Screening For Diabetes Is Working Better Than Thought

Screening for Type 2 diabetes involves a blood test, and if results are concerning a second test is recommended. ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Getty Images hide caption
ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Getty Images
Screening for Type 2 diabetes involves a blood test, and if results are concerning a second test is recommended.
ERproductions Ltd/Blend Images/Getty Images
Undiagnosed diabetes may not be as big of a public health problem as thought.
That's the takeaway from a study published Monday in the Annals of Internal Medicine that says that some previous efforts have likely overestimated the number of people with undiagnosed diabetes because they relied on a single positive test result.
By contrast, this new measure used the American Diabetes Association's diagnostic criteria , which recommend that people with one positive fasting blood glucose or A1C test should have a second test to confirm a diagnosis in all but the most severe and obvious cases of Type 2 diabetes. That's because there's some inherent variability in the tests and because blood sugar levels fluctuate naturally because of exercise, illness and even the time of day.
If left untreated, Type 2 diabetes can contribute to kidney disease, nerve damage, high blood pressure and stroke.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has applied the less stringent standard to data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the U.S. Census to come up with an estimate of 33.3 million people with diabetes in 2015, 7.2 million of whom, or almost 24 percent, were undiagnosed. When researche Continue reading

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Overhyped Activity Trackers and Diabetes Mobile Apps?

Thanks to our correspondent Dan Fleshler in New York, who continues his 'Media Matters' column here at the 'Mine with a different perspective on the many mobile health devices out there...
The diabetes community is deluged with news stories proclaiming that mobile health technology will change our lives. Some news is genuinely exciting, like recent reports that a “smartband” on the Apple Watch could display data from Dexcom continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
But some breathless headlines about “activity trackers” worn on the wrist focus on a more dubious claim: they will help you lose weight. In fact, steadily accumulating research shows you’re likely to be disappointed if you expect a mobile health device to help you take off pounds.
These devices -- which track steps taken, calories burned, hours of sleep and other health indicators -- have been overhyped when it comes to weight loss, an important goal for many people with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
What’s more, when used by themselves, the apps’ impact on diabetes management appears to be very small, although they do show great promise when linked to CGMs (more on that later).
And while they certainly provide some overall health benefits when used properly -- as noted here -- they also might have downsides.
Disappointing News on Wearables and Weight Loss
Stanford researchers recently showed that while 7 different wearable health devices accurately measured people's heart rates, they didn't effectively measure the calories burned by users.
Another study, called TRIPPA, showed while the apps increased Continue reading

From weight loss to preventing diabetes, is the raw food diet the answer you're looking for?

From weight loss to preventing diabetes, is the raw food diet the answer you're looking for?
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Among the core ideas behind the raw food diet, which practitioners prefer to call the raw food lifestyle, is the belief that other than a few genetically inherited abnormalities, there is only one illness: toxemia. The theory is that toxemia, an uncleanness of the blood and tissues, is caused mainly because of poor diet and lifestyle.
According to Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram, founder of the US-based non-profit cooperative Rawfully Organic, it is toxemia that manifests into all other disease conditions that arise in the body.
And so what the raw food lifestyle aims to do is not load the body with toxic residue, allowing the body instead, to clean its blood, tissue and organs and thus eliminate the need for most medicines.
In fact, a glimpse into raw food websites will tell you that the human body reacts to cooked food or food heated above 47 degrees Celsius the same way that it reacts to foreign pathogens.
The only way to overcome this, say experts, is by including more raw food into the diet as a lifestyle choice.
According to fullyraw.com , a raw food diet is made up of fresh, whole, unrefined, living, plant-based foods: fruits, vegetables, leafy greens, nuts, and seeds, which are consumed in their natural state, without cooking or steaming. People who adopt this diet are often referred to as raw fooders or raw vegans.
Image courtesy: Anjali Sanghi; Multipurpose dip and dressing with gr Continue reading

Chef Charles Mattocks On Creating The First Diabetes Docu-Series

Celebrity chef, Charles Mattocks is on a mission to change the face of diabetes. Nephew of the late reggae legend Bob Marley, Charles is bold and a zealous champion of the cause. The award winning producer, turned international diabetes advocate is gearing up to witness his long-awaited vision become a reality - in the creation of Reversed: the first diabetes docu-series, to air on Discovery Life Channel in July.
Filmed at the exquisite Millbrooks Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Charles brought together five guests struggling with diabetes, along with health experts to support them.
In a recent conversation, Charles discussed with me his relentless commitment to bettering the lives of those with diabetes, as well as his own personal struggle with the condition.
SD: So, Charles we've just finished shooting the show and I was thrilled to be part of your expert team as the nutritionist and diabetes educator. Am eager to hear how it all began. What was the inspiration?
CM: It all started when I was diagnosed 8 years ago. I didn't know much about diabetes and thought I was going to die. It was lonely and scary. I took it upon myself to search online and felt lost with the overwhelming amount of information. I decided to document my experience to better understand my journey. I refused to accept that this couldn't be beaten. I knew I needed to lose weight and change my diet and start exercising. And, it was this change in lifestyle that changed my vision. My uncle, Bob Marley inspired my vision. Like him, I want to leave something very special for others and I feel this is my way Continue reading

Natural Solutions for Diabetes

Natural Solutions for Diabetes - Dr. Pompa
Home Additional Resources Health Tips Natural Solutions for Diabetes
While diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions, the prevailing methods to treat this disease are often ineffective and even harmful. Many doctors will tell you that diabetes is a chronic, progressive disease, and that very little can be done to maintain health over time. But there is hope for people with diabetes, and the solution may be simpler than you think.
Dr. Jason Fung recently joined us on Cellular Healing TV to talk about the epidemic of diabetes and a natural approach to fixing it. Dr. Fung earned his medical degree at the University of Toronto where he also completed his internal medicine residency before heading to the University of California, Los Angeles, for his fellowship in nephrology. He currently practices as a kidney specialist in Toronto.
During the course of treating thousands of patients, it became clear to Dr. Fung that the epidemic of type 2 diabetes and obesity was getting worse. The prevailing dietary recommendations to reduce dietary fat and calories were clearly ineffective. He founded The Intensive Dietary Management Program to provide a unique treatment focus for type 2 diabetes and obesity. Rather than focusing on medications, this clinic focuses on dietary and lifestyle changes that are simple yet effective. Before we get into Dr. Fungs strategy, lets step back and talk first about what we know about the disease.
First of all, its important to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetics are severely l Continue reading