by admin | Jan 17, 2019 | Diabetes, Health Awareness
For people with diabetes or pre-diabetes, making healthy
dietary choices is an important aspect of disease management. In particular,
patients should avoid foods that are known to spike blood sugar to keep their
levels within a healthy range. Even for individuals who aren’t diabetic,
limiting or avoiding these foods can help to prevent against serious health
issues, including insulin resistance, obesity, and heart disease. Discover some
of the worst culprits behind elevated blood sugar below.
White Grain Products
While limiting your consumption of grain products may have
certain health benefits, you don’t have to skip rice and bread products altogether.
Simply steer clear of white rice and bread, and opt for whole-grain varieties
instead. In particular, eating white
rice regularly has been associated with an increased risk of type 2
diabetes. This could be a result of the food’s lack of fiber, which helps to
regulate blood sugar levels. White bread, too, is linked to a higher risk of
type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
It’s made from refined flour, which is digested too quickly and can therefore
spike blood sugar.
Red Meat
Too much red meat increases the likelihood of developing
diabetes, especially when it’s processed. Even just two slices of bacon or one
hot dog eaten daily can increase a person’s risk of type 2 diabetes by as much
as 51%.
Red meat has also been linked to higher levels of colorectal cancer and cardiovascular
disease. Researchers suspect that while the saturated fat found in red meat is
one part of the problem, the high level of sodium, which can increase blood
pressure and create insulin resistance, is also to blame.
Fast Food
Fried, greasy foods may look appetizing, but they’re among
the worst offenders on this list. Most varieties have soaring calorie, fat, and
salt counts, all of which spike blood sugar. Salty fast food is particularly
dangerous, as it can increase blood pressure. Because diabetes patients already
face a higher risk of heart
disease, controlling blood pressure is critically important to their health.
Packaged Snacks
Commercially prepared baked goods and other packaged snacks
should be avoided, or at least eaten in moderation. Many of these options have
harmful additives and are high in trans fats, which can impact your cholesterol
and lead to inflammation. Snacking on whole foods, such as a handful of
almonds, vegetable sticks, roasted chick peas, and hard-boiled eggs will
deliver more nutritious benefits in between meals.
Whole-Fat Dairy
As mentioned above, saturated fat can lead to insulin
resistance, or the body’s inability to use insulin for energy. When this
happens, insulin builds up in the blood, leading to higher blood sugar levels.
While not all dairy contributes to this issue, whole milk and other full-fat
dairy products are particularly high in saturated fats. For this reason,
diabetics should choose reduced or nonfat dairy products, including yogurts and
cheeses, whenever possible.
by admin | Jan 14, 2019 | Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Stroke
Patients who suffer ischemic stroke have some treatment
options, but many of them require immediate intervention and so are not useful
if too much time has elapsed between the stroke and treatment. Therapies that
employ stem cells are promising alternatives because stem cells can differentiate
into brain cells and potentially help to replace tissue that has been damaged
or destroyed.
A recent study published in Stem Cells
and Development has shown for the first time that a specific type of stem
cell – called ischemia-induced multipotent stem cells – may be able to help
with such repair of brain tissue in patients who have suffered a stroke.
Specifically, the research team demonstrated the technical ability to isolate
the ischemia-induced multipotent stem cells from the brains of elderly stroke
patients.
The scientists then used protein
binding techniques to determine where in the brain these stem cells came from.
They found that the cells came from areas of the brain where brain cells had been
damaged or killed from the stroke. These cells were located near blood vessels
and expressed certain biological markers that enabled the researchers to
confirm that they qualified as stem cells. Specifically, these cells had
proliferative qualities that suggested that they could potentially be used to
re-populate damaged areas of the brain. The cells also showed the ability to
differentiate into different types of cells, a key characteristic of stem cells
used for therapeutic purposes.
