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Type 2 Diabetes: Can kombucha help to manage blood sugar?

Type 2 Diabetes: Can kombucha help to manage blood sugar?

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A fermented tea called kombucha offers advantages including enhancing gut health. Researchers carried up a study on persons with type 2 diabetes because they were interested in whether the probiotic beverage may be useful in decreasing blood sugar.

After four weeks, the researchers evaluated the blood sugar levels of two groups of individuals with type 2 diabetes who had either received kombucha or a placebo beverage that tasted similar. They switched the groups after a break, then assessed the participants again after another 4 weeks.

In contrast to a placebo, the results showed that drinking kombucha for four weeks dramatically reduced fasting blood glucose levels in comparison to baseline.

The researchers claim that this is the first investigation of kombucha’s effects on persons with type 2 diabetes.

In type 2 diabetes, the body has trouble producing or properly controlling insulin. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), diabetes affects millions of people in the United States and is the eighth largest cause of mortality in the nation.

Scientists are interested in discovering new ways to lower blood sugar, especially through dietary choices, as the prevalence of type 2 diabetes rises.

The School of Health at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., conducted research to see whether the Chinese tea known as kombucha, which is fermented with bacteria and yeasts, could lower blood sugar levels.

They discovered that merely 4 weeks of consuming kombucha reduced fasting blood sugar levels prior to meals from an average of 164 to 116 milligrammes per deciliters (mg/dL) after comparing blood sugar averages between drinking kombucha versus a placebo.

In contrast, according to the American Diabetes Association, normal fasting glucose levels are between 80 to 130 mg/dL before meals.

Tracking fasting blood sugar

The authors highlight that the study’s participants were drawn from the General Internal Medicine Clinic at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, which has “a strong interest in diabetes care.”

They recruited 12 individuals with type 2 diabetes for the trial. They had to consent to consume the designated beverage on a regular basis as well as test their fasting glucose at various intervals at home.

The individuals were also told by the researchers to stick to their regular meals. They did not want dietary modifications to have an impact on prospective blood sugar drops.

The participants were split into two groups, and each group was given an 8-ounce beverage to consume everyday with dinner for a period of 4 weeks. Some participants received kombucha, while others received a placebo beverage that, according to the authors, tasted like kombucha.

The recipients of the kombucha were switched around during the study’s second phase. The individuals had to wait eight weeks before starting back up on their drinking routine so that the researchers could account for any lasting effects of the kombucha.

The subjects experienced further 4 weeks of consuming their assigned beverage after the 8-week “washout period” ended. In the initial phase of the study, participants who consumed kombucha also consumed a placebo beverage, whereas the others consumed kombucha.

The researchers next examined the information the subjects supplied regarding their fasting glucose, which they assessed at the following intervals:

  • their starting point before starting the drinking program
  • after the first week
  • towards the conclusion of week four
  • following the washout time
  • end of the first week of the second round.
  • following the fourth week of the second round.

Drinkers of kombucha had reduced blood sugar.

In order to determine if kombucha increased glucose levels, researchers averaged baseline data from subjects, data from each 4-week round of kombucha consumption, and data from placebo consumption.

Following 4 weeks of kombucha consumption, the subjects’ average baseline blood sugar level fell to 116 mg/dL from 164 mg/dL. This represents a decline for the kombucha group of almost 30%.

In contrast, after consuming the placebo beverage, the subjects’ baseline blood glucose levels barely changed. The authors report that there was no statistically significant difference between the placebo and the average fasting blood glucose levels.

A larger investigation, according to the researchers, is required due to the study’s drawback of a limited sample size.

According to a press statement from the study’s lead author, Dr. Chagai Mendelson, “We were able to provide preliminary evidence that a common drink could affect diabetes.”

“We hope that a much larger trial, using the lessons we learned in this trial, could be undertaken to give a more definitive answer to the effectiveness of kombucha in reducing blood glucose levels, and hence prevent or help treat type 2 diabetes,” he continued.

A residency program is being completed by Dr. Mendelson at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Medical School.

