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When HIV exploded in the 1980s, scientists had no idea what was making patients so sick. So, what have scientists figured out since then? We explain. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

People around the world on Sunday observed the 31stannual World AIDS Day, an eventfirst declared in 1981 aimed atraising awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. It was first declared by the World Health Organization.

According to the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 37.9 million people around the world were living with HIV at the end of 2018. UNAIDS reports 1.7 million people worldwide were newly infected in 2018.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 1.1 million people were living with HIV in the United States at the end of 2016 and 1 in 7 people nationwide who had the disease didnt know they were infected.

According to the CDC, 37,832 people received an HIV diagnosis in the United States and dependent areas.

Worldwide, 770,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2018, according to UNAIDS. The CDC reports there were 16,350 deaths among people diagnosed with HIV in the United States. The agency added the deaths may be due to any cause.

An activist paints his hand with AIDS awareness message during a campaign on the eve of World AIDS Day in Kolkata, Eastern India.(Photo: PIYAL ADHIKARY/EPA-EFE)

HIV stands forhuman immunodeficiency virus. AIDS stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

HIV is a virus that can lead to AIDS.AIDS is the lastof thethree stages of HIV infection.

According to the CDC, people in the first stage, acute HIV infection, experience a flu-like illness within 2 to 4 weeks after infection.Itcan last a few weeks. People in this stagehavelarge amounts of the virus in their blood,and so are more likely to transmit the infection.

The second stage, clinical latency, marks a period where the virus is active but reproduces only at low levels, HIV.gov says. People in this stagemight not experience symptoms but can still transmit HIV to others. This stage can last decades, depending on treatment, but can also be shorter.

AIDS, the third stage,leads to the mostsevere illnessesbecause the virus damages the immune system over time, the CDC says. On average, people with AIDS who don't get treatment survive three years, according to the CDC.

Treatment at all three stagescan prevent or slow symptoms and reduce the risk of transmission, the CDC says.

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Testing is the best way to determine whether you have HIV, but symptoms can occur beforeHIV shows up on a test. Some experience flu-like symptomsincludingfever, chills, rash, night sweats, muscle aches, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodesor mouth ulcerswithin two weeks of infection.

HIV attacks your immune system by reducing CD4 cells, or T cells, makingit harder to fight other infections."Over time, HIV can destroy so many of these cells that the body cant fight off infections and disease," according to HIV.gov.

According to HIV.gov, the condition becomesAIDS whenT cellcounts drop below200 cells per cubic millimeter of blood,or certain AIDS-related complications suchassevere infectionsappear.

Students carry a red ribbon during world Aids day campaign in Dharamsala, India on December 1, 2019. World AIDS Day is observed every December 1 with calls from international health and advocacy organizations for the public to get involved in programs for awareness, prevention and treatment of human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. (Photo: Sanjay Baid, EPA-EFE)

A person can become infected with HIV only through certain activities in which they come intocontact with certain bodily fluids.

Blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluidsand breast milk can transmit HIV, according to the CDC.

"These fluids must come in contact with a mucous membrane or damaged tissue or be directly injected into the bloodstream (from a needle or syringe) for transmission to occur," the CDC says.

Unprotected anal or vaginal sex with someone who has HIV is one of two main ways the virus is spread in the United States, according to HIV.gov. The use of a contaminated needle or syringe is the other.

A mother may pass the virus on to her child duringpregnancy, birthor breastfeeding. It can also be contracted bybeing struck by an item contaminated with HIV. Other rare but possible ways to spread HIV can be found here.

The Chain Bridge is illuminated in red to mark World AIDS Day in Budapest, Hungary on December 1, 2019.(Photo: Marton Monus, EPA-EFE)

U.S. scientists found the first clinical evidence for the disease that would become known as AIDS in 1981, according to the United Nations. Chimpanzees in Central Africa have been identified as the source of HIV in humans. Their version of the virus, calledSIV,was likely transmitted to humans and then mutated, the CDC says. HIV has existed in the United States since the mid- to late 1970s.

Yes. People with HIV can take a series of drugs, called antiretroviral therapy, or ART,that slows the virus from progressing, keeps them healthy for years and drastically reduces their likelihood of spreading the virus, the CDC says.

epaselect epa08037135 A 3D printed statue of the Dutch AIDS foundation is unveiled in the center of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 01 December 2019. The image sheds a tear every 40 seconds and was unveiled on the occasion of World AIDS Day. EPA-EFE/ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN ORG XMIT: 402553629(Photo: ROBIN VAN LONKHUIJSEN, EPA-EFE)

Not yet. Researchers are working toward a cure. Ifa cure were to be found, it'd likely take one of two forms, according tothe National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Viral eradication would mean HIV was eliminated from a patient's body. The approachwould involve "prodding the virus out of its latent state so that an enhanced immune system or administered therapies can target and eliminate HIV-infected cells," the NIAID says. Researchers are also studying gene mutations in certain people whose immune cells resist HIV.

A functional cure, or sustained ART-free remission, would mean that HIV wasnot eliminated, but rather suppressed to a point at which daily medication would no longer be longer required.

No, but there have been a number of developments. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) opened the first clinical trial with138 healthy, HIV-negative volunteers in 1987, according tothe NIAID.

In 2016,the NIH announced avaccine-efficacy trial in South Africa of 5,400 people, the largest in the country's history. Researchers are building on a 2009 success in Thailand, where for the first time ever a vaccine showed modest success in preventing HIV infections.

Princy Mangaika, executive director of Positive Women's Network (PWN), herself an HIV-infected patient, makes AIDS awareness ribbons at her residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Sunday.(Photo: Chamila Karunarathne, EPA-EFE)

The CDC recommends everyone from ages 13 to 64 get tested at least once.

People at greater risk of infection, such as sexually active gay or bisexual men, people who have had sex with an HIV-positive partner, people who have shared needles and sex workers, among othersshould get tested more often.

The CDC recommends testing once a year for people engaging in these higher-risk behaviors. Forsexually active gay and bisexual men, the CDC says testing every three to six months is beneficial.

If you are pregnant, and even if you are in a monogamous relationship, the CDC recommends testing to be sure and to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to your child or partner. The sooner a pregnant woman starts treatment, the less likely she is to transmit HIV to her child.

Most HIV tests involve blood or oral fluid. Clinics, hospitals, community health centers and many other locations provide HIV testing. Home testing equipment is also available.

HIV does not always show up right away in a test. Your body and the test type determinehow long HIV can take to be detected. Here's a useful guide from theSan Francisco AIDS Foundation on testing windows.

For more information on local testing sites,call1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636) or

visitgettested.cdc.gov.

The red ribbon was created in 1991 by artists in New York workingto increase awareness of HIV/AIDS. The artists saw the red ribbon as an easy-to-copy way to show compassion for those living with HIV, given the stigma surrounding it.

"They chose red for its boldness, and for its symbolic associations with passion, the heart and love," according toWorld AIDS Day organizers.

Contributing: Jordan Culver, USA TODAY

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World AIDS Day 2019: 37.9M people worldwide were living with HIV at the end of 2018 - USA TODAY

The low-carb, high-fat ketogenic diet might not just be good for your waistline; it could also keep you healthy this flu season. Yale University researchers discovered that mice who were fed a ketogenic diet were better at fighting off flu infections that those fed a high-carb diet instead.

People can use the keto diet to quickly lose weight by capitalizing on a metabolic state called ketosis. Normally, the human body gets most of its energy from glucose (i.e., blood sugar) derived from carbohydrates, but the body doesn't have a good way of storing glucose. Because of this, the humans need an alternative energy source to get them through periods when they can't get access to any food. Once the body is deprived of glucose, the liver begins to break down fat into an alternative energy source called ketones that can keep the body going long after it last ate.

Luckily, we can jump into this metabolic state without having to actually starve ourselves by simply eating no or very little carbohydrates eating more fats and proteins keeps us feeling full while our bodies still burn fat to make ketones.

Interestingly, the keto diet seems to have a lot more effects other than weight loss. Ketosis appears to have wide-ranging effects throughout the body, with potential beneficial outcomes for diabetics and epileptics. There's also some evidence suggesting a correlation between the keto diet and improved mental health and better outcomes in cancer treatments though the research is still far from conclusive.

The researchers discovered that a keto diet appeared to activate genes that produce a specialized type of immune cells called gamma delta T cells. Tissue samples from the lungs of mice in the keto group confirmed that they had higher levels of these cells. The researchers suspected that these elevated levels of gamma delta T cells killed infected cells in the mice's lungs, and they also appeared to increase mucus production in the lungs, helping to trap more of the virus.

Furthermore, when the researchers fed a keto diet to mice specially bred to lack the genes that code for gamma delta T cells, the diet had no effect on their survivability, confirming that ketosis was somehow upregulating these genes.

