Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Diabetes is a vicious and life-threatening disease. It is a condition where your blood sugar is continuously and seriously elevated (and your triglycerides are also). The excess circulating blood sugar is very destructive inflaming tissues in the heart and circulation, in the eyes, brain, kidneys, …
More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes and 1 out of 4 of them have no idea.[1] In honor of National Diabetes Month this November, InVite® Health is urging you to take some time to understand the risk factors and preventative …
Coffee is a highly traded commodity, the main reason why it is the subject of epidemiological and clinical studies with respect to safety and the likelihood of health benefits. This new study from Japan may give men who drink coffee reason to brew an extra cup, due to polyphenols in coffee.
Researchers from the Biological Sciences Laboratory, Kao Corporation in Japan note that epidemiological studies (studies of large populations) indicate that habitual coffee consumption is repeatedly linked to a lowered risk of developing heart disease, America’s biggest killer, and diabetes which is a leading cause of heart disease.
Coffee is loaded with many powerful and natural antioxidants with anti-inflammatory activity. In this study, the researchers report that polyphenols in coffee may actually improve blood sugar levels and boost endothelial function in healthy men.
Endothelial function refers to the activity of blood vessels and their ability to react to an increased demand for blood to supply oxygen and energy to any part of the body. This requires them to retain their youthful elasticity so they can function in a youthful, healthy manner to the cues coming from the heart. They need to pop open (dilate which takes a great deal of energy) and increase the volume of blood supplied to any muscle group or organ or tissue involved. When they cannot dilate to improve blood flow this puts increased pressure on the heart which then needs to pump harder to force the blood through. This results in high blood pressure and damage to arterial walls and is a major component of the development of and contributor to existing heart disease.
The polyphenols in coffee may also slightly increase levels of GLP-1 (an appetite-regulating hormone) after a meal. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is an incretin. Incretins are a group of metabolic hormones that decrease blood sugar. Eating carbohydrates, protein and fats stimulate the release of this hormone when they reach the small intestine. Published in the Nutrition Research journal, researchers stated, “These findings support the hypothesis that, in healthy humans, coffee polyphenol consumption improves postprandial hyperglycemia and vascular endothelial function, which is associated with increased GLP-1 secretion.”
The small but interesting study stands on the shoulders of previous research and the healthy men that participated were given polyphenol-rich coffee or a placebo drink (a drink lacking the polyphenols in coffee) along with a test meal. Three hours after eating, there was a significantly lowered increase in blood glucose with a significantly improved increase in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) that measures blood flow and vascular health in those who drank the polyphenol-rich coffee. A strong aspect of the study is that it was a cross-over study. In this second part of the study the men drinking coffee now consumed the placebo, and men on placebo now consumed coffee and they had the same results. The study was published online ahead of print July 5, 2015, in the Nutrition Research journal.
Diabetes is a very common illness. According to the latest data compiled in 2012, it affects 29 million Americans (1). On average, diabetes cost the United States 245 billion dollars in 2012 alone and this number seems to only be steadily increasing (2). But where …
Photo by Plush Design Studio on Unsplash Diabetes in America is still on the rise, but what’s even more astonishing is the number of people living with the disease that do not know they have it. According to the latest data released by the Center …
For diabetics, there is often an endless battle to keep sugar levels at a manageable level and continue living a normal life. For years, sugar substitutes have been a crucial part of a diabetic’s nutritional regimen. Recently, though, a new study suggested that the natural sugars found in the agave plant known as “agavins” may reduce glucose levels, as well as trigger insulin production in the body. The downside? Agavins don’t taste as sweet as the typical sugar substitutes.
What to Know About Type-2-Diabete by Richard Walker, Jr., MD
Diabetes is a group of diseases marked by high levels of blood sugar resulting from defects in insulin production, insulin action, or both. The most common form, Type 2 diabetes, is the fastest growing disease in the world in number of new cases. It is a major contributor to mortality and morbidity and is a direct result of the pandemic rise of obesity. However, Type 2 diabetes, through life style changes, can be avoided; and for those of you with Type 2 diabetes, you can take steps to control the disease and lower the risk of complications.
It’s essential to manage your weight and eat a healthy diet with plenty of low fat protein and complex carbohydrates. Get rid of the sugary, hi-calorie, hi-carb foods and – get your body moving!
Tequila, which is also derived from the agave plant, contains natural sugars that spike the body’s insulin level. Agavins are non-digestible, and they may act as a dietary fiber instead of a sugar that raises blood glucose levels. This research was presented at the 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. This could be a major breakthrough for diabetics who desire an alternative to sugar that’s more healthy than the artificial sweeteners on the market right now.
Understanding Diabetes by Dr. Alan Pressman
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a hormone that essentially reduces the rate that your stomach empties food, which begins insulin production in your body. As far as the research shows right now, agavins are mostly made up of fructose and have very few known side effects.