Cognition

Skin Health and Disease: Could Moisturizing Your Skin Reduce Your Risk?

In order to study how skin health and disease are related, researchers had to first understand why disease causes us to experience inflammation. When it comes to physical injuries, inflammation is a necessary part of the healing process because it builds a buffer around the wound to protect it. Even though we try to reduce the swelling around the wound, it’s actually the inflammation that helps the area heal. Once new skin grows around the wound, the inflammation usually subsides on its own.

Inflammation is characterized by a few mild to severe signs, depending on the nature of the medical condition. When damage to tissue occurs, the first thing most people notice is that the affected area is painful. Chemical compounds are released in the body to stimulate the nerves so pain messages can be delivered to the brain. This prevents you from touching the area, since pain is stronger with physical contact. The area will also appear redder than your normal skin color, because the capillaries in that part of the body are carrying a higher concentration of blood. The increased blood flow will also make the affected area feel hotter and more sensitive.

At this point, physical swelling may begin. While this happens to protect the affected area, it also causes a reduction in mobility. The swelling builds a physical barrier that inhibits the free range of motion you usually experience. Trying to push, or force, motion of that area often triggers a more intense sensation of pain.

Some people think that inflammation is the result of an infection, but this isn’t necessarily true. What does actually happen is that the smallest arteries in the affected area will enlarge to allow maximum blood flow. This allows the capillaries to move more easily between cells and the blood, attracting proteins as they move through the arteries. Finally, white blood cells called neutrophils are released and they begin consuming the foreign microorganisms in the affected area. This immune response is what triggers inflammation.

Research Uncovers a Connection Between Skin Health and Disease

The skin is the largest organ of the body, so it only makes sense that it plays a major role in how we’re affected by disease. Previous research has found that inflammation of the skin can be linked to diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. As the largest organ in the body, even the smallest levels of inflammation can affect the body in significant ways.

As people age, they experience increased dryness, irritation and itchiness of the skin. Researcher Dr. Mao-Qiang Man believes this to be a sign of inflammation in the body, prompted by heightened cytokines. The cytokines released into the blood supply help younger skin heal more easily, but older, dryer skin is less resilient. As a result, inflammation becomes chronic and the body has more difficulty filtering out pathogens.

In the new study, designed to examine the effects of skin treatments on disease, Dr. Theodora Mauro reveals that skin conditions, particularly psoriasis and dermatitis, can increase the risk of heart disease. If skin health could be restored, Dr. Mauro surmised that inflammation and the risks of disease could also be affected. In this case, keeping skin moisturized might be an effective way of fighting degenerative diseases.

Is Skin Moisturizer an Effective Weapon Against Disease?

The researchers for the pilot study chose 33 older adults, ranging in ages from 58 to 95. Since cytokines are good indicators of internal inflammation, the researchers started the 30 day study by measuring cytokine levels in each of the participants. Throughout the study, each participant rubbed moisturizer into their skin from head to toe, twice each day.

There are different types of cytokines that can inhabit the body, but three in particular are responsible for age-related degenerative illnesses. They are tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1 beta and interleukin-6. When a moisturizer containing ceramides, cholesterol and free fatty acids was applied twice daily, there was a noticeable drop in those cytokine levels. The levels dropped low enough that the participants’ cytokines were similar to those of people in their 30s.

This was the first study of its kind, linking skin health to inflammation and the risks of degenerative illnesses. While it laid the groundwork and established that there is a connection, more research will have to be conducted. As future studies confirm the correlation between disease and skin health, there will likely be greater emphasis placed on keeping skin moisturized and healthy.

Skin health has always been a major concern, particularly in terms of the damage caused by the sun’s rays. In addition to moisturizing twice per day, it’s important to always wear sunscreen outdoors and to avoid direct sunlight at the hottest times of the day. Using a natural supplement designed to nourish the skin from the inside out by delivering crucial nutrients may also be beneficial. A dermatologist can recommend more skin care tips, so you can keep your body’s largest organ healthy and youthful into old age.

