Diabetes is known for the toll it can take on the small vessels of the body at a rapid rate, including eyesight. MacularProtect Complete is an all-in-one formulation that offers a simple solution to protect vision and the whole body.

MacularProtect Complete is appropriate for individuals concerned about preserving their eyesight and maintaining overall body health. This formula is based on the findings of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS). The AREDS trial showed that supplemental antioxidants with zinc had a significantly better chance of retaining their macular health. Evidence shows that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables improves the health of diabetics. MacularProtect Complete provides many of the nutrients at the forefront of nutrition and health research, such as the important antioxidant lycopene - concentrated in tomatoes, and protective bioflavonoids from such diverse sources as bilberry, grape seed, Ginkgo biloba, citrus, as well as quercetin, found in apples and onions.

ScienceBased Health is focused on clinical evidence. As an empirical study - I've been taking MacularPtorect Complete the last month. So far I've noticed a little improvement in my night vision but I can't call it vision resurrection just yet. If you care to test a product out for yourself - they are available through eye care physicians, or by visiting their website.

There has been some very exciting news lately about the benefits of a type of pumpkin. The pumpkin is shown to slow the destruction of beta cells and reduces the need for Type 1 diabetics to inject as much insulin.

The exciting thing is that this experiment found the benefits of the pumpkin were through oral consumption, not injection. The protective effect of pumpkin is thought to be due to both antioxidants and D-chiro-inositol, a molecule that mediates insulin activity. Boosting insulin levels has the effect of lowering blood sugar levels, which reduces levels of oxidative oxygen species that damage beta-cell membranes, preventing further damage and allowing for some regeneration. Beta cells levels in the diabetic rats are, however, unlikely ever to reach that of controls, because some of the cells will have been damaged beyond repair.

An ingredient expert pointed out to me that the pumpkin used in the study is not your canned pumpkin but a special variety of Asian pumpkin. You can check at you local Asian market if they have the Shark Fin pumpkin or if they can get it for you. He also surmised that it may be possible to parlay this breed of pumpkin into a whole new world of Health Foods.

As tasty as most incredibly unhealthy foods may be, there is some competition in the taste department from healthier eats. One that I feel is worth mentioning on both TheDiabetesBlog and TheCardioBlog (chiefly because it is germane to both) is the tart cherry; natures way of making healthy eating happy eating.

In a test involving lab rats, researchers from the University of Michigan Health System found tart cherries to lower cholesterol, lower blood sugar, lessen the amount of fat storage in the liver, lower oxidative stress, and increase production of a molecule that assists the body in metabolizing fat and sugar.

Antioxidant compounds known as anthocyanins are found in high amounts in tart cherries. Researchers say that a strong correlation appears to exist between the consumption of tart cherries and the clear changes in metabolic measurements such as those listed above.

Unfortunately, this study still remains at the rodent phase; it will take human clinical trials to determine if tart cherries carry similar benefits for us. FYI: U-M researchers already plan to launch a small clinical trial some time in the near future.

Caffeine intake makes insulin more resistant to changes in blood sugar levels, Canadian researchers report.

The researchers evaluated sugar metabolism in 23 men before and after a three-month exercise program. Before and during the exercise program, the men were given caffeine or a placebo. The subjects included 8 sedentary lean men, 7 obese men with type 2 diabetes, and 8 obese men without diabetes. Before the exercise program, caffeine reduced insulin sensitivity by 33% in the lean and obese men and 37% in the obese men with diabetes compared to placebo. After the exercise program, insulin sensitivity fell 23% after caffeine intake in the lean men, 26% in the obese men, and 36% in the obese diabetic men. Comparison of the two study phases showed that exercise did not improve insulin resistance related to caffeine intake. It seems that caffeine weakens or offsets any of the beneficial effects of exercise or weight loss on insulin resistance. While the clinical implications remain unclear, the findings are a "red flag" for doctors and are particularly important for obese patients and those with diabetes.

Don't go throwing-away your Starbucks gift card - although the effects of caffeine on insulin were duly noted, the fact remains that coffee may cut the risk of diabetes. Although the findings seem to contradict recent reports that coffee intake may cut the risk of diabetes, coffee contains several other substances that may affect sugar metabolism, such as antioxidants, potassium and magnesium. Caffeine without all of the other substances that are found in coffee produces a different result. Like peanut butter and chocolate - peanut butter by itself is a high-fat protein. When you combine it with chocolate you have a melodic mix disdainfully referred to as candy but happily celebrated in the form of a REESE'S Peanut Butter Cups. It's all in the delivery, folks.

