Dietary supplement

Type 2 diabetes is not one-size-fits-all: Subtypes affect complications and treatment options

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 19, 2024
MOD, Hyperinsulinemia, MARD, First Nations, Human, Obesity, Cell, Indigenous peoples, Unique, Disease, Blood transfusion, Insulin, Diabetes, Risk, Patient, Fatty liver disease, Weight loss, Stroke, Research, Fetus, Metabolic disorder, Hope, Pregnancy, Eye disease, Life, Kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, Pancreas, Paratriathlon, SIDD, Blood, Type, Type 2, Dietary supplement

You may have heard of Ozempic, the “miracle drug” for weight loss, but did you know that it was actually designed as a new treatment to manage diabetes?

Key Points: 
  • You may have heard of Ozempic, the “miracle drug” for weight loss, but did you know that it was actually designed as a new treatment to manage diabetes?
  • In Canada, diabetes affects approximately 10 per cent of the general population.

Locks and keys

  • Every cell in the body needs sugar as an energy source, but too much sugar can be toxic to cells.
  • This equilibrium needs to be tightly controlled and is regulated by a lock and key system.
  • Cells cover themselves with locks that respond perfectly to insulin keys to facilitate the entry of sugar into cells.
  • The body can encounter difficulties producing an adequate number of insulin keys, and/or the locks can become stubborn and unresponsive to insulin.

Severe insulin-deficient diabetes: We’re missing keys!

  • In the severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD) subtype, the key factories — the beta cells — are on strike.
  • Why the beta cells go on strike remains largely unknown, but since there is an insulin deficiency, treatment often involves insulin injections.

Severe insulin-resistant diabetes: But it’s always locked!

  • In the severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD) subtype, the locks are overstimulated and start ignoring the keys.
  • There are many treatment avenues for these patients but no consensus about the optimal approach; patients often require high doses of insulin.

Mild obesity-related diabetes: The locks are sticky!

  • Mild obesity-related (MOD) diabetes represents a nuanced aspect of Type 2 diabetes, often observed in individuals with higher body weight.
  • The locks are “sticky,” so it is challenging for the key to click in place and open the lock.

Mild age-related diabetes: I’m tired of controlling blood sugar!


Mild age-related diabetes (MARD) happens more often in older people and typically starts later in life. With time, the key factory is not as productive, and the locks become stubborn. People with MARD find it tricky to manage their blood sugar, but it usually doesn’t lead to severe complications. Among the different subtypes of diabetes, MARD is the most common.

Unique locks, varied keys

  • In Canada, unique cases of Type 2 diabetes were identified in Indigenous children from Northern Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario by Dr. Heather Dean and colleagues in the 1980s and 90s.
  • Read more:
    Indigenous community research partnerships can help address health inequities

    Childhood-onset Type 2 diabetes is on the rise across Canada, but disproportionately affects Indigenous youth.

  • Acknowledging this distinct subtype of Type 2 diabetes in First Nations communities has led to the implementation of a community-based health action plan aimed at addressing the unique challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.

A mosaic of conditions

  • Type 2 diabetes is not uniform; it’s a mosaic of conditions, each with its own characteristics.
  • Since diabetes presents so uniquely in every patient, even categorizing into subtypes does not guarantee how the disease will evolve.


Lili Grieco-St-Pierre receives funding from Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS). Jennifer Bruin receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), JDRF, Diabetes Canada.

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 19, 2024
Incidental, Eating, Death, Body composition, Health, Overweight, Diet, Conditional sentence, Longevity, Hormone, Motivation, Facial muscles, Exercise, Woman, Disease, Connective tissue, Vital signs, Energy, Risk, Genetics, Inflammation, Metabolism, Patient, DSM-IV codes, GP, Extrapyramidal system, Lung, Mental health, Abdomen, Menopause, Weight, Research, Cancer, Food, Parenting, Life, Insulin resistance, Body mass index, Skin, Heart, Pancreas, Lipid metabolism, Waist, Dicarboxylic acid, BMI, Liver, Movement, Parent, Dietary supplement

During the appointment they measure your waist.