This study represents a
significant step in overcoming the technical challenges associated with
isolating and classifying ischemia-induced multipotent stem cells. The next
step for researchers will be to test the potential of these cells in stroke
treatment. If researchers show that these stem cells can be used to
successfully repair damaged areas of the brain – and more importantly, restore
functions that were disrupted by the stroke – then physicians and scientists
may be able to work together to translate these findings into therapies that
are regularly used in stroke.
Reference
Tatebayashi et al. 2017. Identification of multipotent stem
cells in human brain tissue following stroke. Stem Cells and Development, 26(11), 787-797.
by admin | Jan 10, 2019 | Health Awareness, Multiple Sclerosis
The complex interplay between nutrition and health is still being researched by experts. In many cases, there are already established links between certain foods and undesirable health outcomes. For example, recent dietary guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to 10% of your daily calories or less, as they’re associated with an increased risk of heart disease. For individuals with chronic diseases, it’s perhaps even more important to consider the ways food can impact health.
For those with Multiple Sclerosis (MS),
optimizing your diet means not only filling your plate with healthy foods, but
also avoiding or limiting foods known to exacerbate symptoms. Research shows
that in particular, patients with MS have been able to improve their quality of
life by making specific tweaks
to their diet. Discover which foods
you should discuss with your doctor as a means of controlling your symptoms.
Fats
Saturated fats are commonly found in animal products,
including red meat. These foods aren’t entirely void of nutritious qualities –
after all, they can be rich sources of protein. Yet, their high concentration
of saturated fats presents issues, as they could raise “bad” cholesterol
levels. This is especially of concern for MS patients, who face a higher risk
for heart problems than people without MS.
Trans fats, too, are considered dangerous. Sometimes labeled
as “partially hydrogenated oils,” these fats are known to increase
inflammation, particularly within the blood vessels. This, too, increases the
risk of cardiovascular issues. Steer clear of packaged cookies, crackers, and dessert
items, or at the very least, be sure to enjoy them sparingly.
Sugar
We mentioned briefly above that added sugars are notorious
for their adverse health effects. Not only does excess
sugar lead to weight gain, but it also produces an inflammatory effect
which can intensify MS symptoms. Natural sugars, including those found in
fruits, don’t have the same effect, so feel free to snack on those instead.
Sodium
Added salt presents a number of issues for MS patients. In
general, higher sodium intake is associated with increased
disease activity in MS, and has been found to increase likelihood of
relapse and development of lesions. Sodium intake and blood pressure are also
related, and because high blood pressure can decrease life expectancy in MS
patients, added salt should be consumed at a minimum.
Dairy
Like meat, cow’s milk and other full-fat dairy products are high
in saturated fats. Besides the fat content, however, specific proteins in the
milk could cause trouble for people with MS. These agents could produce a
reaction in multiple sclerosis sufferers, but research shows
the link isn’t very strong. However, it may be worth replacing cow’s milk and
other full-fat dairy products with alternatives to see if it alleviates your
symptoms. Consider exploring options such as soy, almond, or even camel’s
milk.
Gluten
Gluten is primarily a concern for people with celiac
disease, which is characterized by an allergy to the protein found in rye,
wheat, and barley. Consuming gluten can cause intestinal damage in people with
the allergy. Because MS patients have a higher incidence
of celiac disease than the general population, it may be useful to closely
monitor your body’s reaction to consuming bread, cereal, pasta, and other foods
with gluten. While there is currently no evidence suggesting avoidance of
gluten can alleviate MS symptoms in patients who don’t have celiac disease, it never
hurts to bring up any food-related concerns you may have with your physician.
by admin | Jan 8, 2019 | Health Awareness
The importance of gut health has been gaining more and more
attention in recent years. The GI tract has been called “the microbiome,” “the
body’s second brain,” and will likely receive countless other nicknames. No
matter what you choose to call it, maintaining your body’s gut health should be
one of your priorities. Managing your microbiota
– the 300 to 500 types of bacteria containing nearly 2 million genes in your
intestines – is critically important to your overall health. Researchers
believe it could help keep serious conditions like diabetes and colon cancer at
bay, and findings also suggest gut bacteria affects everything from your immune
system to your metabolism.