Three Important Breakthroughs In Depression Research

Mar 13 by Ewcopywriting

Several depression research studies have linked this serious health condition to certain lifestyle habits and biological phenomena. Here, we will briefly touch on depression, as well as several important scientific studies that offer new insight into possible causes of depression and novel ways to minimize its deleterious effects.

What is Depression?

Depression encompasses more than merely feeling down or being unhappy. This condition is a serious mental disorder that often causes significant life disturbances. In many instances, depression is precipitated by a chemical imbalance within the brain, brain trauma, other underlying medical illnesses or significant systemic hormonal imbalances.

There are several manifestations of depression which may be diagnosed. These include postpartum depression (which develops after a woman gives birth to a child), seasonal affective disorder (in which a stricken individual becomes depressed during seasonal periods, most often wintertime), psychotic depression (whereby afflicted persons experience depressive episodes along with other major mental maladies such as hallucinations or psychoses), dysthymia (in which a person experiences repeating depressive episodes over a period of at least two years and bipolar disorder (where those stricken experience extreme mood swings ranging from quite high to extremely low).

Symptoms of Depression

Depending upon the exact type of depression experienced and its severity, specific physical and mental manifestations can range from case to case. However, all forms of depression often share certain common manifestations that individuals should be on the lookout for including cognitive problems like concentration or memory difficulties, feelings of hopelessness and despair, potential thoughts of suicide, irritability, anger, frustration, restlessness, anxiety and a lack of interest in activities that were once enjoyed. Additionally, depression could precipitate numerous non-mental health related symptoms such as appetite loss or gain, sleep disturbances, digestive issues, systemic body aches and increased fatigue.

If left unchecked, depression could render the afflicted person incapable of performing simple everyday tasks such as performing a job or executing necessary household chores. In the most extreme instances, depression may result in more serious disability that may prevent one from executing even simple tasks such as bathing, dressing or preparing basic meals.

Depression Research Studies

Although on some occasions scientists are relatively certain as to what precipitates the brain-altering chemical fluctuations that cause depression, in other cases the answer continues to be a mystery. For this reason, intense research into depression is ongoing. Three clinical studies in particular just may shed light into previously unknown potential underlying factors of this condition and new ways to help affected individuals cope.

Dietary Alterations Affect Depression

In the first study, a team of English researchers discovered that the consumption of a diet rife with fiber and vegetables may help reduce the severity of depression symptoms. These scientists, who represent Manchester University, examined how such dietary amendments impacted nearly 46,000 people diagnosed with depression and who associated manifestations.

The vast majority of those investigated experienced some improvement of specific mental manifestations such as mood fluctuations. However, of particular significance is the fact that female subjects seemed to experience more significant mental health improvements than men. Research organizers are confident their findings could eventually pave the road for one day utilizing dietary changes as a more accepted form of depression treatment.

Gut Bacteria Imbalance Linked to Depression

In a second study, a group of Belgian biologists found a significant link between an individual’s intestinal flora (also referred to as gut bacteria) and a person’s risk of developing depression.

The researchers, whom are employed by Leuven Venter for Microbiology, postulated that certain “neuroactive” digestive microorganisms emit substances that could impact the nervous system. To test their hypothesis, scientists created the Flemish Gut Flora Project, which studied the intestinal tracts of more than 1,000 individuals diagnosed with depression.

Examination administrators discovered that many of the test subjects’ digestive tracts were completely devoid of specific neuroactive bacteria that are thought to emit signals designed to help the nervous system perform at optimal levels. The researchers thereby concluded that limited bacterial diversity within the digestive tract might be a legitimate precipitating factor for the onset of depression.

Individuals with limited bacterial gut growth or an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria may be able to correct this issue through the use of probiotic supplements geared towards stimulating the growth of healthy intestinal flora.