Key Points: 
  • During the appointment they measure your waist.
  • GPs and health professionals commonly measure waist circumference as a vital sign for health.
  • Men are at greatly increased risk of health issues if their waist circumference is greater than 102 centimetres.
  • More than two-thirds of Australian adults have waist measurements that put them at an increased risk of disease.

How much is too much?

  • A ratio of 0.6 or more places a person at the highest risk of disease.
  • This can kick off a discussion about their risk of chronic diseases and how they might address this.
  • For women, hormone levels begin changing in mid-life and this also stimulates increased fat levels particularly around the abdomen.
  • Finally, your family history and genetics can make you predisposed to gaining more abdominal fat.

Why the waist?

  • Visceral fat surrounds and infiltrates major organs such as the liver, pancreas and intestines, releasing a variety of chemicals (hormones, inflammatory signals, and fatty acids).
  • These affect inflammation, lipid metabolism, cholesterol levels and insulin resistance, contributing to the development of chronic illnesses.
  • In addition to the direct effects of hormone changes, declining levels of oestrogen change brain function, mood and motivation.
  • These psychological alterations can result in reduced physical activity and increased eating – often of comfort foods high in sugar and fat.
  • And importantly, the waist circumference (and ratio to height) is just one measure of human health.

Muscle matters

  • On current evidence, it is equally or more important for health and longevity to have higher muscle mass and better cardiorespiratory (aerobic) fitness than waist circumference within the healthy range.
  • So, if a person does have an excessive waist circumference, but they are also sedentary and have less muscle mass and aerobic fitness, then the recommendation would be to focus on an appropriate exercise program.
  • Conversely, a person with low visceral fat levels is not necessarily fit and healthy and may have quite poor aerobic fitness, muscle mass, and strength.

Getting moving is important advice

  • Exercise can counter a lot of the negative behavioural and physiological changes that are occurring during midlife including for people going through menopause.
  • And regular exercise reduces the tendency to use food and drink to help manage what can be a quite difficult time in life.
  • Measuring your waist circumference and monitoring your weight remains important.


Rob Newton receives funding from National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, Cancer Council Western Australia, Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and the World Cancer Research Fund. Rob Newton is a board member of The Healthy Male.

Why you shouldn’t be afraid to start running after middle age

Retrieved on: 
Friday, April 19, 2024
Knee, Atrophy, Pressure, MRI, Osteopenia, Exercise, Walking, Activity, Cell, Bone marrow, Chemical oxygen demand, Risk, Gamer, Research, Sarcopenia, Running, Rest, Joint, Volunteering, Life, Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Spine, Bed rest, Cartilage, Osteoarthritis, Skeleton, Dietary supplement

As someone who started marathon running in mid-life, I know how many aches and pains (and doubts) you can have if you take on the challenge to start running at an older age.

Key Points: 
  • As someone who started marathon running in mid-life, I know how many aches and pains (and doubts) you can have if you take on the challenge to start running at an older age.
  • Hobbling around my orthopaedic hospital after my first marathon actually led me to do research on runners.
  • The high-resolution MRI scans found most of the 115 middle-aged participants had abnormalities in their knees before starting marathon training.
  • But while osteoarthritis is more common after middle age, it may actually be a lack of activity that leads to osteoarthritis.
  • Reduced muscle use, whether it is through inactivity or sarcopenia or both, also reduces the production of anti-inflammatory myokines from the muscles.
  • These chemicals are released when we exercise, and help reduce joint swelling and calm irritated joint linings.
  • This effect is pronounced in runners because running uses some of the largest muscles in the body – such as the glutes, quadriceps and hamstrings.

Where to begin

  • If you want to start running, the main message is to ease into it to reduce the risk of injury.
  • One of the best ways to ease into running in mid-life is the NHS Couch to 5K running programme.
  • It’s a free guide that will help you gradually work up towards running 5km in just nine weeks.
  • If you’ve experienced any of these problems, you’ll want to be careful when exercising to avoid further damage.


Alister Hart receives funding from 3 charities: The Rosetrees Trust, Arthroplasty for Arthritis and The Maurice Hatter Foundation.

