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Exercise & weight loss can improve obesity and prediabetes.

Exercise & weight loss can improve obesity and prediabetes.

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According to new research, people who are overweight and have prediabetes may benefit significantly from regular exercise when accompanied with weight loss via diet.

The goal of the study was to ascertain whether exercise had benefits in addition to those provided by diet-only weight loss.

The study examined two groups, one of which followed a diet plan plus exercise training and the other of which followed a diet plan alone.

According to the findings, the group that combined diet and exercise improved their insulin sensitivity by twice as much as the diet-only group, which is essential for controlling prediabetes.

Researchers from the Centre for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri, examined the results of regular exercise paired with a nutrition programme for people in a recent study.

The individuals’ bodies’ sensitivity to the hormone insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, was tested by the researchers.

According to the findings, those who made changes to their eating and exercise routines saw a twofold increase in their insulin sensitivity compared to those who only made dietary changes.

This indicates that their bodies used insulin to regulate blood sugar levels more effectively.

The participants’ muscles were also examined by the researchers, and they discovered that the group that changed their diet and exercise regimens had higher expression (activity) of genes related to the production of new mitochondria, which are cells’ energy factories, energy metabolism, and the development of new blood vessels.

They discovered no discernible differences between the two groups in terms of the amounts of specific amino acids or particular inflammatory blood indicators.

The composition of their gut bacteria also changed similarly in both groups, which can have an impact on general health.

Exercise for managing and treating obesity

We spoke with Dr. Sergio P. Ramoa of Atrius Health, who was not a part of the study, and he stated that “despite the growing focus and treatment of obesity and diabetes, diabetes-related mortality increased in the first 20 years of the 21st century.”

“The approach to treating obesity has altered, with a focus on treating it like a chronic illness like hypertension or asthma. There have been considerable advancements in the treatment of weight reduction and weight maintenance, according to Dr. Sergio P. Ramoa, as a result of changes in social, educational, and therapeutic attitudes.

In his statement, Dr. Romoa said that “This article demonstrates why exercise continues to be a pillar of not only weight management treatment but the overall health of the community.”

“Exercise should always be used in conjunction with pharmaceutical treatment for persistent lifestyle changes,” he advised.

The National Coalition on Healthcare’s (NCHC) Kelsey Costa, a registered dietitian and health research specialist who was not involved in the study, concurred, saying that “the study findings imply that combining exercise training with a calorie-restricted diet can enhance insulin sensitivity and metabolic health beyond the benefits achieved solely through diet-induced weight loss.”

As Costa said, “It is essential to understand how effectively this combination of therapies can improve metabolic health given what we know about the barriers to exercise in people with obesity.”

For managing prediabetes, insulin sensitivity is essential.

Prediabetes is characterized by persistently elevated blood glucose levels that are not yet high enough to progress to type 2 diabetes.

Although it acts as a warning sign for an elevated risk of getting diabetes, it is frequently preventable or deferred with lifestyle adjustments.

Enhancing insulin sensitivity through exercise

According to Dr. Romoa, “GLUT4, the main insulin-driven glucose transporter, exercise improves insulin sensitivity.”

“GLUT4 is present in adipose and muscular tissue. The amount of these transporters varies depending on a person’s diabetes and obesity condition.

While they drop in adipose tissue, they hold steady in muscular tissue. As a result, exercise can keep enhancing glucose regulation. Due to insulin resistance, adipose tissue can no longer adequately regulate blood glucose. Additionally, exercise will increase the body’s GLUT4 levels. Walking can help lower blood sugar levels, according to Dr. Sergio P. Ramoa.

It was said by Costa that this study showed that “exercise enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, likely due to changes in skeletal muscle biology induced by exercise.”

This includes an improvement in mitochondrial content and function as well as an increase of genes related to substrate oxidation and mitochondrial energy metabolism. The diet plus exercise group consequently saw a more significant rise in muscle insulin sensitivity,” Costa said.

Type 2 diabetes treatment through exercise

Exercise is strongly advised as a main treatment for type 2 diabetes, according to prior research.

Combining 150 minutes per week of moderate to strenuous exercise with dietary and behavioural adjustments can stop, delay, or even reverse the condition.

Exercise of all kinds, including resistance and aerobic training, can regulate blood sugar levels. Small bursts of exercise spread out throughout the day and high intensity interval training are both good.

Exercise in the afternoon or right after a meal, for example, may have additional benefits.

Exercise guidelines that are ideal Working with healthcare experts is crucial for personalised diabetes management because individual aspects are continuously being researched.

Costa stressed “the significance of integrating a calorie-restricted diet with exercise training to enhance metabolic health and physical function.”

Exercise caution

Be sure to consult your doctor before beginning a new workout routine. Make sure you drink enough water before, during, and after the activity.

To keep your blood sugar levels within the desired range, be sure to closely monitor them as well.

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Higher doses of Ozempic improve blood sugar, weight loss?

Higher doses of Ozempic improve blood sugar, weight loss?

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According to experts, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) medications like Ozempic, often referred to as semaglutide, can aid in weight loss in those who are obese.

For weight loss, Ozempic is not FDA-approved. There is also the brand Wegovy, which is semaglutide.

Wegovy and Ozempic should not be used by persons who are not diabetic or obese for any reason, including to shed minor amounts of weight, according to experts.

In the latter part of 2017, the FDA approved the use of the GLP-1 medication Ozempic in people with type 2 diabetes. But lately, it’s made news for other reasons as well: Benefits of purported weight loss and scarcity.

“People are talking about them because there is a trend where celebrities and influencers are increasingly turning to off-label use of GLP-1 medications like Ozempic for weight loss by people who are not obese or diabetic,” claims Dr. Rekha Kumar, an endocrinologist in New York City and the head of medical affairs at the weight management program Found.

This, according to Kumar, is very troubling.

“The trend of medispas, boutique weight-loss clinics, and illegal telehealth businesses liberally prescribing to people who don’t meet criteria is not only irresponsible prescribing, but it may also prevent the medication from reaching those who need it most,” Kumar claims.

By responding to the following frequently asked questions regarding Ozempic, Kumar and other professionals distinguished fact from fantasy.

What is Ozempic?

Dr. Angela Fitch, FACP, FOMA, president of the Obesity Medicine Association and chief medical officer of knownwell, a weight-inclusive healthcare firm, says that Ozempic is a brand name for the medication recognised as semaglutide.

Ozempic is an injectable medicine for persons with type 2 diabetes, according to Kumar. The FDA first approved it for 0.5 mg or 1 mg dosages. The FDA authorized a higher dose of 2 mg in 2022.

According to Kumar, it helps the pancreas produce insulin, which decreases blood sugar levels.

Adverse effects of semaglutide

All GLP-1 medications, as pharmacological agents, have the potential to have side effects, according to Dr. Jay Shubrook, professor of the Primary Care Department at Touro University in California.

According to Dr. Shubrook, these “are frequently dose-dependent and can be more obvious during dose changes.”

