Diabetes Research in the News
Over the last few weeks, there have been a number of reports on recent diabetes research. Here’s a summary of what the researchers have found.
Better Diabetes Foot Care Equals Fewer Amputations
According to a recent study published in the March issue of Diabetes Care, a foot-care initiative started in northeastern England decreased the number of diabetes-related foot amputations per 100,000 people from more than 560 to about 175 over a five-year period. This study suggests that improved diabetes care, and diabetic foot-care in particular, can have an extremely positive effect on the foot-health of individuals with diabetes.
Aggressive Drug Treatment Could Reverse Heart Disease in People with Diabetes
According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it may be beneficial to lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels in people with diabetes beyond those levels recommended for most adults. The study found that using an aggressive regimen of drug treatments to lower LDL cholesterol and blood pressure in almost 500 Native American diabetes patients may have reversed artery thickening and heart damage in the patients. This news is important because with diabetes are at higher risk for heart disease. Further research will need to be completed to determine exactly what blood pressure and cholesterol levels diabetes patients should aim for.
Gum Disease and Gestational Diabetes Linked
A study published recently in the Journal of Dental Research suggests that women with gum disease may be at greater risk for developing gestation diabetes. The good news is, gum disease can be treated effectively and safely before or during pregnancy to reduce this risk.
Tai Chi May Help Manage Diabetes
Two small studies published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, one completed in Taiwan and one in Australia, found that tai chi may help in reducing blood sugar levels of adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. More research will need to be done, but the results are promising and suggest that participating in any low-impact, stress-relieving activity might benefit those with diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as other conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Both Fitness and Weight Affect Diabetes Risk
We’ve all heard that exercising and eating right can decrease our risk of diabetes. And we know that losing weight can help us manage diabetes if we have it, potentially reducing or eliminating our need for diabetes medications. A new study now suggests that decreasing weight and improving cardiovascular fitness can independently reduce the risk of developing diabetes. In the study, published in the March issue of Diabetes Care, those women with greater fitness levels had lower incidences of diabetes. However, women who were overweight were still at a higher risk of developing diabetes than those women at a normal weight regardless of physical fitness. While improving fitness can help reduce diabetes risk, it clearly goes hand-in-hand with losing weight.
Previous Heart Attack and Diabetes Equal in Risk
According to a study conducted in Denmark, it appears that if you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your risk for having a heart attack or stroke may be the same as someone who has previously survived a heart attack. These results may encourage doctors to begin preventative treatment of heart disease much sooner for those adults diagnosed with diabetes.
"Eat well. Live well. Be well."
