Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly process sugar. Sugar is an important source of energy for the body, and the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin to help convert sugar into energy. However, in people with diabetes, either the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or the body cannot effectively use the insulin that is produced. As a result, sugar builds up in the blood instead of being used for energy (via Healthline).

Over time, high blood sugar can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, nerve damage, and vision loss. There are two main types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children or young adults, while type 2 diabetes is most common in adults over the age of 40. However, type 2 diabetes is on the rise in children and teens due to obesity.

The symptoms of diabetes can vary depending on how high the blood sugar level is. Some people with diabetes may not have any symptoms at all. In general, the early symptoms of untreated diabetes include frequent urination, unusual thirst, feeling tired all the time, and slow healing of cuts and bruises. If blood sugar levels continue to rise, other symptoms may include weight loss, constant hunger, confusion, blurred vision, and numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.

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Acupuncture has been used as an alternative medical practice for about 3,000 years. First started in China, acupuncture has become a more widespread practice in Western countries since the 1950s. A survey of Americans in 2012 reported about 3.5 million Americans used acupuncture as a complementary health approach.

Past research shows acupuncture to be effective in providing relief from a variety of different medical issues, including low back pain, headaches, nausea, and menopausal symptoms.

Adding to this list, a team of researchers from Edith Cowan University in Australia reports findings showing acupuncture therapy may be useful in helping prediabetic patients ward off type 2 diabetes.

The new study was recently published in the journal Holistic Nursing Practice.

Acupuncture is an ancient practice from traditional Chinese medicine. An acupuncturist inserts very thin needles into various areas of the body. The needles help stimulate these specific areas known as acupuncture points to help remove any blockages in the bodys natural energy flow, called qi (pronounced /chi/).

Researchers have examined acupuncture as a possible treatment for diabetes for some time now. About 415 million people globally live with diabetes, with projections to hit half a billion in 2040.

Past research examined acupuncture as a treatment for insulin resistance, and as a complementary therapy for controlling type 2 diabetes

According to Min Zhang, a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Edith Cowan University in Perth, Australia, associate professor at the College of Nursing and Rehabilitation at North China University of Science and Technology, China, and the lead author of this study, the aim of this research was to identify the effects of acupuncture-related therapies on prediabetes management in community settings; and to find the best treatment protocol.

Acupuncture works by improving insulin sensitivity, which determines how sensitive our bodys cells are in response to insulin a hormone to help our body turn food into energy, she explained to MNT.

That means acupuncture can help to control blood sugar levels among people with prediabetes by enhancing insulin production and the efficacy of insulin utilization, Dr. Zhang said.

For this study, Zhang and her team analyzed data regarding acupuncture-related therapy interventions for glycemic control of prediabetes from 14 databases and five clinical registry platforms. The studies ranged over 100 years, from April 1921 to December 2020, and included more than 3,600 individuals with prediabetes.

From their research, the team discovered acupuncture therapy helped significantly improve key markers, including fasting plasma glucose, two-hour plasma glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. They also found acupuncture helped lower the incidence of prediabetes.

The study also showed no reports of adverse reactions from acupuncture therapy among patients.

Additionally, Zhang and her team believe acupuncture provides a holistic option to help alleviate other health issues known to worsen diabetes. These include stress, sleep issues, and high blood pressure.

More than 70% of prediabetic people will develop diabetes within their lifetime. If you ignore it, your risks for heart disease and stroke will also go up, Zhang explained.

She also touched on its advantages over some medications for some people.

[T]he medication used for people with diabetes, such as metformin, is not recommended or approved for prediabetes by TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia) due to side effects. Since prediabetes is reversible, holistic and non-pharmacological treatment is an investment rather than an expenditure, she pointed out.

Additionally, Zhang said past research has demonstrated that acupuncture also has benefits for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Acupuncture could improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes without significant adverse events, she said. This effect is facilitated through improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity that reduces the blood glucose level.

