Diabetes

Posted on Diabetes, Diet

Developing Tasty and Nutritious Chickpea and Pea Tempeh

A team of food scientists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, led by Hang Xiao, is working on an exciting project to create new plant-based protein foods using chickpeas and peas. Tempeh, a traditional Indonesian food typically made from fermented soybeans, is being reinvented with these new ingredients. The research is funded by a four-year, $387,000 grant from the USDA’s Pulse Crop Health Initiative.

The Benefits of Chickpea and Pea Tempeh

This new type of tempeh could offer significant health benefits, potentially helping to counteract the negative effects of the Western diet, such as obesity, fatty liver, and diabetes. The key to this project is to understand the science behind the fermentation process, which has been practiced for centuries.

Combining Expertise

Xiao is collaborating with sensory scientist Alissa Nolden and John Gibbons, who studies fungi in fermented foods, to uncover how fermentation affects the nutritional and sensory properties of tempeh. Their goal is to make chickpea and pea tempeh not only nutritious but also delicious.

The Science of Fermentation

The researchers will develop tempeh from chickpeas and peas and study how fungi transform the nutrients during fermentation. They will analyze the compounds produced, such as amino acids and flavonoids, to ensure the final product is high in fiber and low in fat.

Consumer Testing and Health Impact

To make sure the tempeh is tasty, a panel of consumers will evaluate its taste, smell, and texture. Additionally, the researchers will test the health impact of this new tempeh on an obese rodent model fed a typical Western diet high in animal fat and sugar. Preliminary results are promising, showing that chickpea tempeh can prevent weight gain, fatty liver, and other negative effects.

Conclusion

This project aims to create a new, healthy, and delicious plant-based protein option. By developing chickpea and pea tempeh, the team hopes to offer a sustainable alternative to animal meat that can also help improve public health.

Posted on Diabetes

How Your Immune System Helps Regulate Blood Sugar

Scientists found that many people with type 2 diabetes know little about their condition, indicating a need to improve communication about the disease

When we think about the immune system, fighting off infections is the first thing that comes to mind. But did you know it also helps control blood sugar levels? A new study from the Champalimaud Foundation has uncovered this surprising role, showing how immune cells act like messengers, working together with the nervous and hormonal systems to keep our blood sugar in check, especially during fasting or exercise.

Beyond Fighting Infections

“For years, we’ve focused mainly on the immune system’s role in fighting infections,” says Henrique Veiga-Fernandes, head of the Immunophysiology Lab at the Champalimaud Foundation. “But it’s becoming clear that the immune system does much more.”

Blood sugar, or glucose, is a key fuel for our brain and muscles. Keeping blood sugar levels stable is crucial, especially when we’re not eating or physically active.

Traditionally, insulin and glucagon, both hormones produced by the pancreas, have been known to regulate blood sugar. Insulin lowers blood sugar by helping cells absorb glucose, while glucagon raises it by signaling the liver to release stored glucose.

A New Discovery

Veiga-Fernandes and his team discovered that a type of immune cell called ILC2 plays a crucial role in this process. When these cells were missing in genetically engineered mice, the mice couldn’t produce enough glucagon, causing their blood sugar levels to drop. However, when the researchers transplanted ILC2 cells into these mice, their blood sugar levels normalized.

This discovery revealed that the immune system helps regulate glucagon production, ensuring stable blood sugar levels during periods of low energy.

How It Works

During fasting, immune cells travel from the intestine to the pancreas, where they release chemical messengers called cytokines. These cytokines instruct pancreatic cells to produce glucagon, which then signals the liver to release glucose into the bloodstream.

The nervous system orchestrates this process by releasing signals that guide immune cells to where they’re needed.

Implications for Health

This new understanding of how the immune, nervous, and hormonal systems work together opens up exciting possibilities for managing conditions like diabetes, obesity, and even cancer. By targeting these pathways, we could develop new treatments and preventive measures for these diseases.

Conclusion

The immune system does more than just fight infections; it also plays a critical role in regulating blood sugar levels, especially during fasting and exercise. This discovery highlights the intricate communication between our body’s systems and could lead to new approaches for improving our health.

Posted on Diabetes, Obesity

Researchers Uncover New Way to Control Sugar Cravings

A study by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has discovered a new method to control sugar cravings, which could help in preventing diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
A study by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has discovered a new method to control sugar cravings, which could help prevent diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Why Sugar Cravings Matter Eating too much sugar can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, heart problems, and type 2 diabetes. Humans and animals naturally crave sugar, which can cause health problems when uncontrolled.

