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Gastric band Surgery In France Diabetes: New pathway to treatment suggested by protein culprit What is the link between anxiety and diabetes? New research shows that a protein related to the development of anxiety and depression may also play a role in triggering diabetes. Scientists from the Max Planck Institutes hypothesize that an antagonist compound could be used to block its effect. Scientists investigate a new lead in the search for better diabetes treatments. The main known causes for type 2 diabetes so far include obesity and lack of physical exercise – both of which can lead to insulin resistance – as well as a family history of the condition. Insulin resistance occurs when muscles, liver, and fat cells become unable to use insulin appropriately, which ultimately leads to a dangerous rise in blood glucose levels. Now, researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich, Germany, have found that a protein called FKBP51 may also play a role in triggering type 2 diabetes. The protein has so far been associated with anxiety and depression; it contributes to the regulation of the stress system. When the gene that controls the production of FKBP51 suffers a mutation, this can lead to dysregulation of the stress system, which, in turn, can cause mental health disorders. Mathias Schmidt – lead researcher of the current study – and colleagues have recently noted that the FKBP51 protein also contributes to forming a molecular link between the stress system and the regulation of various metabolic functions. This may make FKBP51 responsible for the onset of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The team’s findings have now been published in the journal Nature Communications. Protein reacts to metabolic stress Schmidt and team looked at a mouse model to understand the potential role played by FKBP51 in metabolic processes. They studied the effect of a high-fat diet on mice in which the FKBP51 gene was expressed, as well as on knockout mice, in which that gene was inactivated artificially. They found that the knockout mice did not gain weight after exposure to the diet, had better glucose, or blood sugar, tolerance, and had more effective insulin signaling. This allowed the researchers to understand that the FKBP51 protein – regulated by the gene with the same name – affects signaling pathways in skeletal muscles. Since the protein is sensitive to metabolic stress factors, such as high fat intake, it can ultimately lead to blood sugar buildup and insulin resistance. These are the main factors to blame in the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity. “FKBP51 influences a signaling cascade in muscle tissue, which with excessive calorie intake leads to the development of glucose intolerance, i.e., the key indicator of diabetes type 2.” Mathias Schmidt The cause may lead to the treatment Fortunately, this mechanism has also offered the scientists an insight into how they might be able to prevent FKBP51’s response to the stressors created by a high-fat diet. The answer, they say, lies in SAFit2, which is an FKBP51 antagonist compound, or a chemical able to block the action of the stress protein. Ongoing treatment with SAFit2, Schmidt and colleagues explain, could imitate the effect of the inactivated gene in knockout mice, leading to better “body weight regulation and glucose tolerance,” thus preventing the onset of diabetes. SAFit2 was developed by Felix Hausch, formerly of the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, who now works at the University of Darmstadt in Germany. The researchers plan on continuing to improve the compound and testing it in future clinical trials, in the hope that this may lead to new and more effective treatments for diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Read more……>click Here< Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France All you need to know about fat-soluble vitamins As the name suggests, fat-soluble vitamins are a type of vitamin that is absorbed into the body through fatty tissue.The human body requires a variety of vitamins to keep working properly. There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins. Vitamins are often obtained through regular food intake. Some people require or want additional vitamins provided through supplements. Though both types of vitamin are important to the body, this article focuses on the types, functions, and sources of fat-soluble vitamins. What are fat-soluble vitamins? Fat-soluble vitamins provide the most benefit when consumed alongside foods that contain fat. Fat-soluble vitamins will not dissolve in water. Instead, fat-soluble vitamins absorb best when taken with higher-fat foods. Once absorbed into the body, fat-soluble vitamins are stored in fatty tissues and liver. The body can use these stores for future use. The water-soluble vitamins are vitamins B and C. There are four types of fat-soluble vitamins: Each type of fat-soluble vitamin promotes different functions in the body. People deficient in the fat-soluble vitamins may require supplements to boost their supply. However, it is possible to take in too much of a fat-soluble vitamin, which could lead to toxicity and adverse reactions. Vitamin A Vitamin A plays an important role in maintaining healthy vision. Without vitamin A, a person would suffer from severe vision issues. Types Vitamin A does not refer to one single vitamin but is a collection of compounds known as retinoids. Retinoids can be found both in the human body and in some food sources. Function Vitamin A supports several functions throughout the body. Some of