In any case, typical adverse effects of semaglutide “include an excessive loss of appetite, nausea, and less frequently, vomiting or diarrhoea. Most patients only experience temporary adverse effects, he noted.

He pointed out that teaching patients to eat slowly and mindfully, as well as how to control their portions, can lessen the negative effects of semaglutide.

Is Ozempic an FDA-approved weight-loss product?

No. “Ozempic is only approved for diabetes,” claims Dr. Charlie Seltzer, a Philadelphia-based medical professional who is board-certified in both internal medicine and obesity.

But here’s where some of the ambiguity arises. “The active ingredient, semaglutide, is approved for weight loss under the trade name Wegovy,” claims Seltzer.

Elon Musk tweeted about Wegovy’s assistance with his weight loss in October 2022.

Distinction between Wegovy and Olympic

Semaglutide and injectables are both sold under the trade names Ozempic and Wegovy. They aren’t precisely the same, though.

“Wegovy is FDA-approved for the treatment of overweight and obesity,” claims Kumar. “Wegovy was developed specifically for the treatment of overweight and obesity,” according to the manufacturer. “It contains a higher dose of semaglutide, [2.4 mg], than Ozempic.”

Does Ozempic aid in shedding pounds?

Kumar points out that Wegovy’s dosing was employed in the studies on semaglutide and weight loss, including one from 2021 that showed that once-weekly doses of 2.4 mg of semaglutide could lower body weight when paired with dietary and lifestyle modifications.

“[In the] study,] those who took the medication and made lifestyle changes lost almost 15% of their body weight, on average, compared to 3% in the placebo group,” Kumar claims.

So certainly, semaglutide may aid in weight loss, at least at a greater dose of 2.4 mg. Although Seltzer observes that the two medications function similarly, it is uncertain whether the 0.4 mg dosage difference between Ozempic and Wegovy is significant.

As food takes longer to leave the stomach and suppresses hunger, ozempic prolongs satiety, according to Seltzer. “It does nothing magical to the metabolism.”

In addition, Kumar points out that despite what some celebrities and social media influencers may say, these medications are not intended for those who just want to drop a few pounds.

“Normal-weight patients without diabetes might lose weight if they take GLP-1s, but the risks of the medication outweigh the benefit of weight loss just to be thin versus treating a disease,” says Kumar. “GLP-1s have not been studied in this population, and with this type of inappropriate use, we probably will see more side effects.”

Is Ozempic safe?

For adults with type 2 diabetes, ozempic is typically regarded as safe in doses up to 2 mg, however doctors agree that some people shouldn’t take it.

“It should be avoided in many populations, including but not limited to people with a history of pancreatitis, people who have had medullary thyroid cancer, or who are at increased risk for medullary thyroid cancer,” says Seltzer.

If you are a good candidate for Ozempic, your doctor can help you decide. Furthermore, some persons might suffer negative effects. According to Fitch, typical ones include:

  • nausea
  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • reduction in appetite
  • diarrhea

Can you regain weight after using semaglutide?

Patients who quit taking 2.4 mg dosages of semaglutide had gained back two-thirds of the weight they had lost one year after stopping, according to a trial of nearly 2,000 patients published in 2022.

The same problems that got the people into difficulty in the first place will still exist once the drug is stopped or loses its effectiveness, according to Seltzer, and the weight will quickly regain.

Fitch concurs,

Whatever you do personally to aid in weight loss, Fitch advises, “You have to keep doing it, or the weight will come back.” “The human body was created in this manner. It is constructed to safeguard its weight at all costs. Care for the elderly is crucial.

“Since obesity is a chronic disease, you must treat it chronically, ongoingly, and in a coordinated, comprehensive way,” adds Fitch. For a comprehensive approach to metabolic health, weight control, and primary care, patients must collaborate with their doctor.

What other therapies are there for obesity?

First, Fitch emphasises the need of being nonjudgmental and emphasising joint decision-making in all obesity treatments.

According to Fitch, “obesity is a lifelong chronic disease and should be treated in a compassionate and thorough patient-centered way, such as shared decision making around taking medication or having surgery with the risks and benefits in mind.”

Although diet and exercise are frequently suggested as first-line therapy, they are not always effective.

“Obesity is a complex disease with many factors,” explains Fitch. “We add in other treatments to help patients live longer, healthier, better quality lives when lifestyle changes are not enough.”

REFERENCES:

For Weight loss medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=20

Once-weekly insulin vs daily injection: Which is better?

Once-weekly insulin vs daily injection: Which is better?

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The effectiveness of once-weekly and once-daily insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes was compared by researchers.

They discovered that the once-weekly medication icodec reduced blood sugar levels more successfully than the conventional once-daily injections.

Further research is required, according to experts, to validate the findings. A novel, once-weekly insulin regimen may revolutionize care for type 2 diabetics, finds a recent study.

In a Phase 3 experiment, researchers compared the effectiveness and safety of once-weekly insulin termed “icodec” with the conventional once-daily injection degludec in adults with type 2 diabetes.

A long-acting insulin medication called Degludec aids in controlling blood sugar levels.

After 26 weeks, they discovered that once-weekly icodec therapy reduced blood sugar levels more than once-daily degludec. The research was released in JAMA.

Icodec may have similar glucose-lowering effects to daily insulin injections, according to a recent study.

Adherence issues with daily insulin injections

In the US, there are more than 37 million diabetics. These persons have type 2 diabetes in 90–95% of cases.

The hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, enables cells to utilise glucose as fuel. When cells no longer react to insulin as they should, type 2 diabetes develops and elevated blood sugar levels follow.

The eyes, kidneys, and heart are just a few of the organs that elevated blood sugar can harm over time. Therefore, either lifestyle changes or the use of drugs that do not lower blood sugar with insulin is required for treatment.

When non-insulin treatments are ineffective, it is currently recommended by guidelines that persons with type 2 diabetes take insulin-based therapies to reduce blood sugar levels.

Currently, type 2 diabetes medications based on insulin necessitate daily injections. However, patients may find it difficult to administer daily injections, which lowers adherence rates.

According to research, weekly injections increase adherence. According to one study, individuals who receive insulin treatments once per week follow their treatment plans for an average of 333 days as opposed to 269 days for patients who receive daily injections.

Insulin therapy non-compliance might have serious repercussions. According to research, persons with diabetes who do not stick to their insulin medication have a higher risk of dying and being admitted to the hospital.

Thus, raising adherence rates is essential to enhancing diabetes patients’ quality of life and health outcomes.

Which is more effective? Once-weekly vs. daily insulin injection.

The researchers gathered 588 participants for the study, with an average age of 58, from 11 nations, including the USA, Argentina, and China.

Over a third of the participants were women, and every participant was on non-insulin glucose-lowering medication.

They were thereafter randomly assigned to receive one of the following treatment plans for a total of 26 weeks during the study:

  • once every week icodec
  • monthly placebo
  • every day degludec
  • a single-dose placebo

In the end, the scientists discovered that icodec more effectively lowered haemoglobin A1c (HBA1c) levels than degludec.