MNT also spoke with Dr. Mahmud Kara, founder of KaraMD & Alternative Health Solutions, about the study. Dr. Kara said there are a few areas that warrant further research.

The first is that the study does not exclude those who received acupuncture treatment while also making lifestyle changes, specifically dietary changes, which makes it difficult to conclude that acupuncture alone has a significant impact on diabetes risk, he said.

Another area to look at is the benefits of acupuncture on other health areas indirectly related to diabetes. For example, chronic stress is often associated with glycemic levels and fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Based on this, it would be important to look at whether acupuncture directly impacts blood sugar levels or whether it has an impact on stress reduction and through this, it indirectly benefits ones health, Dr. Kara explained.

Finally, relying on acupuncture alone may not produce the results one is looking for, he continued.

While acupuncture may offer some health benefits, other time-proven methods such as lifestyle changes (e.g. diet, exercise, stress reduction) should not be overlooked when it comes to prediabetes and reducing disease risk. Dr. Mahmud Kara

Dr. Rohit Moghe, an ambulatory care and population health clinical pharmacist at Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, agreed that further research in this area was merited.

My overall approach to practice after reading this study is that it informs it, but doesnt change it, at least not right now, he explained to MNT.

I will continue to push hard and coach my patients through lifestyle as medicine through the ADCS7, with significant emphasis on dietary modification, enjoyable physical activity, addressing stress through coping skills, and restful sleep. If someone with prediabetes has musculoskeletal pain and/or looking for non-pharmacological treatment of pain, I would recommend acupuncture along with other complementary approaches to treat it, he said.

Dr. Moghe also stressed the need for more research funding in non-pharmacological methods for treating and preventing common chronic conditions.

Due to heavy research on medications, devices, and procedures accepted within Western view of medicine, we are able to prove they work and how they get approved, he detailed, adding: However, we need to also devote equal and equitable resources to studying medicine and procedures from other traditions to bring these therapies into options for those who want to use them.

Medical traditions that are older than Western medicine, like acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ayurveda, yoga therapy, and other shamanistic medical practices also need due respect and equitable research funding. Since we are now a global community, it is only prudent to do so. Dr. Rohit Moghe

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Preventing type 2 diabetes: Could acupuncture help? - Medical News Today

Drew Carey famously dropped 80 pounds with exercise and a low-carb diet, putting his type 2 diabetes into remission. "It sucks being fat, you know," Carey said. "I was diabetic with type 2 diabetes. I'm not diabetic anymore. No medication needed." Worried about your blood sugar? Here are five signs you might have diabetes. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Constant thirst is one of the most common signs of diabetes. "No matter how much you drink, it feels like you're still dehydrated," say Amy Hess-Fischl, MS, RD, LDN, BC-ADM, CDCES, and Lisa M. Leontis RN, ANP-C. "Your tissues (such as your muscles) are, in fact, dehydrated when there's too much glucose (sugar) in your blood. Your body pulls fluid from the tissues to try to dilute the blood and counteract the high glucose, so your tissues will be dehydrated and send the message that you need to drink more. This is also associated with increased urination."

Chronic insomnia raises the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, doctors say. "This isn't a surprise," says Elena Christofides, MD, FACE. "Stress is a known contributor to the development and progression of obesity and diabetes because it causes the body to not be ever able to go into repair and relaxation mode. It is always in reaction mode."

Too much abdominal fat is strongly linked to an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes. "A person who has a highly inflammatory diet and carries excess adiposity around their central organs is more likely to get type 2 diabetes," says Dr. Christofides.

"The effects of type 2 diabetes make it harder for your body to fight off an infection, so you may experience frequent infections," say Hess-Fischl and Leontis. "Women may have frequent vaginal (yeast) and/or bladder infections. That's because bacteria can flourish when there are high levels of glucose in the blood."

