Diabetes, Depression And Risk Of Early Death
Depression may increase risk of early death for people with diabetes
Recent research shows that depression might have a serious negative impact on older people with diabetes. A 7-year study from the University of California looked at more than 3,000 people over the age of 65 who had diabetes. It was found that people with diabetes were 2 times more likely to have depression, and that this group was at a much higher risk of early death. Study authors suggest that this might be because people with depression are less likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle, take their medicine, or do regular blood glucose checks.
Your ability to taste fat can affect weight gain
Could your sense of taste affect how much you weigh? A new study has shown that people who are less able to taste fat in their food are more likely to overeat, with fatty foods. The study, which was from Deakin University in Australia, showed that people who were less sensitive to the taste of fat tended to eat more fatty food before feeling full then those who were more sensitive. Since overeating fatty foods has been linked to weight gain, this can be a health problem.
Thyroid problems might increase risk of death in some dialysis patients
Certain thyroid problems might increase the risk of heart failure in dialysis patients with diabetes, according to a recent study from University Hospital Wurzburg in Germany. During the 4-year study, 1,000 patients with thyroid disorders were looked at. The researchers found that certain thyroid problems doubled the short-term risk of death from heart failure by as much. However, these same conditions showed no significant difference in death risk by all causes in the long term, after the first 12 months.
Stress contributes to childhood obesity
During a 3-year study of about 500 elementary school children, researchers from Ghent University in Belgium found that those who had high levels of the stress hormone cortisol were more likely to gain large amounts of weight. They think that this may be partly because high-calorie foods are easily available to most children, and taste better than healthier food. This means they may reach for more processed food when they are stressed. However, it is not clear yet if high levels of cortisol can directly affect how the body stores fat, or if it simply changes how a stressed child eats.
High birth weight in babies might lead to health problems
Low birth weight in babies has already been found to cause health problems later in life, but new research shows that there may be problems for babies with high birth weights, too. Children that weighed 9 pounds or more at birth are more likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer later in life. Researchers think that birth weight reflects how well a baby is nourished while in the womb. Possible causes of unhealthy high birth weight may be obesity in the mother, gestational diabetes, too much omega-6 in the diet, or not enough calories eaten during pregnancy.
New study shows why insulin can cause weight gain in some people
France’s INSERM Center for Research has shown findings that might shed light on why many people starting insulin therapy gain weight. Information was collected from over 2,000 people with type 2 diabetes who had just started using insulin. Almost one quarter gained 5kg or more in the first year. It was found that those who had a higher A1C level, higher doses of insulin, and lower BMI at the start of their therapy gained the most weight.
Light level while sleeping might affect your weight
New research from the University of Oxford in England might have found a link between weight gain and levels of light during sleep. We already know that darker rooms provide better, healthier sleep. This recent study has shown that women who sleep in a room that is full of light are also more likely to be overweight or obese. The researchers suggested that, since light lowers the production of a hormone called melatonin (which makes you sleepy), too much light could lead to lower quality sleep. More research is needed to know for sure.
New study find gene that might be connected to bad eating habits
Though it’s not clear why this happens, some people who carry a particular gene, called an FTO gene, have a harder time controlling food cravings and impulsive eating. Researchers from various institutions worked together on a study that shows that some people with the FTO gene had lower levels of brain activity linked with impulse control (willpower). It was also found that these people were more likely to become obese as they got older. The scientists emphasize, however, that these impulses can be controlled, and that more research is needed to confirm these findings.
Intensive insulin treatment might lead to longer life after heart attack
Researchers from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden followed 620 patients with type 2 diabetes over 20 years and gave them special insulin therapy to some after they had heart attacks. Those who were given the treatment lived, on average, 2.3 years longer than those who had normal treatments. Patients under 70 with a low risk of heart attacks seemed to benefit most from this. The special therapy involved blood transfusions and 4 times daily insulin injections for at least 3 months, instead of the normal glucose lowering treatments.
Mediterranean diet may be good for kids, too
You have probably heard that a Mediterranean meal plan, which is high in fish, olive oil, vegetables, dairy, whole grains and fruit, can help lower your risk for diabetes and heart disease. It might even help you lose weight. A new study from the University of Gothenberg in Sweden has found that children who follow this meal plan are much less likely to be overweight or obese. While more study is needed, the researchers think that encouraging people to follow a Mediterranean diet may help lower rates of childhood obesity.