Herbal medicinal product: Eucalypti aetheroleumArray,Array,Array, F: Assessment finalised

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Eucalyptus oil, Bronchitis, Spasm, Seizure, System, Risk, Inflammation, Patient, Lung, Monograph, Committee, Inhalation, Steam, Herbal medicine, Date, Asthma, Heart failure, Plant, Mouth, Infection, Skin, Fever, Myalgia, Water, Larynx, Medicine, Dietary supplement

Herbal medicinal product: Eucalypti aetheroleumArray,Array,Array, F: Assessment finalised

Key Points: 


Herbal medicinal product: Eucalypti aetheroleumArray,Array,Array, F: Assessment finalised

Herbal medicinal product: Pilosellae herba cum radiceArray, F: Assessment finalised

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Cerastium, Date, Urinary system, System, Patient, Monograph, Committee, Urine, Mouth, Heart, Herbal medicine, Flower, Medicine, Dietary supplement

Overview

Key Points: 
  • Overview
    This is a summary of the scientific conclusions reached by the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC) on the medicinal uses of mouse-ear hawkweed.
  • The HMPC conclusions are taken into account by EU Member States when evaluating applications for the licensing of herbal medicines containing mouse-ear hawkweed.
  • Herbal medicines containing mouse-ear hawkweed are usually available as a herbal tea to be drunk and in solid forms to be taken by mouth.
  • Key facts
    - Latin name
    - Pilosellae herba cum radice
    - English common name
    - Mouse-ear hawkweed
    - Botanical name
    Hieracium pilosella L.
    - Therapeutic area
    - Urinary tract and genital disorders
    - Status
    - F: Assessment finalised
    - Date added to the inventory
    - Date added to priority list
    - Outcome of European assessment
    - European Union herbal monograph

Drinking apple cider vinegar may help with weight loss but its health benefits are overstated

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Well, Research, Disease, Overweight, Health, Glucose, Diarrhea, Myocardial infarction, Apple, Cell, Serum, Infection, Appetite, Vegetable, Incidence, Acetic acid, Risk, Physiology, Lipid, Insulin, Diabetes, Weight loss, Internet, Stroke, Blood, Mortality, Cancer, Systematic review, Breakfast, Diet, Cholesterol, Vomiting, Drinking water, Dietary supplement

One day, she explained that she adds apple cider vinegar to improve my health.

Key Points: 
  • One day, she explained that she adds apple cider vinegar to improve my health.
  • Apple cider vinegar is a natural product made of fermented apple juice that has gone sour.
  • I decided to turn medical sleuth and investigate whether apple cider vinegar is as good for health as it sounds.

Claim: disinfectant properties

  • But does apple cider vinegar’s decontaminant qualities translate to the human gut?
  • Our stomachs produce acid, which acts as a natural barrier to infection, so how can adding more acid help?

Claim: weight loss and management of type 2 diabetes

  • There are plenty of anecdotal claims that apple cider vinegar can aid weight loss, supported by limited evidence from several small studies.
  • Apple cider vinegar is thought to cause weight loss through its effect on delay of gastric emptying.
  • Reduced calorific intake will lead to weight loss – but how are the metabolic effects on blood glucose and lipids mediated?
  • In type 2 diabetes there is a reduction in sensitivity to insulin which in turn leads to a reduced uptake of glucose by cells.

Claim: reduces risk of heart disease

  • Raised blood lipids are a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction and stroke.
  • Well, I’m afraid there’s no scientific evidence that vinegar consumption of any kind reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in those with or without diabetes.

Claim: cancer treatment and prevention

  • One of the more outrageous claims of benefits of daily apple cider vinegar consumption is that it may prevent or treat cancer.
  • A frequently quoted case-control study from China found that an increased consumption of vinegar was associated with a reduced incidence of oesophageal cancer.


