Type 2 diabetes rates are on the up, and there is real concern within the medical community that we are seeing something of a ‘diabesity’ epidemic that has considerable personal and social consequences. The usual focus regarding the prevention of type 2 diabetes is ‘diet and exercise’. But, other less well-recognised factors appear to influence […]
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Article questions the validity of labelling and treating people with ‘pre-diabetes’
Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterised by raised levels of glucose in the bloodstream, and its diagnosis is generally made when blood glucose levels are higher than 11.1 mmol/l (200 mg/dL) 2 hours after a oral glucose load (of 75 g). However, blood sugar control is a spectrum: between what are thought to be […]
Low-carbohydrate diet shown to have considerable potential to protect against type 2 diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterised by generally elevated levels of blood sugar (glucose), usually as a result of ‘insulin resistance’ (insulin not doing its blood sugar-lowering job very well). Between a state of health and type 2 diabetes, the medical profession has defined a state known as ‘impaired glucose tolerance’ (IGT). Here, insulin […]
If Diabetes UK wants to help diabetics, I suggest it stops recommending a diet that I think is utterly unsuitable for diabetics
By Dr John Briffa on 9 May 2014 in Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Food and Medical Politics, Healthy Eating, Unhealthy Eating!
Britain’s biggest diabetes charity, Diabetes UK, this week accused the NHS (the state run and funded medical care system in the UK) of “failing to learn from clear evidence that interventions to improve diabetes care can save the NHS money as well as give people with diabetes longer and healthier lives…” In its statement, Diabetes […]
Does drinking coffee help protect against developing type 2 diabetes?
I read an interesting study this week that examined the relationship between changes in coffee and tea consumption and risk of developing type 2 diabetes over a 4-year period [1]. The authors found no association between tea consumption and diabetes risk, but it was a different story for coffee: increasing coffee consumption was associated with […]
Study suggests that cutting back on sugar and starch may preserve mental functioning as we age
By Dr John Briffa on 25 October 2013 in Brain and Behaviour, Cholesterol and Statins, Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Low-Carbohydrate
I suspect many individuals dread the idea of losing their mental faculties as they age. I think nutrition probably plays a very important role in how well the brain ages and how well its functioning is preserved. This week saw the on-line publication of a study that suggests that a key factor here may be […]
Why does adding ‘calorific’ nuts to the diet not usually cause weight gain?
By Dr John Briffa on 11 October 2013 in Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Healthy Eating, Low-Carbohydrate, Weight Loss
Much of our thinking about weight control has been dictated by the calorie principle – the idea that our body weight is determined by the balance of calories taken into and burned by our bodies. Within this overarching concept, calorific foods tend not to be favoured. One food that falls foul here is nuts. Just […]
New study suggests specific phasing of food can help women with PCOS
By Dr John Briffa on 15 August 2013 in Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Low-Carbohydrate, Women's Health
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterised by multiple cysts in the ovaries which can impair ovulation and therefore fertility. One common feature of the condition is raised levels of the ‘male’ hormone testosterone, which can lead to ‘masculinising’ side effects such as ‘hirsutism’ (abnormal, excessive hair growth), scalp hair loss, and acne. Another […]
What is the ‘Fat Information Service’ up to? Part 2
By Dr John Briffa on 23 July 2013 in Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Food and Medical Politics, Healthy Eating, Unhealthy Eating!
Last week I wrote about the Unilever-funded Fat Information Service and the claim on its website that “The evidence shows clearly that the risk of developing heart disease is reduced when saturated fats are replaced with unsaturated fats.” The claim was made by dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton, and to support her claim she referenced a […]
Massive diabetes study seems to completely sidestep the issue of carbohydrate in the diet
By Dr John Briffa on 26 June 2013 in Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome, Food and Medical Politics, Weight Loss
Type 2 diabetes is a condition characterised by generally raised levels of sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream. One of the issues here is the ability of glucose to bind to and damage proteins in the body (glycation), which can increase the risk of a range of complications including nerve damage, eye damage, kidney disease and […]
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