“Before our discovery, the mechanism behind how exactly the insulin-producing beta cells in the islet of Langerhans of the pancreas fail in type 2 diabetes was incompletely understood, making it difficult to design new and better therapies, says Mehboob Hussain, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics, medicine and biological chemistry. “Our research cracks open a decades-long mystery.”

After a meal, the pancreas produces insulin to move glucose from the blood into cells for fuel. People with type 2 diabetes either don’t secrete enough insulin or their cells are resistant to its effects.

In a study designed to figure out more precisely how the pancreas releases insulin, Hussain’s group looked at how other cells in the body release chemicals. One particular protein, Snapin, found in nerve cells, caught their eye because it’s used by nerve cells to release chemicals necessary for cell communication. Snapin also is found in the insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells.

To test the role of Snapin, researchers engineered a change to the Snapin gene in mice to keep Snapin permanently “on” in the pancreas. Researchers removed the pancreas cells and grew them in a dish for a day, then added glucose to the cells and took samples to measure how much insulin was released.

When the scientists compared that measurement to what was released by pancreas cells in normal mice, they found that normal mice released about 2.8 billionths of a gram of insulin per cell, whereas the cells from “Snapin-on” mice released 7.3 billionths of a gram of insulin per cell – about three times the normal amount.

“We were surprised to find that the Snapin-on mice didn’t have more or bigger pancreas cells, they just made more insulin naturally,” says Hussain. “This means all our insulin-secreting cells have this amazing reserve of insulin that we didn’t really know existed and a switch that controls it.”

To see if permanently turning off Snapin would reduce insulin release and further demonstrate that Snapin controls the process, the researchers first grew normal mouse pancreas cells in a dish, and treated them with a chemical that stopped them from making the Snapin protein. They again bathed the cells in glucose and measured how much insulin was released by the cells. Normal cells released 5.8 billionths of a gram of insulin, whereas cells with no Snapin only released 1.1 billionths of a gram of insulin – about 80 percent less.

“These results convinced us that Snapin is indeed the switch that releases insulin from the pancreas,” says Hussain.

Biology / Biochemistry From Medical News Today

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com

1. B Vitamins:
Have you ever run low on fuel (especially carbohydrates) and felt fuzzy and irritable? And then you eat and all of the sudden you feel better and your ability to think and concentrate returns to normal. Well, it isn’t just the food and increase in blood sugar that is helping you function. The B Vitamins play an integral role in brain functioning. The Bs are a part of the enzymes and coenzymes in your body that take the energy from carbohydrates, fat and protein and help turn it into a form your body can use to function. In addition, several B vitamins are absolutely essential for proper brain and nervous system functioning.

2. L-Carnitine:
L-Carnitine is a conditionally essential micronutrient. It is considered “conditional” because our body can make it but, at times our demand for L-Carnitine exceeds our supply and supplementation may be the best route for increasing our L-Carnitine levels. Our body’s stores of L-Carnitine are concentrated in our heart and skeletal muscle where this micronutrient plays a vital role in energy production. Studies in rats indicate that L-Carnitine supplementation may put up a roadblock against age-related declines in memory and cognitive impairment. Does it help humans too? Some scientists believe that giving a nutrient cocktail of Alpha-Lipoic Acid, L-Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 may be one of the most effective nutrition-based solutions for improving cognitive decline in older adults.

3. L-Tyrosine:
Tyrosine is a nonessential amino acid that our body can make from the amino acid Phenylalanine (although people with PKU must consume Tyrosine). Some studies indicate that supplementation with Tyrosine may improve alertness after sleep deprivation and delay a decline in performance on psychomotor tests after skimping on sleep.

In addition to possibly helping people perform better during times of sleep deprivation, supplemental L-Tyrosine may also be beneficial during times of stress. Under stressful conditions, the human brain may not synthesize enough Tyrosine to manufacture essential compounds like your flight-or-fight Catecholamines: Epinephrine and Norepinephrine as well as the neurotransmitter Dopamine, which has a number of functions in the brain from helping control behavior to learning and memory. Therefore, supplemental Tyrosine may improve performance, memory and learning during times of psychological stress.

