A Stinky but Powerful Way to Prevent Diabetes Complications

Heart disease is a leading killer of people with type 2 diabetes. In fact, heart disease or stroke is up to four times more common in people with diabetes, and it ends up being fatal in about 65 percent of diabetics.

A particular type of heart disease, cardiomyopathy, which leads to inflamed and weakened muscle tissue in the heart, is particularly dangerous for diabetics, but new research has revealed a potentially powerful, albeit stinky, solution: garlic.

In an animal study, animals given garlic oil had beneficial changes in their hearts that were associated with protection against heart damage. Garlic, a potent antioxidant, has long been known to have cardiovascular benefits, and researchers said they identified more than 20 substances in garlic oil that could be contributing to these effects.

Past research has also linked garlic to heart-healthy benefits for everyone, not just those with diabetes, including:

• Lowered blood pressure
• Lower triglycerides
• Lower LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Prevention of atherosclerosis
• Reduced risk of heart attack and stroke

In the latest study researchers used garlic oil to get the beneficial effects, but you can also use garlic in whole-food form. Garlic can be used liberally in your cooking, but to get the most health bang for your buck, be sure to chop or crush the garlic first, then let it rest for at least 10 minutes.

This allows the garlic to release an enzyme that leads to the formation of allicin, one of the compounds responsible for many (though not all) of garlic’s health benefits. So anytime you use garlic, chop it or crush it and let it sit about 10 minutes before cooking, eating or adding any acidic ingredients (like lemon juice for salad dressing).

For even more tips on how to use whole foods and nutrition to combat diabetes and its related complications, schedule an appointment with the Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado today.

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry October 13, 2010; 58(19):10347-55.

ScienceDaily October 1, 2010

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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

How Hidden Thyroid Disease Can Impact Your Heart

Subclinical hypothyroidism impacts about 15 million Americans, most of whom do not realize their thyroid health is off balance. The problem is that even if you’re not experiencing any symptoms of low thyroid function, your heart health could be at risk.

Subclinical hypothyroidism has an impact on the lining of your blood vessels, your lipid profile, and ultimately your heart function, according to new research from the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran.

In a study of patients with either subclinical hypothyroidism or normal thyroid function, those who were subclinical had significantly lower HDL (good) cholesterol, higher triglycerides and higher C-reactive protein (CRP).

All of these are markers for increased risk of heart disease. For instance, when your triglyceride levels are too high, it can lead to hardening of the arteries and ultimately heart attack, heart disease or stroke. Elevated CRP, a marker for systemic inflammation in your body, is also associated with increased risk of heart attack and other heart problems.

So if you’re suffering from low-functioning thyroid, it’s important to take steps to get back into the healthy range, even if it’s only a mild case. How do you know if your thyroid is functioning at a subclinical level?

This condition is typically diagnosed when levels of your thyroid hormones are normal but your thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is increased. This is generally a sign that your pituitary gland is working extra hard to keep your thyroid hormone levels up in the normal range. In time, and if left untreated, your TSH levels may continue to increase until your thyroid gland stops responding, and your subclinical hypothyroidism turns into full-blown hypothyroidism.

It’s a tricky situation because subclinical hypothyroidism may cause no symptoms at all, or it may lead to fatigue, memory problems, weight gain, dry skin, constipation and a range of other various problems that may seem completely unconnected.

If you notice any of these symptoms, have heart disease risk factors, or simply want to make sure your thyroid levels are in the healthy range, contact our office today for a free thyroid assessment.

Aside from heart disease, subclinical hypothyroidism has also been linked to heart failure, fractures, miscarriage and more, so addressing this often “silent” condition could be one of the most important steps you take for your health.

14th International Thyroid Congress (ITC), Paris September 11-16, 2010 — “The Comparison of Lipid Profile in Subclinical Hypothyroidism Patient and Euthyroid Subjects”

DocGuide.com September 17, 2010

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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Diabetes and Depression: A Deadly Duo

Diabetes significantly increases your risk of heart disease on its own, but when combined with depression the risk jumps alarmingly higher. A new study from Harvard researchers revealed that women with diabetes had a 67 percent increased risk of dying from heart disease, those with depression had a 37 percent increased risk, and those with both conditions had a 2.7-fold increased risk.

It’s estimated that up to one-quarter of people with diabetes also suffer from depression, a rate that’s nearly twice as high as it is among those without diabetes. Both conditions are associated with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, including poor eating habits, not exercising and smoking, although according to researchers depression may also:

• Lead to poor glycemic control
• Increase risk of diabetes complications
• Make it more difficult for you to manage diabetes properly
• Cause nervous system changes that negatively impact your heart

If you have either diabetes or depression, it’s important that you seek help right away, but if you have both of these conditions it is even more imperative. People with diabetes alone suffer from twice as many heart attacks as those without it. If you have depression, also, your risk of dying from a heart attack could become even higher.

Depression and diabetes together also raised women’s risk of dying from any cause during the study period, with those having both conditions facing about twice the risk of death.

So do not delay seeking treatment for both of these conditions, and remember that there are often natural options available. One technique that you can certainly add to your regimen, whether you suffer from diabetes, depression or both, is exercise.

Staying physically active will help you control your diabetes, and in some cases reverse it, while also being a proven way to boost your mood and help relieve depressive symptoms. There are many more strategies as well, including making changes to your diet, that can send both diabetes and depression packing.

So please take this information as a sign of hope, not defeat … and use it to proactively take steps to protect your heart health if you’re currently struggling with depression and diabetes.

Archives of General Psychiatry January 2011;68(1):42-50.

ScienceDaily January 4, 2011

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The Functional Endocrinology Center of Colorado is passionate about improving the lives and lifestyles of individuals with Type II Diabetes and Hashimoto’s Disease. Call us at 303-302-0930 to schedule your complimentary consultation.