hair care   Pumpkin Hair pack  a. Take around ¼ to ½ cup of coconut oil in a container. b. Add around 2 tablespoons of honey to it.  c. Take around 1 cup of chopped pumpkin. d. Mash it properly. e. Add it to the above mixture. f. Mix them well. g. Distribute our hair in small parts. h. Apply this mixture to each part of the hair. i. Gently massage it. j. Let it stay for around 20 to 30 minutes. k. Then wash it with a mild shampoo and water.
Research

Diabetics can cut heart attack risk by taking pills: Study

London - People with diabetes can reduce their risk for heart attacks in half, simply by taking medications designed to prevent them, say researchers. People with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to have a heart attack or die from heart disease compared to people without diabetes. "Our results suggest that when patients are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, starting medications to prevent cardiovascular disease has a substantial impact on the risk of heart attacks and premature death," said study author Christine Gyldenkerne from Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark. Management of patients with diabetes has changed considerably over the last two decades, with an increased focus on the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The study, presented at the ‘ESC Congress 2020' conference on Saturday, examined how these changes may have affected the risk of heart attacks and premature death in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and no previous cardiovascular disease. The researchers identified all patients in Denmark initiating therapy for type 2 diabetes from 1996 to 2011 -- a total of 211,278 patients. Each patient with diabetes was matched on age and sex with five people without diabetes from the general population. Those with previous cardiovascular disease were excluded. All participants were followed for seven years. Using data from national health registries, the researchers recorded heart attacks and death during follow-up. They also noted the use of medications to prevent cardiovascular disease at the time of diabetes diagnosis. The researchers found that patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes and no previous cardiovascular disease experienced major reductions in the risk of heart attack and death. From 1996 to 2011, the relative risk was reduced by 61 per cent for heart attack and by 41 per cent for death. During the same period, the absolute risks of heart attack and death reduced by 4 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively. When comparing patients with diabetes to the general population, the initially large differences in risk narrowed over time. By the end of the study, the risk of heart attack among patients with diabetes was only marginally - 0.6 per cent - higher than in the general population. The researchers noted that, in addition to the use of preventive medications, other factors may have influenced the likelihood of heart attack and premature death. --IANS
CoronaVirus Updates

Diabetics with poor control more prone to Covid-19

Poorly controlled diabetics are more vulnerable to Covid-19 compared to those who are fit and control their diabetes routinely. Diabetics should avoid getting into fad diets like intermittent dieting or keto diet- focus on well-balanced diet of green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham), concluded the third edition of the 'Illness to Wellness' series themed 'Diabetes Management During Covid-19' with an eminent panel of diabetes experts invited to hold dialogue on the illness. The galaxy of experts highlighted that patients with poorly controlled diabetes with comorbidities are more vulnerable to developing severe symptoms for Covid-19. India currently stands in second place in number of diabetes cases across the world after China, according to the International Diabetes Foundation Diabetes Atlas. India is said to have approximately 77 million diabetics. Highlighting the importance of regulating and monitoring for diabetic patients during Covid-19, Ambrish Mittal, Chairman and Head of Endocrinology and Diabetes Department at Max Healthcare said: "A young, newly diagnosed or well controlled fit diabetic is not the same as an old diabetic with poorer control. If you are a well-controlled otherwise fit diabetic, then you really not at too much of risk of getting Covid, however, same protocol as others need to be observed with stringent precautions. "If a diabetic does turn out to be Covid positive and asymptomatic then you need to undergo quarantine, if you are symptomatic mildly then you need to be in touch with your doctor and may also require testing from time to time but this can still be managed from home with isolation. If you are highly vulnerable with old age and conditions like kidney diseases, diabetes, heart disease and blood pressure then it is advisable that you get admitted." Taking the discussion further, Anoop Misra, Executive Chairman, Fortis C-DOC, laid focus on regulating and monitoring sugar levels for diabetics during Covid-19. "Stick to your medication and check your sugar level constantly. Get your home monitoring kit and use it to monitor your levels. It is not advisable to go to a lab to get tests done right now. "Sugar management and control is of utmost importance as this itself will indicate what will be your state if you were to contract Covid, whether it will be mild or severe. This applies to non-diabetics too as many people are gaining weight this time and are inclined to pick-up diabetes," he said. Stressing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet that consists of ample supply of proteins, fibres and micro-nutrients, Misra added, "Do not get into fad diets like intermittent fasting or keto diets. A usual balanced meal with 3-4 servings of fruits and vegetables and green leafy veggies should be enough. People need to also take in plenty of nuts and seeds and to get a good amount of fibres and micronutrients nutrients in their diets." --IANS
Nirog Health Tips

Giloy for diabetics: How it

Diabetes has taken over the lives of millions of people around the globe. It brings with it several complications, and in many cases it can become fatal. A constant on-the-go life, jumping from one task to another, disturbed sleep cycles and lack of exercise brings about disturbances in our hormonal levels leading to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes. Especially in today's climate, where the pandemic has taken over the world, it is imperative that diabetics or borderline diabetics keep their health in check, Dr Manoj Kutteri, Wellness Director at Atmantan Wellness Centre told IANSlife. The International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) says, 463 million people have diabetes in the world out of which 88 million people are in the Southeast Asia region. Of these, an approximate of 77 million people belong to India. IDF says, the prevalence of diabetes in the population is 8.9 per cent. The disease may have its roots in the genes, but its levels can be controlled by a moderated way of life. There are small steps which one can take in order to control blood sugar levels and keep your diabetes in check. There are two kinds of diabetes - Type 1 and Type 2. Type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, wherein your body produces little to no insulin. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 percent of all diabetes cases and is commonly observed in adults. Here, the body is unable to make good use of the insulin produced by it and is given external insulin/ drugs to maintain blood glucose levels. 'Giloy' or Tinospora cordifolia, often referred to as the root of immortality in medicinal Ayurveda is considered to be a magical herb which helps regulate blood sugar. Consumed in powder, juice or capsule form, it is anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-allergic, anti-malarial, anti-diabetic and its properties give it the name, Madhunashini, in ancient ayurvedic texts which literally translates to "Destroyer of sugar". Mix a glass of freshly strained Giloy juice, made from its stem and leaves, with a few drops of lemon juice and drink it first thing in the morning to kick-start a day full of wellness. Dr Manoj Kutteri explains how Giloy helps you battle diabetes: Giloy has properties known to burn extra glucose, making it easier for the body to moderate blood sugar Giloy is also said to act as a hypoglycemic agent that helps the body in lowering glucose levels in the system Giloy helps increase the production of insulin, naturally According to a study undertaken by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Giloy has significant anti-diabetic activity and has an efficacy of 40 percent to 80 percent compared to insulin Giloy aids the digestive system to function more efficiently and improves gut health. Giloy in its many forms can assist in making the journey to health easier. (Agency)