the most important functions it supports include vision and the immune system. Dietary sources Vitamin A can be obtained through natural sources. Some sources include: fish liver oil liver of animals butter Animal sources provide the active components to help create retinols within the human body. Some plants also provide pro-vitamin A compounds known as carotenoid antioxidants. The most common is called beta carotene, which can be found in foods such as: kale carrots spinach Recommended intake The recommended intake of vitamin A varies by age and gender. The following are some recommended daily allowance values: infants (0-12 months): 400-500 micrograms (mcg) children aged 1-3: 300 mcg children aged 4-8: 400 mcg children aged 9-13: 600 mcg adult women: 700 mcg adult men: 900 mcg Deficiency Vitamin A deficiency is not common in developed countries. However, vegetarians are at a higher risk of a deficiency because they do not get some kinds of vitamin A through their normal diet. Similarly, people in developing countries with limited food sources or people whose diet is low in meat intake may also suffer from vitamin A deficiencies. Some signs of vitamin A deficiency include: Overdose It is possible to reach toxic levels of vitamin A. This condition is called hypervitaminosis. People who take vitamin A supplements or eat copious amounts of fish liver oils are at the highest risk. Pregnant women should not double up on their prenatal vitamins. High levels of vitamin A are harmful to a growing fetus. If a person experiences an overdose, they may experience symptoms ranging from headaches and fatigue. In severe cases, hypervitaminosis in a pregnant woman may result in a baby with birth defects. Vitamin D Vitamin D is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is produced naturally in the human body when the skin is exposed to the sun. Vitamin D aids in bone health and development. Types Similar to vitamin A, vitamin D is a collective term used to describe a collection of compounds. Collectively, these are often referred to as calciferol. There are two types found naturally: vitamin D-3, found in animal fats vitamin D-2, found in plants, such as mushrooms Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France Too much sitting doesn’t cause weight gain, says study I spend around 12 hours per day sitting down – 8 at my desk, 3 on the train, and possibly another watching TV. I am well aware of the risks that this poses to my health, but according to a new study, weight gain isn’t one of them. Prolonged sitting may not cause weight gain, but it is still harmful to health. My sedentary time is on par with the average person in the United States, which is worrying. Prolonged sitting has been linked to high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Some studies have even associated prolonged sitting with an increased risk of premature death. Adding insult to injury, it seems that no matter how much exercise I do in the time that I’m not sitting on my bottom, I can’t offset these heath risks. Great. But as I sit here (ironically) panicking about what I can do to stop my sedentary behavior becoming a health problem, I spot a study that provides some much-needed reprieve. It says that prolonged sitting is unlikely to make me pile on the pounds. Hooray! Celebration aside, as a writer for Medical News Today, I know that such studies should not be taken at face value. So, let’s have a look at the details. Prolonged sitting is still harmful Published in the journal Sports Medicine, the research was a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 studies that investigated the effects of sedentary behavior on body weight and obesity risk among adults. Importantly, all studies included in the analysis adjusted their results to account for physical activity, since this can influence weight. Overall, the team only found “small, inconsistent, and non-significant associations” between sedentary behaviors – such sitting at work or watching TV – and body weight and obesity. The scientists did identify a slight increase in waist circumference with sedentary behavior: a 0.02-millimeter increase for every 1-hour increase in sitting time per day over 5 years. But don’t panic just yet; the researchers say that this increase is “basically negligible.” So, what do these findings mean for those of us who spend most of our day warming our chairs? Put simply, “The results show that the harmful effects of too much sitting is probably not caused by weight gain,” explains lead study author Dr. Meredith Peddie, of the Department of Human Nutrition at the University of Otago in New Zealand. However, the findings do not suggest that sitting down for long periods is harmless – much to my disappointment. ” our intervention studies clearly show that sitting for long periods increases blood sugar and triglyceride levels,” says Dr. Peddie. Read more……>click Here< Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France How can we switch off hunger in the brain? Study sheds light Many of us think that controlling our food cravings and sticking to a diet depend largely on our willpower, but our biology has a different story to tell. Now, new research shows that a complex interplay between calories, digestion hormones, and neurons determines what we eat and when. What happens in our brain when we’re hungry, and is there anything we can do to shut down the feeling? While there may be some eating habits that we can control, our biology determines much of our appetite, and there’s more and more research that confirms this. For instance, at Medical News Today, we have recently reported on a study that