There is a hereditary risk to developing type 2 diabetes, experts warn. "Type 2 diabetes tends to be fairly hereditary in contrast to type 1 diabetes," says James Norman, MD, FACS, FACE. "Approximately 38% of siblings and one-third of children of people with type 2 diabetes will develop diabetes or abnormal glucose metabolism at some point. The degree of obesity also seems to be a factor, with a larger percentage of diabetes developing in those who are more obese. Studies with identical twins showed that 90-100% of the time when diabetes developed in one it would also develop in the other compared with 50% in type 1 diabetes."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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Sure Signs You Have Diabetes Like Drew Carey Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

The study covered in this summary was published in Preprints for Research Square as a preprint and has not yet been peer reviewed.

South Asians dying with atherosclerosis in the United States were twice as likely to have concurrent diabetes compared with other Americans (8.3% vs 4.1%), in a new study.

The findings come from mortality data of American adults aged 45 and older who died in 2012-2019, were South Asian (with ancestry from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, or Sri Lanka) or other Americans, and the cause of death included type 2 diabetes (diabetes) and/or atherosclerotic disease (ischemic heart disease, ischemic stroke, or atherosclerosis), based on ICD-10 codes.

The increased likelihood of having diabetes plus atherosclerotic disease as the cause of death in South Asians versus other Americans was greatest in women younger than 60.

South Asians in their native countries ordiaspora populations have a higher risk of developing diabetes and diabetic complications than others, and their leading cause of death is atherosclerotic disease. This study now shows that atherosclerotic disease and diabetes have "vicious synergistic consequences" on risk of earlier death.

Public health strategies targeted at South Asians should focus on prevention and treatment of both atherosclerotic disease and diabetes, especially in young and middle-aged adults, and especially younger women.

There is a need to "step-up" detection and management of atherosclerotic disease and diabetes in South Asians as well asincrease efforts to prevent diabetes in patients with atherosclerotic diseaseand prevent atherosclerotic disease in patients with diabetes.

Renewed efforts are needed to improve access to healthcare for immigrant communities in the United States.

The researchers obtained mortality data compiled in the Mortality Multiple Cause files from the National Center for Health Statistics, based on death certificates, from 2012 through 2019, for people who died at age 45 and older, were US residents, and had data for race/ethnicity/nationality.

The patients were classified as having South Asian ancestry or other ancestry (non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, American Indian, Hispanic, Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Vietnamese, or other Asian and Pacific Islanders).

During the study period, 20,145,499 people died, including 55,461 (0.28%) who were South Asian.

Among South Asian Americans, the contributing causeof death was:

Among other Americans,the contributing causeof death was:

Diabetes and atherosclerotic disease were more likely to be co-occurring causes of death in South Asians than in other Americans (P < .0001)

The likelihood of having diabetes and atherosclerotic disease as co-contributors to death in South Asians versus otherAmericanswas highest for South Asian women younger than 60.

This is a summary of a preprint research study, "Are US Asian Indians Dying With Atherosclerosis More Likely to Have Concurrent Diabetes Mellitus: Analysis of National Multiple Cause of Mortality Data (2012-2019)," written by researchers from Armed Forces Medical Collegein Pune, India, and Johns Hopkins University School of Medicinein Baltimore, Maryland. Preprints from Research Square are provided to you by Medscape. This study has not yet been peer reviewed. The full text of the study can be found on Research Square.

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Cite this: Marlene Busko.Atherosclerosis and Diabetes Synergistic, Deadlier in South Asians-Medscape-Aug11,2022.

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Atherosclerosis and Diabetes Synergistic, Deadlier in South Asians - Medscape

Living with Type 2 Diabetes forces many people to adjust their lifestyle and eating habits. In an effort to manage this disease, the body's blood sugar and insulin levels should be kept consistent and stable. And according to one recent study, Type 2 Diabetes patients who restrict their meals to certain times of the day could see fewer dramatic spikes and drops in their metabolic health.

