Diabetic Digest - Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Readers:

I'm going to be brief today because I want you to read the article that I have selected for you. It deals with a new study that strong evidence to link the risks for Alzheimer's disease and Type 2 diabetes.

I heard about this on the news yesterday morning and it stopped me in my tracks. It really got to me. I knew that this must be shared with you.

Please read this article and search out more information on this distressing health issue.

Regards,
Steve

Questions? Comments? Email Steve

Concerned about your health? Evtv1.com has videos for you! Health Videos

*-- Diabetes News --*
Alzheimer's link yet another reason to fear diabetes
New study strengthens evidence linking Type 2 diabetes to dementia
By: Robert Bazell
MSNBC.com

The evidence linking the most common form of diabetes and the risk for Alzheimer's disease has been growing for years. New research released Monday in the journal Neurology makes the case even stronger.

For the study, Japanese doctors recruited volunteers, ages 60 and older, and followed them for 11 years. In addition to checking the participants' medical history, the scientists gave them mental exams to determine whether they had symptoms of dementia and a glucose tolerance test to measure whether they had Type 2 diabetes.

Of 150 people with confirmed Type 2 diabetes at the beginning, 41 developed Alzheimer's, compared to 115 who developed dementia out of 559 non-diabetics. That adds up to 27 percent rate of Alzheimer's for diabetics, compared to a 20 percent rate for non-diabetics -- or a 35 percent increased risk. Those with the most severe diabetes at the beginning had a more than threefold increase in the rate of dementia.

The Alzheimer's Association estimates that 5.4 million Americans have been diagnosed with the mind-robbing condition. As the population in the U.S. continues to age, that number could climb to 16 million within 40 years.

"The fact that Type 2 diabetes is increasing, and it's a risk factor for Alzheimer's would only make those numbers bigger," says Dr. William H. Thies, medical and scientific officer for the association. "It's already a disaster that's going to come to us, if we don't do something better about treating Alzheimer's disease."

How are diabetes and Alzheimer's, two of America's biggest public health problems, related? All the connections are not known, but last year researchers found a gene that increases both the risk for Type 2 diabetes and for Alzheimer's.

And scientists recently presented results of a small pilot study showing that insulin, the common treatment for diabetes delivered directly to the brain through a special inhaler seemed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's. However, it will be years before insulin or any other treatment can be clinically verified to slow the progression of Alzheimer's.

The actions need to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes -- and all of its side effects, including heart trouble, amputations, kidney failure and blindness -- are well known: Exercise more and lose weight. It's possible that adding the threat of Alzheimer's disease to that list could end the reluctance of many people to make those lifestyle changes.

Alzheimer's disease "is one of the most feared conditions for people who are entering their later years," says Thies.
"[The new study] gives us an extra piece of information that may move people from considering changes in their life to actually making those changes."

Original Article: Alzheimer's link yet another reason to fear diabetes

*-- Diabetic Recipe --*
Sweet Potato Biscuits
Servings: 18
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Total: 45 minutes

Ingredients
cooking spray
2 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons spoonable brown sugar substitute
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/4 cup canola oil
3/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cultured non-fat buttermilk
3/4 cup mashed cooked sweet potato

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly spray a non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray (or line with parchment paper).
2. In a large bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, salt, and sugar.
3. In a large measuring cup, combine oil, buttermilk, and mashed sweet potato.
4. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. (The dough will be quite dry).
5. Transfer dough to a floured work surface. Knead a few times and pat to 1 inch thickness rectangle about 8" x 5".
6. Dip a sharp knife in flour, then cut the dough into thirds lengthwise. Then cut each long strip into 6 equal pieces, making 18 squares in all.
7. Transfer biscuits to prepared baking sheet.
8. Bake about 12 to 13 minutes, until tops are golden and firm to the touch. Serve warm.

Nutrition Information
Per biscuit: 104 calories (29% calories from fat), 2 g protein, 3 g total fat (0.4 g saturated), 16 g carbohydrate, 1 g dietary fiber, trace cholesterol, 204 mg sodium
Exchanges: 1 carbohydrate (1 bread/starch), 1/2 fat

Original Recipe: Sweet Potato Biscuits

Missed an Issue? Visit the Diabetic Digest Archives