Further experiments confirmed that ketosis itself, rather than just a low-carb diet, seemed to be the triggering factor. The researchers fed some mice a high-fat diet with less carbs than the standard diet but more than the keto one. Specifically, the keto diet contained less than 1 percent carbs, the standard diet contained 58 percent carbs, and the high-fat, high-carb diet contained 20 percent carbs. While the high-fat, high-carb diet did elevate gamma delta T cell levels, it did not appear to do so to the degree where any benefit could be gained.

While this exciting finding does suggest that the keto diet may help you power through flu season, it's important to remain realistic. For one, this study was conducted on mice, not humans. Animals respond differently to both treatments and diseases than humans do, and some researchers have found that animal trials tend to be conducted under different circumstances than human trials and can be less rigorous as well, sometimes resulting in biased findings.

What's more, the keto diet may come with many health benefits, but its also not without its risks. The high meat component of the keto diet can damage your kidneys and cause gout, and the diet's restrictive nature can lead to vitamin deficiencies. It ought not need to be said, but pregnant women and young children shouldn't be put on the keto diet the diet tricks your body into thinking it's starving, which is not ideal for development.

Ironically, quickly switching from your normal diet to a keto one can actually give you flu-like symptoms. The "keto flu" is a temporary side effect of rapidly removing carbs from your diet that can cause nausea, headaches, weakness, issues with concentration, and other symptoms. Hardly ideal if you're trying to stay ahead of the flu bug!

Fortunately, most of these negative effects can be mitigated or avoided by building a healthy keto meal plan and transitioning gradually into a keto diet. Undertaking any diet with the goal of improving your health will require doing some homework to figure out what works, and the keto diet is no exception. It's also important to remember that the keto diet probably works best as a short-term diet. Few people can stick with the diet over the long term, so hard evidence on its long-term impacts is scant, but it's unlikely that excluding healthy components of a normal diet (like fruit) would be sustainable. That being said, if these findings are verified, then it might not be a bad idea to try the keto diet once flu season rears its ugly head once again.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF) announced today that research teams from Aspen Neuroscience and the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute will send a first-in-kind study of neurodegenerative disease to the International Space Station (ISS) on the nineteenth SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-19) mission, scheduled to launch December 4th from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This is the second space flight for the research teams. A preliminary experiment was launched to the ISS in July 2019 onboard SpaceX CRS-18 to test custom flight hardware systems and refine post-flight analytical methods in preparation for the SpaceX CRS-19 launch.

The NSCF-funded collaboration between researchers at the NYSCF Research Institute and Aspen Neuroscience will perform the first study of long-term cell cultures of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) neural organoids with microglia on the ISS to study Parkinsons disease and primary progressive multiple sclerosis in microgravity. The ability to observe cell interaction, cell signaling, migration, changes in gene expression and the common pathways of neuroinflammation for both diseases in microgravity provides an opportunity to view the biological processes in a way that is not possible on Earth. This innovative approach to modelling disease has the potential to provide valuable new insight into the fundamental mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders that may accelerate biomarker discovery and potential new drug and cell therapy options for patients. These models also offer potential for better translational study and future personalized medicine applications.

The development of patient-specific, 3-dimensional human organoids that incorporate microglia (the inflammatory cells of the immune system implicated in the development of Parkinsons, MS and other neurodegenerative diseases) for observation and study in the unique research environment of microgravity has the potential to enable progress across the field for a wide variety of conditions that affect a significant portion of the global population. The engineering required to facilitate the transport of cells and culture on orbit is being led by space flight engineering partner Space Tango.

Dr. Paula Grisanti, CEO of NSCF said, Supporting this collaboration between world-class research teams during a time of explosive growth in our understanding of the research advances possible in space is a great privilege. We are delighted to be funding such innovative science at the frontier of new drug and cell therapy discovery.

We are thrilled to be working with such a comprehensive team of scientists and fantastic organizations and feel honored to use our technology to better understand neurodegenerative disorders affecting so many persons globally, said Dr. Andres Bratt-Leal, Vice President of Research and Development, Aspen Neuroscience.

We feel privileged to have the opportunity to help understand the behavior of neural cells in microgravity and to help model neurodegenerative disease in such a novel way. We are excited about this fantastic project and look forward to learning the results, said Dr. Jeanne Loring, Chief Scientific Officer, Aspen Neuroscience.

We are excited to collaborate on the first study of progressive multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons patient brain cells in space. This work will provide important insights into the mechanisms behind these diseases and advance targets for future treatments," noted Susan L. Solomon, NYSCF Chief Executive Officer.

There is significant potential to advance our understanding of MS and PD as we initiate these long-term studies of patient cells in microgravity now that we have completed our preliminary tests, said Dr. Valentina Fossati, NYSCF Senior Research Investigator. We look forward to leveraging the unique capabilities of spaceflight research to better understand the role of microglia in multiple sclerosis and Parkinsons disease, as well as how dysfunction in these cells can be targeted therapeutically.

It takes vision, passion, and courage to change the paradigms of current understanding, said Jana Stoudemire, Commercial Innovation Officer at Space Tango. We are honored to support the groundbreaking work of the National Stem Cell Foundation and these recognized leaders in stem cell biology. Their commitment and dedication to advancing the frontiers of science using new tools and new approaches has been inspiring to witness, and has the potential to provide an entirely new perspective on Parkinsons and progressive MS.

To learn more about this unique collaboration, visit https://www.stemcellsinspace.org/.

About The National Stem Cell Foundation (NSCF)

The National Stem Cell Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that funds adult stem cell and regenerative medicine research, connects children with limited resources to clinical trials for rare diseases and underwrites the National STEM Scholar Program for middle school science teachers inspiring the next generation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) pioneers nationwide. For more information, visit https://nationalstemcellfoundation.org/.

About The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute

The New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute is an independent organization accelerating cures and better treatments for patients through stem cell research. The NYSCF global community includes over 180 researchers at leading institutions worldwide, including NYSCF Druckenmiller Fellows, NYSCF Robertson Investigators, NYSCF Robertson Stem Cell Prize Recipients, and NYSCF Research Institute scientists and engineers. The NYSCF Research Institute is an acknowledged world leader in stem cell research and in developing pioneering stem cell technologies, including the NYSCF Global Stem Cell Array and in enabling large-scale stem cell research for scientists around the globe. NYSCF focuses on translational research in a model designed to overcome the barriers that slow discovery and replace silos with collaboration. For more information, visit http://www.nyscf.org.

About Aspen Neuroscience, Inc.

Aspen Neuroscience is a development stage, private biotechnology company that uses innovative genomic approaches combined with stem cell biology to deliver patient-specific, restorative cell therapies that modify the course of Parkinsons disease. The pipeline technology of Aspen is based upon the scientific work of world-renowned stem cell scientist, Dr. Jeanne Loring, who has developed a novel method for autologous neuron replacement. For more information and important updates, please visit http://www.aspenneuroscience.com.

About Space Tango, Inc.

Space Tango provides improved access to microgravity through their Open Orbit platform for bioengineering and manufacturing applications that benefit life on Earth. With their first operational TangoLab facility installed on the International Space Station in 2016, and a second facility installed in 2017, Space Tango has designed and flown nearly 80 diverse payloads. As a recognized leader in the development of fully automated, remote-controlled systems for research and manufacturing in orbit, Space Tango continues to provide expertise in technology and scientific consulting for industry and academic partners. Leveraging this current work, Space Tango is developing new commercial market segments in space with the announcement of ST-42 a fully autonomous orbital platform designed specifically for scalable manufacturing in space. Space Tango envisions a future where the next important breakthroughs in both technology and healthcare will occur off the planet, creating a new global market 250 miles up in low Earth orbit. For more information, visit http://www.spacetango.com.

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First-in-kind Human 3-dimensional Models of Parkinson's Disease and Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Launching to the International Space Station -...

When babies are born with HIV, starting treatment within hours to days is better than waiting even the few weeks to months thats the norm in many countries, researchers reported Wednesday.

The findings, from a small but unique study in Botswana, could influence care in Africa and other regions hit hard by the virus. They also might offer a clue in scientists quest for a cure.

The Harvard-led team found super early treatment limits how HIV takes root in a newborns body, shrinking the reservoir of virus that hides out, ready to rebound if those youngsters ever stop their medications.

We dont think the current intervention is itself curative, but it sets the stage for future attempts, said Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes of Bostons Brigham and Womens Hospital, who co-authored the study.

Giving pregnant women a cocktail of anti-HIV drugs can prevent them from spreading the virus to their unborn children, a step that has dramatically reduced the number of babies born with the virus worldwide. Still, some 300 to 500 infants are estimated to be infected every day in sub-Saharan Africa.

Doctors have long known that treating babies in the first weeks to months of life is important, because their developing immune systems are especially vulnerable to HIV. But an infant dubbed the Mississippi baby raised a critical question: Should treatment start even earlier? The girl received a three-drug combination within 30 hours of her birth in July 2010, highly unusual for the time. Her family quit treatment when she was a toddler yet her HIV remained in remission for a remarkable 27 months before she relapsed and restarted therapy.