Unless public health takes urgent measures, the Institute of Medicine warned in a report one in five children in the United States will be obese by the year 2010.

In response to this alarming message, Just Different Specialty Tea Company now offers Captain Teao's organic Tea for Kids - a calorie and caffeine free kid-friendly beverage. The tea is a refreshing drink that provides a healthy beverage option in the fight against childhood obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. It is made with organic rooibos and is available in several flavors, such as: Very Vanilla, Orangie Orange, Lip Licking Lemon, Mango Madness and Peachy Keen Peach.

Captain Teao is the first character of his kind. He is a fictional, fun loving superhero who's on a mission to help kids fight the effects of childhood obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes. While on his mission Captain Teao invented Tea for Kids as a great tasting, healthy and refreshing alternative to high calorie sodas and fruit juices. Unlike sodas and juices -- Tea for Kids contains no sugar or caffeine and is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Cheers to Captain Teao for brewing such a socially responsible message. Here here!

Pomegranate juice was shown to reduce the risk of arthrosclerosis in diabetics who participated in a study conducted over three months. The pomegranate juice also appeared to slow the absorption of unhealthy LDL cholesterol by immune cells.

People with diabetes have increased risk for atherosclerosis, contributing to coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes, and other circulation problems. The results of this study suggest that the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice may be beneficial in reducing these heart-related risks associated with diabetes. The sugars in pomegranate juice are attached to unique antioxidants, which actually make these sugars protective against atherosclerosis. Researchers examined the effects of drinking a concentrated pomegranate juice that is the equivalent to about a 6-ounce glass of freshly squeezed pomegranate juice for three months in 10 healthy adults and 10 adults with type 2 diabetes (who were not dependent on insulin therapy). Drinking pomegranate juice did not affect overall cholesterol levels, but researchers found it reduced the uptake of LDL (bad) cholesterol by immune cells, which is a major contributing factor to atherosclerosis.

Albeit a little tart, the reputation of the pomegranate falls heavily on the sweet side. One pomegranate delivers 40% of an adult's daily vitamin C requirement. Food manufacturers' favor using pomegranate extracts instead of the juice because it contains no sugar, calories, or additives. Factor in the folic acid, the free-radical destroying antioxidants, and the overall health benefits of the Chinese apple and ask your arteries if it's worth a 6 ounce glass. I'm guessing the answer is yes.

A study from U.S. researchers has found that daily supplementation with a cinnamon extract may boost the body's antioxidants, which can lessen the complications associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is characterized by obesity -- especially around the midsection -- hypertension and reduced metabolism of both glucose and insulin. The syndrome is associated with an increased risk in the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The study recruited 24 participants with impaired fasting glucose levels for a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The patients were split into two randomly assigned groups: the first received a daily dose of 500 mg of cinnamon extract and the second received a placebo. After 12 weeks, the researchers found that in the cinnamon extract group, antioxidant levels were significantly increased compared to the placebo group. Plasma levels of a reactive compound related to oxidative stress were also lower in the cinnamon group, but remained unchanged in the placebo patients. Oxidative stress is responsible for many of the microvascular changed responsible for diabetes complications: blindness, numbness, kidney damage, and amputations.

Beyond the resounding proof of cinnamon being helpful in diabetes management, other health-related benefits include: improved digestion, toning of tissues, relief from congestion, muscle and joint pain relief, relief from menstrual cramping, thinning of the blood and better circulation, relief from arthritis pain, prevention of urinary tract infections, prevention of tooth decay, and killing of harmful bacteria. I think a sprinkle of cinnamon is worth the pound of prevention this little spice is punching. How much is 500 mg of cinnamon anyway?

Diabetes Care reports that the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) assists in alleviating nerve pain in patients with diabetes. Daily treatment with ALA showed the potential to reduce pain associated with diaibetes.

A comparison was made between three doses of oral ALA verses a placebo in 166 patients with diabetic nerve pain (polyneuropathy). The symptoms of different types of pain were significantly reduced after 5 weeks in the ALA treated group as compared with the placebo group. However, ALA treatment had no measurable effect on numbness. Symptoms improved significantly as early as 1 week with the highest ALA dose (1800 mg daily) and within 2 weeks with the other doses (600 mg and 1200 mg daily).

This research is encouraging because it suggests the possibility of repairing impaired sensory function. This is great news for diabetics suffering from foot ulcers, one of leading causes of foot amputation. Researchers concluded that taking 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), once daily would be the most appropriate oral dose with the least amount of gastrointestinal side effects. Stocking stuffer? You bet - in more ways than one!