A measurement of the average blood sugar levels over the previous three months is called HBA1c. Those with diabetes are advised to maintain levels of 6.5% or lower. People without diabetes typically have HBA1c values of less than 5.7%.

Participants in the icodec group had HBA1c values that dropped from an average of 8.6% to 7% after 26 weeks. HBA1c values in the degludec group decreased from an average of 8.5% to 7.2% over this time.

The study’s authors found no discernible differences in participants’ fasting blood sugar levels or body weight between those taking icodec and those taking degludec.

We enquired about the potential causes of icodec’s superior results in lowering HBA1c readings from Dr. Absalon Gutierrez, associate professor of endocrinology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston who was not engaged in the study.

Although we can’t be certain, it probably has to do with the patient’s compliance with the drug. According to how the trial was set up, it was significantly simpler to forget to administer the degludec injections than the icodec injections. According to Dr. Gutierrez, this is most likely the case in real life as well.

Side effects of icodec weekly insulin

The researchers also reported that from the beginning of the study until week 31, 5.8% of those using Degludec and 8.9% of those taking icodec suffered hypoglycemia. This is characterized by blood sugar levels that are below the normal range.

Additionally, during the duration of the experiment, 167 patients receiving degludec and 177 patients getting icodec both had adverse effects. According to the researchers, 46 and 60 incidents, respectively, were in the degludec group and the icodec group. This may have been caused by the use of insulin.

However, they pointed out that the majority of the incidents were minor, and that these included COVID-19, influenza, and diabetic retinopathy, an eye disorder that can impair vision in people with diabetes.

What are the research’s constraints?

The study’s shortcomings were listed by the researchers in their paper. They pointed out that because the trial only lasted 26 weeks, longer-term consequences are still undetermined.

They also stated that they did not gather information on patient-reported outcomes or data from continuous glucose monitoring.

Dr. Gutierrez stated: “Icodec exhibited higher hypoglycemia even though it worked somewhat better in decreasing HBA1c. Given that it can’t be titrated as regularly, this is to be expected. Additionally, the degludec titrations were not ideal according to the study’s design.

Dr. Lushun Wang, Senior Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon and Medical Director of Arete Orthopaedic Clinic in Singapore and a non-participant in the study, was also interviewed by us:

“The trials’ duration can be extended further in order to guarantee dependable long-term efficacy and safety. To comprehend Icodec more fully, rigorous and in-depth testing should be conducted.

Data from continuous glucose monitoring may ensure a more thorough understanding of blood glucose control and its impact on the quality of life of the patient. In addition, the trial’s design used more Icodec injections than would be necessary for a daily regimen, which does not adequately reflect real-world use or any potential advantages for treatment adherence.

Effects of once weekly injection on diabetes

The researchers observed that by lowering the number of injections from at least 365 to 52 annually, icodec may increase treatment adherence and convenience for individuals with type 2 diabetes.

They went on to say that the “small absolute risk of hypoglycemia” should be outweighed by the ease and little additional glycemic advantage of once-weekly dosing.

Icodec’s practical design enables daily injections to be replaced with this once-weekly alternative, according to Dr. Wang. Its main benefit is from its capacity to deliver an insulin release that is steady and continuous over the course of a week. Hence minimizing swings in blood glucose levels. The improved HbA1c reduction seen in the studies is evidence that Icodec’s ability can result in better overall blood glucose control.

Dr. Guitierrez concurred that icodec insulin would be a viable choice for patients who struggle to take once-daily basal insulin as prescribed. To better understand the risk of hypoglycemia associated with using icodec in comparison to once-daily insulin injections, he pointed out that more research is required.

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Time constraint breakfast might improve blood sugar levels.

Time constraint breakfast might improve blood sugar levels.

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When someone restricts their daily meals to the first 6 to 8 hours of the day, this practise is known as early time-restricted feeding.

This eating behaviour may help stabilise variations in blood glucose levels and reduce the chance of developing prediabetes, according to research.

According to experts, one reason early time-restricted feeding is successful is because it enables people to engage in physical activity even after they have completed eating for the day.

The blood glucose variations can be improved by early time-restricted eating (TRE). This is supported by a study that was presented today at the annual conference of the Endocrine Society.

Researchers indicate that this type of intermittent fasting can lessen the amount of time that blood glucose levels are above normal levels in their findings, which have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.

According to a press release from Dr. Joanne Bruno, a study author and endocrinology fellow at NYU Langone Health in New York, “our research shows that just one week of following this diet strategy reduces fluctuations in blood sugar levels and reduces the time that the blood sugar is elevated above normal levels.”

This indicates that early time-restricted meals may be a useful strategy for people with prediabetes or obesity to maintain their blood sugars in a normal range and stop them from developing type 2 diabetes, she continued.

How prediabetes eating schedules were examined?

A type of eating called early time-restricted feeding limits meals to just the first six to eight hours of the day.

The researchers created a study in which they contrasted early time-restricted eating with a typical diet pattern to investigate the effects of this approach of dieting on blood glucose levels.

Ten participants with prediabetes or obesity were randomly assigned to the regular eating pattern group, where they consumed 50% of their calories after 4 p.m., or the early time-restricted feeding group, where they consumed 80% of their calories before 1 p.m.

After following this diet for 7 days, they switched to the other strategy for the following week.

Throughout the whole research, individuals wore continuous glucose monitors. Additionally, they had tests of their glucose tolerance before the trial started, as well as on days 7 and 14.

The subjects’ weight remained constant during the whole two-week study, according to the researchers. When compared to the regular eating pattern, the early time-restricted feeding method of eating resulted in a lower amount of time spent over the normal blood glucose range.

Dr. Bruno explained that eating the majority of calories earlier in the day shortens the duration that blood sugar is raised and enhances metabolic health.

If early time-restricted feeding could be utilised as a successful intervention technique for preventing obesity, the experts suggested more research is required.

Time-restricted eating advantages

The study’s results, according to Dr. Pouya Shafipour, a family and obesity medicine specialist at Providence Saint John’s Health Centre in California, are not unexpected and corroborate his own advice to patients.

Since 2015, I have advocated for time-restricted eating. I also began using it myself. According to studies, time-restricted meals and prolonged fasting can improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood sugar levels. Thus, it either puts the body into or increases the state of ketosis that we enter in the evening. So in a sense, ketosis improves blood sugar control by reducing highs and lows, peaks and valleys in blood sugar. Family and obesity physician Dr. Pouya Shafipour

One type of intermittent feeding is early time-restricted feeding. Other examples include the 5:2 diet, which calls for eating regularly five days a week but consuming only 500 to 600 calories on two of those days.

The 16:8 diet is an additional strategy that calls for 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating.

Advantages of eating breakfast

Dr. Marilyn Tan, an endocrinologist at Stanford University in California, claims that having time to exercise after eating may be an advantage of consuming the majority of calories earlier in the day.

We consume the majority of our calories during dinnertime, at least in America. We frequently eat our largest meal of the day at that time, then sit down in front of the TV or computer to watch something, before going to bed and sleeping for eight hours. Therefore, after that, we really don’t have a chance to exercise and increase our insulin sensitivity, she explained.

