Showing posts with label low. Show all posts
Showing posts with label low. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Low vitamin D levels a risk factor for pneumonia
A University of Eastern Finland study showed that low serum vitamin D levels are a risk factor for pneumonia. The risk of contracting pneumonia was more than 2.5 times greater in subjects with the lowest vitamin D levels than in subjects with high vitamin D levels. The results were published in Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.
The follow-up study carried out by the UEF Institute of Public Health investigated the link between serum vitamin D3 and the risk of contracting pneumonia. The study involved 1,421 subjects living in the Kuopio region in Eastern Finland. The serum vitamin D3 levels of the subjects were measured from blood samples drawn in 1998–2001, and these data were compared against reported cases of pneumonia in hospital records in the same set of subjects in 1998–2009. The results showed that during the follow-up, subjects with serum vitamin D3 levels representing the lowest third were more than 2.5 times more likely to contract pneumonia than subjects with high vitamin D3 levels. Furthermore, smoking constituted a significant risk factor for pneumonia. The risk of contracting pneumonia also grew by age, and was greater in men than women. At baseline, the mean serum D3 concentration of the study population was 43.5 nmol/l, and the mean age of the study population was 62.5 years.
Earlier research has shown that vitamin D deficiency weakens the immune defence system and increases the risk of mild respiratory infections. This University of Eastern Finland study was the first one to establish that vitamin D deficiency also increases the risk of contracting pneumonia in the ageing general population. According to the researchers, this finding supports earlier observations on the diverse role of vitamin D in the body, and it also calls for further research on vitamin D deficiency as a public health issue. In northern latitudes, there is enough sun exposure to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels in summer, but not during the winter season, and vitamin D supplementation is often required.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Sniffing Out a Low Blood Sugar
Researchers in Ireland and the UK are investigating whether dogs can detect a falling blood sugar in their diabetic owners. Anecdotal reports suggest they can.Dr. Deborah Wells from the School of Psychology at Queens University, Belfast (pictured), and Dr. Shaun Lawson from the University of Lincoln, UK, are looking for 100 type 1 diabetics to complete an online survey.
They are also seeking video footage of dogs reacting to their owners low blood sugar levels.
Anyone interested in partaking in the study may contact Dr. Deborah Wells at 028-9097-4386 or email d.wells@qub.ac.uk
Queens University press release:
Dogs Sniff Out Diabetes
BBC News summary:
Dogs To Sniff Out Owner Diabetes
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Low Vitamin D in Children Leads to Explosion of New Diabetes Cases
Researchers publishingin The Journal of Clinical Endocrinologyand Metabolism have found that children with low vitamin D levels, especially when overweight and obese, are at much higher risk for developing insulin resistance progressing to full-blown diabetes by early adulthood. Based on cellular saturation of the vitamin/prohormone, children and adults require higher amounts of vitamin D as body weight increases.
The vast majority of children are vitamin D deficient, a problem exacerbated further by additional fat stores. In addition to a healthy lifestyle including plenty of physical activity and proper diet, parents will want to ensure their children reach proper blood levels of this critical vitamin through exposure to the sun or adequate supplementation.
Low Vitamin D Levels Lead to Insulin Resistance and Diabetes in Overweight Children
Past research studies have concluded that high rates of vitamin D insufficiency are found most prominently in overweight and obese populations and are linked to dramatically increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. These studies have not explained the mechanism by which excess fat stores and low vitamin D saturation result in chronic disease development and progression.
Dr. Micah Olson and his team from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center examined the association between vitamin D levels and dietary habits in 498 obese and non-obese children. The researchers checked for levels of abnormal glucose metabolism and blood pressure in the participants. Additionally, the scientists measured vitamin D levels, blood sugar levels, serum insulin and BMI. Study participants were also asked to provide dietaryinformation including daily intake of soda, juice and milk, average daily fruit and vegetable intake, and whether or not they routinely skipped breakfast.
Children with Higher Soda and Juice Consumption Showed Lower Vitamin D Levels
The study authors determined that 92% of the obese children tested had a vitamin D saturation (using the standard 25(OH)D test) below the ‘adequate’ level of 30 ng/mL. 50% of the participants were classified as ‘deficient’ with a level below 20 ng/mL. Dr. Olson commented“Poor dietary habits such as skipping breakfast and increased soda and juice intake were associated with the lower vitamin D levels seen in obese children.” The study concluded that obese children with low serum blood levels of vitamin D had higher degrees of insulin resistance that played a significant role in the development of Type II diabetes.
New cases of diabetes and prediabetes are now found in young adults and even children at an alarming and increasing rate. This research highlights the connection between low vitamin D levels, excess body weight and diabetes risk and underscores the importance of vitamin D blood testing for all children and adults. Alternative health practitioners recommend maintaining a vitamin D level between 50 and 70 ng/mL using the 25(OH)D blood test.
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Low calorie diets trigger the emergence of gallstones
Low-calorie diets trigger the emergence of gallstones - People who do a low calorie diet (or so-called Crash Diet) are known to be at risk of having gallstones, according to recent research.
It was discovered by researchers from the Mayo Clinic. They explained that the extreme calorie restriction did not provide better results for the people who go on a diet. In the end, the amount of weight lost is almost the same as those who restrict calories naturally.