The Botswana study was one of several funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health after doctors learned of the Mississippi baby, to further explore very early treatment.

The findings are encouraging, said Dr. Deborah Persaud, a pediatric HIV specialist at Johns Hopkins University who wasnt involved with the Botswana study but helped evaluate the Mississippi baby.

The study showed what we hypothesized happened in the Mississippi baby, that very early treatment really prevents establishment of these long-lived reservoir cells that currently are the barrier to HIV eradication, Persaud said.

She cautioned: Very early treatment is important, but prevention should still be our top priority.

In Botswana, researchers tested at-risk newborns, enrolling 40 born with HIV, treating them within hours to a few days, and tracking them for two years. On Wednesday, they reported results from the first 10 patients, comparing them with 10 infants getting regular care treatment beginning when they were a few months old.

Medication brought HIV under control in both groups. But the children treated earliest had a much smaller reservoir of HIV in their blood, starting about six months into treatment, the researchers reported in Science Translational Medicine.

The earliest-treated children also got another benefit: more normal functioning of some key parts of the immune system.

One big question: Did the HIV reservoir shrink enough to make a long-term difference? To find out, next year the researchers will give these children experimental antibodies designed to help keep HIV in check, and test how they fare with a temporary stop to their anti-HIV drugs.

In the U.S., Europe and South Africa, its becoming common to test at-risk infants at birth. But in most lower-income countries, babies arent tested until theyre 4 to 6 weeks old, said study co-author Dr. Roger Shapiro, a Harvard infectious disease specialist.

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Study: For babies born with HIV, start treatment right away - amNY

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With the cold and flu season upon us, there are other protective measures we can take beyond just regularly washing our hands. Food is powerful medicine that can kick our immune systems into gear, both to fend off viruses as well as reduce the severity and duration of symptoms such as congestion, sore throat and fatigue.

I often prescribe these essentials as part of any cold-sufferers diet:

Garlic

Garlic has been studied for centuries for its anti-bacterial properties. When garlic is sliced, chewed or crushed, sulfur compounds such allicin, diallyl disulfide, vinyldithiins and s-allyl cycteine are activated (giving off that distinctive garlic smell). These have been shown to support the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells, helping them to fight viruses. Garlic can also be taken as a preventative supplement: I recommend 300 mg a day, or incorporating one to two fresh cloves daily into your diet, including in salad dressings, green juices, or simply rubbing it on whole grain bread for delicious flavored toast.

Chicken Soup

Good, old fashioned chicken soup has been used forever as a common cold aide and there are some real benefits. The warm broth can help alleviate congestion and the electrolytes (sodium) found in the broth can help keep you hydrated and soothe a sore throat. The added chicken and vegetables provide additional protein and nutrients, with carrots, celery, onion, turnip and fresh herbs supplying an even bigger nutritional boost.

Tea

When you arent feeling your best, warm fluids can soothe that scratchy throat and help to loosen mucus. Opt for decaffeinated tea as caffeine is dehydrating, which is the last thing you need when you are trying to flush a virus from your system. I always recommend ginger tea, as it can soothe a stomach thats upset from loose mucus draining into the digestive system. Ginger also has anti-inflammatory properties that assist with immune function.

Non-Fat Greek Yogurt

Loaded with live cultures and probiotics, yogurt helps to keep your gut lining healthy. Approximately 70% of our immune system is located in our gut, so it is important to keep it in good fighting shape in case your body encounters a virus. Consuming probiotic rich foods can lower the risk of catching a cold and help to speed recovery if you have caught one. Another perk, non-fat Greek yogurt has triple the protein of regular yogurt (without the added sugar).

Red Bell Peppers

Vitamin C is essential for the function of immune cells, and during infections our bodies quickly become deficient of this vitamin. Eating foods rich in vitamin C during a cold or virus can speed the bodys recovery and reduce symptoms. Since vitamin C is water soluble, its more efficient to consume it through foods high in vitamin C, such as red bell peppers, rather than from solid supplements which require more work for the body to digest and absorb. One cup of chopped red bell pepper contains 190 mg of this important vitamin. Other foods high in vitamin C include kiwifruit, broccoli, dark leafy greens and citrus fruits.

Blueberries

Blueberries are a great source of anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that gives the berry (and other colorful fruits and vegetables) its rich, deep color. Flavinoids have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties that can help reduce cell damage and boost immune function. A powerhouse berry thats low in calories, you can snack on them, add to salads or treat yourself to a crumble.

Diane May, MPH, MS, CDN, RD, CSOWM is a registered dietitian with Scarsdale Medical Group. To make an appointment, call (914) 723-8100.

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What To Eat When You Have a Cold - theLoop

Human herpesvirus 6A (HHV-6A), but not awidespread variant of the virus called HHV-6B, could be one of the root causes of multiple sclerosis (MS), new research suggests.

Compared to healthy people, those with MS show greater numbers of antibodies to HHV-6A viruses, reflecting greater exposure to this type of infection and suggesting a link to this disease.

The study reporting these findings, Increased serological response against human herpesvirus 6A is associated with risk for multiple sclerosis, was published in the journal Frontiers in Immunology.

While the origin of MS remains unclear, research has proposed that viral infections by HHV-6 could be one of its causes.

The hypothesis is that the virus is able to mislead the immune system into attacking the bodys own tissues, damaging the brain and spinal cord.However, it has been impossible to say which specific type of the virus 6A or 6B is responsible for such risk.

HHV-6B is a very common virus acquired early in life. About 80% of all children are estimated to be infected before the age of 2. In children, HHV-6B can cause relatively mild conditions such as roseola, an illness marked by days of high fever, rashes, and, in some cases, febrile seizures.

Less is known about the consequences of HHV-6A, although this specific variant has been linked with MS.

Upon exposure to HHV-6, a persons immune system raises antibodies against specific viral proteins, which help to protect them against the virus for the rest of their lives. The presence of these specific antibodies can be tested in blood samples to find whos been exposed to the virus.

As HHV-6A and HHV-6B are extremely similar, it has not been possible to date to determine which of these herpes viruses the antibodies are reacting against when a person tests positive for this viral infection through a blood test.

Scientists at theKarolinska Institutet in Sweden devised a way to overcome this problem.

They were able to distinguish between 6A and 6B types by measuring antibodies in the blood that recognize the proteins that diverge most between the two viruses called immediate early protein 1A and 1B (IE1A and IE1B).

Researchers compared antibody levels in blood samples of 8,742 people with MS and 7,215 healthy people, all in Sweden and matched for gender, date of birth, and other factors.

Results showed that MS patients had a 55% higher risk of carrying antibodies against HHV-6A than healthy people.

Further analysis in a group of 478 patients whose blood samples were collected before the onset of MS showed that viral infection by HHV-6A more than doubled a persons risk of developing MS later on.

Researchers also saw that the younger the age at which patients tested positive for the HHV-6A virus, the higher the risk of MS.

In contrast, carrying antibodies against HHV-6B was not associated with MS development. In fact, MS patients tended to have lower amounts of antibodies against this type of virus than people without this disease.

This is a big breakthrough for both the MS and herpes virus research, Anna Fogdell-Hahn, an associate professor at Karolinska and one of the studys senior authors, said in a news story.

For one, it supports the theory that HHV-6A could be a contributing factor to the development of MS. On top of that, we are now able, with this new method, to find out how common these two different types of HHV-6 are, something we havent been able to do previously, Fogdell-Hahnadded.

Infection by another herpes virus, called Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and best known as the cause of mononucleosis, also has been proposed as a risk factor for MS.

Researchers analyzed antibodies against EBV, and observed that individuals affected with both viruses EBV and HHV-6A had an even higher risk of developing MS.This indicates that multiple viral infections can act together to raise a persons susceptibility to the disease.

Both HHV-6A and 6B can infect our brain cells, but they do it in slightly different ways. Therefore, it is now interesting to go forward and attempt to map out exactly how the viruses could affect the onset of MS, Fogdell-Hahn said.

A cause-effect relationship between the virus and MS, however, is not by any means established, and more studies are needed, the team emphasized.

For more information about this research, the Karolinska Institutet posted a video that can be viewed usingthis link.

Ana is a molecular biologist with a passion for discovery and communication. As a science writer she looks for connecting the public, in particular patient and healthcare communities, with clear and quality information about the latest medical advances. Ana holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, where she specialized in genetics, molecular biology, and infectious diseases

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Patrcia holds her PhD in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the Leiden University Medical Center in Leiden, The Netherlands. She has studied Applied Biology at Universidade do Minho and was a postdoctoral research fellow at Instituto de Medicina Molecular in Lisbon, Portugal. Her work has been focused on molecular genetic traits of infectious agents such as viruses and parasites.