4. Phosphatidyl Serine:
Phosphatidyl Serine is a phospholipid that is present in cell membranes and plays a role in cell functioning. Most research has examined the role supplemental Phosphatidyl Serine plays in enhancing memory and cognitive functioning. For the athlete, Phosphatidyl Serine has been shown to minimize physical and mental stress. Doses used in sports studies range from 200 – 800 mg. A study in golfers found that just 200 mg phosphatidylserine taken daily (in a bar) for six weeks had a tendency to improve perceived stress as well as a statistically significant improvement in the number of good ball flights during tee-off.

5. Theanine:
Studies show that L-Theanine reduces psychological and physiological stress and increases alpha-brain wave activity to produce a dose-dependent relaxed yet alert state about 40 minutes after it is ingested. Take it with Caffeine and you have one dynamic duo that stimulates areas of the brain to increase alertness, boost reaction time, memory and performance on cognitive functioning tasks.

In one study, L-Theanine (250 mg) and Caffeine (150 mg) together led to faster simple reaction time, faster numeric working memory reaction time and improved sentence verification accuracy – all functions we perform on a daily basis.

Conclusion
If you want your brain functioning at maximum capacity you need to treat it the same way you treat your body – exercise your mind by reading, solving puzzles and figuring out tasks that take brain power. And, feed your brain with the right foods including a good mix of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrate (focus on fruits and vegetables since these are among the best sources of antioxidants and essential nutrients). Lastly, try one or more of these powerful supplements that support brain functioning.

Before taking any supplement, talk to your physician. The supplements listed here are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure disease. And keep in mind, more isn’t always better.

Bodybuilding.com Supplement Articles

Here are five myths about physical fitness that some readers may find surprising.

Myth #1
You can reduce fat in specific areas of the body, by doing exercises that target those particular body areas.

On the face of it, that seems to make sense, but trying to burn fat in a precise spot where you want to lose it, simply doesn’t work.  The only way to burn fat is through exercise, expending more calories then you’ve ingested.  And exercise burns fat gradually, and from all areas of the body simultaneously, not just around the muscles you’re using. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t work the areas where you have extra fat though.  Doing so will build muscle there, and that will give that area a more toned look, when the fat over the muscle is reduced.

Myth #2
You must exercise regularly, in order for the exertion to benefit you.

There’s no doubt about it, getting truly physically fit requires many weeks of diligent effort.  With that in mind, many people believe, that if they can’t or don’t have the willpower to exercise several times per week, any lesser effort is wasted.  But, any amount of exercise is beneficial.

Even if you only take a walk occasionally, the effort can help lower your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.  It probably won’t help you lose weight or build muscle, but it’s certainly worthwhile, from an overall health point-of-view.  And psychologically, sometimes when we start off exercising every now and then, we soon realize, that’s it not as difficult as we thought, and making time for exercise on a regular basis, is not as difficult as we might have believed.

Myth #3
Strength training will make your body too muscular.

Some people use weight training to develop large muscles.  Many others participate in order to increase their strength and tone their overall musculature, but are not interested in “bulking up.”  But if you follow a sensible strength-training regimen, there’s no need to end up looking like a bodybuilder.  On the contrary, without a positive genetic disposition for large muscle growth, any strength training results will be positive, but not excessive.

The “bodybuilders” pictured today spend many hours a week in the gym, performing many sets, with increasing weight resistance.  A more mainstream strength training program consists of 10 – 12 different exercises, at between 8 – 12 repetitions, utilizing all major muscle groups, twice-a-week.

Myth #4
Muscle turns to fat, if you stop exercising that muscle group.

Muscle cannot magically transform itself into fatty tissue.  There is no need to worry about your hard-earned, six-pack abs turning into jello, if your exercise routine is interrupted.  Muscles will shrink (atrophy), if not challenged regularly, with resistance exercises, and this may create a flabby, less-toned appearance, over time.  The missed exercise routine, with fewer calories burned, will also cause a reduced metabolism, making it much more likely, you will gain weight, as fat.

Myth #5
I’m too old to start exercising.

Aging, in many cases, brings an inevitable decrease in personal health status.  With that in mind, many people believe that, if they haven’t followed a regular exercise routine, starting later in life is futile.  Research has showed that nothing could be further from the truth.  Exercise can assist in the management of many health problems, common among the middle-aged and elderly.  As always, it’s extremely important to consult your physician, before embarking on a strenuous regimen, as they understand your physical condition better than anyone.  Unfortunately, although exercise is incredibly beneficial to most, because of prior medical conditions, certain individuals may not be able to participate safely.