Experts discuss the advantages of kombucha

The outcomes of the study were discussed by Alyssa Wilson, a registered dietitian and metabolic health coach with the California-based company Signos.

Wilson stated that there is “some encouraging data” supporting the inclusion of kombucha in a nutrition care strategy.

For those seeking a healthy alternative to sugary drinks, she said kombucha is a “great option” and may help “reduce hunger and prevent sugar cravings.”

Wilson noted that further research is required to support the findings even though she thinks the study to be promising.

“More research is needed in a larger follow-up study to determine the effectiveness of kombucha in reducing blood glucose levels, but the findings are promising and exciting for this patient population,” she said.

The work was also discussed by endocrinologist Dr. Florence Comite, who founded the Comite Centre for Precision Medicine and Health in New York City.

Dr. Comite pointed out that more research is indicating a link between conditions like type 2 diabetes and the composition of the gut microbiome, which is changed by probiotics like kombucha.

The metabolism, inflammation, and immunological response all seem to be substantially influenced by the microbiome. Managing glucose management will be impacted by improving the proportion of beneficial bacteria to harmful bacteria in the stomach, according to Dr. Florence Comite.

She expressed her need for more research in this area, stating that “a causal association between kombucha and lowering blood glucose deserves further study. It is unclear whether diabetes affects the gut or if an unhealthy microbiome contributes to the disease.”

Additional information on kombucha

Depending on how much you consume, kombucha has around the same amount of caffeine as a cup of regular tea.

Due to its high caffeine and low alcohol level, kombucha is not advised for children or pregnant or nursing women.

It’s recommended to buy kombucha rather than attempt to create it at home if you decide to start drinking it (after consulting with your healthcare professional).

Start out with a little quantity of kombucha.

Always check your blood sugar levels to see whether they have an effect on how you control your blood sugar in general. (Each individual is affected differently.)

REFERENCES:

For Type 2 diabetes medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=13

Depression: High blood sugar and lower grey matter links.

Depression: High blood sugar and lower grey matter links.

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Around the world, 5% of adults are thought to be depressed. A known risk factor for depression is fluctuations in a person’s blood sugar levels.

The relationship between blood sugar levels and the likelihood of developing depression, according to Sun Yat-sen University researchers, may be mediated by decreased grey matter volume in the brain.

About 5% of the adult population worldwide suffers from depression, a mental illness that makes a person feel incredibly depressed and hopeless to the point where they are unable to enjoy their daily activities.

Variations in glycemia, or a person’s blood sugar levels, are one of the many risk factors for depression.

According to earlier research, people with diabetes, a disorder in which a person struggles to maintain adequate blood sugar levels, are two to three times more likely to experience depression.

The relationship between blood sugar levels and depression may now have a precise biological cause. This is according to researchers from Sun Yat-sen University in Guangzhou, China.

According to research, the association between blood sugar levels and the risk of depression may be mediated by a decreased grey matter volume in the brain.

Depression, blood sugar, and brain structure

According to Dr. Hualiang Lin, a professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Sun Yat-sen University and the study’s corresponding author, they chose to investigate the effect of blood sugar on the risk of developing depression. Earlier research has established a link between changes in blood sugar levels and the development of depression.

Also, a lot of research has shown a clear connection between depression development and changes in brain structure and function. As a result, the information that is now available strongly supports that brain anatomy may play a moderating role in the co-morbidity of diabetes and depression. As a result, we carried out this research to learn more about this connection, said Dr. Lin.

Changes in the amount of grey matter in the brain have been linked in the past to depression. According to a 2019 study, particular changes in gray-matter volume were linked to lifetime major depressive illness.

Additionally, a study conducted in 2022 discovered that individuals with significant depression, bipolar illness, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders frequently have lower hippocampus grey matter volume.

Examining brain’s grey matter

Dr. Lin and his team gathered information from more than 500,000 UK Biobank individuals between the ages of 40 and 69 for this observational study.