As published in Diabetologia, researchers conducted a trial where 14 Type 2 Diabetes participants underwent a 3-week TRE, a time-restricting eating diet that keeps one's daily food intake within a 10-hour time period. The findings from the study were that patients on a specific TRE pattern had better-controlled glucose levels (otherwise known as sugar) and spent more time in a normal blood sugar range compared to when they were eating within at least 14 hours (or more).

Whether or not Type 2 Diabetes patients' insulin sensitivity is improved by time-restricted eating was found to be inconclusive, researchers from the trial noted.

Researchers claim that time-restricting eating helps create a safe and effective metabolic rhythm in the body that supports healthy blood sugar levels throughout the day that carries over to the next day too.

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Of course, trials and studies come with individual caveats, which is why it's important to recognize this study's findings were a "secondary outcome," says Dr. Mike Bohl, MD, MPH, CPH, MWC, ELS, Director, Medical Content & Education for Ro Healthcare Tech Company. Due to the discovery of decreased glucose levels at night, "the study did find that restricting eating to a 10-hour window results in decreased 24-hour glucose levels," however, he goes on to explain, "this is not a surprising finding, since glucose levels normally go up after eating, and participants were eating for a shorter period of the day."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

Also, there were some mishaps during the trial that should be accounted for. "In one case, there was incomplete data due to technical issues, so only data from 10 of the volunteers were analyzed," Bohl says. This is in addition to many of the trial participants specifically taking glucose-lowering medications at the time, while others were not.

RELATED:The Definitive List of the Best Drinks for Diabetes

That's not to say this research didn't find a productive form of supporting treatment for some Type 2 Diabetes patients out there. In fact, Bohl says, "some research shows that intermittent fasting can lead to weight loss, which could be beneficial for those with type 2 diabetes."

So while you cannot cure Type 2 Diabetes, restrictive eating that results in "weight loss will lead to improvement with insulin sensitivity, therefore, improvement in Type 2 diabetes," explains Dr. Deena Adimoolam, MD, who specializes in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.

If you have Type 2 Diabetes and you're considering a new diet to help you manage the day-to-day, start with discussing your options with a healthcare provider first, Bohl says. "Consistency can be key when it comes to keeping blood sugar levels controlledonce you've found the right combination of medication and eating timing, staying on the same daily schedule can make it so your levels stay well controlled without it being a constant stressor."

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The following article was written by Dr. Alaa Diab as a CardioNerds Conference Scholar for The American Society for Preventive Cardiology 2022 Congress on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is becoming more prevalent in the United States, with an estimate of 37.3 million Americans living with diabetes according to the 2020 CDC statistics. Whats worrisome about this data? Adults with diabetes are at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) with rates 2 to 4 times higher than in adults without diabetes.1 In addition patients with diabetes have a 1.8 to 6-fold greater risk of stroke.2 Given the increasing prevalence of diabetes and its inherent CVD risks, we must ask: how are we managing diabetes to prevent CVD, and most importantly how to eliminate disparities in diabetes care?

The STENO-2 study enrolled 160 patients with type 2 diabetes with signs of kidney disease (microalbuminuria) in Denmark and randomly assigned them to either receiving intensive therapy (i.e., tight glucose regulation with the use of reninangiotensin system blockers, aspirin, and lipid-lowering agents) or conventional diabetic therapy.3 The primary endpoint was time to death from any cause and secondary end points were death from CVD causes and CVD comorbidities, such as stoke and myocardial infarction.

Over a mean follow-up of 13.3 years, 24 patients (30%) in the intensive therapy group died in comparison to 40 patients (50%) in the conventional therapy group, meaning that there was an absolute risk reduction of 20% (P=0.02).3 Intensive therapy was associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.19 to 0.94; P=0.04) and of cardiovascular events (hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.67; P<0.001).3 Nowadays, there are more potent drugs for managing diabetes towards CVD prevention, such as the SGLT2-Inhibitors and GLP1-Receptor Agonists.