Exercise myths may hinder people from embarking on a personal fitness program.  Knowing the truth, behind the myths, may alleviate those fears, and make it easier for individuals to pursue a healthy lifestyle correctly.

If you have diabetes, everything you eat and drink should be part of your recommended meal plan. Otherwise, you risk developing complications or health risks due to a blood sugar count that is either too low or too high. When you have diabetes, it’s often a case of ensuring balance in your life – physical activity, weight range, blood sugar and yes, a well-balanced diet.

The Food Pyramid
The diabetes food pyramid is divided into 6 food groups. These food groups are outlined below, starting at the top, which makes up the smallest portion of the pyramid and ending with the bottom, which should contain the largest portions in a diet plan. The recommended servings per day are enclosed in parentheses:

• Sweets, fats and alcohol (small servings only, preferably reserved for very special occasions).
• Meat and meat substitutes including tofu (4 to 6 oz).
• Milk (2 to 3 servings).
• Fruit (2 to 4 servings).
• Vegetables (3 to 5 servings).
• Grains (6 to 11 servings) and starchy vegetables (3 to 5 servings).

The South Beach Diet
The South Beach diet has been popularized and promoted by many weight loss gurus because it is quite effective in helping people lose and maintain weight. For people with Type II diabetes, however, the South Beach diet may not always be effective. Experts cite its adverse effects on people who have problems with their kidney functions. If you’re considering using the South Beach diet and you have Type II diabetes, you may want to consult your doctor first. The South Beach diet may not be a good diet plan to follow especially if you have impaired kidney functions caused by diabetes.

The Caveman Diet
A rather extreme form of diet that some people are recommending is the caveman diet or the Stone Age diet. It is argued that diabetes didn’t seem to plague cavemen and that majority of the foods included in the caveman diet are similar to the foods recommended for diabetes.

Consider, for example, the fact that refined grains and sugars were nonexistent and that fat was not taken in large amounts. Other foods associated with obesity (and therefore contributory to Type II diabetes), such as salt, hydrogenated fats, vegetable oils and even milk were also not readily available. What was present was high fiber and fresh, all natural fruits, meats and vegetables.

While this diet may seem a little strange, it is not totally without sense. What it promotes is the use of fresh foods and natural fiber, along with minimal intake of refined or processed sugars carbohydrates and oils. In other words, use a simple but healthful diet plan to help combat the effects of Type II diabetes.

Looking for a Diabetes Diet Plan
The best way to ensure that you follow the recommended portion and that you eat only the recommended foods for Type II diabetes is to work with a dietitian or nutritionist. This is especially important if you are pregnant. Pregnancy may require special diets, especially if you’re diabetic.

However, there are certain sources for free diet plans you can use, perfect if you’re looking for a way to maintain a diet on a daily basis. The American Diabetes Association website has plenty of information about Type II diabetes diet along with a list of foods that may be included on a menu. Diabetes Educators also has a website where you’ll find plenty of free recipes, diet plans and recommended food portions.

Putting a Diet Plan into Practice
Just because you have this condition doesn’t mean you should stop living an active, healthy life. You will have to deal with certain restrictions, however, but with conscientious maintenance and a good diet, there is no reason why you should be limited by your condition.

Following a recommended and sensible diabetes Type II diet will take some effort on your part, especially if you’re used to a more lenient lifestyle. However, remember that maintaining a sensible diet is important to help you live a healthy and productive life. Use the resources and information that you already have and look for extra help if you need it. Controlling this health problem is possible and only you can make sure of that.

The announcement on the new drug (which only needs to be taken once a week) sent Amylin shares up as much as 19 percent on Tuesday, while shares of Lilly, the much larger drugmaker, were 2 percent higher.

Amylin is hoping to file for regulatory approval of once weekly Byetta by the end of the second quarter. The currently approved version of Byetta available in the market is typically injected twice a day.

The 26-week study comprising 491 patients compared Byetta LAR, also known as exenatide once weekly, with maximum doses of Merck & Co Inc’s Januvia, known chemically as sitagliptin, and pioglitazone, sold under the brand name Actos by Japan’s Takeda Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.