University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers found that yogurt enriched with fruit or made from soy could play an important dietary role for people living with Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Scientists screened extracts from a sampling of dairy and soy yogurts for properties that could help stabilize diabetes and hypertension. The fruit-enriched yogurts, especially those made with blueberries or made from soy, may curb some aspects of diabetes. The findings provide a strong rationale for further clinical studies, and for incorporating "healthy diet design" into disease management strategies.

The research shows that certain plant compounds affect enzymes targeted by diabetes drugs, notably alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The research also investigated foods' effect on angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors, medicines used to fight high blood pressure. The study used peach, strawberry, blueberry and plain yogurt made by four different producers, including a soy brand. Tests showed that soy blueberry yogurt strongly affected all three of the enzymes. Peach and strawberry yogurt also affected alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. The researchers tested the yogurt varieties for antioxidants and plant compounds called phenols. Phenols and polyphenols give red wine and tea some of their heart-healthy benefits. Plain soy yogurt was the most potent, with blueberry dairy yogurt scoring second on phenol and antioxidant content, the researchers said. Soy yogurt was also the best at inhibiting ACE, which causes blood vessels to narrow and raises blood pressure.

If you've been steering clear of sweet snacks like yogurt for fear of losing blood sugar control - here's your chance to reconsider. Stroll down your local grocer's dairy isle and peruse the colorful display of fruity yogurts. They are just begging for a shot at the title of the sweet treat for better diabetes control.

Researchers have been looking into the health benefits of pomegranate juice consumption for people with hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Interesting discovery: the juice could be really good for diabetics as well as those with heart/arterial problems.

First of all, the research did confirm that drinking six ounces of pomegranate juice daily for three months reduced the risk of atherosclerosis and also reduced the uptake of "bad" cholesterol. However, the researchers also observed that the juice did not worsen blood sugar levels in diabetics. Hmm. Turns out that although pomegranate juice contains as much sugar as regular juice, the sugars are bound with antioxidants and are less harmful than regular sugars. Awesome - except for one thing. This was a really small study, involving only twenty subjects. I would think you would have to do something on a much larger scale in order to prove anything conclusively.

I got a ton of comments on the blog I posted August 16 about coffee consumption. For anyone who's interested, I have a couple of thoughts to add.

Point One: my blog was all about a recent New York Times article. This article reported on a recent study indicating that people who consume coffee have a lower risk for Type 2 diabetes and other illnesses. First of all, many readers seem upset that the report contradicts previous information they've heard about coffee. Many of them essentially threw up their hands in frustration, saying "what are we supposed to believe?" or "you can't believe anything you read in the news anymore." Wrong! Friends, the researchers never said that caffeine is good for you. They were not studying caffeine's effects on the body. What they say is this: their research suggests that certain components found in coffee, possibly antioxidants, could work to lower the body's risk of disease. They did not attribute this to caffeine. In fact, they found that participants in the study benefited regardless of whether they drank decaf or the real deal.

Point Two: I don't know about you, but I don't care much for comments that read along the lines of "my dad drank ten cups of coffee and smoked two packs a day but he's ninety and in perfect health." Well, the thing is this: you or your friends/family's (very limited) personal experiences bear little relation to the results of a medical study. Studies like this one on coffee involve a lot of statistical analysis to evaluate risk and benefit. It doesn't matter that you smoked for forty years and don't have lung cancer. The fact is that, statistically speaking, you are in high risk category for such a disease.

Thanks for reading!

Back in July I posted a blog about the capacity of coffee consumption to reduce the risk of diabetes. All in all, there has been a lot in the news lately about the possible positive effects of drinking coffee, this reduced risk of diabetes being just one of them. For those (like me!) still confused about exactly why coffee can be good for your health, check out this new article in The New York Times. This is a terrific summary of the latest scientific findings regarding coffee and caffeine.

For diabetics, the most important thing to know is that, yes, the consumption of coffee (regular or decaf) is associated with a lower risk for Type 2 diabetes and also for other illnesses including heart disease. The Type 2 connection is now pretty much beyond question, with multiple different studies showing it to be true. It is thought that antioxidants in coffee are to thank for this. However, it is also possible that the chlorogenic acid contained in coffee helps reduce glucose concentrations in the body and, hence also plays a role in reduced risk for diabetes. It's important to note, however, that the experts don't recommend you increase your intake of coffee on the basis of these findings - at least not just yet, until we have a better understanding of coffee and caffeine's interaction with the body.