Yet, some of the decisions we make every day could be
impacting our gut health – and not in a good way. While there are many
environmental and lifestyle habits which can affect the microbiome, here are three
of the most notorious offenders that can alter its balance:
Alcohol
While one glass won’t derail your system, excess consumption
could cause trouble. Too much alcohol can irritate the intestines and alter
your hormone levels, thereby allowing inflammation to take place. Because this
inflammation can also lead to leaky
gut syndrome – a condition which could be the precursor for serious chronic
conditions – it’s a good idea to drink sparingly, if you choose to at all.
Stress
Stress is the body’s natural response to threats. Yet,
stress can lead to an increase in cortisol
(called “the stress hormone”), which can impact your immune system and disrupt
the balance of the microbiome. Moreover, research shows the gut and brain
health are directly linked, with up to 90%
of the neurotransmitter serotonin being produced by the digestive tract. The
relationship between mental health and the gut therefore goes both ways, which
is why it’s important to find healthy ways to control stress.
Antibiotics
While the purpose of antibiotics is to fight infection, they
can also kill good bacteria in your gut as well. Although most people only take
antibiotics when they really need them, it’s never a bad idea to ask your
doctor if there are alternative treatments available. For instance, while
antibiotics are widely prescribed for conditions like bronchitis, these illnesses
are often caused by viral infections. Some experts believe taking antibiotics
for conditions like acute
bronchitis could actually be harmful.
Of course, if your condition truly does warrant the use of
antibiotics, you should always follow your health care provider’s
recommendations. You can restore your gut flora after medications by taking
specific strains of probiotics and incorporating probiotic
foods into your diet, such as yogurt, kefir, and tempeh. Colostrum
is a key source as well to help maintain a healthy gut. Additionally, consuming
bone broth,
collagen, and foods with vitamin C can help strengthen the bacteria lining your
digestive tract both while on antibiotics and afterwards.
by admin | Jan 4, 2019 | Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy, Studies
Spinal cord injury can be one of the most devastating
injuries. Long neurons that extend from the brain down the spinal cord are
severed and scarred. In most cases, this damage can never be repaired. If
patients survive an injury to the spinal cord, they can be permanently
paralyzed. Researchers have attempted to use high-dose steroids and surgery to
preserve the spinal cord, but these approaches are either controversial or
largely ineffective.
Ideally, one would create an environment in which nerve
cells in the spinal cord could regrow and take up their old tasks of sensation
and movement. One of the most promising approaches to do just this is stem cell
transplantation.
To test this concept, researchers used
stem cells derived from human placenta-derived mesenchymal
stem cell tissue (not embryonic stem cells) to form neural stem cells in
the laboratory. These neural stem cells have the ability to become neuron-like
cells, similar to those found in the spinal cord. The researchers then used
these stem cells to treat rats that had experimental spinal cord injury. The
results were impressive.
Rats treated with neural stem cells regained the partial
ability to use their hindlimbs within one week after treatment. By three weeks
after treatment, injured rats had regained substantial use of their hindlimbs.
The researchers confirmed that this improvement was due to neuron growth by
using various specialized tests (e.g. electrophysiology, histopathology). Rats
that did not receive stem cells did not regain substantial use of their
hindlimbs at any point in the study.
This work is particularly exciting because it shows that
stem cells can restore movement to animals who were paralyzed after spinal cord
injury. Moreover, the researchers used human stem cells derived from placenta,
which suggests that this effect could be useful in human spinal cord injury
patients (perhaps even more so than in rats). While additional work is needed,
these results offer hope to those who may one day develop severe spinal cord
injury.
Reference:
Zhi et al. (2014). Transplantation of placenta-derived
mesenchymal stem cell-induced neural stem cells to treat spinal cord injury.
Neural Regen Research, 9(24): 2197–2204.
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