Unique Tryptophan and 5-HTP Formulation May Offer Hope

In a third study, a collection of European scientists found that the administration of therapeutic preparations containing specific concentrations of timed-release tryptophan and fast-release 5-hydroxotryptophan (5-HTP) could play a significant role in soothing some of the physical and mental symptoms of depression.

Together, these substances influence the brain’s production and secretion of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is strongly believed to play a critical role in the development of improved mood and general feelings of well-being.

In the study, researchers placed 140 test subjects (70 men and 70 women) into seven separate groupings and administered various dosages containing either the special combination of tryptophan and 5-HTP or placebos to the participants twice daily for approximately one month. Scientists concluded that those who received the tryptophan and 5-HTP formulation experienced an increased production of serotonin and an improvement in mild to moderate incidents of depressive episodes and related symptoms.

The Unlikely Connection Between Gut Bacteria and Mental Disorders

Feb 14 by Ewcopywriting

Could mental disorders like dementia be connected to gut bacteria? This seemingly unlikely correlation may not be so far-fetched: New research suggests that an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria could be one of the possible causes of dementia, a mental condition that primarily affects the elderly.

Gut Bacteria and Dementia Defined

The gut’s microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms which include approximately a thousand diverse types of known bacteria. The human intestines are brimming with these “friendly” bacteria, and nearly a third of the various gut bacteria we each carry are also present in others. However, the remaining two-thirds are specific to each individual, meaning no two people share an entirely identical microbiome. Furthermore, humans aren’t innately born with gut bacteria — it is only acquired over time.

Despite the negative connotations associated with bacteria, gut microbiota aren’t all that bad. In fact, they are responsible for quite a few functions in our bodies. First off, these bacteria are crucial for the proper digestion of the food we eat. The gut microbiome also plays an important role in our immune system. Essentially, a balanced and maintained gut microbiome is necessary for optimal digestion and immune system function.

Dementia, on the other hand, isn’t exactly a disease, but it is a collection of symptoms typically experienced by the elderly. Dementia is characterized by a person’s inability to perform cognitive tasks, along with massive degradation of memory. Other common symptoms of dementia include impaired reasoning, judgment and communication skills, the inability to focus and impaired visual perception. Most of dementia’s symptoms affect the brain. Although it has been known of and researched for years, there’s a lot we’ve yet to learn about dementia, including how it actually begins.

Considering the dissimilarities between the areas affected by mental disorders like dementia and the topic of gut bacteria and digestion, it may be surprising that there is a potential link between the two.

Gut Bacteria as a Guide for the Diagnosis And Treatment Of Dementia

The naturally occurring bacteria in our body have been examined as part of a broader scope when it comes to treating diseases. With this principle in mind, Dr. Naoki Saji, along with researchers from the Center for Comprehensive Care and Research on Memory Disorders at the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology in Obu, Japan, headed up a new study centered on gut bacteria. The group presented their findings at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2019 in February 2019.

To conduct the study, the researchers recruited the help of 128 patients from their own memory clinic. Of the participants, 59 percent were female and the average age was 74. The patients were assisted in completing various tests that measured cognitive ability. Furthermore, some of the participants had dementia while others did not. To shed light on the role of gut bacteria in dementia, the researchers analyzed fecal samples from the respondents.

Surprisingly, the researchers found significant differences in the bacterial populations from the subjects with dementia versus those who do not have it. The common pattern observed was that the patients with dementia had elevated levels of specific bacteria such as indole, skatole, phenol, ruminococcus and ammonia. Furthermore, the dementia patients also had lower levels of good bacteria called bacteroides.

The big takeaway from the findings is that in the future, a patient’s fecal matter may possibly be used to determine whether or not he or she has dementia. Since the bacteria count in the dementia patients was similar among participants, it could theoretically be used as a diagnostics tool in the future. Of course, this concept will need more research before being commonly utilized in a clinical setting.

