A study of nearly a thousand people has found that having plenty of fish in the diet is linked to a reduced risk of diabetes and improved glucose metabolism. In contrast, those consuming more cured red meat show higher rates of diabetes. Researchers suspect that the polyunsaturated oils found in fish may explain the healthful… [Continue Reading]
Plenty of Fiber in Diet Helps Ward off Diabetes
November 17, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Diabetes and heart disease are increasing concerns as the rates of obesity in teens rise, and new research suggests that a diet high in fiber can help reduce the risk. The study suggests that the amount of fiber is even more important than the amount of saturated fat in the diet for the risk of… [Continue Reading]
Diabetics May Be Soon Able to Measure Their Blood Sugar in Tears Rather Than Blood
November 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Currently, diabetic patients must prick themselves several times a day to measure their blood sugar levels. Researchers are now reporting a device to measure blood sugar levels using tears as starting material, which may allow patients to monitor their glucose metabolism much less invasively. Scientists are reporting development and successful laboratory testing of an electrochemical… [Continue Reading]
Diabetes Linked to Poorer Cognitive Function
November 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Diabetes can cause problems in many body systems, and new research has revealed that complications may also affect brain function. The study has found that older adults with diabetes have poorer cognitive function, including a weaker memory. Researchers attribute the quicker decline to impaired blood flow within the brain, and have identified key proteins that… [Continue Reading]
Molecular Pathway Discovered That Regulates Pancreas Cell Growth: Could Inspire Diabetes Treatments
October 20, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Scientists studying the function of the pancreas have discovered an essential pathway that regulates the growth of beta cells, the cell type that produces insulin. A new study published in one of the top scientific journals demonstrates that in a mouse model of diabetes, stimulating the pathway leads to a higher number of insulin-secreting cells,… [Continue Reading]
Meausuring Lipids in Cell Membranes Will Give Insights into Disease
October 14, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Every cell of the body is encased by a membrane made up of proteins and lipids, and the precise contents of the membrane have key functions. Researchers have devised a new way to measure the components of cell membranes, which may give new insights into diseases like cancer, diabetes, and those involving inflammation. Could controlling… [Continue Reading]
Transplanting Neural Stem Cells into Pancreas Could Treat Diabetes
October 11, 2011 By 1 Comment
Transplanting a patient’s own stem cells into the pancreas could create new insulin-producing cells, and potentially be a new treatment for diabetes. Researchers have tested the procedure in rats, and see a significant improvement in insulin production and blood sugar regulation after stem cells from the brain are transplanted into the pancreas. Researchers in Japan… [Continue Reading]
Genome-wide Study Finds Links to Type I Diabetes
October 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A large-scale study of gene variants linked to type 1 diabetes have given researchers new insights into the disease. The research has found 3 previously unknown changes in the genome associated with the disease, and scientists are continuing the work by trying to determine exactly what genes are affected by the changes, and whether these… [Continue Reading]
Animal Studies Show Possible Role for GABA Supplement in Treating Diabetes
September 23, 2011 By Leave a Comment
A molecule naturally produced by our bodies, when taken as a supplement, could help treat insulin resistance and diabetes, studies in mouse show. The molecule GABA, which scientists found suppresses the immune system, slowed the progression of diabetes, and improved the mice’s metabolism of glucose. UCLA researchers demonstrated that an over-the-counter dietary supplement may help… [Continue Reading]
Molecular Pathways Behind Energy-Burning Fat Cells Discovered
September 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment
Brown fat cells play a key role in energy metabolism, and researchers have now discovered proteins key for their function. The findings help scientists understand how the fat-burning cells work, and could lay the groundwork for future treatments for obesity. Researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center have identified for the first time two molecular pathways… [Continue Reading]