The Role of the Gut Previous studies showed that our gut sends signals to the brain that affect our food cravings. However, it’s been unclear how gut microbes (the tiny organisms living in our intestines) play a part in this.

The Discovery Researchers found that a specific gut bacterium, Bacteroides vulgatus, can reduce sugar cravings. By studying diabetic mice and humans, they noticed that those with low levels of a receptor called FFAR4 had stronger sugar cravings. They also discovered that Bacteroides vulgatus, along with a substance called pantothenic acid, can influence these cravings by activating certain hormones.

Implications This discovery reveals a new mechanism involving the gut, liver, and brain in controlling sugar cravings. In mouse experiments, adding Bacteroides vulgatus and pantothenic acid helped reduce sugar cravings.

Future Directions This research suggests new ways to prevent diabetes, like developing FFAR4-targeted treatments or using Bacteroides vulgatus. Future clinical studies are needed to explore these potential therapies.

I hope this makes it easier to understand! If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to ask.

Posted on Cognitive dysfunction, Diabetes, Diet

Diets High in Processed Red Meat Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia

Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard found that consuming large amounts of red meat, mainly processed types like bacon, hot dogs, and sausage, is linked to a higher risk of dementia. Participants who ate diets high in processed meats had a 13% higher risk of developing dementia over a follow-up period of up to 43 years.

This research highlights that red meat is not only a risk factor for chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, but it also increases the risk for dementia. The study, published in the medical journal Neurology, suggests that replacing processed red meat with protein sources like nuts, legumes, or fish may reduce the risk of dementia by about 20%.

Dr. Daniel Wang from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a member of the Mass General Brigham healthcare system, emphasized the importance of considering the impact of diet on brain health. He hopes the findings will encourage greater awareness of the link between diet and cognitive health.

As the U.S. population ages, dementia is becoming a growing concern. In this study, out of 133,771 participants with an average age of 49 years, 11,173 were diagnosed with dementia up to 43 years later. Data were collected from long-term studies, which included detailed information about participants’ diets.

The study found that those who ate at least a quarter of a serving of processed red meats daily had a 13% higher risk of dementia compared to those who consumed less than one-tenth of a serving. Additionally, greater processed meat consumption was associated with worse cognitive function and accelerated cognitive ageing by about 1.6 years per daily serving.

The researchers also explored self-reported cognitive decline, which often precedes noticeable cognitive impairment. They found that consuming both processed and unprocessed meats increased the risk of cognitive decline.

Further research is being conducted to understand how red meat contributes to dementia risk, particularly focusing on the gut microbiome and substances like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) that may impact brain health.

Dr. Wang noted the importance of long-term studies in understanding the causes of dementia and cognitive decline, and he emphasized the need to continue investigating the mechanisms behind these conditions.

Posted on Diabetes, Diet

Can Carrots Help Manage Diabetes? New Research Says Yes!

Exciting Study Reveals Carrots' Potential to Regulate Blood Sugar and Improve Gut Health
Exciting Study Reveals Carrots’ Potential to Regulate Blood Sugar and Improve Gut Health

A new study from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) suggests that carrots might just be a superfood for managing type 2 diabetes. The researchers discovered that carrots can enhance blood sugar regulation and improve gut bacteria composition, offering a natural and possibly side-effect-free way to support diabetes treatment.

What’s the Big Deal? Type 2 diabetes affects millions globally and managing it usually involves dietary changes and medication, which can have side effects. This study points to a simple, natural alternative: carrots.

The Study Over 16 weeks, researchers fed mice with type 2 diabetes a high-fat diet to mimic an unhealthy lifestyle. One group received a diet supplemented with 10% freeze-dried carrot powder, while the other did not. The results were promising:

  • Better Blood Sugar Control: Mice on the carrot diet showed improved blood sugar regulation.
  • Healthier Gut: The carrot diet altered the gut microbiome, leading to a healthier balance of gut bacteria.

Why It Matters Carrots contain bioactive compounds that help cells absorb sugar, aiding in blood sugar regulation. These compounds are also found in other vegetables from the carrot family, like parsley and celery. Researchers believe incorporating carrots into the diet could complement existing diabetes treatments and offer new hope for patients.

Looking Forward While these findings are based on animal studies, the next step is to conduct clinical trials in humans. Preliminary studies suggest that as little as 30-40 grams of raw or lightly cooked carrots daily could have beneficial effects.

Fun Fact The ‘Night Bird’ variety of purple carrot is particularly rich in these bioactive compounds!

For more updates on this exciting research, stay tuned to future publications from the University of Southern Denmark.

Discover how a simple carrot could revolutionize diabetes management. Stay informed about the latest advancements and potential treatments that could transform lives.