Stephen Hughes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Valbiotis to launch its 100% natural dietary supplement for the management of hypercholesterolemia on the French market in May

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Cholecalciferol, LDL, CRM, Cholesterol, Cardiovascular disease, Medicine, Digital, Dietary supplement, Business, Risk, Patient, Pharmacy, DSM-IV codes, ERP, Research, Stroke, Pharmacist, Business development, Executive Committee, HEART, Artery, Research and development, Omega-3 fatty acid, Safety, Enterocyte, Lipid metabolism, General practitioner, Marketing, Practitioner, Sleep, Hypercholesterolemia, Pharmaceutical industry

The natural and innovative characteristics of this product clearly position Valbiotis®PRO Cholestérol as a leader in the lifestyle and dietary management of hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease."

Key Points: 
  • The natural and innovative characteristics of this product clearly position Valbiotis®PRO Cholestérol as a leader in the lifestyle and dietary management of hypercholesterolemia, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease."
  • Available behind the counter in pharmacies, the dietary supplement will also be sold without a prescription with a pharmacist’s recommendation.
  • It comprises a new generation of dietary supplements with active ingredients of natural origin, acting on several targets for comprehensive management.
  • A principal mechanism controls intestinal cholesterol absorption, while a complementary mechanism acts on hepatic metabolism for a comprehensive approach to the management of hypercholesterolemia.

EQS-News: HepaRegeniX publishes data for its first-in-class MKK4 inhibitor HRX-215 for the treatment of acute and chronic liver diseases in Cell

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Liver, Liver failure, DOI, Cell death, Regeneration, Clinical professor, Colorectal cancer, Transplant, Hepatectomy, Risk, Patient, MKK4, Mayo Clinic, Manuscript, Liver transplantation, Teaching hospital, Human, MAP, Liver regeneration, Hepatocyte, PHLF, Regenerative medicine, Safety, Hepatology, Liver disease, Dietary supplement

HRX-215 is a small molecule inhibitor of Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4).

Key Points: 
  • HRX-215 is a small molecule inhibitor of Mitogen-Activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Kinase 4 (MKK4).
  • "The positive results in terms of safety and tolerability confirm our intention to soon offer a drug that has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of severe liver diseases.
  • The data pave the way for further Phase II studies evaluating the efficacy of HRX-215 in humans," emphasizes Dr. Wolfgang Albrecht, COO of HepaRegeniX.
  • Further, HRX-215 was also able to protect hepatocytes from cell death in a model for acute liver injury.

Food & Society at the Aspen Institute Releases the 2024 Food is Medicine Research Action Plan

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Emory University, Organization, Conference, Walmart, Policy, Associated, Health equity, Diabetes, Senior lecturer, Aspen, Research, Prescription, Doctor of Philosophy, Quality of life, White House conference, Society, Nutrition, University of Massachusetts, Aspen Institute, Physician, Meal, Dietary supplement

Washington, DC, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Food & Society at the Aspen Institute has released its 2024 Food is Medicine Research Action Plan.

Key Points: 
  • Washington, DC, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Food & Society at the Aspen Institute has released its 2024 Food is Medicine Research Action Plan.
  • It is the first report to pull together the latest peer-reviewed Food is Medicine research in a digestible, comprehensible, and action-oriented format.
  • Associated health outcomes like diabetes and heart disease remain far greater among Black and Latinx individuals and households.
  • Like the original, the revised version of the Research Action Plan has been made possible thanks to the continuing support of the Walmart Foundation.

Mental Performance Is the #1 Factor for Healthy Aging, According to Life Extension Survey

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 9, 2024
Ageing, Brain, Dementia, Longevity, Nutrient, Resveratrol, New product development, Taurine, Memory, Life, Spermidine, MD, MBA, Lithium, Cognition, Life extension, Oxidative stress, Dietary supplement

So what’s more important when it comes to healthy aging: brain or brawn?

Key Points: 
  • So what’s more important when it comes to healthy aging: brain or brawn?
  • †February 2024 survey of Life Extension customers.
  • According to Michael A. Smith, MD , Life Extension’s Director of Education, aging healthily goes beyond flexing strong muscles; it also depends on heart health and, yes, cognition.
  • “Physical health is a no-brainer when it comes to healthy aging, but many don’t realize that maintaining cognitive health and performance, including a healthy mood, is also crucial,” Dr. Smith said.