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MS Risk Linked to Herpes Virus 6A and Not More Common 6B, Study Suggests - Multiple Sclerosis News Today

My New Democratic MLA, David Shepherd, was in the local paper Monday morning. Davids a pleasant fella, and I always feel awkward exposing Edmonton news items like worn-out ginch to a national audience, but he has presented an example of something that happens all across the country, all the time, and that ideally wouldnt, or shouldnt.

You see, there was a small protest at the Alberta legislature on Sunday. The hundred or so protesters were sufferers (and friends of sufferers) of inflammatory bowel disease Crohns and ulcerative colitis. The IBD patients recently received a letter from Janssen Inc., which makes one of the miracle drugs of our time, Remicade.

Remicade is a monoclonal antibody a mab, as your pharmacist would say to another pharmacist. This means its an ultra-complicated lab-designed molecule that is somewhat like a prosthesis for your immune system. Before Remicade, the old approach to IBD disorders was to wait until they became disabling or life-threatening, as opposed to just colossally inconvenient and painful, and then deluge them with steroids. With Remicade, many patients with severe IBD can live in remission indefinitely.

This is not cheap, which is why vis prescribed to only a fraction of those with IBD. Remicade is nonetheless the single largest prescription drug expense, by far, that the Alberta government has. In the year ending March 31, 2018, Alberta Health spent more than $80 million dispensing the drug to 2,535 patients.

You might expect that this situation would attract the attention of capitalism, and countless drug companies are indeed developing biosimilar alternatives to Remicade. Health Canada, acting more slowly than other developed countries, has approved a couple.

Biosimilars are drugs that have the same overall molecular structure as some reference drug and have been shown in the laboratory to target the same receptors in the body. Simple molecules dont attract imitators like these, but the mabs are (on the molecular scale) huge, intricate wads whose activity may not be perfectly understandable. Mabs were introduced because in-vitro laboratory drug creation using computer models and biological first principles got a lot better around the turn of the century. Biosimilar rivals, marketable for lower cost, exist for the same reason.

Remicade is the single largest prescription drug expense that the Alberta government has

So government drug plans have been itching to move patients onto cheaper biosimilars, or perhaps force discounts on Remicade. In British Columbia, the government a New Democratic government is currently in the process of switching everybody to biosimilars by fiat, with exceptional Special Authority approval (!) required for patients who prefer the name brand. Janssen wrote to Remicade patients when it learned that Alberta and Ontario were also eyeing their big Remicade bills.

Alberta hasnt decided whether to follow B.C.s guillotine approach. Theres a serious, evolving discussion about the evidence base for the biosimilars. It is fairly well established that patients can switch to one of the best biosimilars without risk, and that the biosimilars behave like the name brand within the immune system as far as any testing can show. But the empirical studies have been short in duration, and no one has been able to check what happens if doctors engage in multiple switching among biosimilar molecules.

This should not be a partisan conversation, but, well, if you are protesting on the legislature steps, your handmade sign is not going to read The magnitude of the nocebo effect is contested! The Sunday protest in Edmonton was led by a Crohns patient, Nick Arrand, who told the Journals Jonny Wakefield, The government should have no right to tell you what medications to take.

The story adds that Mr. Arrand is on his wifes insurance, so the government is not, in fact, telling him what medications to take. His insurer, one supposes, might eventually have something to say about it. Should he picket that companys headquarters if this happens? Or should he go bother Janssen about the price of Remicade? What would Bernie Sanders do?

For patients on government health plans, the government does decide what to pay for (if there were a punctuation mark meaning duh, it would go here), and it has no choice but to take cost into account, as an NDP-led government in idyllic B.C. has. This did not discourage MLA Shepherd from joining the Edmonton protest to denounce barbarous right-wing Alberta-government cost-chopping that might or might not happen. And which is, at root, a negotiation between Albertas public treasury and a constellation of drug manufacturers.

What would Bernie Sanders do?

Shepherd accused the Conservatives of intending to try to force their way into the doctor-patient relationship and force these individuals to switch onto new, unproven biosimilars. This is a curious departure from the official position of Crohns and Colitis Canada, which is that Biosimilars are a safe and effective treatment for people with Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.

The charity, which receives funding from Janssen and organized the pro-Remicade demonstration, expresses concerns with non-medical switching of drugs for cost reasons alone. But it also concedes, quite explicitly, that in these here social democracies, none of us exists in a consecrated doctor-patient relationship without the presence of a third party footing the bill. Even when Bill Gates gets sick, he doesnt ask for the most expensive drug on principle.

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Colby Cosh: Barbarous right-wing cost-chopping ... pioneered by the B.C. NDP? - National Post

Over 400 million individuals worldwide, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), have diabetes, living each day on the precipice of health determined by the level of sugar in their bloodstream. The vigilance required to ensure that their levels are neither too high nor too low can often become all-encompassing. A circumstance that Lonny Stormo, co-founder and CEO of the Oak Park Heights, Minnesota-based startup, Pops, truly understands.

Lonny Stormo, Co-founder and CEO of Pops

Stormo brought his proficiency in electrical engineering and business to the medical device industry over three decades ago. He has served in various executive leadership roles during his thirty-year career at industry giant Medtronic, and even collaborated with NASA. Though his work at Medtronic was primarily focused on cardiovascular health, he developed a vested interest in diabetes care when, in his mid-thirties, Stormo was diagnosed with adult onset type 1 diabetes.

As an active member of his community and an avid runner, Stormo was often frustrated by the encumbrance that conventional blood sugar monitoring would have on his lifestyle. After fifteen years of observing the same testing and tracking regimen, this medical device industry veteran began to question whether there was a better way to do this.

How can it be with all the advances we were making in medicine, that I had been managing my diabetes the same exact way these years, with the same black zip-up bag holding a meter and test strips and a lancing tool that you had to assemble, says Stormo, describing the equipment that those with diabetes typically use to keep track of their daily blood sugar levels, The test kit was too big to carry around wherever I went. Besides, I was not comfortable taking everything out to run a test in front of everybody and often there would not be a table around for me to set things up on. It was all very inconvenient.

Stormo suggested that because of the inconvenience associated with this cumbersome approach, many with diabetes, as he often did, would just leave their test kits at home. Beyond seeing their blood sugar level results perhaps, a couple times a day while at home, many do not have any idea what their true status is. That is, until the next biannual medical exam when the HbA1C test that indicates the prior months blood sugar level average, is performed. By then, if the readings suggest their blood sugar concentration has been too high, any deterioration to their health that could result may have already taken place.

Poor self-monitoring of blood sugar levels over time is a leading cause of long-term health complications for those with diabetes complications that range from nerve damage, vision loss, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation to death. According to the most recent report from the International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) citing data for 2017, approximately four million deaths globally were attributed to known cases of diabetes, thus placing it among the top ten causes of mortality worldwide (WHO 2018). Associated healthcare costs, in 2017 alone, amounted to $727 billion USD globally of which 48% was attributed to individuals living in the United States. Americans with diabetes spent on average $12,000 USD on health care in 2017, which is twice the cost incurred by those who live without diabetes (numbers taken from IDF 2017 report).

Stormo recognized that the struggles he faced managing his own care reflected the experience of millions of others in the US and is implicated in the high health care costs for those with diabetes. So, he decided to do something about it.

He leveraged his decades of experience and extensive network in the medical device field to gather a team of like-minded colleagues co-founders, Dan Davis, Pops current Security Officer and VP of R&D, and Curt Christensen, Pops VP of Operations with a mission to improve the lives of those with diabetes. Thus, in 2015, Pops Diabetes Care was launched by this team that understands what living with diabetes is like, and who are determined to make it easier for those with diabetes to control their blood sugar levels, therefore reducing their risk of expensive health complications.

Our vision is lowering the worlds A1c one person at a time, Stormo explains.

Their strategy involves addressing the reasons why many individuals do not adhere to regular testing. A Reality of Diabetes Care Survey reported by the Canadian-based Medical Education Network (Mednet) back in 2010, identified several of these reasons thus validating what those dealing with these challenges daily have been saying for years. These reasons, further characterized in subsequent studies, include forgetfulness, insufficient time for regular testing, not having all the things needed to test, unreliable meters, not wanting to carry around the equipment for the tests, pain and testing anxiety, inability to test discretely, lack of motivation, and even concerns regarding safe disposal of the used test strips and lances. A daunting list of deterrents that Stormo and his team were all too familiar with.

If we want people to manage their diabetes all the time and do it better, says Stormo, We have to give them a better experience. What we have done is reengineered that experience to make it easy for them to test their blood sugar less painfully, discretely, no assembly needed, anywhere, at any time, with non-invasive, non-judgmental virtual coaching.

Stormo and his team developed a portable test kit that can (doesnt have to) pop-on to the back of a smartphone to which it interfaces via wireless connection to a Pops virtual management care app.

