Type 2 Diabetes And Aging: What You Need To Know

Type 2 Diabetes and Aging: What You Need to Know

When you become older, there are some conditions that you need to begin to worry about more, such as type 2 diabetes.
For people who have not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes but who struggle with weight problems or prediabetes, age can make a big difference in diagnosis. However, age is also an important factor for someone already struggling to manage his or her diabetes.
Higher Risk of Type 2 as You Age
Research has shown that the risk of developing type 2 diabetes increases with age. One reason for this is because as we age, we tend to gain weight and become more sedentary. However, there may be another factor at play besides weight gain and lack of exercise. Recent research conducted by the Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., examines the role of beta cells and the pancreas, and their relation to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the elderly. This study specifically looks at the decline in production of beta cells in the pancreas that comes with age.
These cells store and release insulin, and they are essential to helping our body process this hormone. Researchers at Vanderbilt speculate that with age, these beta cells no longer reproduce at the same rate, and that they also experience apoptosis (cell death) at a higher rate as we age. Researchers say that one of the reasons this might occur is because the body is unable to process key nutrients such as potassium and calcium, which are key to beta cells. This could also be due to the fact that most organs lose their regenerative capacity with age. The study concludes that more research must be conducted Continue reading

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A Diabetes Drug Has 'Significantly Reversed Memory Loss' in Mice With Alzheimer's

A drug developed for type 2 diabetes has "significantly reversed memory loss" in mice with Alzheimer's disease, and researchers now want to test it on humans.
The treatment is exciting for scientists because it works by protecting the brain cells attacked by Alzheimer's disease in three separate ways, rather than relying on a single approach.
And seeing as the drug has already been tested and approved for use in humans, it's something that could hit the market a lot faster than other experimental treatment options.
The results have only been seen in mice so far, but the drug "holds clear promise of being developed into a new treatment for chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease," said senior author Christian Hölscher of Lancaster University in the UK.
"With no new treatments in nearly 15 years, we need to find new ways of tackling Alzheimer's," said Doug Brown from UK organisation, Alzheimer's Society.
"It's imperative that we explore whether drugs developed to treat other conditions can benefit people with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. This approach to research could make it much quicker to get promising new drugs to the people who need them."
Previous research had already established a link between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's - type 2 diabetes is a risk factor for Alzheimer's, and it also appears to make the disease progress more rapidly.
This could be a result of insulin not getting to the cells properly - insulin is a growth factor which is known to protect brain cells, and insulin resistance has been observed in Alzheimer's disea Continue reading

This Lesser Known Vegetable Can Help Prevent Diabetes and Breast Cancer

Written by: Liz Perkins
You probably know someone who has breast cancer… maybe someone who has even had a double mastectomy or possibly someone dealing with diabetes.
Mastectomy is one of the most common procedures for handling breast cancer; the amount of people suffering from diabetes is steadily on the rise. These conditions and situations are far from simple and oftentimes, people may just feel that their resources for fighting back are drying up.
When you are needing something new, something fresh to try and see if you can battle or even prevent something as malicious as cancer or debilitating as diabetes, you need to dig deeper into the vast arsenal of weaponry – the weapons provided By Mother Earth herself.
Let me introduce you to one of those very combatants: the simple, strong, cancer-fighting – bitter melon.
I am guessing you are already fairly health conscious and no doubt you’re interested in the prevention of chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes. Maybe you’re someone that makes your fresh juice regularly, eats the rainbow and takes probiotics. You probably watch your intake of simple carbs and sweets so that you can reduce your risk of both conditions.
Could one plant possibly help you with achieving both of those goals?
This might sound far-fetched to you, but multiple studies have shown that this is one mighty plant and that yes, bitter melon (Momordica charantia) can help prevent cancer and manage diabetes.
Now there’s another tool for your toolbox. It really doesn’t take much of this botanical powerhouse to give a punch, either!
The extr Continue reading

Johnson and Johnson testing possible cure for type 1 diabetes

(NEWSCHANNEL 3) - Johnson and Johnson says it is testing a possible cure for type one diabetes.
The company is joining forces with biotech company Via-Cyte to speed development of the first stem cell treatment that could cure the life-threatening hormonal disorder.
They've already begun testing it in a small number of diabetic patients.
They say if it works as well in patients as it has in animals it would amount to a cure, ending the need for frequent insulin injections and blood sugar testing.
The therapy involves inducing embryonic stem cells to turn into insulin-producing cells while inside a small capsule that is implanted under the skin.
The capsule protects the cells from the immune system, which otherwise would attack them as invaders. Continue reading

What You Need to Know About Amputation and Diabetes

Diabetes, when present in the body for several years, can cause many other health complications.
Heart disease, kidney disease, retinopathy and neuropathy are a few of these complications. Left untreated, they can become extremely damaging to the body.
Neuropathy
One of the most potentially serious complications is neuropathy, which at its worse can lead to amputation. Because of neuropathy, or the nerve damage, and poor circulation, the feet are more vulnerable to skin sores, or ulcers, which can quickly worsen and can become difficult to treat. A non-healing ulcer that causes severe damage to tissues and bone could require the amputation of a toe, foot or part of a leg if it is not treated promptly and properly.
Medical experts say diabetes is one of the leading causes of amputation of the lower limbs throughout the world. Furthermore, problems of the foot are the most frequent reasons for hospitalization among patients with diabetes. All people who have diabetes are advised to make foot check-ups part of their regular care routine.
Amputation
Diabetic foot complications are more common amongst the elderly, and amputation rates increase with age. Other factors that can increase your risk are vascular disease, infection and deformity of the feet. Doctors estimate that almost half of all amputations are caused by neuropathy and circulatory problems that could be prevented with proper foot care.
There are many treatment options for foot ulcers, which vary depending on the severity of the wound. The basic procedure involves the removal of dead tissue or debris, in an attempt Continue reading