The type 2 diabetes patients taking Byetta LAR experienced a reduction in A1C ( a measure of average blood sugar) over three months of 1.7 percentage points from baseline, compared to a reduction of 1.0 percentage point for Januvia and 1.4 percentage points for Actos, according to Amylin.

These results of the DURATION-2 trial were deemed to be statistically significant.

“Today’s data confirm the superiority of exenatide LAR, which has only been assumed to this date, but not tested head- to-head versus existing oral therapies,” Lazard Capital Markets analyst Matthew Osborne wrote in a recent research note.

“We believe data from DURATION-3 trial comparing exenatide LAR versus Lantus could show similar superiority, or at least similar A1C, but with greater weight loss,” Osborne said. The drug Lantus is sold by French drugmaker Sanofi-Aventis SA.

In addition to its advantage in blood sugar control, the Byetta patients also lost an average of 6.2 pounds (2.8 kg) at 26 weeks compared with a loss of 1.9 pounds (0.9 kg) for Januvia and a weight gain of 7.4 pounds (3.4 kg) for Actos.

Weight loss is a very desirable side effect for diabetes treatments as obesity is one of the leading causes of the disease and some drug treatments, such as Actos, can cause weight gain. Patients who took part in this study were generally not obese, which makes the weigh loss even more significant.

“A once-weekly therapy that helps patients achieve A1C targets, with the added benefits of weight loss and no major hypoglycemia, could provide patients with an important option to improve their diabetes care,” Dr Richard Bergenstal, executive director of the International Diabetes Center, said in a statement.

During the 26-week study, the most frequently reported adverse effects amongst Byetta LAR users were nausea and diarrhea, which was similar to Januvia. Upper respiratory tract infections and peripheral edema were the most frequently reported adverse effects reported by those taking Actos in the study.

There were no cases of pancreatitis, or inflammation of the pancreas, seen with Byetta LAR patients in the study, which should be viewed as very good news as Byetta carries a warning about rare cases of the condition. Any cases of panceatitus that crop up in Byetta LAR studies could arouse extra scrutiny from health regulators making an approval decision.

Living with Type II Diabetes?

People who slept fewer than six hours a night were more likely to develop a condition that precedes diabetes than those sleeping for longer, they found.

They said the study supported mounting evidence that cutting back on sleep can have a profound impact on health.

The six-year study was presented at a American Heart Association conference.

Cases of type 2 diabetes, which are often, but not always, linked to obesity, have been rising across the globe.

The condition develops when the body makes too much insulin, but does not use the hormone efficiently to break down sugar in the blood.

A stepping stone on the way to the condition is known as impaired fasting glucose, in which blood sugar levels are too high, but not high enough to constitute a diagnosis of diabetes.

A team from the University of Buffalo, in New York, followed a group of volunteers over a six-year period.

They found those who slept on average for fewer than six hours a night during the working week were 4.56 times more likely to develop impaired fasting glucose than those sleeping six to eight hours a night.

Lead researcher Dr Lisa Rafalson said: “This study supports growing evidence of the association of inadequate sleep with adverse health issues.”

Complex area
Dr Rafalson said it was likely that hormones and the nervous system were behind the link.

“Our findings will hopefully spur additional research into this very complex area of sleep and illness,” she said.

A recent study suggested that taking regular lunchtime siestas could increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Dr Neil Stanley, a sleep expert at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, said there was a mounting body of evidence linking lack of sleep to conditions such as diabetes.

However, he said the reasons remained unclear, although it was possible that lack of sleep raised the risk of putting on weight, which in turn could raise the risk of diabetes.

“There is some evidence that lack of sleep mucks up our appetite hormones, so you want to eat more, and eat the wrong things – when we are tired we tend to crave sugary foods.

“A good night’s sleep is a biological necessity: your body wants and needs a good night’s sleep every night, and if you are well rested you will get a lot more done during the day.”

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, said the study was too small to draw any firm conclusions.

However, he said the findings echoed previous studies which found there might be a link between disturbed sleep patterns and a raised risk of type 2 diabetes.

But he added: “When it comes to discussing major risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes, issues with sleep duration will remain less significant than other established risk factors such as being overweight, being over the age of 40 or having a history of diabetes in the family.”