I can now literally check my blood sugar anytime, anywhere while I am on the road for a run, something I could never do before, explains an enthusiastic Stormo, One time at a business competition, I was standing on stage and it was time to check my blood sugar levels. So right there in front of hundreds of people, I quickly pulled out my phone and discretely did a test. Simple. No fuss.

The Pops approach aligns with the current shift in individual behavior being observed across the healthcare landscape. Subject to a conventional system that does not always serve their best interests, patients are less passively resigned to receive services offered as is. Rather they are being more selective about their care and are actively pursuing alternatives that confer better outcomes.

This increasing demand for consumer-focused healthcare services is further bolstered by the recent acceleration in technological innovation. In an imperfect healthcare system, where many struggle to access appropriate care, it is not surprising that individuals are seeking solutions through advanced technologies that enhance the delivery of such care.

A 2017 report by consulting group, Deloitte Development LLC, indicates that over 70% of consumers in the US prioritize access thus are comfortable using virtual health platforms to manage their own care or coordinate with providers. According to Statista, 77% of US adults surveyed over a two-month period in 2018 were satisfied with their virtual care experience, confirming this trend.

People want to take healthcare into their own hands using technology, says Stormo, Previously, we were using technology to connect patients and doctors, sending information to the doctor then waiting for the doctor to respond with what to do, perhaps via a video console. Now people are managing their health directly using easy, convenient, smart technology. And living their lives. This is the next step virtual care people are empowered to self-manage their conditions.

Pops not only includes an integrated virtual care system they call Rebel, but also Mina, a 24/7, non-judgmental personal virtual coach. Rebel and Mina together provide non-invasive blood sugar-testing and monitoring along with basic analytics that inform guidance and support. In addition, everyone using the system is considered an owner controlling how and with whom, if anyone, their information is shared, whether its with friends, family and/or caregivers.

At Pops, we are enabling you to take care of yourself, to own your condition, to own your life, says Stormo, You have diabetes, but it does not define you. You are a person first and foremost.

Last year, Pops patented system received FDA clearance. Since then, they have established partnerships with healthcare plans and employers who have included Pops in their employee benefits offerings, promoting healthier employees, greater productivity at work, and an associated reduction in company healthcare costs. In the future, Stormo would like for everyone with diabetes to have access to Pops, regardless. For now, the system is not yet directly available to the consumer.

This purpose-driven company has been gaining attention across the country. Pops recently closed an oversubscribed Series A funding round of $6 million USD as a result of heightened investor interest. The round was led by 30Ventures, a healthcare and biotechnology venture capital firm based out of Madison, Wisconsin.

Also participating in this round was New York-based investment firm, Flying Point Industries and Revolutions Rise of the Rest Seed Fund, a Washington D.C.-based firm founded by AOL co-founder Steve Case that focuses on funding highly promising seed stage companies outside the startup hubs of Silicon Valley, New York City, and Boston.

In a recent press release, Stormo expressed his gratitude for the strong investor support, We are pleased that investors see this commercial growth as a sign that diabetes virtual care is making a difference for people with diabetes. The funds will be used to further the commercialization of Pops system.

Pops was also recently chosen to participate in the 2019 Winter Insurtech program run by globally renowned startup accelerator, Plug and Play.

Though grateful for the validation and support received this year, for Stormo, nothing comes close to the fullfilment he experienced that memorable day, when Pops received the first testimonial from the first person whose HbA1C levels were lowered by 1.5 points using the Pops system.

The first thing we see each day walking through the front doors is his framed photo the first person whose life we changed, says Stormo proudly, That is what our mission is all about!

For more information about Lonny Stormo and Pops, visit http://www.popsdiabetes.com.

REFERENCES:

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/the-top-10-causes-of-death

http://www.mednet.ca/docs/pdf/HO10-005_E_with_WM.pdf

Josh Nelson, Bryan Sung, Sunil Venkataram, and Jennifer Moore, Transforming care delivery through virtual health, Deloitte, 2017.

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Pops on the go virtual care system empowers those with diabetes to Own Their Life - Silicon Prairie News

Diagnoses of diabetes, a condition where the body can't properly process glucose, havedoubled in recent years, andnearly 9% of the global populationnow has the condition.

But just because diabetes is common, it doesn't mean it isn't serious: diabetes can leave people blind, needing an amputation, and with a higher risk of heart disease. Treating diabetes accounts for1 in every 10 spent by the NHSin the UK, and $327 billion a year in the US. So could technology give diabetics a better way of managing their condition?

For a long time, to get their glucose reading, diabetics would have to prick their finger with a needle, squeeze out a drop of blood, and then use a handheld device to assess how much sugar was in it. It's a far from ideal process it only gives a snapshot of glucose control, not a long-term view. It has to be repeated several times a day, and it's tricky and painful to boot.

SEE: Exomedicine arrives: How labs in space could pave the way for healthcare breakthroughs on Earth (cover story PDF)

Technology aimed at insulin-using diabetics became mainstream a few years back with the arrival of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. These use small sensors that sit on a diabetic's body, monitoring their blood sugar levels constantly and relatively unobtrusively, through a small tube that samples the amount ofglucose in the interstitial fluid. This technology is transforming diabetes control for its users. By giving them a better view of what their blood glucose was doing, CGMs enabled insulin-dependent diabetics to take steps to keep readings in the right range.

As well as being more convenient, CGM offers a direct pay-off for diabetics' health too: those with better glucose control are less at risk of developing debilitating and life-threatening complications.

Now the companies that make these readers are looking to take advantage of broader technology trends to enable diabetics to better manage their condition.

The systems from Dexcom, one of the largest makers of CGM devices, are "a mix of medical technology with consumer technology", says its CTO Jake Leach. Whereas once CGMs would send a user's glucose reading to a separate handheld device, now makers are looking to exploit the potential of wearables and smartphones. Users can get their readings sent over Bluetooth Low Energy to hardware including iOS and Android phones and watches.

"The smartphone platform really opened up a lot of functionality that is not typical in medical devices," Leach explains.

One of the new features enabled by smartphone and mobile app use is remote monitoring. Through the Dexcom app, parents now keep an eye on their children's glucose levels even when they're not with them.

"The parent has the safety blanket of knowing how things are going. They can set up alerts and alarms that can communicate if there's an issue that has to be dealt with, so they don't have to worry as much," Leach says.

Remote management isn't only taking place between parents and children glucose readings are getting social, with the app allowing users to share their readings with a handful of friends and family via smartphone. Remote monitoring users who share their readings with others have lower average glucose readings, less time spent with low glucose, and more in the normal range, says Leach: "The folks that utilise that technology have better glucose control than those that don't and we kind of attributed it to the fact that they've got others helping them manage their diabetes."

As well as friends and family, CGM users can share their readings with their medical team. Glucose-monitoring apps can give physicians a long-term overview of how their patient's blood sugar has been doing, and why whether it's spiked or fallen due to a new medication or lifestyle change, for example. This can help guide how they treat the condition. "Diabetes is such an evolutionary thing and it develops over time and changes. You have to always be looking to change the way of managing it," Leach says.

SEE: The NHS wants more data about your health - and your smartphone could be the answer

For those who are keen to share even more, Dexcom's CGM app can feed data into other health apps through both Apple's HealthKit and Google Fit.

Dexcom already has a link with Google beyond its integration with Android: the CGM company inked a deal withVerily, the life-sciences arm of Google's parent company Alphabet, back in 2016 andamended it this year. The first hardware to sprout from the R&D partnership will be Dexcom's next generation of CGM, the G7. Unlike its predecessor, the G7 will be an all-in-one design carrying Verily electronics as well as Dexcom sensor tech onboard, and is expected to launch next year.

Verily and Dexcom have also teamed up on software, with Verily helping out with user engagement how to make sure that the app can keeping gaining functionality without making it too confusing for people that haven't used the app, or continuous glucose sensing, before.

And there is likely to be a lot of new users: the number of diabetics in the world is expected to rise from 171 million in 2000 to 366 million in 2030. Most of that growth, however, is likely to be in type 2 diabetics, who take other medications other than insulin and so don't use CGM.

However, CGM technology could ultimately be rolled out to people with type 2 diabetes, and those in the pre-diabetic range people whose blood sugar is higher than normal but not yet diabetic. The idea of getting people who aren't on insulin to use CGM is to show the impact of certain foods and behaviours on their glucose levels, and so help them to keep levels in the right range.

"Until you really have direct feedback, it can be hard to really understand why that's important," Leach says. "I think there can be a whole lot more around that coaching or the advice or the analytics that you put around the data to help you get more people with either pre-diabetes, or even with just general health and wellness. I think there's a lot of opportunity and there's quite a few pilots we're entering into any different areas to learn more about what works for those users."

For the traditional CGM user base people who control their diabetes with insulin injections the next few years are likely to bring another sea-change in technology with the advent of closed-loop or 'artificial pancreas' systems, single units that both monitor glucose and deliver insulin accordingly.

SEE: Apple's Research app: What does it want your health data for?