identified a class of glial brain cells in our hypothalamus – that is, the appetite-controlling area of our brain – which, when activated by certain nutrients, “tell us” to stop eating. Another recent study found that a hormone called asprosin “turns on” our appetite-stimulating neurons and “turns off” our appetite-suppressing neurons. Now, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia – led by J. Nicholas Betley, an assistant professor in the Department of Biology in the university’s School of Arts and Sciences – delve deeper into the interplay between our gut and our brain. The researchers looked at what it is that triggers our appetite-stimulating neurons, and – more importantly for our weight management efforts – what it is that switches them off. The findings, which were published in the journal Cell Reports, may change how we think about overeating and obesity and may soon lead to wholly new therapies and weight loss strategies. What are AgRP neurons? The so-called agouti-related protein-expressing neurons (AgRP) are neurons in our hypothalamus that become activated when we are hungry. As Betley explains, “When these neurons are firing, they’re basically telling you, ‘You’d better go get food; you’re starving.'” AgRP neurons are “a sensitive alarm system,” Betley says. But, apart from by eating, is there any other way that you can turn the alarm system off? Previous research led by Betley revealed that AgRP neurons deactivate when rodents eat, but interestingly, also when they see or smell the food. In other words, if you’re at a restaurant, feeling hungry, and waiting impatiently for your food – your AgRP neurons would be firing up in an impatient “chatter,” telling you to eat. But, as soon as the waiter brings the food to you and you can see and smell it, these neurons quickly pipe down. For the new study, however, the team wanted to look more closely at the difference between how these neurons are shut down upon eating, and how they are shut down by the mere sight and smell of incoming food. Nutrients switch off AgRP neurons To do so, Betley and team used in vivo calcium imaging – a method that allows the researchers to track the activity of neurons with a high degree of specificity – to study genetically modified mice. In separate trials, the mice were offered three different meals: regular chow (with which they were already familiar, so they knew how it tasted and smelled); a calorie-free, strawberry gel that was wholly unfamiliar to the rodents; and the same gel but this time with calories. As expected, when seeing the standard chow, the mice associated its smell and appearance with satiety, so their AgRP neurons decreased in activity. But when the rodents were given the calorie-free gel, seeing and smelling the food did not affect the neurons: their activity levels stayed just as high. After eating the calorie-free gel, AgRP neuronal activity decreased, but only for a little while. The more repeatedly the mice were given the gel, the smaller was the decrease in the activity of the neurons, indicating that the rodents had come to associate the gel with a low amount of calories. Finally, when the same mice received the calorie-containing gel, AgRP neurons decreased in activity and Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France How a single bout of exercise instantly protects the heart A new review of existing studies examines the evidence behind the idea that an acute bout of exercise is able to offer immediate protection for the heart against cardiovascular disease through a mechanism called “cardiovascular preconditioning.” An acute episode of exercise can ‘train’ the heart and protect it against future damage. The results of the new research – led by Dick Thijssen, who is a professor of cardiovascular physiology and exercise at the Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom – have been published in the journal JAMA Cardiology. As Prof. Thijssen and colleagues explain, it is a widely accepted fact that exercise protects the heart over time. However, it is less known that it can also do so within hours, and that a single workout episode is enough to yield clinically significant benefits. This under-appreciated advantage of exercise may be due to a phenomenon called ischemic, or cardiovascular, preconditioning. The team explains the reasoning behind the theory of cardiovascular preconditioning: repeatedly exposing the heart to short, non-life-threatening episodes of ischemia – an inadequate supply of blood to the heart – makes the heart more resistant to a more serious, future ischemia episode. The “paradox” of ischemic preconditioning is a concept first introduced in the mid-1980s, and it has been suggested that one of the ways to induce this cardioprotective effect is through exercise. So, the review by Prof. Thijssen and colleagues aimed to examine the evidence for this theory in existing preclinical studies. Protection through exercise preconditioning The review found that between one and three workout sessions per week can provide “strong” protection for the heart. Moreover, one single workout episode can provide cardioprotection for 2-3 hours, and even stronger and longer-lasting benefits emerge 24 hours after the exercise session has finished. “Importantly,” the authors write, “these associations are present on the first episode of exercise, with subsequent exercise sessions reactivating protective pathways and leading to ongoing beneficial effects.” This cardioprotective effect could be explained by ischemic preconditioning, write the researchers, given that an intense episode of exercise can have systematic effects such as