We don’t fully understand how moving that time-restricted feeding to earlier in the day improves metabolic benefit. The fact that humans are more active throughout the day is one possibility, though. Therefore, she continued, “If people are moving about more and engaging in greater physical activity soon after eating, that may improve the glycemic response”.

This study indicates that a considerable effect may not only result from a time restriction but also from the timing of that restriction. There hasn’t been a significant randomized trial, but there have been other studies looking at this and suggesting that exercising early in the day offers additional metabolic advantages, doctor of endocrinology Marilyn Tan said

Time-restricted eating can be advantageous for cardio-metabolic health, but it should only be carried out under a doctor’s supervision, according to Dr. Anne Peters, an endocrinologist at Keck Medicine of USC in California.

Advice for eating well

When it comes to dieting, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises finding a strategy that can be adhered to for life.

A smart place to begin is with a plan that emphasises healthy eating and is also something that can be maintained.

The CDC offers 12 recommendations for eating well. They involve planning ahead for periods of the day when snacking can be alluring, including right after a long day at the office.

Time-restricted eating is one of the simplest diets to follow, especially for people who are busy, according to Tan’s clients.

Because you’re not as focused on the meal content, per se, as you are on the timing, many of my patients find this to be one of the most maintainable diets, she said. “And honestly, time-restricted feeding works out better for those who are busy since you don’t have to think about your meals throughout the day. Many patients actually discover that having this small window of time to eat is far easier and more enduring than adhering to many highly strict diets.”

Tan continued, “You don’t have to concentrate so much on the macronutrient breakdown of the food. “Although a ketogenic diet, for example, may be quite helpful in the short term at helping people lose a lot of weight, maintaining that kind of diet over the long run is very challenging. Whereas with time-restricted eating, all you’re actually doing is changing when you eat. For long-term safety, I don’t see any pressing issue as long as you talk to your doctor about when to take your medications and how much to take before starting a diet.”

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Can a common diabetes drug could lower COVID risk?

Can a common diabetes drug could lower COVID risk?

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Metformin, a common diabetes drug, was tested by researchers to see if it could stop lengthy COVID.

Metformin can cut down lengthy COVID diagnosis by 40%, according to their research. If these results apply to the general population, more research is required.

Long COVID is characterised by continuous health issues that continue even after a COVID-19 diagnosis and cannot be attributed to any other causes.

The duration of symptoms might range from weeks to years. Long COVID has been associated with more than 200 symptoms, from exhaustion and nausea to memory loss, stomach discomfort, and dyspnea or difficulty breathing.

What causes lengthy COVID has been the subject of several different theories. Mechanistic research, however, are still in their early stages. The illness is still in its early stages of development, as are treatments and prevention strategies.

The coronavirus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, is currently the greatest strategy to prevent lengthy COVID, according to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This can be done, for example, by staying current on vaccines.

The quality of life and reduction of long-term handicap among patients could be improved by measures to prevent protracted COVID after contracting COVID-19.

Three widely used medications were recently investigated for their ability to prevent extended COVID.

They discovered that lengthy COVID was considerably less likely to occur in participants taking metformin compared to those taking a placebo. A common diabetes drug called metformin raises insulin sensitivity to reduce blood sugar levels.

Metformin may reduce the occurrence of long-term COVID.

It was a phase 3 randomised clinical trial. 1,126 individuals with COVID-19 symptoms and a positive PCR or antigen test for this viral infection, ranging in age from 30 to 85 years, were enrolled by the researchers.

The patients had either fat or overweight, which increased their likelihood of developing severe COVID even though they were not hospitalised for COVID-19.

The individuals were randomly assigned to one of six groups, each of which received a different dosage of metformin for 14 days, ivermectin for 3 days, fluvoxamine for 14 days, and placebo. Fluvoxamine is used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and ivermectin is an antiparasitic medication.

For ten months, the subjects were monitored. Throughout the follow-up period, they were questioned multiple times about whether they had obtained a medical provider’s diagnosis of extended COVID.

After 300 days of follow-up, 8.3% of patients overall reported a lengthy COVID diagnosis. Only 6.3% of patients who took metformin, as opposed to 10.4% of those who received a placebo, experienced lengthy COVID.

In comparison to a placebo, ivermectin and fluvoxamine had no effect on the incidence of long-term COVID.

The Safe Drug Metformin Has Proven Antiviral Effects

Based on the knowledge that metformin is safe and has proven anti-inflammatory and antiviral capabilities, the study team pursued it as a potential long-COVID treatment.

Hector Fabio Bonilla, MD, is the co-director of the Stanford Post-Acute COVID-19 Syndrome Clinic and has observed laboratory test outcomes that support metformin’s potential to lessen antiviral and anti-inflammatory activities that can result in thrombosis (when blood clots block blood arteries) and lung harm.

Dr. Bonilla, who is also a clinical associate professor of infectious diseases at Stanford University, adds, “Plus, this drug is relatively safe, with no increased risk of hypoglycemia low blood sugar and no increased risk of lactic acidosis lactic acid buildup related to low oxygen levels.” There is no need to cease taking metformin before surgery because it is safe to take during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in individuals with renal failure.

Underlying processes

We discussed how metformin may have decreased long COVID risk with Dr. Mark Guido, an endocrinologist from Novant Health Forsyth Endocrine Consultants in Winston Salem, NC, who was not involved in the study.

It is difficult to say because we still don’t fully comprehend extended COVID, but it might be connected to lowering inflammation, he suggested. Additionally, metformin has been demonstrated to potentially lessen severe COVID and to halt the reproduction of the [SARS-CoV-2] virus in a lab setting, both of which may also be involved.

We also discussed how metformin may have decreased long COVID risk with Dr. Daniel Kim, a board-certified family doctor of Medical Offices of Manhattan who was not part in the study.

He concurred that it is still unknown exactly how certain things work. Nevertheless, he added that earlier research suggests that metformin has an antiviral effect by preventing viral multiplication.

Do all people fall within the study’s conclusions?

Dr. Guido responded to a question concerning the study’s limitations by saying, “Since our understanding of long COVID is still evolving, there were no specific diagnostic criteria used to determine who did or did not qualify as having long COVID.”

“The trial was also restricted to participants who were overweight or obese and were not currently on metformin. It is unknown if people who are already on metformin for other disorders or who have a normal weight will experience the same effects from metformin,” he added.

The trial was limited to examining the use of metformin to stop long-term COVID during a patient’s initial COVID infection. It is uncertain whether metformin would guard against extended COVID if a patient had previously contracted COVID-19, he continued.

According to Dr. Kim, “It is also unknown if [the results] can be generalized to early outpatient treatment of COVID-19 patients who were previously diagnosed with COVID-19 infection.”

Avoiding prolonged COVID

The results, according to Dr. Guido, could have a significant impact on short COVID prevention.

“Long COVID is turning into a public health emergency. Long-term public health would greatly benefit if it could be successfully decreased by a cheap, well-tolerated, and easily accessible medicine like metformin,” he said.