Other developments that could reshape diabetes management are on the horizon: technology that allows glucose readings to be taken non-invasively that is, hardware that can measure blood glucose without the need for, well, blood. Researchers are looking to create systems that can measure glucose through sweat, tears oreven just a user's vital signs.

"It is really challenging to measure glucose non-invasively," Leach says, "and no one has come up with a technology that is capable of measuring glucose to the kind of level of reliability and accuracy that's needed." Lots of companies are working on the field, but there's been no breakthrough yet Google's own experimental efforts to monitor glucose through contact lenses was kicked into the long grass.

That said, the future of CGM is going to be tightly tied to the development of consumer tech like smartwatches or other wearables. "There's a good possibility that you're going to have even tighter integration than we have today with those types of products," Leach says.

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Diabetes monitoring is having a smartwatch and smartphone revolution - ZDNet

Sam Pearson,1,* Noppadol Kietsiriroje,1,2,* Ramzi A Ajjan1

1Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, UK; 2Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hatyai, Songkhla 90110, Thailand

*These authors contributed equally to this work

Correspondence: Ramzi A AjjanLeeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9JT, UKTel +44 113 343 7475Email r.ajjan@leeds.ac.uk

Abstract: In recent years, newer drug classes for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus have been released with significant effects on glucose lowering and weight reduction. One of the most promising classes in achieving these goals has been the glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 agonists. However, a difficulty with the use of these agents is the need for subcutaneous injections, which can be inconvenient to individuals living with type 2 diabetes. More recently, a GLP-1 agonist has been developed, semaglutide, that can be administered orally which has at least similar effects to the subcutaneous preparation from which this compound is derived. In this review article, we discuss the glycemic and cardiovascular effects of the GLP-1 agonists with special emphasis on oral semaglutide and the potential role of this therapy in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

Keywords: oral semaglutide, type 2 diabetes, treatment, glucagon-like peptide 1

This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License.By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.

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Oral Semaglutide In The Management Of Type 2 Diabetes: A Report On The | DMSO - Dove Medical Press

Holidays can present special challenges for those who live with diabetes, particularly as people look for ways to either avoid temptation or make better choices while they navigate all the indulgences of the season.

Whether its dealing with busy schedules, extra stress, family gatherings or holiday eating, the holiday season brings many extra gatherings, social events and shopping, which leave us with even less time for healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise.

Towards the end of the year, many people really do celebrate a holiday season with multiple holidays occurring from October to January, many of which have a heavy focus on foods that are often high in sugar, sodium, fat and calories. Since research shows that weight gained during the holidays doesnt usually come off later in the year, its important to focus on weight maintenancethrough quality diets and physical activity during the holidays.

This not only helps our waistlines, but also helps us manage other health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

With that in mind, Jenny Lobb, a specialist with Ohio State Extension Service, and other food and nutrition experts offer the following tips to help you enjoy the holidays while managing your diabetes:

Manage your stress. Stress causes our bodies to stay in a constant state of fight or flight. In response, our bodies release hormones that affect the way our bodies release and use glucose. This can cause blood glucose (or blood sugar) levels to remain high and be more difficult to manage. Exercising, relaxing, meditating and yoga with deep breathing exercises are good.

Dont take a holiday break from physical activity. A regular exercise program improves blood sugars, decreases the risk of heart disease and helps you lose weight. Thirty minutes a day five times a week is good. Every day is better. You dont have to do it all at once. Break it up throughout the day.

Plan ahead. Stick to your healthy meal plan, plan menus in advance and take diabetes-friendly foods to gatherings.

When eating a holiday meal, try to consume only the amount of carbohydrates that youd normally consume, and dont skip meals or snacks earlier in the day to save carbs for later. This will make your blood glucose more difficult to control.

Keep desserts in check. Share a dessert, make desserts that youve modified to be healthy or politely decline dessert when you know youve reached your limit.

Watch your meal portion sizes.

Kathy Smith is a Texas A&M AgriLife extension agent.

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Diabetes and the holidays | Columns - Weatherford Democrat

In the last nineteen years almost 50 thousand people have died from diabetes in the Yucatan Peninsula.

Since 2019, a little more than 24 thousand people have lost their lives as a result of diabetes, a disease that in 2018 showed a slight decline compared to last year, the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi) reported.

Although Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo are among the 11 states with the lowest mortality numbers due to this disease, the figure remains alarming.

Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by increased blood glucose levels and that without control, can lead to severe complications such as blindness or even death.

Symptoms include the excessive need to urinate; excessive thirst; excessive hunger; weight loss or gain without apparent cause, and sudden changes in vision.

From 2000 to 2008, 24,326 deaths were recorded in the Yucatan Peninsula, due to complications of this degenerative chronic disease, whose historical maximum was 3,290 deaths in 2016, while the minimum was 2,107 people died in 2011.

In 2018, a total of 3,014 died from this disease in the peninsula, 4.7 percent less than the previous year, when 3,161 died.

The federal Ministry of Health stressed the importance of carrying out dietary control, as it favors the reduction of blood glucose concentrations, indicating that diabetes is under control.

According to information from Inegi, in 2018, 101,257 deaths due to diabetes were registered in the country, with a decrease of five percent over the previous year, when the total was of 106,525.

The Yucatan Times Newsroom

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Since 2000, almost 50 thousand people have died of diabetes in the Yucatan Peninsula - The Yucatan Times

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body doesn't produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body's cells don't react to insulin, which causes a rise in blood sugar levels.

Insulin is a hormone that made by the pancreas that allows the body to use sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates in the food that you eat for energy or to store glucose for future use but but it also plays a crucial role in stopping blood sugar levels from getting too high.

Consistently high blood sugar levels, if left unreated, can cause life-threatening risks, such as heart disease and stroke, so it is important that people with type 2 diabetes find alternative ways to control their blood sugar.

Diet is a key component of blood sugar management, and, as a general rule, cutting back on carbohydrates can help to lower blood sugar.

As Diabetes.co.uk explains: Carbohydrate is broken down into glucose relatively quickly and therefore has a more pronounced effect on blood sugar levels than either fat or protein.

A helpful way to distinguish between high-carb and low-carb food items is to follow the Glycemic Index (GI) - a relative ranking of carbohydrate in foods according to how they affect blood glucose levels.

Carbohydrates with a low GI value are more slowly digested, absorbed and metabolised and cause a lower and slower rise in blood glucose and,

therefore usually, insulin levels.

READ MORE:Type 2 diabetes symptoms: Noticing this sign on your skin could mean youre at risk

One food item with a particular low GI rating is chickpeas, and in addition, the legume is a good source of fibre and protein, which are both known for their role in blood sugar regulation.

Research into the effects of fibre shows that it slows carb absorption, which promotes a steady rise in blood sugar levels, rather than a spike.

Also, evidence shows that eating protein-rich foods may help maintain healthy blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.

In one study, 19 people who ate a meal that contained 200 grams of chickpeas had a 21 percent reduction in blood sugar levels, compared to when they ate a meal that contained whole-grain cereal or white bread.

Another 12-week study found that 45 individuals who ate 728 grams of chickpeas per week had a notable reduction in their fasting insulin levels, which is an important factor in blood sugar control

Furthermore, several studies have associated chickpea consumption with a reduced risk of several diseases, including diabetes and heart disease. These effects are often attributed to their blood-sugar-lowering effects.

In addition to focusing on the blood-sugar lowering benefits of eating specific food items, for optimal blood sugar management, it is important to adopt a healthy, a balanced diet.

According to the NHS, following the glycaemic index can help to stave off the risk of rising blood sugar levels, but other factors must also be taken into account.

It's also important to eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fat, sugar and salt, and high in fruit and vegetables, advised the health body.

If you've been advised to make changes to your diet, or you need advice, a diabetes dietitian can help you work out a diet plan, says the health site.

You can ask your GP about being referred to a dietitian.

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Type 2 diabetes: Include this 55p food in your diet to lower your blood sugar - Express

In healthy people, the hormone insulin is released by the pancreas, a gland present in the abdomen. This hormone regulates the levels of blood sugar. When levels of blood sugar are not appropriately controlled and become too high this is called as hyperglycemia and are diagnosed as diabetes mellitus. Unhealthy food habits lead to weight gain and obesity, insulin resistance which in turn causes both diabetes and predisposes to infertility.

When diabetes is left unattended it can affect your chances of getting pregnant and also the health of the pregnancy when pregnant. Risks of miscarriage, C-section, still births, foetal growth issues, and need for neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are all higher in diabetic pregnancies. Babies of fathers with type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. It is heartening to know that diabetic fathers do not produce more malformed children than nondiabetics, only the general genetic remains as for anybody else. Diabetes in men too can majorly wreak havoc with their fertility and hamper a chance of having a baby.