inducing myocardial ischemia. Although factors such as obesity and age may interfere with some of these immediate protective effects of exercise, regular training can restore these benefits. The authors explain: “Taken together, cardioprotection through exercise preconditioning is a facile, inexpensive, and potent therapy that deserves greater recognition and further resources to establish the optimal dose.” “Nonetheless,” they continue, “as is so often the case with the benefits of exercise, its prescription follows the cardinal rule: use it or lose it.” Prof. Thijssen comments on the results of the study, saying, “This is a key review summarizing how a single bout of exercise can have a clear impact in keeping the heart adequately supplied with blood.” “Firstly,” he explains, “this means that one bout of exercise can cause clinically relevant protection against cardiovascular disease.” “Secondly,” Prof. Thijssen continues, “this means that benefits of exercise are present, even in the absence of changes in risk factors. These are both important and powerful messages for all who want to take up exercise.” Read more……>click Here< Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France Kids’ movies promote poor diet and stigmatize obesity As innocent as children’s movies may seem to be, new research investigated whether or not they promote positive attitudes toward healthful food and the issues surrounding obesity. However, the opposite seems to be the case. A new study assesses attitudes to food and obesity in children’s movies. Childhood obesity is a growing problem. Recent studies have discovered that 32 percent of 2-19-year-olds are overweight, and 17 percent are obese. Some estimate that by 2025, around 268 million children aged 5-17 will be overweight, globally. This is a huge public health concern. There are many factors involved in the weight gain we see in children in the United States, and these include parenting style, peer influence, advertising, and the fact that we are more sedentary now than we have ever been. Another factor that has consistently been linked with obesity is screen time. The length of time that a child spends looking at a screen is associated with a greater body mass index (BMI). Screen time, BMI, and movie content The link between screen time and BMI may be due to several factors: advertising; “mindless” eating while watching shows; and because it replaces physical activities. A new study – published in the journal Pediatrics – looks at another possible factor: the way that movies influence perceptions of body image and diet. The study asks how frequently obesity-promoting content and weight-stigmatizing messages appeared in children’s movies. It is not yet clear if or how these types of depictions affect children who view them. But earlier work has shown that exposure to sexual themes and depictions of alcohol consumption in the media impacts adolescent behavior, so it is fair to consider that some kind of influence is plausible. In a previous study, the current research group found that: “tigmatizing and obesity-related content was not only present but also prevalent in the majority of the top children’s movies from 2006 to 2010.” Specifically, they found that children’s movies regularly presented sedentary activities and unhealthful foods as the norm, as well as stigmatized obesity. With a steadily increasing public focus on obesity and a reported rise in discrimination, the new study aims to update the previous findings and see whether anything has changed – be it for better or worse. Watching and rating children’s movies The group identified the top-grossing G- and PG-rated movies from 2012 through to August 2015 and asked more than 100 children (aged 9-11) which movies they had watched. The team analyzed 31 movies. Each film was broken down into 10-minute segments and marked by raters. They logged any incidence of “items, behaviors, or activities shown to be associated with adiposity and weight status in children, such as oversized portions, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages, and eating while watching screens.” They also looked out for negative portrayals of physical activities and nutritious foods, as well as weight-based stigma. The observers identified many examples of negative imagery. Some were relatively blatant – for instance, in the movie Inside Out, a father struggles to get a child to eat broccoli, threatening her with no dessert. The child knocks the bowl of broccoli to the floor in a rage, which is clearly a negative stigmatization of healthful eating. In others, the negativity is a little more subtle. The authors explain a scene from The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water: “iewers are shown a panoramic view of the inside of the burger restaurant two fish are portrayed anthropomorphically as conventionally attractive patrons staring lovingly into each other’s eyes while splitting a burger.” “In the background, an unattractive fish with a large belly is sitting alone. As he goes to take a bite of his burger, the chair underneath him breaks, stigmatizing his weight even in the low-gravity environment of the underwater Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France How to reduce Christmas stress “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but also a time when stress levels soar. We have put together some top tips to stop stress in its tracks and make the season of goodwill more enjoyable. The holidays can be a time of high stress levels, but managing stress can help you to have a happy and healthy Christmas. While Christmas is known as “the season to be jolly,” it can be a significant source of stress, pressure, and conflict for many of us. Some people can feel overwhelmed by the excess, expectations, and exchange and become depressed during the holidays. A lack of time and money, credit card debt, and the pressure of gift giving can often contribute to stress during the holiday season. Most of us are aware of the adverse effects that stress can have on our body. It can impact our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and it can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity if left unchecked. In fact, research has shown that there is an increase in the occurrence of heart attacks and heart-related deaths during the festive season, which may be due to stress, heavy alcohol consumption, a fatty diet, or all three. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that holiday stress is dealt with – pronto. With all the cooking, decorating, visiting, and gift giving, the holidays can seem more like trying to meet a high-pressure deadline than a vacation. So, try these Christmas stress-busting strategies to ease the strain and help stress melt away. 1. Limit spending Money issues are one of the leading causes of stress during the holiday season, according to a poll conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) in 2004. Recent data collected in the APA’s annual Stress in America survey reflect this finding and report that 62 percent of us feel stressed about money. Avoid overspending by setting a budget. Holiday retail sales in November and December 2017 are expected to increase between 3.6 and 4 percent and total between $678.75 billion to $682 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. These figures are up from $655.8 billion last year. Gift buying, entertainment, and travel can all fuel financial burden, even for the savviest shoppers. However, here are some steps that you can take to limit financial stress. Set a budget. First of all, make sure that all your usual expenses are accounted for so that you do not fall short on bills such as rent. Plan for any other spending over the holidays, including any parties you may be hosting or traveling to visit friends or family. Once these items have been subtracted from your budget, you can then work out how much you can spend on gifts. Being organized and realistic about your budget will help you to ensure that you do not overspend. Make one financial decision at a time. Make sure that you space spending-related decisions out. Trying to make too many decisions at once can be overwhelming, which can lead to depletion of your willpower and an increased risk of overspending. Avoid temptation. It is often impossible to steer clear of stores and shopping malls altogether over the festive season, but limiting the time that you spend in these places can also help you to curb your spending. Manage impulsive spending by taking only the cash you can afford to spend on shopping trips and leaving all credit and debit cards at home. Recognize how you deal with stress-related money problems. Sometimes, during tough economic moments, individuals turn to smoking, alcohol, gambling, or excessive eating to try to relieve stress. These behaviors can lead to arguments and conflicts between partners and families. Be mindful and seek help from a healthcare professional if you find that these behaviors are causing you problems. Keep in mind what is important. Overspending can overshadow the true sentiment of Christmas. If your expense list exceeds your monthly budget, keep in mind that your relationships Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France A high-fat diet without the weight gain? Study says it’s possible When it comes to gaining weight, a high-fat diet is a key culprit. New research, however, suggests that there may one day be a way to avoid piling on the pounds as a result of eating fatty foods. Researchers were able to prevent weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. In a newly published study, researchers reveal how activating a specific protein pathway can prevent the growth of fat cells in mice in response to a high-fat diet. Senior study investigator Fanxin Long, Ph.D. – who works in the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO – and colleagues say that their findings could bring us closer to a new treatment strategy for obesity, which is, at present, thought to affect more than a third of adults in the United States. The researchers recently reported their results in the journal eLife. Weight gain is most commonly caused by an energy imbalance, wherein the intake of calories is higher than the number of calories burned. Over time, an energy imbalance causes the body to store fat. This can lead to weight gain and obesity – which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer. Foods high in fat, particularly saturated fats, are thought to be a main driver of obesity, especially when consumed in large amounts. But Long and colleagues suggest that there could be a way to prevent weight gain induced by a high-fat diet. Hedgehog signaling and fat cells For their study, the team focused on the Hedgehog signaling pathway, which is a complex network of proteins that play a role in various developmental processes. Previous research in mouse models has shown that the Hedgehog signaling pathway can also inhibit adipogenesis, or the formation of fat cells. According to Long and his team, the majority of studies have looked at the effects of Hedgehog signaling on adipogenesis during embryonic development, so it has been unclear as to whether activating this pathway in adulthood influences fat cell formation. To find