Dr. Kim concurred that the results are encouraging. He did point out that additional research is required to evaluate whether metformin is as effective for the broader populace.

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Cardiovascular benefits in elderly from antidiabetic drugs.

Cardiovascular benefits in elderly from antidiabetic drugs.

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Researchers found that some types of diabetes medications can lower the risk of heart illnesses when coupled with other diabetic medications in a trial including older military veterans.

According to experts, heart health problems are widespread in diabetics, thus a larger segment of the population may benefit from the research. Drugs for GLP1, DPP4, and SGLT2 were used in the trial.

According to a study published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine, some diabetic drugs may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events when combined with other diabetes treatments.

Researchers compared conventional diabetes treatment plans to three key classes of diabetes medications: GLP1, DPP4, and SGLT2.

Recent clinical trials for novel diabetes medicines, the researchers noted:

  • tested the medications only against a placebo, not in competition with one another
  • only tested on individuals with heart disease when examining the cardiovascular benefits

The best pharmaceutical class for lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, even in those without a history of the condition, was something the researchers sought to determine.

They claimed that when compared to DPP4 treatments, GLP1 therapies lowered the risk of adverse cardiovascular events and hospitalisations for heart failure.

Compared to DPP4 medications, SGLT2 therapies did not lower the number of hospitalisations for heart failure or cardiovascular events.

Information about the diabetic drug study

Between 2001 and 2016, the researchers examined the medical records of approximately 100,000 veterans who had been prescribed diabetes drugs including metformin, insulin, or sulfonylurea.

Then, one of the three more recent drugs—GLP1, DPP4, or SGLT2—was introduced. Following up was done until 2019.

Agonists of the GLP1 receptor included:

  • Exenatide
  • Liraglutide
  • Semaglutide

Inhibitors of SGLT2 included:

  • Empagliflozin
  • Dapagliflozin
  • Canagliflozin

Among the DPP4 inhibitors were:

  • Alogliptin
  • Linagliptin
  • Saxagliptin
  • Sitagliptin

Participants’ median ages ranged from 67 to 8.5 years, and their median time with diabetes was 8.5 years.

The results revealed:

When compared to DPP4 inhibitors, GLP1 reception agonists have a 20% lower incidence of significant adverse cardiovascular events and heart failure hospitalisations in persons with type 2 diabetes who have never had a heart condition. The risk reduction amounts to around three fewer heart failure episodes, strokes, or fatalities per 1,000 patients using the drug for a year.

When compared to DPP4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors did not lower hospitalisations for heart failure and cardiovascular events.

Dr. Kathleen Dungan, an endocrinologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Centre, said that therapy should focus on effectiveness in reaching and maintaining treatment objectives for glucose and weight management.

As a result, she said, “some GLP1-based therapies have greater potential to help patients achieve these goals than SGLT2i or DPP-4 inhibitors.” The complexity and method of administration, patient desire, other co-occurring illnesses, side effects, and cost are all person-centered aspects that may be more significant.

Dungan stated that “some limitations [of this study] prevent our ability to directly apply the findings to usual care.” These include a brief follow-up period, a lack of demographic diversity, missing or incomplete data, and nonrandom prescribing patterns, any of which could affect the study findings.

He told us, “This study provides important information on using two classes of diabetes medications, especially for people without known cardiovascular disease.”

The significance of the diabetic medication research

People with diabetes have a younger average age of onset and a twofold increased risk of heart disease. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, having diabetes increases your risk of developing heart disease.

Additionally, elevated blood pressure, “bad” cholesterol, and triglyceride levels are more prevalent among diabetics. These ailments can make you more likely to experience a cardiovascular incident.

Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, an interventional cardiologist at Providence Mission Hospital in California, remarked, “This study is a superb example of the new convergence of therapeutics for diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.”

“In the past, the cardiology community has mainly refrained from optimizing diabetic drugs either out of worry over medication-related problems or out of fear of alienating other treating physicians. Primary prevention studies like this one are an appeal to cardiologists to finally enter the fray and treat diabetes like we treat cholesterol or deal with quitting smoking.”

According to Bhojraj, “Now we have real-world data, in a [veterans] population, suggesting a significant decrease in major adverse cardiovascular events using GLP-1 receptor antagonists in patients who have diabetes without prior [cardiovascular disease],” she said. This could help the doctor decide which class of diabetic medication to add to standard-of-care treatment regimens to reduce cardiovascular risk.

It’s interesting to note that both the GLP-1 and SGLT-2 medication classes had positive treatment outcomes in the whole group of individuals undergoing primary and secondary prevention.

The bottom line, the cardiology community needs to take action and incorporate glucose optimization into our treatment strategies, according to Bhojraj, “if we truly want to protect our patients from serious adverse cardiovascular events.”

Treating coexisting conditions common with diabetes

According to a 2019 study, nearly 75% of patients had at least one other chronic health condition when they received a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. 44% of people have two or more conditions.

Diabetes and a number of other common comorbid illnesses include:

  • obesity
  • dyslipidemia
  • blood pressure is high.
  • heart condition
  • renal illness
  • mental health conditions
  • sleep problems
  • cancer

According to Dr. Minisha Sood, an endocrinologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York, “Generally speaking, a GLP1 RA is preferred over an SGLT-2 for the weight benefit in patients with diabetes and obesity – two conditions which overlap more often than not.”

But she added, “This study also reveals another advantage of selecting a GLP1 over an SGLT-2 in patients without cardiovascular disease.”

These medications can help with other comorbid conditions as well, experts point out.

Dr. Rigved Tadwalkar, a cardiologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Centre in California, said, “This research is encouraging and supports a growing body of evidence that these medications have multiple beneficial effects.”

“GLP-1 receptor agonists are currently being used to treat obesity off-label, according to the literature. He informed us that SGLT2 inhibitors are also licensed to treat chronic renal disease and heart failure.”

REFERENCES:

For Alzheimer’s disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=11

Children marked packaged food are higher in sugar.

Children marked packaged food are higher in sugar.

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According to researchers, packaged foods targeted toward children had more sugar content and fewer critical elements than other goods. Among the products they looked at, they claimed that cereal and toaster pastries had the most kid-friendly marketing.

According to experts, governments need to regulate product marketing to youngsters and provide greater parental education.

Foods marketed towards children often include more sugar and fewer essential nutrients than foods with less kid-friendly packaging. That is supported by a Canadian study that was just published in the journal PLOS ONE.

Nearly 6,000 distinct food items that were important to kids’ diets were examined by researchers, and they found that 13% of them had marketing targeted towards kids, with the potency of such marketing ranging from product to product.

Although there was a generally poor association between marketing effectiveness and general nutrient levels, the researchers found that the meals that were considered to be the most appealing to children had more sugar content than those in conventional packaging, with an average of 14.7 grams compared to 9 grams.

“While this study found variability in nutritional quality and composition depending on the food category and the nutrient, results showed that in many cases, products with child-appealing packaging were higher in nutrients of concern in particular, total sugars, free sugars, and sodium than products with non-child-appealing packaging,” the University of Toronto and the University of Ottawa researchers wrote in a press release.

