People who stay more than a few hours watching television are more likely to develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease, a study whose data have been published in specialized scientific journal Journal of the American Medical Association. The frightening statistics indicate that every day most Europeans spend between 3.5 and 4 hours watching TV, thus putting at risk their health. People watching TV not only in sports, they tend to eat poor quality food in industrial quantities, experts say. The combination of a sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet and obesity is a prerequisite for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. That study is the first of its kind, linking television viewing with health problems, experts remind. In the 2007 report has concluded that time spent watching TV increases blood pressure in obese children. Another study even concluded that overweight children who watch commercials on food tend to consume more calories than double what is necessary. In the new study were analyzed data from 8 large studies, in which participated more than 200,000 people. The conclusion was that for every two hours spent watching television at risk of developing diabetes increased by 20%, cardiovascular risk – 15% and the risk of death – by 13%.
(more…)

The number of adults with diabetes has more than 2 times for a period of 31 years and to date, reaching 347 million people – far more than the expectations of leading experts said on Thursday. And that’s just the official number of people diagnosed with! With the increasing prevalence of diabetes will increase logical and cost of his treatment, experts commented. The data from a study published in the medical journal “Lancet” (The Lancet) by a group of researchers working in collaboration with the World Health Organization estimated the number of diabetics who are far more than previously estimated 285 million people. The announced figures show that of 347 million people with diabetes worldwide, 138 million live in China and India, and another 36 million in the U.S. and Russia. The experts explain the rapid increase in the number suffering from type 2 diabetes – the most common type of diabetes – a rising incidence of obesity and sedentary lifestyle typical of modern society. Another independent factor is the aging population in developed countries. The people with diabetes have high blood sugar can cause serious complications – especially cardiovascular, renal, neurological and eye. Experts believe that high blood sugar and diabetes are the leading cause of death of at least 3 million people a year worldwide and this number will continue to grow until they are implemented adequate measures for screening and diagnosis of people with increased risk of developing this disease.

The daily consumption of spinach and other leafy green vegetables reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, say scientists. The new comprehensive survey on the consumption of fruit and vegetables and their effect on diabetes type 2, was published in the magazine British Medical Journal. The scientists have found that people who consumed daily 150 g spinach and other leafy green vegetables decreased by 14 percent likelihood to develop diabetes compared to those who consumed only 20 grams. The heating method of processing the spinach, however, can significantly reduce its healthy effect. Properly prepared, it must maintain its high content of antioxidants, which protect the body from free radicals. The spinach contains magnesium, which gives its green color. Likely that chemical element contributes to the activation of insulin, a hormone that controls levels of glycogen in the blood. To eat healthy, nutritionists still advised to include in your diet at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, among which pride of place to borrow and spinach.

Of course today is to speak and write more about the importance of stress on health. Studies are exported fresh evidence that excessive pressure does not determine our only bad mood. Can now be considered proven that people under chronic stress are most vulnerable to various diseases – from “innocent” colds to chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes. There are many ways and approaches to reduce the negative impact of stress on our health. One of them is the correct selection of food.
Foods against stress: How It Works
Level of chemical mechanisms are few. For example cup oatmeal raises the levels of serotonin – a hormone that increases the feeling of calmness and relaxation. Other foods does lower the level of adrenaline and cortisol – a stress hormone whose quantity increases in the body during prolonged high level of tension. And last but not least: a well chosen diet helps to counter the effects of stress by strengthening the immune system and lowers blood pressure.
Complex carbohydrates
All carbohydrates increase the production of serotonin. Particularly useful in combating stress are complex carbohydrates that are assimilated more slowly, ie operate for longer. Good choices are whole grain breads and snacks, as already mentioned, and oatmeal. Complex carbohydrates help and a sense of calm and confidence as stabilize blood sugar.
Simple carbohydrates
Dietitians often recommend that you avoid simple carbohydrates like sweets and soda. But in this case those foods in the short term, give quite a good effect on reducing the effects of stress (eg irritability). Digest the simple sugars are rapidly leading to a rapid influx of serotonin.
(more…)

Diabetes is a condition that is usually characterized by an elevated level of sugar (glucose) in blood. One problem is that glucose can interact through the biochemical process (glycation) to tissues in the body, which can damage tissues and lead to complications. Namely glycation is a major cause of the problems associated with diabetes, including nerve damage, loss of eyesight or heart disease. A new study by researchers from the University of Essex in Colchester, United Kingdom shows that there is another potential mechanism that causes complications in diabetes. The results, published in the journal Diabetes showed that patients with diabetes is very characteristic deficiency of vitamin B1 (thiamine). In patients with diabetes by type of first and second levels of vitamin B1 in the blood is reduced by 3 / 4. Low levels of vitamin B1 can be explained by an increase in its loss through the kidneys. Deficiency causes deterioration of appetite, fatigue, muscle aches, paralysis of the arm or leg, difficulty walking, heart failure. Many of these problems are well known complications of diabetes.
(more…)