Researchers examined the data and discovered a “significant correlation” between sadness, decreased grey matter volume, and raised levels of HbA1c, or glycosylated hemoglobin.

A quick test called HbA1c determines a person’s blood sugar levels during the previous three months, or glycosylated hemoglobin.

In comparison to study participants with or without diabetes, researchers found that a reduced grey matter volume was associated with depression. This association was particularly pronounced in study participants with prediabetes.

Even if the outcome supports our hypothesis, Dr. Lin stated, “We are still very excited about it.”

Previous studies on the specific brain regions connected to depression have been rather scarce, frequently concentrating on well-established clinical regions such the hippocampus or prefrontal cortex. Contrarily, we were able to more thoroughly analyse and identify probable grey matter regions that may be connected to depression in our study since it made use of MRI data from hundreds of different brain areas,” he said.

Age as a risk factor for increased risk

Furthermore, participants in the study who were 60 years of age or older had the strongest correlation between decreased grey matter volume and depression.

According to Dr. Lin, “This finding has important public health implications, particularly for the neurological health of older individuals.”

In particular, the findings indicate that in older people compared to younger people, the decline in grey matter volume is more pronounced for every one unit increase in HbA1c. The difference can be more than twice as great in some brain regions, according to Dr. Hualiang Lin.

This study shows that we may soon face increased dangers to brain health and mental well-being, he said, “given the global trend of population aging and the rising risk of diabetes.”

What does a normal blood sugar level mean?

Glucose, sometimes referred to as blood sugar, is crucial for numerous bodily processes. It is the body’s main source of energy, to start. And glucose is what “feeds” the brain, keeping it active and maintaining connections amongst its associated nerve cells.

The food you eat, especially carbohydrates like starchy vegetables, whole grains, and fruits, provides the body with blood sugar. Glucose is released into the bloodstream as these nutrients are broken down by the body through the digestive tract.

The pancreas starts to secrete insulin as soon as blood glucose levels increase. To give the body’s cells with the energy they require, insulin aids glucose absorption.

An individual with diabetes or one who is at risk for getting it may have high fasting blood sugar levels:

  • A good fasting blood sugar level is one that is 99 mg/dL or lower.
  • Prediabetes is indicated by a fasting blood sugar level between 100 and 125 mg/dL.
  • One has diabetes if their fasting blood sugar level is 126 mg/dL or greater.

Hyperglycemia, or having too much glucose in the bloodstream, can cause the following symptoms:

Could controlling blood sugar lessen depression?

Dr. Daniel Pompa, a cellular health expert, author of the “Cellular Healing Diet,” and host of a weekly Cellular Healing TV podcast and YouTube show. He stated after reviewing this study that it has long been known that blood sugar levels have a significant impact on brain health. Also, this study only serves to further that understanding.

High glucose levels cause brain inflammation, which lowers cognitive function and emotional control. According to Dr. Daniel Pompa, long-term exposure to elevated glucose levels has been related to altered brain circuits that raise the chance of developing depression.

In those with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes, higher levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are associated with a reduction in brain capacity. Elevated HbA1c is linked to decreased grey matter sizes in regions including the hippocampus, thalamus, and prefrontal cortex. This is according to several other research that have supported this, Dr. Pompa continued.

As a strategy to treat type 2 diabetes, Dr. Pompa said he would like to see further research on the impact of lifestyle modifications and fasting. It also brain scans to measure these people’s grey matter volume.

In particular, he asked, “Can reducing type 2 diabetes symptoms stop or even reverse the loss of grey matter and lower rates of depression?”

Dr. Matthew J. Freeby, director of the Gonda Diabetes Centre and associate director of diabetes clinical programmes at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, said: “Unfortunately, depression is quite common in people living with diabetes, and there’s not much known as to the connection. For a better understanding of the problem’s causes and potential treatments, more research is urgently needed.

Although this research makes an interesting observation, Dr. Freeby stated that he did not believe we could yet identify physical changes in grey matter volume as the explanation.

REFERENCES:

For Depression medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_478

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