Low-glycemic diet seen to reverse diastolic dysfunction of diabetes

Vienna, Austria - A diet that was short on carbohydrates and long on protein, given to diabetic patients engaged in a supervised exercise and weight-loss program, appeared not only to cut proinsulin levels and postprandial glucose and triglyceride levels, it seemed to improve LV diastolic function [1].

In the study that compared the "low-carb" diet to a traditionally recommended low-fat diet, the one designed to flatten out resulting insulin and glucose curves also allowed them to take far fewer oral diabetes medications and apparently cut both systolic and diastolic pressures. The low-fat diet had no apparent effect on diastolic function or med use or on blood pressures.

Prof Helene von Bibra

On the other hand, the two diets led to about the same declines in weight and waist circumference and lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, reported Prof Helene von Bibra (Technical University Munich, Germany) here at the Prediabetes and the Metabolic Syndrome 2013 Congress.

Many patients with insulin resistance, diabetes, or both have subclinical diastolic dysfunction, with severe prognostic implications if it becomes symptomatic, von Bibra reminded heartwire. About 65% of the 32 patients in the study had abnormal diastolic function as defined echocardiographically by low early diastolic myocardial velocity. That measure in most cases nearly normalized after the low-carb diet, but not after the low-fat diet, she said.

Of 32 overweight or obese diabetic patients (mean body-mass index, 34) without cardiac disease who were engaged in a "rehabilitation program in order to lose weight" that included two hours of supervised aerobic exercise per day, half followed a low-glycemic diet (25% carbohydrate, 45% fat, 30% protein) and the other half a low-fat diet (55% carbohydrate, 25% fat, and 20% protein) for three weeks. The diets provided the same amount of calories. Those on the low-fat diet then switched to the low-glycemic diet for an additional two weeks. Cardiac function by echo and metabolic parameters were assessed daily before and after a 400-kcal breakfast.

From baseline to three weeks, patients on the low-carb diet reduced their use of conventional oral antidiabetic medication by 86%. Those on the low-fat diet reduced them by only 6% by the end of three weeks, but intake went down another 57% by the end of their two-week low-glycemic diet phase. "And still they had improvements in glucose," von Bibra said. Medications other than oral ones for diabetes, such as antihypertensive drugs, were not changed in anyone during the study.

Laboratory and echo changes in overweight/obese diabetic patients assigned to low-glycemic (n=16) and low-fat (n=16) diets

Initial assigned diet	Baseline	3 wk	2 wk after crossover to low-carb	p
Low-glycemic
Triglycerides (mg/dL)	150	111	—	<0 .005="" br="">
Postprandial glucose (mg/dL)	141	125	—	<0 .04="" br="">
E' (cm/s)	9.5	10.4	—	<0 .03="" br="">
Low-fat
Triglycerides (mg/dL)	208	194	138	<0 .003="" 3="" baseline="" br="" vs="" wk="">
Postprandial glucose (mg/dL)	168	137	127	<0 .008="" baseline="" br="" vs="">
E' (cm/s)	10.8	10.7	11.4	<0 .02="" 3="" br="" vs="" wk="">

E'=early diastolic myocardial velocity by tissue-Doppler echocardiography

The gains in diastolic function probably were not independently related to the associated blood-pressure reductions; rather, she proposed, they reflected improvements in myocardial energy utilization on the low-glycemic diet. Insulin resistance can lead to diastolic dysfunction via several pathways, she noted, but the most prominent seems to be myocardial energy deficiency secondary to microvascular dysregulation and mitochondrial imbalances of glucose vs fat oxidation.

APRIL 22, 2013 Steve Stiles

Eye Tips for Teenagers

Exercise

Our eyes need good blood circulation and oxygen intake, and both are stimulated by regular exercise. Regular exercise also helps keep our weight in the normal range, which reduces the risk of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. Remember to use sun safety and protective eye wear when enjoying sports and recreation.

No Smoking

Avoiding smoking, or quitting, is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health. Even though old age seems a long way off, smoking as a teenager can increase your risks for cataracts as well as for cardiovascular diseases that indirectly influence our eyes’ health. Smoking increases the risk of severe vision loss people with other eye diseases as well. 

Decorative Contact Lenses

Decorative contact lenses, including circle lenses, are a potentially dangerous trend among teenagers and young adults. These cosmetic lenses are designed to change the appearance or color of the eye. These decorative lenses can be bought in stores and online without a prescription.

Buying any decorative contact lenses, including circle lenses, without a prescription is hazardous to your eye health. Pain and swelling are frequently caused by improperly fitted, over-the-counter lenses. More serious problems can include corneal abrasions and blinding contact lens-related infections. All contact lenses are medical devices that require a prescription, proper fitting by an eye care professional and a commitment to proper contact lens care by the wearer.

Info - courtesy of EyeSmart

Diabetes Control and Eye Exams

The occurrence of Diabetes is rapidly increasing in the United States. It has been estimated that there will be more than 30 Million diabetics in the U.S. by 2030, and there are presently 23 Million. In addition, another 57 million people are considered to have prediabetes, meaning that their blood sugar is not normal but not quite abnormal enough to make a diagnosis. Diabetes has many complications associated with it like increased heart disease, stroke risk, and a loss of sensation in your limbs causing difficulty walking. Here at Skyvision, of course, we are engaged every day in the fight against blindness caused by Diabetes.

Diabetes remains a major cause of blindness in all age groups. Diabetic retinopathy consists of abnormal blood vessels which occur where they do not belong. In time these blood vessels can leak causing swelling. The also break and bleed, sometimes filling the eye up with blood. The bleeding often causes a kind of scarring which can lead to a retinal detachment. The most effective treatment is to PREVENT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY from ever happening. Once it occurs, the treatment of all types of diabetic retinopathy is much more successful if it starts early.

Do you have diabetes? If so, what can you do to prevent yourself from going blind? There are two well-studied things you should do. First, and this is really easy, make sure you have an eye exam every year. This exam should include eyedrops that dilate your pupil. Your eye doctor should then explain any findings, and a letter should be sent to your diabetes doctor.

The other thing you can do is keep your diabetes under control! The measurements that are the most important are your morning fasting sugar level, and your Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The safest levels according to the most recent research are a fasting sugar of 100 or below, and an HbA1c or 6.0 or lower. Your risk of diabetic retinopathy goes up by a factor of 2.5--it more than doubles--if your fasting sugars are over 108. The same holds true for your HbA1c: your risk more than doubles with a value of 6.5 rather than 6.0.

Do you have diabetes? Get an annual eye exam. Know your morning fasting sugar levels. Ask your doctor what your Hemoglobin A1c is. You CAN prevent diabetic retinopathy!