Tag Archives: diet

Exercise and Weight Loss Good for Diabetes

With the New Year now here, it is a great time to consider resolutions for exercise and weight loss for 2018.

A small study published in 2015 shows some of the benefits of exercise and weight loss, even over a short period of time. In this study, completed at the University of Vermont, patients were enrolled that had recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. These patients were typical of what is seen in a primary care setting, with HbA1c readings between 6.5-8.0%, and BMI from 27-40 Kg/M2. 

The patients engaged in exercise 5-6 days each week, including walking and supervised exercise. In addition, participants engaged in weekly group counseling sessions led by a registered dietician. It is important to note that participants were not on diabetes medications during the six month study.

At completion of the six month study, the majority of the participants went into at least partial remission of their diabetes, with the mean HbA1c dropping from 6.8 to 6.2, while one individual achieved what was termed a “total remission” with an HbA1c=5.6%. Mean weight loss amongst the group was 21+ pounds, and peak aerobic activity increased by 18%. Other cardiac risk factors such as CRP, fasting insulin and triglyceride levels all improved. Women made up the majority of those enrolled.

This study shows what is possible with directed efforts towards diet and exercise modifications. The authors suggest that no medication similarly used in this patient population would have provided such “broad reaching preventative efforts”, and perhaps that is true.

To be sure, this was a small study with only 12 patients enrolled and ten who completed. However, given the robust results, a more extensive study certainly seems warranted. Particularly for those patients who are very early in their diabetes disease process a diet and exercise regimen seems worthy of consideration. Combined with medication when appropriate, this intervention would likely yield even more profound results.

(Source- Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention, Vol 35(3), May/June 2015)

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.

Walnuts. Good for the Brain.

Walnuts3

“The brain is wider than the sky”.

Emily Dickinson

This is the third in a series of three blog posts detailing recent research on walnuts, in honor of National Walnut Day. This post will look at research from UCLA, which examined the association between walnut consumption and cognitive function in adults.

In particular, the researchers looked at data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The NHANES was designed to be a representative sample of the U.S. population, ages 20 to 90.

A group of participants who ate walnuts and other nuts were compared to a group who did not eat nuts. Adults ages 20-59 completed the simple reaction time test, the simple digit learning test, and the symbol digit substitution test. Adults ages 60 and over were administered the story recall test or the digital symbol substitution test.

Results from the study showed that walnut consumption had a positive association with cognitive functions in both the 20-59 year old participants, as well as those ages 60 and older.

This interesting study adds to the growing  body of evidence in support of the health benefits of walnuts.

(Source- Journal of Nutrition and Health Aging, Volume 19, Number 3, 2015)

This blog is a review of medical and scientific literature, and should only be used for informational purposes. It does not constitute medical or health advice, nor does it create a physician-patient relationship with anyone. Discuss any health concerns with your personal physician.