From Pollution to Abuse – It’s in the News

Pollution May be to Blame for Poor Health in Some Obese People

Health experts have long known that a percentage of obese people stay healthy throughout their lives, regardless of their weight. This means that, unlike many obese people, they do not suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart problems. Researchers at the Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal (IRCM), Canada, conducted a small study to see what makes them different from obese people who do have metabolic diseases. They found that healthy obese people had much lower levels of persistent organic pollutants, or POPs, in their blood stream. These toxic substances (used in agriculture and manufacturing) are found all over the world, and are associated with poor health in obese people. However, more research is needed to find out if POPs are a cause of metabolic diseases, or connected to them in a different way.
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A Good A1C Level May Improve Post-Surgery Health

Researchers using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database found that people with A1C levels of 8% or higher stayed in the hospital longer, and faced more complications (diabetes-related health problems), after any surgery other than heart surgery. A1C is a measurement of a person’s blood glucose control for the previous two to three months. This shows that, especially for people with diabetes, it is important to maintain good blood glucose control and keep A1C within a healthy range. Doing so may improve your chances of an excellent recovery after surgery.
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Abuse in Childhood May Increase Risk for Metabolic Diseases

A study that will soon be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has found that people who suffered abuse or neglect as children are more likely to have unhealthy levels of a few key weight-regulating hormones as adults. Levels of leptin, irisin and adiponectin were found to be either too high or too low to allow them to regulate their weight normally. This not only increases their risk of obesity, heart disease and diabetes later in life, it does so despite vast differences in eating and exercise habits within this population. While the study did not show cause and effect, it does suggest that healthcare providers should pay special attention to the health of childhood abuse sufferers.
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