From BBC News

Living with Type II Diabetes?

However it does mean that you are susceptible to developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease if you do nothing about it.

Unfortunately, more often than not, there are no physical symptoms to warn you if you are in a pre-diabetes stage. So it’s worth getting yourself checked out and, if you fall into any of these categories, ask your physician if you are likely to be at risk of pre-diabetes:

• You are overweight and you are aged 45 or older
• Your weight is OK and you’re aged 45+. Ask your doctor during a routine check-up if testing is appropriate for you
• You are an adult under age 45 and you are overweight
• You have high blood pressure; low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides
• Your family has a history of diabetes
• There’s a history of gestational diabetes in your family
• You have given birth to a baby weighing more than 9 pounds
• You belong to an ethnic or minority group that has a high risk for diabetes, such as African American, American Indian, Asian American, Pacific Islander, or Hispanic American/Latino.

you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart diseaseThe good news is, if after testing you discover that you do have pre-diabetes; your blood-sugar levels are rather higher than they should be but not in the diabetes range, you can take positive action to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

• Reduce the amount on your plate – eating just a little less helps reduce your risk factor.
• Avoid snacks; if you must snack go for a healthy rather than sugar-laden option.
• Drink a glass of water 10 minutes before eating to take the edge of your appetite so you don’t overindulge in food.
• Choose whole-grain foods or sugar-free foods.
• Take a little more exercise; such as walking up the stairs instead of taking the lift or an escalator.
• Don’t shop for food when you are feeling hungry. You’ll be more tempted to buy the foods that increase your blood-sugars; add on weight and generally create a higer risk of moving from your pre-diabetes state into being a fully diagnosed type 2 diabetic.

Taking these and other simple actions can reduce your risk of turning pre-diabetes into type 2 diabetes.

Living with Type II Diabetes?

For many people with type 2 diabetes, controlling blood sugar is a struggle every day. In fact, a report issued last year by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) showed that two out of three Americans with type 2 diabetes analyzed in a study were not in control of their blood sugar.

It is important to control blood sugar because it lowers the risk of serious health problems later. Diabetes can cause heart disease, stroke, blindness, loss of limbs and kidney disease.

But now, there’s new help to better manage type 2 diabetes. Life and fitness coach Bob Harper of NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” and a panel of diabetes experts created easy-to-understand and motivational steps people can take to get their blood sugar down. They are called 6.5 Steps Toward Better Blood Sugar Control. These steps are different because they can fit easily into everyday living.

But I learned that anyone can change their life“Through my years of coaching and training, I’ve worked with many people with type 2 diabetes and have seen how hard it can be to live with this disease,” said Bob Harper. “But I learned that anyone can change their life. It’s all about finding the right tools and motivation. I urge people with type 2 diabetes to step it up and use the 6.5 Steps and make them a part of their daily lives.”

The 6.5 Steps can help people with type 2 diabetes every day because they focus on the basics of diabetes management: eating healthy, being physically active, monitoring blood sugar and, when appropriate, taking one or more medicines. These all play a part to help lower blood sugar.

Healthy Eating: Healthy eating reduces the risk for complications such as heart disease and stroke. Good choices include many foods, such as vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nonfat dairy products, beans, and lean meats, poultry and fish. There is no one perfect food, but watching portion sizes is key to a healthy diet.

Physical Activity: Regular physical activity can lower blood sugar levels. It can also help manage weight and reduce the risk of developing heart disease and high blood pressure. There are little things people with type 2 diabetes can do every day to be more active, such as walking with a friend or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Blood Sugar Monitoring: There are two tests for checking blood sugar. One test is the blood sugar monitoring that patients do on their own. It gives people with diabetes a check of their blood sugar level at the time the test is taken. The other one is called the A1C test. The A1C test shows a person’s average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months. Experts say that a good A1C goal is 6.5 percent or less for most people with type 2 diabetes.

Medicines: Most people with type 2 diabetes take medicine to help control their blood sugar levels. Many need more than one medicine to help treat the disease in different ways.

For people with type 2 diabetes, it is important that they team up with their doctor or other health care professional and think of them as a partner. They should work with their health care team to make a plan to get their blood sugar under control.

Living with Type II Diabetes?