SUNDAY, March 27 (HealthDay News) -- Smoking is damaging to everyone's health, but the nicotine in cigarettes may be even more deadly for people who have diabetes.
In lab experiments, researchers discovered that nicotine raised blood sugar levels, and the more nicotine that was present, the higher the blood sugar levels were. Higher blood sugar levels are linked to an increased risk of complications from diabetes, such as eye and kidney disease.
"Smoking is really harmful for diabetics. It's even more harmful to them than to a non-diabetic," said study author Xiao-Chuan Liu, an associate professor in the department of chemistry at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona. "This study should encourage diabetics to quit smoking completely, and to realize that it's the nicotine that's raising [blood sugar levels]."
For that reason, it's also important to limit the use of nicotine replacement products, such as nicotine patches, Liu said.
"If you're using them for a short period of time to quit smoking, that's OK. But, if you still have this addiction to nicotine and are using this product long-term, it will do harm. Don't use electronic cigarettes or nicotine gum for a long time. You need to stop nicotine intake," he advised.
Liu is scheduled to present his findings Sunday at an American Chemical Society meeting in Anaheim, Calif.
It was already well-established that smoking increased the risk of problems in people with diabetes, Liu said. What hasn't been clear, he said, is if there is a specfic component of cigarettes that increases the risk.
To test whether or not nicotine, an addictive substance found in cigarette smoke, contributed to higher blood sugar levels, Liu and his colleagues added equal amounts of glucose (sugar) to samples of human red blood cells. They also added varying levels of nicotine to each sample of red blood cells for either one day or two days.
They then tested the hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) levels of the samples. HbA1C is a measure of what percentage of red blood cells have glucose molecules attached to them. In diabetes management, the HbA1C -- sometimes referred to just as A1C -- test gives doctors an idea of average blood sugar levels for the past three months or so. Most people with diabetes strive for a level of 7 percent or less, based on American Diabetes Association guidelines.
The researchers found that nicotine raised HbA1C. The smallest dose increased HbA1C levels by 8.8 percent. The highest dose -- after two days of nicotine treatment -- increased blood sugar levels by 34.5 percent.
"Nicotine is a toxic substance, and our results show that nicotine caused an increase in HbA1C," said Liu. "This is important for the public to know, and for smokers to know. It's not just the cigarette smoke. If you think you can just use a nicotine replacement product indefinitely, there's still a risk, and your chances of getting complications will be a lot higher," he cautioned.
Dr. Joel Zonszein, director of the Clinical Diabetes Center at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, said that the researchers showed that nicotine can significantly raise A1C levels in the lab, but it's important to also know if it does so in the body.
But whether or not nicotine is the specific reason that blood sugar levels are higher in smokers, he said, "Everybody -- whether they have diabetes or not -- should stop smoking. Patients with diabetes already have a much higher risk of cardiovascular disease, and smoking adds to that."
He said that using nicotine replacement products for a month or two is fine. "If nicotine replacement is used for a short period of time with smoking cessation as the goal, there's no risk. But it's not OK if someone plans to replace smoking with nicotine replacement products indefinitely," said Zonszein.
Showing posts with label body shapes and diabetes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label body shapes and diabetes. Show all posts
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
How Body Shape Affects Diabetes Risk
Where do you carry your excess fat? The answer may have implications for your type 2 diabetes risk.
Apple or pear? The question may imply a healthy snack — or an important distinction between body shapes that affects type 2 diabetes risk.
In general, people whose fat collects on their abdomen — making them resemble apples over time — are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes. But the good news is, you can escape your shape.
Being overweight is a significant risk factor for diabetes, no matter your shape. “Patients who have a higher body mass index have a higher risk [of diabetes],” says Danny Sam, MD, an internal medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, Calif., who specializes in the treatment of adult diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by comparing weight and height.
But while any overweight person is at increased risk for diabetes, those who carry a lot of that extra weight over the belly are at particular risk. The apple shape not only predisposes you to diabetes but to poor heart health as well.
Identifying Your Type 2 Diabetes Body Type
Body shapes determined by fat deposits seem to predict your type 2 diabetes risk. It may be helpful to know the terms for the body shape categories:
Apple. People whose fat collects around their waistline may end up looking more like apples than any other fruit. This body type is also called “android” and the fat collection is sometimes referred to as “central adiposity.”Pear. In women especially, fat can be drawn to the buttocks and thighs. The good news is that this type of fat distribution is less likely than abdominal fat to lead to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. This is also called the “gynecoid” body shape or “gluteo-femoral” fat.Overall. Some people collect fat everywhere at a fairly even rate. But because being overweight or obese, regardless of your body shape, increases type 2 diabetes risk over being normal weight, the fact that you don’t fall into either apple or pear shape doesn’t completely let you off the hook when it comes to preventing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions.
