Diabetes News You Can Use
SNAP reductions associated with food insecurity
Research findings published in JAMA Health Forum on the impact of ending the COVID-19 pandemic emergency allotments for those participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program suggest that food insecurity increased among 21% of SNAP recipient families, or 2 million Americans. The study, which involved 3 million US households, “shows the severe consequences of reducing SNAP benefit amounts at a time when inflation was causing rapid rises in food prices, and is especially important because of upcoming federal negotiations surrounding SNAP’s renewal in the Farm Bill at the end of September,” lead researcher Dr. Aaron Richterman wrote.
Full Story: HealthDay News (8/13)
Millions may have long COVID brain fog
Inflammation or immune system changes caused by COVID-19 may be behind long-term and sometimes disabling cognitive dysfunction and neurological symptoms in potentially millions of US residents, and little progress has been made in the search for remedies. Research led by neurology professor Gabriel de Erausquin has found that cognitive deficits primarily are linked to memory in older patients, while younger long COVID patients are more likely to have attention and concentration problems.
Full Story: The New York Times (11/13), National Public Radio (11/13)
Data show US life expectancy gap is widening
In 2021, US men’s and women’s life expectancies reached their most divergent levels in nearly three decades, according to data published in JAMA Internal Medicine. That year, women’s life expectancy was 79.3 years and men’s was 73.5, compared to 78.1 for women and 76.3 for men in 2010. Researchers feel the growing gap is due mainly to more men succumbing to SARS-CoV-2 infections and drug overdoses.
Full Story: The New York Times (11/13)
Quitting smoking linked 30-40% lower risk of diabetes
Quitting smoking is associated with a 30-40% reduction in risk of developing diabetes, lower risk of diabetes complications and improved diabetes management, according to a report from the World Health Organization, International Diabetes Federation and the University of Newcastle. The International Diabetes Federation called on governments to create policies to discourage smoking and eliminate smoke from all public places.
Full Story: RTTNews (11/14)
Sleep insufficiency in women tied to insulin resistance
A study in Diabetes Care found women who receive insufficient sleep were more likely to develop insulin resistance. More insulin was needed to normalize glucose levels after a decrease of 90 minutes of sleep over six weeks, with a greater effect seen among post-menopausal women.
Full Story: Medical News Today (11/13)
Many US adults not aware of cholesterol issues
More than 40% of US adults likely do not know they have high cholesterol and are not receiving treatment for it, according to research published in JAMA Cardiology. Investigators looked at two decades of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and found that while more people were aware of their high cholesterol at the end of the study period than at the beginning, recent levels of unawareness were still high, and men, young adults, people without insurance, and members of Hispanic populations were among the most likely to be unaware and untreated.
Full Story: ABC News (11/2)
No effect seen on GDM outcomes from early metformin initiation
Early metformin treatment does not improve fasting hyperglycemia or insulin initiation among patients with gestational diabetes compared with placebo. The findings published in JAMA were based on data from 510 individuals.
Full Story: Endocrinology Advisor (10/31)
Stopping metformin may raise dementia risk in T2D
Research published in JAMA Network Open found that patients with type 2 diabetes who stopped taking metformin early had a 21% greater risk of receiving a dementia diagnosis compared with patients who stayed on the drug. The study examined data from 41,220 patients with diabetes.
Full Story: HealthDay News (10/26)
Intermittent fasting may offer benefits outside weight loss
Intermittent fasting techniques have gained attention as a method to aid weight loss, and experts say they also may offer benefits for diabetes patients. Researchers reported in JAMA Network Open that limiting food consumption to a particular window of time each day may help people with type 2 diabetes manage their blood sugar and lose weight. Dr. Pam Taub, a cardiologist, said the method also may benefit people with issues such as high blood pressure.
Full Story: National Public Radio (10/27)
Benefits of diet, exercise in older adults
A study in JAMA Network Open suggests following a Mediterranean-style diet, along with calorie management and regular exercise, may help reduce belly fat but preserve muscle mass in older adults. The research, which includes more than 1,500 middle-age and older adults with overweight or obesity and metabolic syndrome, provides three-year results of an ongoing eight-year study to see if this dietary pattern may reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Full Story: HealthDay News (10/24)
Diabetes Research Center
Related News
Affiliate Josh Thaler is Senior Author of “Obesity-associated microglial inflammatory activation paradoxically improves glucose tolerance”
Affiliate Joshua Thaler, associate professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition) is senior author of “Obesity-associated microglial inflammatory activation paradoxically improves glucose tolerance” in Cell Metabolism. This article was featured as a Research Highlight in Nature Reviews Endocrinology. To read the article click here.
Affiliate Bessie Young is the 2023 Recipient of the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Paul Beeson Award
Affiliate, Bessie Young, professor (Nephrology) is the 2023 recipient of the Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility Paul Beeson Award. This award is given annually to an activist in the field of health care or health advocacy who has made a substantial contribution to peace, justice, and health in Washington state.
Affiliate David Dicheck Selected to Receive the 2023 ATVB Special Recognition Award in Vascular Biology
Affiliate David Dichek, professor (Cardiology) has been selected to receive the 2023 ATVB Special Recognition Award in Vascular Biology. The Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (ATVB) established the Special Recognition Award in 1981 to recognize council members who have made significant contributions to the council as well as the fields of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology. The award will be presented at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions in November.
Affiliate Michael Schwartz New Research on Neurons that Track and Regulate Blood-sugar Levels
Affiliate Michael Schwartz has new research that has discovered neurons within the brain which detect and respond to changes in the level of sugar within the bloodstream. Understanding how this blood-sugar detection system works and how these neurocircuits operate would give researchers and doctors greater insights into how our brains regulate our blood sugar and, perhaps, how to target them therapeutically to treat metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity, according to the study authors. “We’ve known for a long time that many neurons can detect sugar locally within the brain,” said Dr. Michael Schwartz, professor (Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition) and co-director of the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute. “What is new, however, is the evidence that a subset of neurons located in the hypothalamus can sense and respond to sugar in the bloodstream itself, analogous to the cells in the pancreas that secrete insulin.”
Read the full publication here.
In Remembrance of Daniel Porte Jr.
This past weekend saw the peaceful passing of Daniel Porte, Jr., at the age of 91, in the comfort
of his home and surrounded by family. Dan was a giant in the world of diabetes research and his
legacy lives on in our programs at UW. See the full in memorium here.