Gut Bacteria Also Linked to Other Mental Conditions

Beyond the findings from Dr. Saji and his team, researchers from the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium have also found a link between gut bacteria composition and clinical depression. According to the researcher’s findings, published in Nature Microbiology, most of the gut bacteria in our body are able to create neurotransmitters, including dopamine and serotonin. The researchers also figured out that people who have been diagnosed with depression lacked two specific strains of bacteria.

The study is still in its early stages, but considering the large amount of recent research dedicated to gut health, the new findings are sure to bolster the idea that gut bacteria have more to do than just help with the digestive process.

In a case similar to Dr. Sajia and his team’s findings, there is a chance that fecal matter and a person’s gut bacteria can be used in the future to diagnose clinical depression. If more research is conducted, there is also a chance that the findings could be turned into a possible treatment for depression.

The research from Dr. Saji and his team has the potential to change the way doctors diagnose and treat dementia. Hopefully, the team finds more success in the coming months and we will see new developments regarding this scientific breakthrough.

5 Unexpected Threats to Optimal Brain Health

Feb 06 by Ewcopywriting

Today we are so busy keeping their bodies in shape, it’s easy to forget that brain health is just as important. The human brain is the biggest puzzle known to man, and there have been countless studies attempting to unlock its many secrets. Like most parts of the human body, the brain requires proper maintenance and conditioning. Brain and physical health go hand-in-hand — hence the famous mantra ‘healthy mind, healthy body.” Regular exercise, a good diet and social activity can help improve brain health…but there are also some unexpected things that can have a negative impact on your brain.

Chemotherapy Speeds Up the Brain’s Aging Process

Chemotherapy holds its ground as the most popular and readily available treatment for treating cancer and tumors, but it has had its criticisms throughout the years. The treatment utilizes a anti-cancer drugs in an attempt to kill off cancer cells, and while proven effective, it does take a toll on the human body and might even harm your brain.

One recent study looked into a phenomenon called “chemo brain.” Most often associated with breast cancer patients, chemo brain is essentially a loss of cognitive abilities that occurs during and sometimes long after chemotherapy. Aside from that, some patients also report to having memory loss right after undergoing treatment.

While chemotherapy does not exactly damage the brain, it has also been found to accelerate its aging process. Researchers are yet to uncover the exact relationship between chemotherapy and the brain’s aging process, but based on the results which saw 45.2 percent of the respondents admitting to poorer cognitive skills, chemotherapy could be more harmful than initially thought.

Some Foods are Bad for Brain Health

Not surprisingly, your diet also plays a huge role in how well your brain works. Eating foods like turmeric, fatty fish and certain vegetables helps promote better memory. Taking a natural supplement that provides ingredients proven to help maintain cognitive health can also help. Of course, there are also several foods you might want to avoid if you want to live with a healthy brain for the rest of your life.

Some of the worst foods for your brain include sugary drinks, refined carbs, foods high in trans fats, processed foods, aspartame, alcoholic beverages and mercury-rich fish. The most common factor these foods share is that they are mostly unnatural. Artificial ingredients and other chemicals are not healthy for the human brain. If you want to avoid these ingredients, then checking a product’s label before making a purchase is a must.

Stress is Bad: Chronic Stress is Worse

It is already well-known that stress can have complications for a person’s physical health — but what it can do to the brain often goes unnoticed. Short periods of stress aren’t usually a major cause of concern, but continuous pressure could lead to long-term health problems.

First off, how does stress affect the brain? According to the Harvard Health Publications of Harvard Medical School, the amygdala sends a distress signal to the hypothalamus after a stressful event. This triggers a person’s fight-or-flight reaction, which results in physical changes such as increased heart rate and more rapid intake of air. During this process, the body also releases a hormone called cortisol to help cope with the energy that was lost.

Although cortisol helps the body recover, it could potentially harm our brain when released in excessive amounts. High cortisol levels could impair brain functions and a person’s sociability. Furthermore, chronic stress can also shrink the prefrontal cortex, the part of the brain that is responsible for memory and learning.

