Here's the latest on diabetes....

[DrDaliah]

You're probably seeing some headlines this week. Hope this helps break it down....

1. They've named a third type of diabetes, Type 3c, that may explain why some Type 2 diabetics can't maintain good sugar control on pills alone.
New Type of Diabetes Discovered: Type 3c

2. Another study links stain medication to diabetes. I'm still torn on this because most people who develop diabetes have high cholesterol years prior.
Statin Use Linked to a 30% Increase Risk of Diabetes

xoxo

 

[Injun]

On Statins, you said

At the start of the study only 4% of the participants were on statins, but 10 years later nearly a third were on statins.

Were the same individuals followed throughout the study, or were numbers crunched only from initial diagnoses of diabetes? If the same individuals were studied throughout, perhaps diabetes or the oral medications they take cause high cholesterol, rather than statins causing diabetes?

We've already established my disagreement with "common wisdom" regarding usage of statins simply because someone has high levels of cholesterol with no other history, signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease, so I won't beat that dead horse. But when someone is already unhealthy, it seems to follow common sense that other stuff is bound to go wrong.

Americans have some of the worst dietary and exercise habits in the world. I believe that is partly because we are taught from elementary school that grains are good for us and should make up the bulk of what we eat. I still remember 4-4-3-2 from Third Grade. I know it's changed a lot since then and has gotten way more complicated, but still today, we're teaching heavy carb diets. So that's part of it. Of primary concern, though, are convenience foods. Many people have no idea how to cook if it doesn't come from a can, a package or a freezer. They blast past the produce section on their way to the Campbell's or Kraft section without even looking at a piece of celery or an apple. Ask some of them and they won't be able to point out the meat department. Give them a pound of hamburger and they look at you like you have a third eye. That's what's wrong with our habits. If it takes more than ten minutes of effort to prepare, it's too difficult. Further, the most exercise they get is the long walk from the front door to the car. Physical jobs are looked at as beneath a civilized person's dignity.

This behavior is what causes us to be so unhealthy to begin with. Once that snowball starts down the hill, it doesn't stop and we wind up with either diabetes or cardiovascular issues with the other not far behind.

I'm thinking the statin-diabetes connection is more a correlation than a result.

 

[DrDaliah]

On Statins, you said


Were the same individuals followed throughout the study, or were numbers crunched only from initial diagnoses of diabetes? If the same individuals were studied throughout, perhaps diabetes or the oral medications they take cause high cholesterol, rather than statins causing diabetes?

We've already established my disagreement with "common wisdom" regarding usage of statins simply because someone has high levels of cholesterol with no other history, signs or symptoms of cardiovascular disease, so I won't beat that dead horse. But when someone is already unhealthy, it seems to follow common sense that other stuff is bound to go wrong.

Americans have some of the worst dietary and exercise habits in the world. I believe that is partly because we are taught from elementary school that grains are good for us and should make up the bulk of what we eat. I still remember 4-4-3-2 from Third Grade. I know it's changed a lot since then and has gotten way more complicated, but still today, we're teaching heavy carb diets. So that's part of it. Of primary concern, though, are convenience foods. Many people have no idea how to cook if it doesn't come from a can, a package or a freezer. They blast past the produce section on their way to the Campbell's or Kraft section without even looking at a piece of celery or an apple. Ask some of them and they won't be able to point out the meat department. Give them a pound of hamburger and they look at you like you have a third eye. That's what's wrong with our habits. If it takes more than ten minutes of effort to prepare, it's too difficult. Further, the most exercise they get is the long walk from the front door to the car. Physical jobs are looked at as beneath a civilized person's dignity.

This behavior is what causes us to be so unhealthy to begin with. Once that snowball starts down the hill, it doesn't stop and we wind up with either diabetes or cardiovascular issues with the other not far behind.

I'm thinking the statin-diabetes connection is more a correlation than a result.

me too. Most people with high cholesterol go on to develop diabetes. I'm not ready to blame the medicine just yet :_

 

[dave350]

Americans have some of the worst dietary and exercise habits in the world. I believe that is partly because we are taught from elementary school that grains are good for us and should make up the bulk of what we eat. I still remember 4-4-3-2 from Third Grade. I know it's changed a lot since then and has gotten way more complicated, but still today, we're teaching heavy carb diets. So that's part of it. Of primary concern, though, are convenience foods. Many people have no idea how to cook if it doesn't come from a can, a package or a freezer. They blast past the produce section on their way to the Campbell's or Kraft section without even looking at a piece of celery or an apple. Ask some of them and they won't be able to point out the meat department. Give them a pound of hamburger and they look at you like you have a third eye. That's what's wrong with our habits. If it takes more than ten minutes of effort to prepare, it's too difficult. Further, the most exercise they get is the long walk from the front door to the car. Physical jobs are looked at as beneath a civilized person's dignity.

I’m not sure anybody could’ve said that better and you’re spot on.
Recently, with Sandy being ill and not able to cook and me putting in a lot of hours I was using pre packaged soups and eating sandwiches for dinner for the first week and then prepackaged foods the next (lasagna, prepacked chicken and vegetables etc.). It was amazing how fast our refrigerator transformed to unhealthy options. We usually have a meat and vegetables so it was a huge change.

With two people working I can see how it makes it hard to eat fresh all the time but it can be done. Even keeping fruit around the house instead of sweets is a start.

 

[dave350]

Let me add that I’m no Karl Kalorie Counter or nothing and I’m carrying a few extra pounds but I eat meats and vegetables at most meals.

 

[Tazz]

2. Another study links stain medication to diabetes. I'm still torn on this because most people who develop diabetes have high cholesterol years prior.
Statin Use Linked to a 30% Increase Risk of Diabetes

100% of people who have diabetes have had water.


I know smart assed response. But it is why I am skeptical, probably overly so, of any of these studies. I can give you the numbers you want, I just have to start at the right place on the curve to get you there.

 

[ironpony]

...it is why I am skeptical, probably overly so, of any of these studies. I can give you the numbers you want, I just have to start at the right place on the curve to get you there.

At least "studies" are better than half-assed wild guesses based on no evidence.

As in anything, a preponderance of evidence is what you're looking for, not just one study.

 

[Tazz]

At least "studies" are better than half-assed wild guesses based on no evidence.

As in anything, a preponderance of evidence is what you're looking for, not just one study.

Studies are going to find what the person paying for them wants. You want a preponderance fund 10 studies.

People can use their own brain to decide what is valid for their own health.

 

[Injun]

Studies are going to find what the person paying for them wants. You want a preponderance fund 10 studies.

People can use their own brain to decide what is valid for their own health.

Just do what you're told, Tazz, dammit! Everybody knows better than you and in medicine, especially, ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

 

[Rigjockey]

Just do what you're told, Tazz, dammit! Everybody knows better than you and in medicine, especially, ONE SIZE FITS ALL.

 

[ironpony]

Just do what you're told, Tazz, dammit! Everybody knows better than you and in medicine, especially, ONE SIZE FITS ALL.