Measure Your Waist
Some people can tell by sight if they are apple- or pear-shaped. But if your risk of diabetes isn’t clear from a glance in the mirror, there is one important measurement that can help you determine your risk of diabetes and heart disease: your waist. If you are a woman and your waistline is greater than 35 inches, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. For a man, the magic number is 40 inches. If your tape measure reveals you are at or above these numbers, it’s time for a little waist whittling.
Escape Your Shape
The good news is that your body shape is not your disease destiny. There is one way to reduce your type 2 diabetes risk: weight loss to maintain a healthy body weight.
Here are the steps you can take:
Be physically active. Sam emphasizes that physical activity has been shown to help prevent diabetes and will help you control your weight. Mix up your activities to include both aerobic activities, such as walking or swimming, and some weight training or core-strengthening so you get overall slimming benefits.Watch your weight. If you already know you are an apple or a pear, chances are you are also overweight. Getting back to a normal weight and staying there is your best bet for staving off diabetes. If you are having a hard time figuring out what your goal weight should be, talk to your doctor.Eat a healthy diet. A nutritious, varied diet full of lean protein, whole grain, fruits, and veggies is your best bet for long-term health. If you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes already, you must also control your blood sugar. Aim for low-fat menu planning as well, if you want to whittle down your waist. If the body shape you see in the mirror seems riskier than you want it to be, don’t despair. With some work you can beat your diabetes risk — while feeling and looking healthier.
Apple or pear? The question may imply a healthy snack — or an important distinction between body shapes that affects type 2 diabetes risk.
In general, people whose fat collects on their abdomen — making them resemble apples over time — are at greater risk for type 2 diabetes. But the good news is, you can escape your shape.
Being overweight is a significant risk factor for diabetes, no matter your shape. “Patients who have a higher body mass index have a higher risk [of diabetes],” says Danny Sam, MD, an internal medicine physician with Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, Calif., who specializes in the treatment of adult diabetes. Body mass index (BMI) is calculated by comparing weight and height.
But while any overweight person is at increased risk for diabetes, those who carry a lot of that extra weight over the belly are at particular risk. The apple shape not only predisposes you to diabetes but to poor heart health as well.
Identifying Your Type 2 Diabetes Body Type
Body shapes determined by fat deposits seem to predict your type 2 diabetes risk. It may be helpful to know the terms for the body shape categories:
Apple. People whose fat collects around their waistline may end up looking more like apples than any other fruit. This body type is also called “android” and the fat collection is sometimes referred to as “central adiposity.”Pear. In women especially, fat can be drawn to the buttocks and thighs. The good news is that this type of fat distribution is less likely than abdominal fat to lead to insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. This is also called the “gynecoid” body shape or “gluteo-femoral” fat.Overall. Some people collect fat everywhere at a fairly even rate. But because being overweight or obese, regardless of your body shape, increases type 2 diabetes risk over being normal weight, the fact that you don’t fall into either apple or pear shape doesn’t completely let you off the hook when it comes to preventing type 2 diabetes and other chronic health conditions.
Measure Your Waist
Some people can tell by sight if they are apple- or pear-shaped. But if your risk of diabetes isn’t clear from a glance in the mirror, there is one important measurement that can help you determine your risk of diabetes and heart disease: your waist. If you are a woman and your waistline is greater than 35 inches, you are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. For a man, the magic number is 40 inches. If your tape measure reveals you are at or above these numbers, it’s time for a little waist whittling.
Escape Your Shape
The good news is that your body shape is not your disease destiny. There is one way to reduce your type 2 diabetes risk: weight loss to maintain a healthy body weight.
Here are the steps you can take:
Be physically active. Sam emphasizes that physical activity has been shown to help prevent diabetes and will help you control your weight. Mix up your activities to include both aerobic activities, such as walking or swimming, and some weight training or core-strengthening so you get overall slimming benefits.Watch your weight. If you already know you are an apple or a pear, chances are you are also overweight. Getting back to a normal weight and staying there is your best bet for staving off diabetes. If you are having a hard time figuring out what your goal weight should be, talk to your doctor.Eat a healthy diet. A nutritious, varied diet full of lean protein, whole grain, fruits, and veggies is your best bet for long-term health. If you are pre-diabetic or have diabetes already, you must also control your blood sugar. Aim for low-fat menu planning as well, if you want to whittle down your waist. If the body shape you see in the mirror seems riskier than you want it to be, don’t despair. With some work you can beat your diabetes risk — while feeling and looking healthier.
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