Too Little Social Interaction Negatively Affects Your Brain

People who rarely engage in social interaction with others may be harming their brains as well. Failing to meet one’s physical, mental and social needs could lead to a lack of connection between the mind and body. This, in turn, leads to a host of emotional conditions such as stress, depression and anxiety, which are all harmful to the brain.

Lack of Exercise Is Bad for the Body and Brain

Not only is exercising good for you physically, but it is also good for brain health. It is not enough to live an active lifestyle while you are still young; lack of exercise as you move into middle-age is harmful regardless of your level of physical activity during younger years.

A study from the Boston University School of Medicine showed that inactivity at 40 could be related to a significantly smaller brain size at the age of 60. According to the researchers, inactivity increased the aging process of the brain significantly. However, the researches do admit that the study should be taken with a pinch of salt, as more work needs to be done to further prove the claim. They do admit that there is indeed a correlation between physical activity and brain volume.

The brain is the powerhouse of the human body and is easily one of the most important organs as well. While it may be responsible for all of the things we do, the brain is a very sensitive organ that is affected by various factors and as such, must be cared for intensively. If you take care of your brain properly and manage to avoid the things stated above, you’ll be on track to enjoy optimal brain health well into your golden years.

Negative Effects of Antibiotics Target Bones, Immune System and Brain

Feb 01 by Ewcopywriting

Since their development in the 1940s, antibiotics have been the medical go-to for eradicating and counteracting the effects of bacterial infections. In fact, at one time antibiotics were even viewed as something of a miracle drug that would possibly bring an end to all infection worldwide. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case; although after nearly 80 years doctors frequently prescribe antibiotics to treat a number of conditions, making them nearly as common as aspirin or ibuprofen.

Since the discovery of antibiotics, one problem that has come to attention is the effect that over-prescribing them has on the immune system. Since our immune system is reinforced through the use of antibiotics, infectious bacteria have adapted in response. Stronger strains of bacteria, referred to as “superbugs” in the media, have developed. These superbugs are seemingly immune to the effects of antibiotics. This adaptation makes it harder to treat infections, requiring stronger doses of antibiotics to reap the same benefits.

Antibiotics and Bone Health

Aside from the problems caused by the over-prescription of antibiotics, recent research has uncovered other negative effects of antibiotics — namely in terms of how they affect bone health. The job of antibiotics is to kill bacteria in the cells, which they do by promoting levels of oxidative stress. Earlier this year, a research team operating out of Wyss Institute at Harvard University found that this process can also cause oxidative stress to occur within the cells. While this helps eliminate unwanted bacteria, high levels of oxidative stress also affect the mitochondria in the body. While mitochondria do resemble bacteria, our cells need these tiny organelles to function: Mitochondria are responsible for producing the energy our cells need to thrive, so, as the mitochondria are attacked, cell function is diminished.

In the study, the researchers exposed human cells to three antibiotics: kanamycin, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin. Initially, they observed no change in cell function. However, after just four days, the oxidative stress had already started to damage the DNA within the cells. Particularly disturbing was the ability of this oxidative stress to attack and destroy glutathione, an antioxidant compound known to protect vital cells related to bone health and brain cell growth.

The Negative Effects of Antibiotics on Brain Health

In another study, a German research team wanted to establish the effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics on mice. They found that as the antibiotics were administered, cell growth was inhibited in the hippocampus of the brain. Since the hippocampus controls memory and the functioning of the nervous system, this research suggests that cognitive functioning can be significantly impacted by exposure to antibiotics.

The researchers then subjected the mice to memory tests. Mice who were given antibiotics performed poorly on those tests, confirming that memory is affected by the oxidative stress that antibiotics produce. Additionally, the mice were found to have a lower monocyte count; monocytes are essential weapons that our immune system uses to fight off infection.

