Thursday 18 August 2011

Cutting out the Fat....
The relationship between fatty foods and developing type 2 diabetes

As levels of obesity continue to rise, posing as a serious threat to public health, conditions of type 2 diabetes has also increased.  Evidence has suggested a strong link between obesity and developing type 2 diabetes, however, scientists have now discovered how a high fat diet can cause type 2 diabetes.  Researchers believe this discovery will not only help explain the relationship between fatty foods and obesity, but it may lead to finding a cure for the disease.   

This week the Daily Mail and BBC Health News reported the findings.

The study published in the peer-reviewed journal Nature Medicine, was carried out by researchers from the University of California and the RIKEN Advanced Science Institute in Japan.  The study sought to investigate whether a high-fat diet might contribute to causing type 2 diabetes, by looking at its effect on the insulin producing cells of the pancreas on mice, and on the response of cells to insulin.  The scientists investigated their findings further on human pancreatic cells in the laboratory.

The Science bit
In type 2 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that normally produce insulin – called beta cells – gradually stop working over time.  These cells respond to increased levels of sugar in the blood by producing insulin, but this ability is lost in type 2 diabetes.  The cells of the body become less responsive to insulin (insulin resistance) and fail to take up the sugar in the blood stream.  This then causes high levels of sugar circulating around the body, which is detrimental to cells and tissues.   

The Research
Scientists looked at what effect a high-fat diet had on the activity of certain genes and proteins in the cells that are thought to help the beta cells function. Particular focus was placed on a protein called GnT-4a glycosyltransferase.  In healthy pancreatic cells this protein helps in the detection and response to glucose in the blood stream.

The researchers found that when they fed mice a high-fat diet, the genes encoding the GnT-4a protein and one of the glucose sensing proteins (called Slc2a2) became less active in the mice’s pancreatic cells.

The scientists also genetically engineered mice to have a form of GnT-4a that was always active in the beta cells. They then looked at how these mice responded to the high-fat diet.  The theory was that if dietary fat had its effects by stopping these proteins working, then these genetically engineered mice should be less susceptible to the effects of a high-fat diet.

The Findings
It was found that high-fat diets in mice affected the insulin-producing cells, reducing their ability to correctly respond to the presence of glucose.  As such, there were high levels of glucose circulating in the bloodstream and a reduced ability of certain tissues to respond to insulin and take up sugar.   Tests on pancreatic tissue from people with type 2 diabetes suggested that similar changes may be occurring in humans.

However, in mice genetically engineered to have GnT-4a work constantly in the beta cells, the high-fat diet had less of an effect on blood sugar levels and the ability of the cells to respond to insulin, even though the mice became fat.  This enhanced understanding of the effects of fat on pancreatic cells, provides a possible biological explanation as to why high fat diets can lead to type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe this will also aid the development of possible new treatments for type 2 diabetes.

However, human research is a lengthy process and finding a cure for type 2 diabetes may take years.  Thus, the best current advice to prevent type 2 diabetes, is to maintain a healthy weight, do exercise and eat a healthy diet.  For further information on this research please visit NHS Choices

What You Can Do?
At RSPH Training Solutions we take health seriously and we believe that through education and training, people can learn to make better lifestyle choices and positively influence people around them.  The level 2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement provides knowledge and understanding of the benefits of good health and well being, and of the barriers to making a change of lifestyle.  This qualification is specifically designed for people who work with the public in a healthcare environment and those who have an interest in developing public health skills.  For further information on the course please click here or contact Nicolette Boustaoui   or by phone 020 7265 7325



Thursday 4 August 2011

Breast Health
World Breastfeeding Week

This week from 1st to 7th August the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) has been celebrating World Breastfeeding Week (WBW).  WBW is carried out in 170 different countries and this is the 19th year it is running.  This year's theme is “Talk to Me! Breastfeeding – a 3D experience”.

Spreading the Message
World Breastfeeding Week provides the opportunity to highlight the many health benefits of breastfeeding and to encourage everyone to support mothers who want to breastfeed.  This year however, WABA are determined to raise awareness outside of the health care sphere and encourage young people to get involved to help spread the message.

In association with the United Nation’s International Year of Youth, WABA commissioned a group of dedicated young people to partake in the United Nation’s call for action and help create awareness, mobilise and engage, connect and build bridges across generations, different cultures and religions.
In a press release, a spokesperson for WABA stated: “Youth account for about 18 percent of the world’s population and are therefore an invaluable sector to ally with in any public health movement” 

The “3D” theme is about looking at the dimensions of our lives and ensuring that communication is filtered throughout all channels so that it speaks to everyone. A young advocate from WABA YOUth stated that “as a young person I want to contribute to the global breastfeeding movement! Not only do I learn more about breastfeeding, but I need to make sure I talk to my friends and family when needed”.

Breastfeeding - The Statistics

Data published in the NHS The Information centre for health and social care, revealed that in 2005, 76 percent of mothers breastfed their babies compared with 69 percent in 1995.  Evidence shows that globally breastfeeding is on the rise, but more needs to be done to ensure that the correct health message reaches everyone and that support and information is offered to mothers to help them make choices. 

The Benefits

We are told that breastfeeding is the best way to feed your baby, but let us now look at why this is the case?
Breast milk is considered to be rich in nutrients and antibodies which protects your baby from diseases and infections and also stimulates the baby's immune system. 
Studies have compared the health of children who were breastfed as babies and children who were given formula milk.  The results highlighted that breastfeeding substantially decreased the risk of illness and that the longer babies were breastfed, the greater the health benefits.  

The World Health Organisation and the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety recommend breastfeeding with no other food or drink until around six months of age.    

The NHS Choices website advocates the many positive reasons why breastfeeding is good for baby, mother and society.  Aside from being the only natural food designed for babies, breast milk is available whenever, wherever and at the right temperature.  Let us not forget it is free! 

Benefits for baby
Less chance of:

1. Diarrhoea, upset tummy and gastroenteritis
2. Coughs and colds
3. Ear and chest infections
4. Urine infections
5. Allergies, asthma and eczema
6. Childhood diabetes and obesity in later life

It is also recognised that breastfeeding helps to strengthen the emotional and physical bond between mother and baby.


Benefits for Mother
Less Chance of:

1. Breast cancer
2. Ovarian cancer
3. Osteoporosis (Bone thinning)

Breastfeeding also helps mothers to get back to their pre-pregnancy weight more easily, as it naturally uses 500 calories per day.

Society also benefits from breastfeeding, not only are babies healthier, but it means less demand on the health service.  Mothers are healthier, which means less time off work, saving employers money and making family life less stressful.  Lastly, breastfeeding is environmentally friendly because there is no pollution, manufacturing, packaging or waste involved!

For further information on breastfeeding, please click on the NHS Choices website

What are you views?

We are interested to hear your views on breastfeeding and open up a discussion. 
Do you feel you have gained any benefits from breastfeeding?
Have you encountered any difficulties breastfeeding? Have you felt pressure to breastfeed and been unsuccessful?  Has working life prevented you from breastfeeding?
Were you given the right information and support?