New research shows that snoring doesn't have to be loud to cause health problems especially in women. Although women generally snore less and more softly than men, recent studies have shown women have a greater risk of some of the adverse effects of sleep apnoea and may not know they have type 2 diabetes.

Sleep apnoea historically has been a problem most associated with men. However, this new research reveals that women who experience sleep apnoea may have a greater risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Both, men and women, with sleep apnoea also tend to have risk factors for the metabolic syndrome, a condition characterized by abdominal obesity, high cholesterol, raised blood pressure and insulin resistance, which causes high levels of blood glucose and can lead to diabetes.

Here comes the rude awakening -- partners of men who snore seem to be more affected by the sleep apnoea. This is due to the fact that a man's snoring is characterized by louder gasps and snorts This keeps him awake, as well as anybody within earshot. However, because women's snoring is often much quieter and they tend to have partial or incomplete obstructions, their partner's sleep may not be disturbed and the sleep disorder may go unchecked. Now I lay me down to sleep, I beg of You the silence keeps!!

Yes sports fans -- diabetes did make a cameo at the Super Bowl. Did you see her?

The notorious commercials-- costing several million a pop- livened up the intensity of the game. The K-fed commercial had a reputation a long time ago – and passed it, with flying colors! The commercial of diabetic interest was paid for by King Pharmaceuticals. It featured a man dressed as a heart, being chased by different factors that can wear and tear on your little pumper. Of course, the role of "diabetes" was portrayed wonderfully by a woman. Hell hath no fury, people. And the message?

The ad is promoting an educational site that King Pharmaceuticals has partnered with the American Heart Association to launch. The site is named beatyourrisk.com. The chief commercial officer for King Pharmaceuticals said, "The purpose of the ad is to raise awareness for the Web site to any extent possible and educate people that they are at serious risk. This is not toenail fungus. People can die." So true! And after you finish cleaning up the remains of the potato chips, wings, and beer - check out the site and rejoice in preventative education!

According to a new study published in the New England Journalism of Medicine, the diabetes drug Actos may help prevent serious complications from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. The disorder is primarily caused by being overweight. Insulin resistance, diabetes and high levels of cholesterol all contribute to the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its complications.

The study included candidates with either insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. About half of the group took 45 milligrams of pioglitazone (brand name Actos, manufactured by Takeda Pharmaceuticals) daily for six months, while the other half took a placebo. Both groups were asked to maintain a lower calorie diet. The group taking pioglitazone saw a decrease in their levels of abnormal liver enzymes and a 54 percent reduction in liver fat, compared to the placebo group. Insulin sensitivity in the liver improved by 48 percent in the pioglitazone group, as compared to only 14 percent in the placebo group.

Current treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is aimed at lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and exercising regularly. Pioglitazone offers a resolution to improve the metabolism of blood glucose, and decreases cholesterol. Researchers were especially excited by the findings of this study because there is now a pharmacological option that might help prevent end-stage liver disease.

Our odiferous little friend has been touted for many health benefits. Diabetics should pay close attention because, although it has the dubious distinction of causing dragon breath, let us not allow the immediate social expense to outweigh the long-term health payoff.

Medical research has been underway to assess whether these traditional uses of garlic have scientific validity. Much of the research is showing real promise. Knowing that heart disease is twice as likely to strike diabetics, it would behoove many of us to take a chance with a few cloves of garlic every day. What have you got to lose? Studies suggest that fresh garlic may prevent blood clots and destroy plaque. A little garlic breath never killed anyone. Can't say the same for plaque in your blood now, can we?

In addition, garlic may be beneficial for risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Preliminary studies in rabbits, rats, and limited numbers of people have demonstrated that garlic has some ability to lower blood sugars. A few cloves of garlic can substantially affect some medications. For example, if you are on a sulfonylurea drug, you will want to be extra cautious of the effects garlic will have on your blood sugars. A few popular examples of these drugs are: Dymelor, Diabinese, Tolinase, Orinase, Amaryl, Glucotrol, Glucotrol XL, DiaBeta, Micronase, and Glynase. Whenever the opportunity presents itself, I would choose Mother Nature over scientific intervention. This is one of those little dietary adjustments that might be worth a try.

Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa say kids and teens with diabetes often have risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) as well. In a report published in Diabetes Care, the researchers describe their investigation of a multiracial population sample of over two thousand diabetic children and teenagers. They identified risk factors in these kids that are related to CVD. These include high cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and increased waist circumference.

The results showed around one fifth of the subjects (twenty-three percent of girls and nineteen percent of boys) had at least two CVD risk factors, but also showed that more than ninety percent of kids with Type 2 diabetes also had at least two additional CVD risk factors. In comparison, a sample of teens in the general population (including diabetics and non-diabetics) showed only 6.4 percent with at least two CVD risk factors. Not surprisingly, the following ethnic minorities appear to be most in danger: Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and African Americans. The authors conclude by stating the need to get childhood obesity and its related lifestyle issues (inactivity) under control pronto.