Pre-diabetes and diabetes are more predominant in men than in women and the incidence is rising. This is becoming a huge concern for fertility doctors. Uncontrolled diabetes is associated with increased risk of sperm DNA damage resulting in higher risk of miscarriage. Even when there is good control of the condition this risk remains higher than in non-diabetics. Semen parameters like sperm motility tends to be poorer in diabetics and abnormal sperm forms tend to be higher. Diabetes is usually associated with obesity; this contributes to lower testosterone levels and loss of libido (sex drive), thus, reducing the frequency of intercourse and chances of conception. Diabetes is associated with nerve damage and also damage to blood vessels. This results in a host of sexual issues encompassing erectile dysfunction and ejaculation issues further hampering fertility. Diabetics due to the high sugar levels are more prone to infections in general. Infection, swelling and tenderness of the foreskin also known as balanitis makes it painful to have intercourse and affects fertility.

The good news is diabetes can be effectively managed to regulate blood sugar levels. This comprises of regularly checking your levels, consuming a healthy diet, engaging in steady physical activity, consistently staying in the healthy weight range, meditation, and relaxation techniques to reduce tension and anxiety, and quitting smoking and alcohol. Your health care provider may also suggest some medications if required. Well monitored blood sugar levels can lessen the risk of all the issues enumerated above.

Precautionary measures

Preferably, diabetes should be well under control for around three months before you start actively trying. This will reduce the diabetes-related risks of pregnancy. Meet your general practitioners (GP) or diabetes specialist as soon as you consider starting a family. When pregnancy does occur, it is best to consult a doctor as soon as you find out that you are pregnant, so that the required care can be taken.

A lot is talked about diabetes and obesity together causing problems with fertility. A healthy diet, regular exercising, and regular checks for diabetic control will vastly improve reproductive outcomes.

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Diabetes may cause infertility in men; here are some precautionary measures - Business Standard

By Ruby Prosser Scully

AzmanJaka/Getty Images

Your gut microbes may determine how you respond to exercise. That is according to research showing how people with certain microbiomes have better metabolic outcomes after exercise. The discovery opens the door to diabetes treatments that target the microbes in our gut.

Type 2 diabetes is a growing problem internationally. While there is no cure, it can be prevented by early lifestyle interventions, says Aimin Xu at the University of Hong Kong.

Exercise is the most cost-effective strategy for diabetes prevention, he says. However, some people do not respond favourably to exercise.

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To understand why, Xu and his colleagues studied how exercise affected the microbiome and metabolism of 39 men with prediabetes, where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but not high enough to qualify for a diagnosis of diabetes.

The participants, who had never taken medication for the condition, were randomly assigned either to a sedentary control group, or to a group that undertook a three-month, high-intensity, supervised exercise training course. They were told to maintain their usual diet.

While all participants in the exercise group had similar levels of weight and fat-mass reduction, only 70 per cent had significant improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, Xu found.

An analysis of their gut microbes revealed that the people who saw improvements in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity had significantly different microbiomes that were able to generate more molecules called short-chain fatty acids and break down more branched-chain amino acids. the microbiomes of non-responders were more likely to produce compounds that are harmful to metabolism.

Next, the researchers asked the study participants to provide faecal samples, and transplanted the microbes they contained into obese mice. Rodents receiving microbes from people who responded well to exercise went on to develop better insulin resistance and glucose regulation. The rodents receiving microbes from people who hadnt responded to exercise didnt see any boost to these processes.

[Our study] identifies maladaptation of gut microbiota as a culprit for those individuals who do not respond to exercise intervention, says Xu. This is one of the first interventional randomised control trial studies providing clear evidence of the role of gut microbiota on metabolic health.

The findings raise the possibility that targeting gut microbiota can maximise the benefit of exercise and could help doctors personalise treatments.

The study only included men. Gut microbiomes can differ depending on sex, so the team plans to undertake similar research into women and older people in the future.

Journal reference: Cell Metabolism, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.11.001

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Gut microbes may predict whether exercising will prevent diabetes - New Scientist News

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. - "I don't want my father to die."

But that's exactly what Mariam Charara fears the most as her dad, Median El-Moustrah is facing. Being placed in an ICE detention center since Nov. 12, El-Moustrah has a slew of medical issues. Living with liver damage, hepatitis B, diabetes, and hearing loss, El-Moustrah is now at the mercy of an immigration system that Charara says she's displeased with.

"As a United States citizen I'm ashamed of this system, I am so ashamed of this system," she said.

While his potential exit is imminent, El-Moustrah's issues actually take root more than a decade ago.

"They had asked him back in 2007 when he was in front of the judge about a marriage date and because he forgot his anniversary, they deemed it to be enough evidence to say it was marriage fraud," said Charara.

Median El-Moustrah is very ill. He has liver damage, hepatitis B, diabetes and hearing loss. And since Nov. 12, he's been in a detention center run by ICE. Facing the prospect of deportation, his daughter is working to exhaust every opportunity to keep her dad from being sent back to Lebanon.

El-Moustrah's marriage to a U.S. citizen in the 1990's was a brief one, lasting about a year. However, he was able to obtain a green card.

Years after his marriage ended, problems started to arise within the legal system after he applied to extend his green card in 2007 - and couldn't remember his anniversary date.

His first wife later stated in an affidavit that they were indeed married for love, but since that court date, he's been at risk for deportation. All of this despite having no criminal record and living in the United Statesfor 30 years.

"He's a businessman. He employees eight other people, he pays taxes every single year," said Charara.

When Charara thinks about what might happen to her dad, she thinks of Jimmy Aldaoud - the metro Detroit man who was deported to Iraq earlier this year. Having never visited the country or spoken the language and facing his own degree of health problems, he died weeks after arriving back in the country when he couldn't get the insulin he needed to survive.

RELATED:Detroit man deported to Iraq in Trump's ICE sweep, diesfrom lack of insulin

To remedy the issue, Charara has submitted letters to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement from doctors located both in the U.S. and Lebanon, stating that her father - who is awaiting a liver transplant - will not get the medical care he needs if he deported.

Her letter ends by stating El-Moustrah could "face a certain death from his illness."

Charara said her family was informed the day before Thanksgiving that their father could be deported as early as next week.

"I'm just trying to make sure I turn every stone to know I can put my head in that pillow and say I did everything I can," she said.

FOX 2 reached out to ICE for a comment, and they said they could not respond until Monday.

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'Facing a certain death;' Man with liver damage, hepatitis B and diabetes facing deportation - FOX 2 Detroit

Diabetes Symptoms: Early signs of diabetes are visible on skin

Diabetes symptoms: Diabetes is affecting many today. Early diagnosis and treatment for diabetes can help in controlling the diseases on time. As uncontrolled blood sugar levels are associated with many severe complications one need to take necessary precautions to control the disease on time. During the early stage you may experience symptoms like frequent urination, increases hunger, blurry vision, fatigue, increases thirst, tingling in hands and feet, yeast infections and slow healing of wounds. Symptoms of diabetes are visible on skin as well. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels also affect the skin of the patient. Here are some common visible signs of diabetes on skin.

During the initial stage a diabetes patient may experience patches on the skin. Patches of dark skin can form on the neck or armpits. This patch can be soft. In some cases one may experience pale skin.

Diabetes: Uncontrolled blood sugar levels can affect skin in various waysPhoto Credit: iStock

Uncontrolled diabetes mainly contributes to skin issues. Dr. Manjunath Malige explains the relations between diabetes and skin issues and also explains different skin conditions that can happen due to diabetes. All these skin complications of diabetes can be prevented with good control of diabetes.

Diabetes, particularly poorly controlled diabetes can affect the skin in many ways. Diabetic Dermopathy is a term used to describe the small, brownish spots on the skin particularly in front of the legs. Patient usually does not develop any symptoms due to these skin spots and these occur in about 55% of patients with diabetes. It is more common in older patients with long-standing diabetes. These changes in skin happen due to decrease in the blood circulation to the skin due to diabetes.

Also read:Diabetes: Turmeric Can Help You Control Blood Sugar Levels; Here's Is The Right Method To Use It

Although, this condition in itself does not require any specific treatment, this may well indicate the presence of far more serious complications of diabetes like retinopathy (eye damage), nephropathy (kidney damage) and neuropathy (nerve damage). Cosmetic camouflage maybe used to disguise the appearance of the skin spots if required. The finding of such skin spots in patients not previously known to have diabetes should prompt investigations to check for the presence of diabetes. Good diabetes control in patients with diabetic dermopathy can reduce the risk of other complications of diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms: Dark patches are one of the earliest sign of diabetesPhoto Credit: iStock

Also read:Diabetics, Here's How Uncontrolled Blood Sugar Levels Can Affect Your Skin

1. Patients with diabetes are also at risk of developing Diabetic Bullae also known as bullosis diabeticorum, where blisters develop in the skin. These if present are distinct markers of diabetes.

2. Many patients with type 1 diabetes develop stiffness of the skin known as diabetic cheiroarthropathy. This results in restricted mobility of joints of the hands with stiff, waxy, thickened and yellow skin.