"If ultimately owned by the same weight (with people who restrict calories naturally), why trouble yourself with the extreme calorie restriction and make yourself at risk of gallstones?" said Dr. Michael Jensen of the Mayo Clinic, as reported by Reuters.
Dr. Kari Johansson, chairman of researchers and scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sedia explains that weight loss is too fast by restricting calories excessively can affect the bile acid and cholesterol. This will empty the bile that trigger gallstones.
These results were found by investigators after observing 6,640 people who go on a diet. Half the extreme limit calories through diet Crash. Crash dieting is done by only eating 500 calories per day for six to 10 weeks. This diet compared with a low-calorie diet who consume regular 1200-1500 calories per day.
It is true that people who do Crash diets to lose weight faster. Yet many people in the group then Crash diets require care due to gallstone disease.
Even so researchers can not explain in detail why the smell of bile are appearing in people who do such an extreme low-calorie diet Crash diet. If you want to do a low-calorie diet, you should consider the risks in advance, and do not do that too extreme calorie restriction.
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It was discovered by researchers from the Mayo Clinic. They explained that the extreme calorie restriction did not provide better results for the people who go on a diet. In the end, the amount of weight lost is almost the same as those who restrict calories naturally.
"If ultimately owned by the same weight (with people who restrict calories naturally), why trouble yourself with the extreme calorie restriction and make yourself at risk of gallstones?" said Dr. Michael Jensen of the Mayo Clinic, as reported by Reuters.
Dr. Kari Johansson, chairman of researchers and scientists from the Karolinska Institute in Sedia explains that weight loss is too fast by restricting calories excessively can affect the bile acid and cholesterol. This will empty the bile that trigger gallstones.
These results were found by investigators after observing 6,640 people who go on a diet. Half the extreme limit calories through diet Crash. Crash dieting is done by only eating 500 calories per day for six to 10 weeks. This diet compared with a low-calorie diet who consume regular 1200-1500 calories per day.
It is true that people who do Crash diets to lose weight faster. Yet many people in the group then Crash diets require care due to gallstone disease.
Even so researchers can not explain in detail why the smell of bile are appearing in people who do such an extreme low-calorie diet Crash diet. If you want to do a low-calorie diet, you should consider the risks in advance, and do not do that too extreme calorie restriction.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Lose Weight and Control Diabetes Using Low GI Foods
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a rating of carbohydrates on a scale of 0 to 100 depending on the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with GI of 70 and above are considered as high GI foods, 56-69 as medium GI foods, 55 and below as low GI foods.High GI foods are those which are quickly digested and absorbed in to the blood stream and result in noticeable fluctuations in the blood sugar levels. Conversely, low GI foods, because of their slow digestion and absorption, produce gradual rises in the blood sugar and insulin levels, and have proven health benefits.
Benefits of GI diet
GI diet is nothing but eating more low GI foods than high GI foods. It is good for rapid weight loss and best diet for diabetics. One can easily plan their low GI diet by including healthy fats, good carbohydrates, and lean proteins all together. The least processed foods such as the vegetables, legumes and whole grain breads have low GI values. They make us feel fuller and avoid us from taking food quite often. In addition the fiber from the low GI foods also helps to control the blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
Following are some more benefits of GI diet
•Reduces hunger and keep us fuller for longer time – can manage and lose weight
•Sustained energy
•Increases bodys sensitivity to insulin
•Helps in diabetes management
•Reduces the risk of heart diseases
•Improves good cholesterol
•Provides prolonged physical endurance
Low GI foods
Rice is the major staple food for major population of India. Among different varieties of rice, Doongara - a unique variety of rice harvested in Australia was found to be the rice with lower Glycemic Index. It has a GI of 56 followed by Basmathi rice with the GI value of 58. The low GI of these varieties help people to stay fuller for longer and also provides sustained energy for physical endurance. It is a healthy choice for the people looking to boost energy levels and to lose weight. In fact, it is more helpful for diabetics.
The best example for low GI food which gives sustained energy is the Pasta. Pastas low GI is due to the physical entrapment of ungelatinised starch granules in a sponge-like network of protein molecules in the pasta dough. As a result, pastas of any shape and size have a fairly low GI (30 to 60). Similarly Asian noodles such as hokkien, udon and rice vermicelli also have low to intermediate GI values.
How to include Low GI foods in our diet
•Avoid oily foods
•Add bread, oats and foods made of barley and bran in your breakfast. Breads made of whole grains, stone ground floor will have lower GI
•Try to use Doongara rice, steamed brown rice, noodles and pastas instead of the regular polished rice
•Enjoy all types of fruits and vegetables but try to avoid potatoes in your diet
•Switch to natural sweeteners like honey rather than regular sugars
With the growing concern of obesity and its effects, one can include low GI foods in his regular diet to improve his body functionality and well-being, besides reducing weight.
Authors Resource Box
Health section at Living Smartly website offers informative articles on health and wellness. It provides health tips and interesting facts on health care http://living-smartly.com/category/healthArticle Source: Lose Weight and Control Diabetes Using Low GI Foods
Author : Michael
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