Twitter-derived Neighborhood Characteristics Associated With Obesity And Diabetes

Twitter-derived neighborhood characteristics associated with obesity and diabetes

Twitter-derived neighborhood characteristics associated with obesity and diabetes
Scientific Reportsvolume7, Articlenumber:16425 (2017)
Neighborhood characteristics are increasingly connected with health outcomes. Social processes affect health through the maintenance of social norms, stimulation of new interests, and dispersal of knowledge. We created zip code level indicators of happiness, food, and physical activity culture from geolocated Twitter data to examine the relationship between these neighborhood characteristics and obesity and diabetes diagnoses (Type 1 and Type 2). We collected 422,094 tweets sent from Utah between April 2015 and March 2016. We leveraged administrative and clinical records on 1.86 million individuals aged 20 years and older in Utah in 2015. Individuals living in zip codes with the greatest percentage of happy and physically-active tweets had lower obesity prevalenceaccounting for individual age, sex, nonwhite race, Hispanic ethnicity, education, and marital status, as well as zip code population characteristics. More happy tweets and lower caloric density of food tweets in a zip code were associated with lower individual prevalence of diabetes. Results were robust in sibling random effects models that account for family background characteristics shared between siblings. Findings suggest the possible influence of sociocultural factors on individual health. The study demonstrates the utility and cost-effectiveness of utilizing existing big data sources to conduct population health studies.
Where we live, including the social, political, e Continue reading

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4 Easy Exercises That Can Help You Manage Diabetes

4 Easy Exercises That Can Help You Manage Diabetes
Its no secret that exercise has health benefitsfrom helping to control weight to improving mood and delivering oxygen and nutrients needed for that energy boost. People who have been diagnosed with diabetes are no exception. According to Sheri Colberg, PhD , exercise physiologist and diabetes educator, the activities that are really important for people with diabetes fall into four main categories: aerobic (or cardio) fitness, resistance training, flexibility, and balance training. Each of these plays a role in helping to keep you healthy and happy.
In addition to helping with weight loss, which is especially important for those with type-2 diabetes, the American Diabetes Association ranks aerobic exercise as one of the most important activities for those who have been diagnosed with diabetes to engage in. Why? Not only does it improve heart health and blood circulation, but a erobic exercise also helps your body use insulin better . In general, the CDC recommends you aim for 30 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic exercise at least five days a week, aiming for no more than two consecutive exercise-free days. The most common activity for people with type-2 diabetes is walking, says Colberg. So start by engaging in 30 minutes of brisk walking to help you hit that magical 10,000 steps a day .
Looking for something a bit more challenging? Pick up a jump rope and hop to it. The best part: In just 15 minutes , you can get a heart-healthy workout .
While aerobic training burns more calories, resistance training Continue reading

Ginger for Diabetes: Is It Really Safe and Good?

Ginger is a spice obtained from rhizomes (underground parts of the stem) of Zingiber officinale plant.
Due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, people in India and China have been using it as a natural remedy for many diseases, including nausea, morning sickness, motion sickness, Alzheimer's disease, flu, and cold for over 3,000 years ( 1 , 2 ).
Besides, it also reduces cholesterol, helps in weight loss and stimulates blood circulation ( 3 , 4 , 5 )
Allegedly, it may also slow down the growth of tumor (cancer) cells.
Ginger contains some bioactive plant substances, the most important of which is gingerol.
This molecule is responsible for most anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antidiabetic effects of ginger.
There are many ways to eat ginger. You may use it as a spice or food ingredient, make some ginger tea or buy some ginger powder, oil or juice in your local pharmacy or specialized stores.
Cosmetic manufacturers also add ginger to beauty products.
Many people think that the edible part of ginger is its root, but it is not true. The piece of the Zingiber officinale plant used in medicine is called rhizome, which is an underground section of the stem.
The summary: Ginger rhizomes contain gingerol, which is a potent phytochemical with strong antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic properties. You can consume ginger in various ways, including ginger tea, powder, juice or spice.
New research suggests that ginger may have strong antidiabetic effects. Ginger has a positive impact not only on diabetes itself, but it may also help in the trea Continue reading

Bitter melon tops herbal remedies for diabetes

Bitter melon tops herbal remedies for diabetes
Researchers have identified functional foods and phytonutrients that could be effectively used to manage diabetes.Top on the list, according to the report published in the book entitled, Food as Medicine: Functional Food Plants of Africa, and journal Current Pharmacology Reports, are: bitter melon; Aloe vera; bitter kola; bitter leaf; clove oil; coconut oil; garlic; ginger; black pepper (utazi in Ibo); guava leaves; velvet beans; bush mango; onion; okra; plantain; scent leaf; soursop; soybeans; tea leaves; and turmeric.
Commonly called bitter melon, bitter gourd, African cucumber or balsam pear, Momordica charantia belongs to the plant family Cucurbitaceae. In Nigeria, bitter melon is called ndakdi in Dera; dagdaggi in Fula-Fulfulde; hashinashiap in Goemai; daddagu in Hausa; iliahia in Igala; akban ndene in Igbo (Ibuzo in Delta State); dagdagoo in Kanuri; akara aj, ejinrin nla, ejinrin weeri, ejirin-weewe or igbole aja in Yoruba.
Black pepper (Gongronema latifolium) is known by the Ikales of Ondo State of Nigeria as Iteji. The Ibos call the plant Utazi; the Efik/ Ibibio call it Utasi while the Yorubas call it Arokeke.
Botanically called Vernonia amygdalina, bitter leaf is of the plant family Compositae. It is called Ewuro in Yoruba and Onugbu in Ibo.Botanically called Ocimum gratissimum, scent leaf or basil belongs to the mint family Lameacea. It is called Effirin in Yoruba and Nchuanwu or Arigbe in Ibo.
The author of Food as Medicine: Functional Food Plants of Africa and professor of pharmacognosy, Maurice Iwu, said his Continue reading

Herbs for Diabetes - Diabetes Self-Management

Herbs, better called plant medicines, can often help manage blood sugar levels. An incredible variety of plants lower blood sugar and improve insulin function, but theres a lot to learn to make them work.
First, speak with your doctor you should not start relying on plants or stop your medicines on your own. Youll need to work closely with your diabetes health-care provider, and youll need to do some research and monitor yourself. Still, millions of people are using plant medicines, and a number of them have written to Diabetes Self-Management to tell us that theyre working.
Herbs scientifically shown to help diabetes
Many of these studies used rodents, or even test tubes, but they certainly show that herbs could potentially work. And we have thousands of human anecdotes supporting their use. Here are some of the best documented.
The vegetable/fruit called bitter melon , bitter gourd, or karela seems to stop insulin resistance. It gets glucose into cells. You can cook with it (many Chinese recipes incorporate this ingredient), eat it raw, or juice it. You can get it at Asian markets or farmers markets, or sometimes in supermarkets. It can also be taken as capsules or a tea.
Okra , a vegetable used in stews and gumbos, reduces insulin resistance and slows glucose absorption in rodents. You can cook with okra, eat it raw, or soak it in water and drink the water. You can also buy capsules.
Turmeric is one of the tastiest diabetes treatments. You can cook with it or take capsules, or sprinkle the powder on food. It absorbs better if you take it with black pepper. Th Continue reading