3. Necrobiosis lipoidica is a condition where yellow, waxy spots appear in the skin in front of the legs.

4. Diabetic patients, particularly if overweight or obese, can develop darkening and thickening of skin folds, thought to be due to insulin resistance. This condition is called acanthosis nigricans.

5. Apart from these, diabetic patients are at risk of developing recurrent fungal infections particularly around the private parts.

Also read:Diabetes Diet: What Is Glycemic Index? Top Foods With Low- Glycemic Index That Every Diabetic Must Know

(Dr. Manjunath Malige is the Chief and Senior Endocrinologist and Diabetologist at Aster RV hospital, Bangalore)

Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.

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Diabetes Symptoms: Dark Patches On Your Skin Can Be A Sign Of Diabetes; Here's Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes And Skin - NDTV News

The global rise in people suffering from type 2 diabetes is expected to drive the global non-insulin therapies for diabetes market. The global non-insulin therapies for diabetes market is estimated to reach a market value of US$ 64,590.6 million in 2019 and it is expected to reach US$ 105,461.5 million by 2027, growing at an estimated CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period.

Globally, diabetes is considered to be the most common disease and is ranked as top ten fatal disease in the U.S. Non-insulin therapies are frequently used in type 2 diabetes, accounting more than 90.0% of the diabetes cases. The rising economic burden of diabetes is substantially very high and is expected to surge in the coming future. According to statistics published by the American Diabetes Association (ADA), in March 2018, the cost to diagnose diabetes have increased to US$ 327 billion in 2017. Hence, non-insulin therapies for diabetes hold promising future in the coming years.

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The month of November is dedicated to national diabetes awareness, with the 14th of November being dedicated as World Diabetes Day. The intention is to raise awareness about a disease that afflicts 30.3 million people nationwide, nearly 10% of the United States population.

However, even with the staggering numbers and an entire month being dedicated to the awareness and prevention of such a disease, diabetes specialists and patients alike do not believe the populace gives it the attention it needs.

Tricia Dutra, a medical assistant at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Health Center who works with diabetes patients, said her office sees upwards of 30 diabetic patients daily between three doctors, highlighting the fact that a large amount of the local population struggles with diabetes.

Even with the local and national figures, Dutra said she has not seen any increased awareness due to Diabetes Awareness Month.

Everybody knows about Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is extremely important, and Heart Disease Awareness Month, but nobody ever thinks about diabetes, Dutra said. What a monster disease it is; people just dont realize how bad it is.

Of course, diabetics themselves and their immediate family members are well aware of the severity of the disease. Diabetes prompts not only the patients, but their families, to make adjustments in their lives to compensate for their predicament.

Heidi Jackson, a patient at Charles Regional Health Center, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at age 40 and her daughter, Heather Oliver, has been her caretaker since.

Jackson said she was not aware of the severity of the disease upon diagnosis which in turn led to her needing additional care.

A lot of things happen to you when you dont take care of yourself. It affects all of your organs, Jackson said. Theres a lot of people out there that are walking around with diabetes and they dont know they have it. So the public needs to be more aware of this.

Oliver agrees that the public needs to be more educated on the adverse affects of diabetes, plus preventative actions that citizens can take.

Even with having an immediate family member affected by diabetes, Oliver said the message of the national diabetes month is unclear other than the obvious fact: take care of yourself.

I think it should get as much awareness as breast cancer does, Oliver said. People need to go have their A1C checked and have that part as their yearly physical. I also think they probably could use a bit more funding because insulin is really, really expensive and there are a lot of people out there who have a hard time affording it.

Lack of knowledge and insulin prices have contributed to 23.8% of diabetes cases going undiagnosed, along with it being the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.

This is not to say diabetes is a death sentence, as plenty of diabetics lead functioning lives after diagnosis by making the proper adjustments in their daily routines.

Ray Bazil, another patient at Charles Regional, experienced a tremendous amount of impact on his daily life when he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2004, but said now things are a bit more regulated.

Bazil said he has completely restructured his diet, eating six small meals a day, in addition to staying away from sugary drinks and processed foods.

You have to monitor and be more careful about what you eat and how you eat, Bazil said. Be aware of it. Dont be fearful of it. Know that you can manage it, and know that you can take care of yourself.

Bazil mentioned that he was not aware of the message a national diabetes month presents, but credits the medical staff for helping him make the adjustments to live a functioning life with diabetes.

A reason people are not fully aware of the adverse affects of diabetes could be not having any direct or indirect contact with the disease. Through no fault of their own, people become ignorant of how important a structured diet and active lifestyle is to long term health.

Diabetes can manifest itself anywhere with anyone, it is a non-discriminatory disease that even experts on it are at risk of developing.

Such is the case with Natasha Adams, a medical assistant at Charles Regional. Adams has been working with diabetes patients for 17 years and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes this past February.

Adams used her diagnosis as a motivating factor to prompt changes not only in her life, but in the lives of her patients who may believe the disease is uncontrollable.

You have to be vested in you. Its not just based on the treatment, but you as the patient have to be willing to participate and do whats needed to make the changes, Adams said. I tell patients from my standpoint, look I get it, so I try to be a positive role model to the patients to let them know I am doing it, and you can do it as well.

Adams stated that the lack of awareness, sedentary lifestyles and prices of medication all contribute to the diabetes crisis, having an impact on both a local and national scale.

Many people cant afford medication, so now people are at the point where they debate, Do I buy my food, do I pay my bills, [or] do I get my medication? Adams said. The cost becomes extreme. The government contributing more would definitely help to bring down the numbers.

If you have it, embrace it. If you embrace it, then you try to control it, Adams said. You try to do more, you try to let other people know its not a death sentence, you can actually live with it, you can live a long life with it, too.

Dutra explained that exercise and a controlled diet can prevent the development of diabetes to begin with.

It doesnt have to be strict, you dont have to follow Atkins or Keto or anything like that, but just use basic common sense, Dutra said. Moderation is the key. Realize you have limitations.

Patients and medical staff alike agree that awareness of a preventable disease must be increased, along with the promotion of a structured, controlled diet and active lifestyle.

Twitter: @RyanVollandIndy

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Diabetes Awareness Month reminds of a growing problem - SoMdNews.com

Garlic

Garlic is a source of allicin which lowers blood pressure, cholesterol and makes arteries more elastic, plus ajoene which helps to lower blood glucose levels," said Dr Brewer.

She added: "Aged garlic also contains potent antioxidants such as sallylcysteine. 2.7g/0.1oz fresh cloves per day (two to three cloves) can lower LDL-cholesterol enough to cut your risk of a heart attack or stroke by 25 percent.

"Ajoene can lower glucose levels by 25 percent. Aged garlic inhibits formation of glycated proteins. Recent research suggests that garlic oil improves glucose tolerance and can decrease protein loss through the kidneys.

Ginger

Ginger contains gingerol, zingerone and essential oils. Gingerol reduces blood clotting, boosts circulation and lowers blood pressure," said Dr Brewer.

"Research suggests ginger increases insulin secretion and increases insulin-sensitive glucose uptake in fat (adipose) cells. Preliminary research suggests it may also reduce diabetes-related kidney damage.

Grapefruit

Grapefruit contain antioxidants, with red grapefruit having a higher flavonoid and anthocyanin content.

"Grapefruit interacts with several prescription drugs, including statins check medication insert sheets. Both blond and red grapefruit lower LDL-cholesterol (7 percent for blond, 15 percent for red), while red grapefruit lowers triglycerides by 17 percent (5 percent for blond)," said Dr Brewer.

Grapes

Grapes, especially lack grapes, are rich sources of antioxidant anthocyanadins such as resveratrol.

"Compounds found in red grapes can significantly increase levels of protective, antioxidant glutathione in pancreatic cells and increase insulin production in type 2 diabetes," said Dr Brewer.

Jerusalem artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes contain the enzyme, inulase, and a complex sugar, inulin, made up of units of fructose giving it a low glycemic index. Inulin and inulase may help to stabilize glucose levels, especially when combined with higher GI foods," said Dr Brewer.

Olive oil

Olive oil is a good source of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants: vitamin E carotenoids and polyphenols," said Dr Brewer.

She added: "A diet rich in olive oil has been shown to reduce blood pressure, and the risk of coronary heart disease by 25 percent.

"Following an olive-oil rich Mediterranean-style diet is predicted to prevent over 90 percent of type 2 diabetes, 80 percent of coronary heart disease and 70 percent of stroke when combined with regular physical activity and not smoking.

Oranges

Oranges especially the red blood oranges have high levels of antioxidant vitamin C, anthocyanidins and flavones.

"Cyanidin-3-glucoside and delphinidin-3-glucoside found in red oranges were recently shown to promote insulin secretion to improve glucose tolerance," said Dr Brewer.

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Type 2 diabetes: Best foods to include in your diet to lower blood sugar - Express