Only two food categories—cereal and toaster pastries—had more than 50% of their marketing targeted at children out of all the foods examined. These were some of the goods that were actively sold to children.

Is marketing important?

How does one distinguish between “child-appealing” and unappealing content?

With a formalized system based on a dozen distinct categories, the researchers aimed to overcome this fundamental problem.

“The current lack of standardization in terms of definitions and methodologies for evaluating child-appeal is concerning,” the researchers stated.

According to them, “the specific marketing strategies that were advertised on product packages varied across food categories.” However, fundamental strategies that have historically been utilized in child-friendly marketing, such as using characters and appealing to fun or coolness, were still widely adopted across the sample.

Of course, kids don’t typically buy cereal or pastries for themselves, but kids’ interests often have an impact on their parents’ purchasing decisions.

“The ‘nag factor’ or ‘pester power’ is a term used to describe the influence that children, especially toddlers, and preschoolers, have on their parents’ purchasing decisions,” Agbai said. “Marketers are aware that kids can persuade their parents to buy a product they want by bothering or nagging them all the time. The theory is that the more a youngster requests a product, the more probable it is that the parent will cave and buy it.”

Children may influence their parents’ purchasing decisions, making them a desirable demographic to target for businesses, she continued. “This phenomenon is a potent force in the retail industry,” she said.

Need for more children’s product regulation and education

The researchers recommended that politicians enact more strenuous marketing rules to safeguard children to assist in reducing the promotion of less healthful foods directly to youngsters.

Paediatrician Dr. Daniel Ganjian, FAAP, of Providence Saint John’s Health Centre in California concurred, pointing out that physicians too have a part to play.

Ganjian advised us that parenting and pediatric organizations should publish a best-practices guide for marketing to children. “Parents should only patronize businesses and organizations that adhere to this philosophy.” Asking the government to control the promotion of unhealthy foods to children is another option.

Parents also have a responsibility

For parents, it’s learning what is actually healthy and unhealthy for their children, according to Florida-based dietitian Jesse Feder, RDN, who spoke with us.

“Learning what these foods can do to your kids can help parents understand the severity of the situation,” he continued. “It’s crucial to inculcate healthy eating habits in children and to teach them why some foods are unhealthy and others are beneficial.”

Successful initiatives include, among others, adding nutritional information on menus in American restaurants, expanding access to healthy food in underserved areas, lowering the number of food swamps, and limiting the amounts of drinks and other goods sold at fast food restaurants.

Processed and packaged food safety

Dr. Christine Mulligan, the study’s principal author, claims that packaged foods for kids are extremely harmful and have minimal nutritional value.

“A lot of the products in our grocery stores are highly advertised to youngsters and have quite strong marketing campaigns. Christine Mulligan stated, “Unfortunately, we also discovered that these items are typically much more nutritionally inferior and highly unhealthy than those that aren’t being marketed to children.

Additionally, according to the researchers, the packaged goods that were found to be the most enticing to children were the ones with the highest sugar content, with an average of 14.7 grams as opposed to 9 grams for items with ordinary and unattractive packaging.

Researchers believe that things may get worse.

Given that the study only looked at packaged goods, researchers think that the issues with packaged foods may be even more severe. However, it is concerning because it is unknown how much marketing children actually encounter in daily life.

Kids learn about these items from social media, television, community centers, and other sources. As a result of all these marketing strategies, children become more aware of these products, which hurt their eating habits and contribute to the global epidemic of childhood diabetes, obesity, and other diet-related ailments.

More control of packaged foods for kids.

The researchers claim that to lessen the marketing of packaged goods directly to children, greater regulation and information on kids’ items are required.

To safeguard children’s health and general well-being, researchers contend that tougher regulations should be put in place today against the marketing of packaged foods.

According to Christine Mulligan, these regulations must be strict and all-encompassing to shield kids from these damaging marketing techniques wherever they go to live, play, and eat.

She advised parents to take charge in the interim and make some adjustments at home. Cooking and eating more meals at home can help parents monitor their child’s sugar and calorie intake.

There should be more control over packaged foods for kids. Mulligan also advises discussing with kids how the long-term health effects of companies and marketing strategies can affect them.

REFERENCES:

For high blood sugar medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Can activity snacking help people with type 1 diabetes?

Can activity snacking help people with type 1 diabetes?

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Light-intensity, 3-minute walks every half-hour can help persons with type 1 diabetes maintain control of their blood sugar levels, according to research.

Sedentary lifestyles are linked to a higher risk of developing major illnesses, and they can make blood sugar management more challenging for those with type 1 diabetes.

While moderate- and high-intensity exercise can help people with type 1 diabetes, it can also cause sudden, dangerous drops in blood sugar levels.

Long stretches of inactivity are thought to be bad for everyone. People with type 1 diabetes should pay particular attention to it because it is linked to the dysregulation of insulin levels. However, for those with type 1 diabetes, excessive activity can result in sharp drops in blood sugar levels.

With safe, brief periods of light-intensity walking, people with type 1 diabetes can maintain blood sugar control, according to a recent study from the University of Sunderland in the UK. This is what the writers refer to as “exercise snacks.”

According to the study, taking a 3-minute walk after every 30 minutes of sedentary activity helped individuals maintain control over their blood sugar levels better than those who were inactive.

The researchers also discovered that the individuals were not at risk for unexpected dips in blood glucose levels due to the brief walking breaks.

A balanced diet vs prolonged periods of sitting

32 persons with type 1 diabetes participated in the trial, which had two sessions spread over two weeks.

Participants in the first exercise sat still for 7 hours. In the second, they took a brief 3-minute stroll after getting up every 30 minutes.

Participants wore a continuous glucose monitor for 48 hours following each treatment. Researchers asked that individuals follow their usual insulin regimens and exercise levels during that time. Additionally, they shared a common breakfast and lunch.

After the brief walks, people maintained an average blood sugar level of 6.9 millimoles per litre (mmol/L), according to the researchers. After the prolonged sitdowns, their blood sugar levels were higher, 8.2 mmol/L.

Blood sugar levels remained within the desired range for 14% longer in participants who consumed exercise “snacks” than in those who did not over the course of 48 hours of monitoring, during, and after the test period.

Walking to stay healthy

Dr. Sumera Ahmed, an assistant professor at Touro University California’s College of Osteopathic Medicine who was not involved in the study, said, “This study is interesting.”

“[I]t is encouraging to know that even frequent, low-intensity, short-duration exercises can aid in extending a person’s time in range who has type 1 diabetes. The prevention of hypoglycemia is more crucial, she said.

Dr. Ahmed further emphasized that people should find it simple to incorporate the study’s little strolls into their regular routines.

She also believed that the activity snacks’ mild effects would make it less likely that they would need to adjust their insulin dosages or carbohydrate intake, as could be necessary with more intense exercise.

Although the study’s seven-hour sessions, which included 14 brief walks, were appropriate for a trial, that is a lot of strolling for a typical day.

Anything more frequent than this may not be realistic or sustainable, according to Dr. Ahmed. “We need further studies to determine if the frequency of light intensity activities beyond the 30 minutes as noted in this study is beneficial,” he added.