Erin Michos, MD, MHS Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology in the Department of Medicine and Director of Womens Cardiovascular Health at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine highlighted the importance of eliminating disparities in diabetes care at the ASPC 2022. Disparities exist in their utilization by race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, may contribute to worse morbidity and mortality in these populations said Dr. Michos. Addressing such disparities will require a multipronged approach; we must address Social Determinants of Health, optimize self-management by free diabetes classes, remove barriers for new therapies by eliminating prior authorizations for diabetic patients, and educate the underrepresented populations on the risk of complications she added.

Diabetic care is being held up at the stop signs on the prevention highway. The road to reducing diabetes-associated CVD morbidity, mortality, and health inequalities is clear if we stand together with a multifaceted systems approach to address known barriers.

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Diabetic Care Held Up at Stop Signs on the Prevention Highway - DocWire News

When Cheria Moore looked in the mirror in August 2021, she didnt like who she was becoming. At 29 years old, the Huntsville, Ala. resident was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, had a complicated relationship with food and suffered from obesity. Her medical prognosis confirmed what she already knew. She needed to commit to a healthier lifestyle.

One day I looked in the mirror and tried to find one thing that I liked about myself and I just couldnt, Moore tells ESSENCE.

After being diagnosed, she set on a journey to make a change. In less than a year, Moore was able to lose 59 pounds and reverse her Type 2 diabetes.

She credits WW (Weight Watchers), specifically her coach, with motivating her to keep going while also providing tools to aid in weight loss and overall well-being. She also joined WWs Black Womens Virtual Workshops, which she considers instrumental in her journey. The groups are smaller communities of WW participants created to connect women with similar interests or locations.

Ill be honest, when I thought of WW, I didnt think it was for women who look like me, she admits. But having a large group of Black women to support me on the journey has been revolutionary.

In June, the sustainable weight-loss management company announced the results of a study that showed positive results from its six month clinical trial that tested the effectiveness of its program for those living with diabetes on weight management. According to the study, participants experienced reduction in diabetes distress by 9.8 percent the emotional burden and overall stress related to the condition. Per the study, participantsalso experienced an average weight loss of 5.7 percent.

For Moore, the commitment to change proved to do more than just mitigate distress; she was able to reverse her diabetessomething she still finds surrealand feel a great sense of accomplishment.

For the first time in a while I had set my mind on something and completed it, she says. I have struggled with my weight since elementary school. My weight was something I could never overcome. I am a first-generation college graduatenot once but twiceand have had to overcome a lot of obstacles; but my weight is the one I always struggled with.

Pointing out that she comes from a long line of overweight men and women, many who have diabetes or other health conditions, Moore assumed her weight issues were just a part of her genetic makeup and couldnt be altered. But after her diagnosis, she decided to change the narrative she was telling herself.

When I found out I had diabetes, it was the confirmation I needed that it was time to change, Moore says. And not just for myself but for an entire generation. My family.

Diabetes affects approximately 11.3 percent of the U.S. population. Black women and men are 60 percent more likely than white adults to be diagnosed. Black women are the group most likely to be affected.

Moore didnt want to be defined by those numbers, so she put in the work, which was strenuous.

It was scary, especially in the beginning. There were times I wanted to give up because it wasnt easy, she says.

Along with working with her WW coach, she was able to change her eating habits, allowing herself moments to splurge on her favorite foods, like cheesecake, without going overboard. And working in property management, shes hardly sedentary at work, which allows her to make sure she gets in a lot of steps.

Its been a year since Moore set out on her weight-loss journey. She now chronicles her experiences via her social media pages, including Instagram. She frequently mentions that its not the reversal of her diabetes or even the substantial loss of weight that has been the most rewarding. In the end, its been her overall journey to self-love.

When I looked in the mirror about a year ago, it was scary because I didnt realize how much Id let myself go, says Moore. But now when I look in the mirror, I am proud of what Ive been able to do to get healthy. I feel like I finally have my life back.

TOPICS: Diabetes weight loss ww

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How Cheria Moore Dropped 59 Pounds And A Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis In Less Than A Year - Essence