Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Elevated blood sugar associated with increased risk of cancer

A recently published study has linked an abnormal blood sugar metabolism to an elevated level of cancer risk in women. Dr. Stattin and his associates from the Umea University Hospital in Sweden have found that elevated blood sugar, a condition known as hyperglycemia, was linked with an overall increased risk of cancer in men and women. Close to 2,500 incidents of cancer in 33,000 females and 31, 000 males were evaluated. Fasting plasma glucose concentrations were evaluated as well. The researchers found that the overall risk of cancer increased in females and males with elevated fasting and after-meal blood glucose levels. The increase was about 1.75 which is equivalent to a 75% positive increase. High fasting glucose level was specifically associated with increased risk of pancreatic, urinary tract and uterus cancer. It was linked to increased risk of malignant melanoma as well. Prostate cancer was not found to be linked to elevated glucose levels.

This study was published in the “Diabetic Journal”. The conclusion of this study was that not only obese patients, but also patients who have normal and slightly elevated weight should eat more fiber and less refined carbohydrates and perform more physical activities in order to diminish the risk of cancer and diabetes.

ABCVitaminsLife suggests that the Diabetes Type 2 mellitus complex may decrease the risk of developing the above described conditions. It should be considered for patients who are in the pre-diabetic phase, as well as those with diabetes.

Fiber and magnesium may help prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus

On May 14, 2007, the “Journal of Archives of Internal Medicine” published a study analyzing fiber and magnesium intake and the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus. In this longitudinal, cohort study over 9,000 men and over 15,000 women between 35 and 65 years of age were observed for the incidental development of type II diabetes mellitus from 1994 to 2005. Intake of magnesium and fiber was evaluated by a Frequency Questionnaire. In addition, data acquired from Pub Med were evaluated. There were nine fiber studies and eight magnesium studies included in this review. From one year follow-up records of 176,000 people, 844 cases of type II diabetes mellitus were recorded. Higher fiber intake from cereal was associated with the decreased risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus. There was not a significant association between vegetable and fruit intake and diabetes risk. An analysis of magnesium intake and diabetes revealed significantly decreased chances of developing type II diabetes mellitus with higher magnesium intake.

The conclusions of this review were that higher fiber intake from cereal and magnesium intake from various sources may decrease the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus.

Metabolic syndrome x accelerates the development of type ii diabetes mellitus

Metabolic Syndrome X in young adults has been demonstrated to be strongly associated with the development of Type II diabetes mellitus. The recently published CARDIA study, which stands for coronary artery disease development in young adults, showed that over 30% of young adults with Metabolic Syndrome X had developed type II diabetes mellitus within fifteen years of the start of the study. After twenty years, the percent increased up to 38.7%. According to Professor Kiang Liu, Ph.D., “due to the obesity epidemic, the Metabolic Syndrome X is very prevalent in the United States.”

High fasting glucose, increased risk of developing high blood pressure, decreased level of HDL cholesterol and elevated levels of fasting insulin are all independently linked with the long-term incidence of type II diabetes mellitus. The CARDIA study was a multi-center study sponsored by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. It included over 4,000 black and white males and females without diabetes from age 18 to 30. Professor Liu had examined the relationship between baseline Metabolic Syndrome X and Type II diabetes mellitus following a ten, fifteen and twenty year interval. The study was conducted in four medical centers.

After a twenty year follow-up, the probability of developing Type II diabetes mellitus among the participants who had Metabolic Syndrome X was more than 25 in 1000 people per year compared to 3.2 in 1000 people per year for participants who did not have Metabolic Syndrome X. In other words, young adults having Metabolic Syndrome X were found to have eight times more of a chance to develop type II diabetes mellitus. It was found that the risk was highest for white and black men and black women and was relatively lower, but still higher than normal, among white females. Ethnic- and gender-specific incidence rates were 31.8 for Caucasian men, 28.9 for African-American men, 30.2 for African-American females and 8.8 for Caucasian females in 1000 people per year.

Professor Liu has concluded that Metabolic Syndrome X in a young adult is strongly linked with the development of type II diabetes mellitus in the early middle age. To avoid the epidemic of type II diabetes mellitus, efforts should be made to prevent Metabolic Syndrome X early.

There are a number of nutritional supplements which have been proven to decrease the chances to develop type II diabetes mellitus and improve Metabolic Syndrome X.