Dr. Ana Maria Kausel, an endocrinologist who was also not a part of the study, stated: “I normally advise my patients to take a stroll after meals. Depending on the effort, some studies have indicated that those who walk a block can reduce their blood sugar by 10 mg/dl [7.2 mmol/L] of glucose.

This study shows that low-intensity walks can maintain normal blood sugar levels and are safer than walks of higher intensity.

Exercise and type 1 diabetes: Use caution

Dr. Ahmad noted that the type, intensity, timing, and duration of exercise all affect how persons with type 1 diabetes respond to physical activity in terms of blood glucose levels.

Therefore, she suggested, these people need to eat more carbohydrates or have their insulin doses adjusted before beginning an exercise programme.

Additionally, Dr. Kausel issued a warning: “Type 1 diabetics are especially sensitive to exercise. When engaging in physical activity, they must always exercise caution. All type 1 diabetics should ideally be wearing a continuous glucose monitor when working out.”

Less time spent seated

32 individuals in the study underwent two seven-hour sitting periods spread out over a two-week period.

Participants in one session sat still for the entire seven hours. Every 30 minutes during the other session, they had three-minute breaks from sitting to move around lightly.

Throughout and following each sitting session, participants wore a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to monitor their blood sugar levels over the course of 48 hours. Everyone had a set breakfast and lunch, and they were instructed to maintain the same dietary regimen, level of physical activity, and insulin dosages throughout the trial.

What occurs in diabetes type 1?

An individual with type 1 diabetes has insufficient insulin production from their pancreas. A hormone called insulin permits glucose, often known as sugar, to enter the body’s cells, where it is used as a source of energy.

Without enough insulin, blood sugar levels rise and may eventually reach dangerous levels. Serious complications from type 1 diabetes, such as eye and foot issues, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and nerve damage, can develop if it is not addressed.

There is no known cure for type 1 diabetes, and with time, the pancreas’ capacity to generate insulin continues to deteriorate even more. Pancreatic islet transplantation, which might be able to swap out low-functioning islets with new ones from a healthy donor, is one of the treatments under investigation.

Those who have type 1 diabetes must take many doses of insulin daily and check their blood sugar levels to keep them within acceptable limits.

Hypoglycemia is the everyday main concern. Hypoglycemia symptoms include trembling, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, headaches, nausea, hunger, nervousness or irritability, restless sleep, weakness, and pale complexion.

Losing consciousness and entering a hypoglycemic coma are the worst possible outcomes for people with dangerously low blood sugar levels.

REFERENCES:

For Alzheimer’s disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Is Covid-19 linked to a rising risk of developing diabetes?

Is Covid-19 linked to a rising risk of developing diabetes?

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The question of whether or not viral infections can raise the chance of getting diabetes has been the subject of research for some time.

The virus that causes COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, has now prompted scientists to investigate whether diabetes risk can be raised by SARS-CoV-2 infection.

According to recent data, the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to a 3-5% rise in the overall disease burden of diabetes in the Canadian population.

In order to prevent further injury to those who have been harmed, this evidence supports requests for greater observation of blood sugar levels in COVID-19 survivors.

The complete impact on the health of the worldwide population has not yet been fully appreciated, although the COVID-19 pandemic has so far caused close to 7 million fatalities, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

COVID-19 and diabetes association

This is not the first time that research has drawn attention to a possible connection between diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

American retrospective cohort research that was published in the BMJ in May 2021 showed that people who become infected have a considerably higher risk of diabetes. A prior article in Nature demonstrated an increased likelihood of metabolic diseases, including diabetes, being diagnosed after an illness.

The ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect human pancreatic cells—which produce insulin and are harmed and eventually destroyed in diabetics—was proven later that year in a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The loss of these cells could potentially be caused by infection, suggesting a potential underlying mechanism to explain the relationship.

Since then, cohort studies have indicated a greater incidence rate of type 2 diabetes, but not type 1 diabetes, after infection. One such study was reported in Diabetologia. Another retrospective cohort study employing Veterans Health Administration data, which was published in Diabetes Care, revealed that males, but not women, saw a rise in the incidence of all diabetes diagnoses following SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Children are more likely to be diagnosed with type 1 diabetes than adults are, according to a cohort study that was published in PLOS One. The risk of type 1 diabetes diagnosis after infection was also found to be higher in American Indian/Alaskan Native, Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black populations.

Diabetes is 22% more likely to develop

Now, a study involving 629,935 persons, with an average age of 32, has found that men who tested positive for SARS-COV-2 between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, had a 22% higher risk of developing diabetes in the eight months after infection than men who hadn’t been exposed.

Based on age, sex, and date of infection, researchers matched pairings of individuals with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and those who hadn’t, using data from the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort, a database of SARS-CoV-2 infection in British Columbia, Canada.

When the results were stratified by the severity of the disease, researchers discovered that those who had COVID-19 when they were admitted to the hospital had a 2.4-fold increased risk of developing diabetes compared to those who hadn’t been infected, and those who were admitted to intensive care had a 3.29-fold increased risk.

When these cases were taken into account, the data revealed that women were also more likely to acquire diabetes following infection with SARS-CoV-2, albeit this tendency was not significant when only moderate cases were taken into account.

The scientists were unable to differentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes using the data they had access to since this link was only discovered for non-insulin-dependent diabetes.

Risk of diabetes with viral infections

It is unclear precisely how SARS-CoV-2 infection causes these long-term consequences, as it is with other long-term side effects. It is not the first time that a viral infection has been connected to a higher chance of acquiring diabetes, but the mechanisms underlying the association are still unknown.

The effect of Coxsackievirus B infection on the risk of type 1 diabetes has been extensively investigated, along with the effects of mumps, rubella, and cytomegalovirus, according to Dr. Fares Qeadan, associate professor of biostatistics at Loyola University Chicago who was not involved in the study.

Researchers have also looked into the potential roles of inflammation, insulin resistance, and impacts on pancreatic cells in the relationship between hepatitis C virus infection and the risk of type 2 diabetes.

In conclusion, viral infections have been linked to a higher risk of developing both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The evidence for type 1 diabetes is stronger and includes a wider range of viruses, but the data for type 2 diabetes is more limited and mostly concentrates on particular viral diseases like the hepatitis C virus. Dr. Fares Qeadan stated that more study is required to pinpoint the precise processes by which viral infections influence the onset of diabetes and to create preventative measures.

Diabetes or long COVID, which is it?

As the clinical characterisation of long-COVID is still being developed, experts cautioned that it was a complicated topic to determine whether the onset of diabetes following infection with SARS-CoV-2 might be regarded a symptom of long-COVID.

Dr. Morgan Birabaharan, a physician and virus researcher from the University of California, San Diego’s Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health who was not involved in the study, stated:

The onset of diabetes may fall within the category of protracted COVID, which is used to characterise a variety of symptoms and illnesses that appear after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection (>30 days).