The news wasn’t all bad, however. Once the researchers stopped administering the antibiotics, they found that the mice returned to their healthier states. Memory improved and nervous system function returned to normal as the hippocampus began promoting healthier cell growth. While antiobiotics may be necessary to treat some conditions, this research suggests it should be used only sparingly.

Can Probiotics Help Mitigate the Effects of Antibiotics?

In recent years, the discovery of the health benefits of probiotics has changed how we view human health, particularly because of the way in which these compounds can improve gut health. Probiotics are the “good” bacteria that promote a healthy balance of flora in your digestive tract for optimal gut health. While antibiotics can be beneficial due to their effect on dangerous bacteria, they are at the same time detrimental to the good bacteria living in the digestive tract. Eating foods rich in probiotics or taking a high-quality probiotic supplement can help repair the deleterious effects of antibiotics.

Since probiotics affect gut health directly, ingesting probiotic-rich foods has also been found to be beneficial in reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Probiotics may even be effective in treating H. pylori infections, which are bacteria that attack the digestive tract. Left untreated, H. pylori can cause stomach ulcers and cancer to develop. In recent years, maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut has been linked to a healthier heart, better metabolic health, increased brain health, healthy mood, healthier bones and more.

In women, probiotics can help treat and prevent bacterial vaginosis from occurring. This is a condition in which bacteria levels in the vagina become unbalanced and the necessary healthy bacteria is diminished. While we still don’t know what causes BV, both antibiotics and probiotics can help. The problem with antibiotics is that the infection will likely return in the future, which is less common with probiotic treatments. C. difficile is a bacterial infection more commonly found in hospitals and nursing homes, especially following an antibiotic treatment. The toxins produced by this infection can damage the cells in the intestines, which can result in gut inflammation. Probiotics have also proven effective in fighting off C. difficile infections.

Found in a variety of foods, such as yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut and Kimchi, probiotics have been found to treat many health conditions and are suspected in aiding in the treatment of many more illnesses. Because it is often difficult to consume enough probiotics via diet alone, many people opt for a probiotic supplement that combines a variety of probiotic strains — and sometimes even prebiotics — in a single pill or capsule. As we begin to understand more about how antibiotics negatively impact our health, using probiotics to protect the healthy bacteria in the gut may help to mitigate their negative effects.

New Diabetes Research Finds Link to Gut Health and Cognitive Decline

Jan 09 by Ewcopywriting

Diabetes is a serious disease that affects the body’s ability to properly handle glucose, or sugar, in the blood. In type 1 diabetes, the body is unable to produce any insulin — the hormone responsible for ushering sugar from the blood into the cells where it can be used for energy. In type 2 diabetes, the body can make insulin but the cells are unable to properly utilize the insulin. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes result in too-high levels of glucose in the bloodstream. Over time, high levels of sugar in the bloodstream can negatively affect the heart, kidneys, nerves, eyes and more.

Type 1 diabetes, whose exact cause is unknown, is usually acquired at a young age and is irreversible. Type 2 diabetes, however, is often attributed to diet and lifestyle factors and can be reversed in certain cases. Some common symptoms of diabetes include excessive thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, slow wound healing, blurred vision and unintended weight loss. As new diabetes research uncovers links to cognitive decline and gut health, the emphasis falls on preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes.

New Study Looks at a Correlation Between Type 2 Diabetes and Cognitive Decline

Recently, a team of University of Tasmania researchers led by Michele Callisaya conducted a study to find out why cognitive decline is prevalent in people with type 2 diabetes. The project looked at 705 adults between the ages of 55 and 90. The testing included brain size measurements as well as cognition evaluations.

Of the 705 participants, 348 suffered from type 2 diabetes, while 357 exhibited no signs of the illness. MRI scans of all participants were used to measure the ventricular and total brain mass on an effort to link brain atrophy and type 2 diabetes. The level of cognitive functioning was also examined, with testing conducted periodically over the 4.6 years of the study. Ms. Callisaya and her team adjusted the research to account for contributing factors, such as age, gender and health status.

