💊 Type 2 diabetes & medications: How low-carb diet can help keep meds away

People with type 2 diabetes have compromised insulin production in response to blood sugar, in part due to eating too many carbs.

Insulin insufficiency (pancreatic beta-cell failure) and insulin resistance (insulin not working in target cells, like muscles) are responsible for the development and progression of type 2 diabetes.

This study shows that people with type 2 diabetes on a low-carb diet for 12 weeks can recover their beta-cells function and improve insulin release in the bloodstream, an outcome that cannot be achieved with medication.

Therefore, people with mild type 2 diabetes who reduce their carbohydrate intake may be able to discontinue medication and enjoy eating meals and snacks that are higher in protein and meet their energy needs.

In detail: The low carb diet consisted of 9% carbs, 65% fat and the rest from protein. This diet improved insulin release in response to carbs by 100% and max insulin release by 22%. This effect was greater among participants from black ethnicities.

Further research will focus on whether low carb diets can fully restore beta-cell function.

🥊 Punchline

A low-carb diet can help people with type 2 diabetes recover beta-cell function, improve insulin release, and potentially discontinue medication, especially among those with mild diabetes.

💡Regular bowel movements may keep you brain sharp

Who knew that regularity might be the key to a sharper brain?

Recent research has shown a fascinating link between constipation and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers in older adults with higher accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain (this is a normal by product of brain function a key early step in the development of Alzheimer's disease).

And this isn’t just about Alzheimer’s—impaired bowel movement is also a hallmark of Parkinson’s disease, further underscoring the crucial gut-brain connection.

The study found that significant changes in the brain associated with Alzheimer disease were found in participants dealing with constipation.

Those with no or mild constipation showed lower biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease and positive indicators for cognitive health.

🥊 Punchline

Keeping things moving in the gut might just help keep the mind sharp. Who knew that fibre might double as “brain food”?

🫃 What is skin sagging and how does it happen?

Skin sagging occurs when the skin loses its elasticity and firmness.

This is often seen after significant weight loss or ageing.

But during weight loss, depending on the amount of weight you lose, how rapidly you lose it and your age, you may be able to avoid skin sagging.

For example, when weight is lost quickly, the skin doesn’t have enough time to adjust to the new shape, leading to sagging.

In comparison, when we age, the skin’s ability to produce collagen and elastin decreases, making it more prone to sagging.

Other causes are sun exposure and genetics.

• UV rays reduce collagen levels in the skin, contributing to sagging over time

• Genetics can also play a role in determining how well the skin adapts and its natural elasticity

So what you do about it?

The best thing you can do to help prevent skin sagging is to maintain a healthy weight. Try to lose weight slowly and sustainably, and avoid extreme diets that cause rapid weight loss.

🥊 Punchline

Skin sagging occurs when the skin loses its elasticity and firmness due to factors like significant weight loss, ageing, sun exposure, and genetics. It can be best mitigated by maintaining a healthy weight and losing weight slowly.