To classify what side effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection are ‘long COVID’ vs. some other process, he said, “is difficult because we are still trying to understand the pathophysiology of long COVID, whether it be persistent viremia, dysregulated immune response, or some other phenomenon.”

This most recent article backed suggestions for aggressive management of this, saying that the population-level effects of a rise in diabetes cases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic could also be considerable.

In any case, Dr. Qeadan said, “Recognising the potential link between SARS-CoV-2 infection and the onset of diabetes is important for healthcare professionals as it highlights the need for careful monitoring of blood glucose levels and early intervention in people who have had COVID-19.”

“This can help lessen the long-term effects of diabetes on the affected individuals and reduce the overall burden on healthcare systems,” he continued.

After COVID, diabetic symptoms

Increased thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, exhaustion, and hazy eyesight are all typical early indicators of diabetes, according to Ricordi.

If you had COVID-19 and any of these symptoms, it would be worthwhile to request a diabetic screening from your doctor, especially if you have risk factors or a family history of the disease.

One should see their primary care physician if any of these symptoms or indicators are present, according to Ricordi.

The conclusion

An increased risk of diabetes has been linked with COVID-19, according to recent research. Diabetes may be another factor contributing to extended COVID, according to the study. Endocrinologists think COVID-19 may harm the pancreas and affect how it releases insulin, though additional research is required to fully understand the association.

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Can Bariatric surgery treat people with obesity & diabetes?

Can Bariatric surgery treat people with obesity & diabetes?

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Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause nerve damage among other long-term problems. One method of weight loss is bariatric surgery, which may be necessary for some obese people.

According to a recent study, bariatric surgery may benefit those who have type 2 diabetes by reducing peripheral neuropathy. To assist patients in maintaining a healthy body weight, doctors employ a range of strategies. Bariatric surgery may be advantageous for those who are obese.

To fully comprehend the advantages of bariatric surgery, researchers are still working. How bariatric surgery might affect particular diabetic problems is one topic of investigation.

An investigation of the effects of bariatric surgery on diabetic complications in obese patients was recently published in Diabetologia.

Researchers saw stabilisation of retinopathy and cardiac autonomic neuropathy as well as improved peripheral neuropathy.

long-term impact of diabetes

Diabetes is a persistent disease. It has to do with how well the body can use glucose (sugar) for energy and the hormone insulin.

Diabetes has a number of long-term problems that might develop if it is not well managed. For instance, peripheral neuropathy, which is nerve damage that affects the feet, legs, arms, and hands, is one problem.

Another is retinopathy, which eventually harms the eyes and impairs vision. The nerves that govern the heart are also damaged in cardiac autonomic neuropathy. These damage areas may result in poor health and a lower quality of life.

Dr. Denise Pate, a board-certified medical professional and Medical Director at Medical Offices of Manhattan who was not engaged in the current study, provided additional details regarding the harm peripheral neuropathy causes:

Peripheral nerves are responsible for detecting sensations of touch, pain, and warmth. When these nerves are harmed by high blood sugar levels, the body is no longer able to perceive these stimuli. This can cause discomfort and, even worse, put a diabetic at danger of failing to notice minor damage to their extremities. These minor wounds carry the risk of skin and bone infection and, ultimately, amputation.

Bariatric surgery is recommended?

Obesity is a condition that some type 2 diabetics may also have. Some surgical treatments may be suggested by doctors as a result of these contributing variables.

There are several different bariatric surgery choices, and they can help in maintaining weight loss. For those who have had trouble reducing weight through other methods including diet and exercise, these solutions might be helpful.

Without participating in the study, Dr. Mir Ali, a bariatric surgeon and medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Centre at Orange Coast Medical Centre in Fountain Valley, California, told that “the indications for bariatric surgery currently accepted by most insurance carriers is a BMI greater than 40 or 35 with additional comorbid conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.”

“The goal with surgery, which has been demonstrated in many studies, is to resolve or improve comorbid conditions, increase life expectancy, and improve the quality of life,” he continued.

Bariatric surgery benefits for diabetes

This prospective cohort study examined the effects of bariatric surgery on metabolic risk variables and the reduction of diabetic complications. The components of the analysed metabolic risk factors included weight, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels.

79 patients who underwent bariatric surgery and finished the 2-year follow-up were included in the study. All subjects had obesity of class 2 or 3.

The data revealed a decrease in peripheral neuropathy after two years. Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy and retinopathy remained constant. Additionally, participants’ quality of life and pain levels improved, according to researchers.

The majority of the metabolic risk indicators, including weight loss, showed improvement. They also discovered a link between improvement in retinopathy and improvement in fasting glucose levels.

Benefits of weight-loss surgery

In the 18 to 24 months following surgery, the majority of patients lose 50 to 80% of the extra weight. But following surgery, the impacts on blood sugar start happening right away (within days). Patients who have this procedure can decrease or stop taking their diabetes medications.

Particularly helpful at managing diabetes is Roux-en-Y surgery. After surgery, about 33% of these patients do not require diabetes medication. 85% of patients are medication-free within two years of surgery. Their diabetes is no longer an issue.

People with a kind of diabetes that does not require medication and those with diabetes for less than five years have a higher likelihood of experiencing complete remission from the disease.

The dangers of weight loss surgery

The following are possible risks linked to these procedures:

  • Anaesthesia doesn’t work well.
  • surgery-related harm to neighbouring organs.
  • Bleeding.
  • production of blood clots.
  • Infection.
  • The tissue that surrounds and supports the internal organs in the abdomen experiences peritoneal inflammation, or peritonitis.

Additional dangers comprise:

  • the intestines are blocked.
  • development of kidney and gallstones.
  • Anastomotic stenosis is the medical term for narrowing of the stomach-to-intestine opening.
  • Early and late dumping syndromes include nausea, abdominal pain, and vomiting after eating.
  • Malnutrition.

limitations of the study and further research

There were certain restrictions on the study. First of all, there were not enough volunteers and there was no control group. Additionally, some of the patients who underwent bariatric surgery made it challenging for the researchers to follow up with them.

The fact that they were then constrained by the follow-up period shows the need for research that focus more on the immediate impacts and have even longer follow-up periods. There is a need for future studies with a wider range of participants because more than 98% of the participants were non-Hispanic and more than 73% were women.

The results of the study do not prove a causal connection between the variables they looked at. Further research into this topic may shed more light on the subject because researchers only employed particular assessments of peripheral neuropathy.

When reviewing the study’s findings, D.R. Pate issued the following warnings: The type of bariatric surgery was also not thoroughly analysed in that of the 79 patients, 71 received sleeve gastrectomy and 8 got gastric bypass surgery. We may conclude that weight loss in general, and not necessarily the method through which the weight loss occurred, was crucial to the outcomes as the type of technique was not further evaluated for the outcome.

Dr. Callaghan stated that he and his associates “We are currently conducting a study to see which treatment for peripheral neuropathy, exercise, bariatric surgery, or both, helps the most.”

He explained, “This is a randomised trial that will offer even more reliable information on the effects of exercise and bariatric surgery on peripheral neuropathy.”

REFERENCES:

For Diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13