The findings suggested that brain atrophy has no bearing on how diabetes affects cognitive decline. They also found that brain atrophy was similar among those with and without type 2 diabetes. It was noted, however, that the subjects with type 2 diabetes already had more advanced atrophy at the beginning of the study.

This new diabetes research also showed that cognitive decline was affected by diabetes. Specifically, those without diabetes exhibited improved verbal fluency over the course of the study, while the diabetic subjects showed a notable decline. This was a point of concern in the University of Tasmania study, because everyday activities, such as adhering to medication schedules, may be affected. Callisaya concluded that verbal fluency and memory decline gradually over a five year period in people with type 2 diabetes.

New Diabetes Research Suggests Gut Bacteria Affects Diabetes Medication

While we have multiple medications to help treat type 2 diabetes, the effectiveness of those drugs varies from person to person. This means a large number of the 415 million diabetes sufferers may not experience adequate relief from those drugs. Until now, there was no way to know why the effectiveness of the drugs varies to such an extreme degree. Working out of Winston-Salem, Hariom Yadav, Ph.D led a study to see if gut bacteria played a role in altering the effectiveness of diabetes medications.

The possibility of gut bacteria playing a role in how well diabetes medication worked seemed plausible because researchers know from previous studies that an abnormal balance of gut bacteria can be a contributory factor in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, it has been found that drugs taken orally can be ineffective, while the intravenous medications work more often. This is partially due to the fact that drugs taken orally must pass through the gut to work, raising suspicions that something happened in the gut to affect the drugs.

Through testing, the researchers found that they could alter the effectiveness of diabetes medication by manipulating the gut microbiome. Depending on how the microbiome was altered, the effectiveness of the drugs was either improved or reduced. Hariom Yadav concluded that the metabolic capacity of the gut microbiome affected how well the medication was absorbed. It could also alter the nature of the drug, making it more effective, rendering it inert or making it toxic to the patient. While this research did point to a correlation, Mr. Yadav says more research is needed. This field of study is still young, but, with additional research, we may learn more about how gut bacteria affects diabetes medications. This knowledge may even help us treat diabetics more effectively.

Taking Steps to Prevent Diabetes

If you don’t have type 2 diabetes now, it’s important to make sure you’re doing all you can to prevent it. Making just a few lifestyle changes can keep you from developing this disease. Even if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes these same changes may help you to better control your condition.

Get More Exercise

Increasing the amount of physical activity you get on a daily basis can help you prevent diabetes in a number of ways. Since obesity is linked to diabetes, losing weight is an excellent way of preventing the illness. Additionally, regular physical activity lowers blood sugar levels, while also improving your body’s sensitivity to insulin.

Eat More Fiber

You may know that fiber intake is related to heart health, but research shows that it also assists in regulating blood sugar levels. Since fiber helps you feel full for longer, consuming more may also contributes to weight loss.

Eat More Whole Grains

Whole grains also play a big role in diabetes prevention, though we don’t know why as of yet. We do know that people who switch to whole grains exhibit better blood sugar levels. Look for whole grains in breads, cereals, pasta and rice.

Take a Daily Supplement

If you want to get better control over your blood sugar, turning to a supplement may help. It will require choosing a supplement that contains the right ingredients, however. Chromium picolinate, banaba leaf, bitter melon, gymnema, fenugreek and vanadium are all ingredients that have been shown to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels within normal ranges.

Get Better Sleep

Research has also found that poor sleep patterns affect how blood glucose is processed. Looking for ways to resolve sleep disorders can help you protect against developing diabetes. Try relaxation techniques or improving your sleeping quarters to eliminate restlessness.

Diabetes research continues to move forward, uncovering more about how other conditions affect the development of the disease. In the meantime, we can use what we have already learned to help control and prevent the disease. Lifestyle changes and even changing how we take medication can help diabetics live a better quality of life.