Friday, January 10, 2014

Breakthrough for type-2 diabetes:

Breakthrough for type-2 diabetes: Indian-origin scientist :- 
If a single gene is not functioning properly, insulin is not released into the bloodstream to regulate blood sugar levels – leading to type 2 diabetes, claims a scientist of Indian origin.


A research team led by  professor and head of microbiology and immunology at University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, found that dysfunction in a single gene called MADD in mice causes fasting hyperglycemia – one of the major symptoms of type 2 diabetes.

In a healthy person, beta cells in the pancreas secrete the hormone insulin in response to increases in blood glucose after eating. Prabhakar isolated several genes from human beta cells, including MADD, which is also involved in certain cancers.

“Small genetic variations found among thousands of human subjects revealed that a mutation in MADD was strongly associated with type 2 diabetes. People with this mutation had high blood glucose and problems of insulin secretion – the hallmarks of type 2 diabetes,” said Prabhakar.

To study the role of MADD in diabetes, Prabhakar and his team developed a mouse model in which the MADD gene was deleted from the insulin-producing beta cells.

All such mice had elevated blood glucose levels, which the researchers found was due to insufficient release of insulin.

“We didn’t see any insulin resistance in their cells, but it was clear that the beta cells were not functioning properly,” said the study reported online in the journal Diabetes.

“The cells were producing plenty of insulin, they just weren’t secreting it,” it added.

Prabhakar now hopes to investigate the effect of a drug that allows for the secretion of insulin in MADD-deficient beta cells.

“If this drug works to reverse the deficits associated with a defective MADD gene in the beta cells of our model mice, it may have potential for treating people with this mutation who have an insulin-secretion defect and/or type 2 diabetes,” he said. 

http://www.theindianrepublic.com/lifestyle/health/breakthrough-type-2-diabetes-indian-origin-scientist-100020205.html

Friday, January 4, 2013

Health Dips


8 Foods
that Keep You Fuller Longer !!!

Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Filling Foods 
Has your stomach ever growled in anticipation of lunch,
 even though you just ate breakfast ???
 At some point, we've all fallen victim to an unexplained raging appetite,
 which can lead to eating snacks that are high in calories,
 sugar and fat-and, of course,
 weight gain.
But instead of popping pills that'll supposedly curb hunger,
 turn to something surprising: food. It sounds contradictory,
but eating can actually suppress your appetite-as long as you
 choose the right foods.
Try one of these extra-satisfying eats to keep your appetite in check.
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Eggs
There's a reason people are clucking about eggs lately. A recent study from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA, found that overweight people who ate eggs for breakfast take longer to get hungry later. The research participants had lower levels of ghrelin, an appetite-stimulating hormone that tells the brain to eat, and higher levels of PPY, a hormone that helps stomachs feel full. "Eggs are a perfect combination of protein and fat, so they're more satisfying than other breakfast foods," says Julie Kaye, MPH, RD, CDN, a registered dietitian in New York City. Worried about cholesterol ??? Don't be.
"Despite the high content in yolks, eggs aren't the main culprit in raising blood cholesterol," explains Kaye.
If you're still concerned, try liquid egg whites,
which also contain protein and can stave off hunger.
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Avocados The green, creamy flesh of an avocado isn't just tasty-it's also filled with fiber and heart-healthy monounsaturated fat.
 In other words, avocados might be the perfect fill-you-up food. "Foods high in fiber and rich in fat take longer to digest,
 allowing you to experience less overall hunger-and possibly take in fewer calories," says Erin Palinski, RD, CDE, LDN, CPT,
author of the forthcoming Belly Fat Diet for Dummies.
Research also shows that avocados' oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, tells your brain that your stomach is full. Just remember that, nutritious as they are, avocados are high in calories-stick to snacking on half the fruit (about 140 calories) each time.
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Legumes
A serving of beans, lentils,
 chickpeas or even peanuts delivers the right feel-full combo of lean protein,
complex carbs and good fats. According to Julie McGinnis, MS, RD, a registered dietitian,
certified herbalist and owner of The Gluten Free Bistro in Boulder, CO, research has shown that this trio can keep blood sugar stable.
 "And stable blood sugar means getting a full feeling-and keeping it," she says. 
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Cayenne Pepper 
This potent spice is a proven appetite suppressant. 
Researchers from Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, found that people who added half a teaspoon of the red pepper to a meal
ate 60 fewer calories at their next meal. Bonus:
Sprinkling half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper over some food
can cause your body to burn an extra 10 calories. Ay, caramba !!! 
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Water
There are lots of reasons to raise your glass for water.
 H2O is critical for keeping organs, joints, tissues
 and the digestive system functioning well,
but it can also curb hunger,
says Elizabeth DeRobertis, MS, RD, CDN, CDE,
a registered dietitian in Harrison, NY. In fact, one study showed that participants who drank two cups of water
 before a meal ate 75 - 90 fewer calories than people
who drank no water at all. 

Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Greek Yogurt
Rich in calcium and low in sugar,
 Greek yogurt is protein-packed-a typical six-ounce
serving has 15 - 20 grams,
which is twice the amount in regular yogurt
and about the same as in a piece of lean meat.
 "The protein in foods is one of the main factors in feeling satisfied," says Kaye.
"Protein-rich foods also contain some fat in varying amounts,
which also keeps you full for a longer period."
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Soup
Eat more soup,
 experience fewer cravings ???
Absolutely,
 according to recent research from Pennsylvania State University.
In the study,
women who ate a serving of low-calorie chicken and rice soup as a morning snack (don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) ate 100 fewer calories at lunch than women who started their day with chicken-and-rice casserole.
 You can thank soup's high water content for that full feeling-though the fiber-filled veggies and hot temperature don't hurt (dietitians say that sipping warm liquids can curb your appetite). Make sure to slurp broth-based soups,
 not creamy ones,
which can be fatty and highly caloric,
says DeRobertis.
Fun & Info @ Keralites.net
Almonds
All nuts have heart-healthy fats,
but almonds contain the most fiber per serving, which can keep you fuller,
longer. "Eating about 15 almonds between lunch and dinner can stave off that 4 P.M. energy dip,
 helping you avoid those cookies in the break room," says Kaye. Interestingly,
one study suggested that our bodies may not absorb all of the fat in almonds,
which might lead to an overall lower calorie intake when eating them. Still,
don't overload on these snacks.
"Eating too many almonds spoils your appetite for your next meal and contributes significant calories to your daily intake," says Kaye.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Nails and Health

Read the Signs 

Did you know your nails can reveal clues to
your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some
rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the
liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails. Keep reading to
learn what secrets your nails might reveal.

Pale Nails

Very pale nails are sometimes linked to
aging. But they can also be a sign of serious illness, such as:

· Anemia

· Congestive heart failure

· Diabetes
· Liver disease

· Malnutrition
 

White Nails

If the nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver
problems, such as hepatitis. In this image, you can see the fingers are
also jaundiced, another sign of liver trouble.

Yellow Nails

One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal
infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and
nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate
a more serious condition such as severe thyroid disease or psoriasis

Bluish Nails



Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isnt getting
enough oxygen. This could indicate an infection in the lungs, such as
pneumonia.

Rippled Nails

If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an
early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Psoriasis is a skin
condition that starts in the nails 10% of the time.

Cracked or Split Nails

Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack
or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting
combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection



 
Puffy Nail Fold

If the skin around the nail appears red
and puffy, this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It may be
the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder.

Dark Lines Beneath the Nail



Dark lines beneath the nail should be
investigated as soon as possible. They are sometimes caused by
melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.

Gnawed Nails

Biting your nails may be nothing more than
an old habit, but in some cases its a sign of persistent anxiety that
could benefit from treatment. Nail biting or picking has also been
linked to obsessive-compulsiv e disorder. If you cant stop, its worth
discussing with your doctor.

Nails Are Only Part of the Puzzle




Though nail changes accompany many
conditions, these changes are rarely the first sign. And many nail
abnormalities are harmless -- not everyone with white nails has
hepatitis. If youre concerned about the appearance of your nails, see
a skin doctor dermatologist or a Physician.

Thanks Yahoo.....


Saturday, January 7, 2012

Awareness

Brain power can decline from age 45: study
 
Cognitive skill scan start to fall from the age of 45, not from around the age of 60 as is commonly thought, according to research published on Friday by the British Medical Journal (BMJ).
Researchers led by Archana Singh-Manoux from the Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health in France and University College London observed 5,198 men and 2,192 women over a 10-year period from 1997.

 
The volunteers were London civil servants aged between 45 and 70 who had been enrolled in a long-term health study.
Over the 10 years, the participants were tested three times -- for memory, vocabulary, and skills in aural and visual comprehension.
During this time, there was a 3.6-percent decline in mental reasoning in men aged 45-49 and a 9.6-percent fall in those aged 65-70. The corresponding figures for women were 3.6 and 7.4 percent.
"Cognitive decline is already evident in middle age," says the paper, which defines this as the years from 45 to 49.
The findings should spur further research into spotting and braking cognitive deterioration, the authors hope.
Many societies face an "exponential increase" in the number of elderly people as a result of increases in life expectancy, they note.

 
"These changes are likely to have a profound influence on individuals' lives and society at large. Poor cognitive status is perhaps the single most disabling condition in old age."
Thanks & Regards,  (courtesyto AFP, yahoo)