out, the researchers engineered adult mice to possess genes that activated the Hedgehog signaling in response to a high-fat diet. These rodents were fed a high-fat diet for a total of 8 weeks. While a control group of mice – whose Hedgehog signaling pathways were not activated when they ate fatty foods – became obese after 8 weeks of a high-fat diet, the genetically engineered mice gained no more weight than control mice that consumed standard chow. “More importantly,” notes Long, “when we did metabolic studies, we found that the animals with the active Hedgehog pathway not only were leaner, they also had lower blood glucose levels and were more sensitive to insulin.” A new way to fight obesity? The researchers explain that by activating the Hedgehog signaling pathway in the rodents upon consumption of a high-fat diet, they were able to reduce the size of fat cells. “Fat gain is due mainly to increased fat cell size,” explains Long. “Each fat cell grows bigger so that it can hold larger fat droplets. We gain weight mainly because fat cells get bigger, as opposed to having more fat cells.” But the researchers note that applying their results to humans will be challenging; heightened Hedgehog signaling has been linked to increased cancer risk, so any strategy that targets this pathway would need to be approached with caution. That said, the team believes that its results show promise for a new approach to preventing weight gain. “If we can come up with strategies to carefully target fat cells, then I think activating this pathway could be effective in the fight against obesity.” Fanxin Long, Ph.D. Read more……>click Here< Read more…

Gastric band Surgery In France Is this the formula for reversing type 2 diabetes? The first-year results of a clinical trial have shown that almost half of people partaking in an intensive weight management program delivered through primary care achieved remission of their type 2 diabetes without medication. A trial has shown that type 2 diabetes is reversible if weight is lost and kept off. The trial, which is called the Diabetes Remission Clinical Trial (DiRECT), builds on earlier work by co-lead investigator Prof. Roy Taylor, director of the Magnetic Resonance Centre at Newcastle University in the United Kingdom. The earlier work showed that a radical change in diet can reverse type 2 diabetes. The results of the trial, recently reported in The Lancet, suggest that remission of type 2 diabetes may be achievable through intensive weight management programs supported by routine primary care. The team’s findings revealed that after 12 months of radical weight management, participants lost an average of 10 kilograms (22 pounds), and that 45.6 percent of them went back to being non-diabetic without medication. ‘Long-term maintenance of weight loss’ focus Prof. Taylor says that significant weight loss reduces the amount of fat in the liver and pancreas so that they can start working normally again. “What we’re seeing from DiRECT,” he remarks, “is that losing weight isn’t just linked to better management of type 2 diabetes: significant weight loss could actually result in lasting remission.” “Our findings suggest that even if you have had type 2 diabetes for 6 years,” adds trial co-leader Prof. Michael Lean, chair of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow in the U.K., “putting the disease into remission is feasible.” He says that their approach differs from the conventional way of managing type 2 diabetes in that it focuses “on the need for long-term maintenance of weight loss through diet and exercise and encourage flexibility to optimize individual results.” Diabetes is a global health problem Diabetes is a disease in which the body either does not make enough or cannot effectively use insulin, which is a hormone that helps cells to absorb and turn blood sugar into energy. In type 2 diabetes, the body’s cells do not react to insulin as they should, which is known as insulin resistance. The pancreas – an organ that produces insulin – tries to compensate by producing more insulin, but eventually it cannot make enough, and blood sugar levels go up. High blood sugar, or hyperglycemia, damages many parts of the body and can lead to severe health problems, including heart disease, vision impairment, and kidney disease. Of the hundreds of millions of people worldwide who have diabetes, the vast majority have type 2, which results largely from carrying too much weight and not being physically active. In the United States, around 90-95 percent of the 30 million people with diabetes have type 2. And while it normally strikes people aged 45 and older, an increasing number of children and young adults are also developing type 2 diabetes. Intensive weight management vs. usual care The first-year results of DiRECT concern 298 people aged 20-65 years old who were recruited to the trial between July 2014 and August 2016, and who had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes during the previous 6 years. They were attending 49 primary care or general practice (GP) clinics across Scotland and a region in North East England. The trial randomly assigned the GP clinics to deliver one of two treatment types: either a radical weight management program called Counterweight Plus, or adherence to current best practice guidelines. This resulted in 149 people following the intensive weight management program and a further 149 people following current practice (the controls). During the first 3-5 months, the participants on weight management consumed a total diet replacement formula that gave them no more than 855 calories per day. After that, they Read more…