TheWellnessLiving Health Tips

A new study published in the journal Population and Health Metrics predicts that the incidence of diabetes in the United States will almost double by 2050. A summary of the study follows:

Background
People with diabetes can suffer from diverse complications that seriously erode quality of life. Diabetes, costing the United States more than $174 billion per year in 2007, is expected to take an increasingly large financial toll in subsequent years. Accurate projections of diabetes burden are essential to policymakers planning for future health care needs and costs.

Methods
Using data on prediabetes and diabetes prevalence in the United States, forecasted incidence, and current US Census projections of mortality and migration, the authors constructed a series of dynamic models employing systems of difference equations to project the future burden of diabetes among US adults. A three-state model partitions the US population into no diabetes, undiagnosed diabetes, and diagnosed diabetes. A four-state model divides the state of “no diabetes” into high-risk (prediabetes) and low-risk (normal glucose) states. A five-state model incorporates an intervention designed to prevent or delay diabetes in adults at high risk.

Results
The authors project that annual diagnosed diabetes incidence (new cases) will increase from about 8 cases per 1,000 in 2008 to about 15 in 2050. Assuming low incidence and relatively high diabetes mortality, total diabetes prevalence (diagnosed and undiagnosed cases) is projected to increase from 14% in 2010 to 21% of the US adult population by 2050. However, if recent increases in diabetes incidence continue and diabetes mortality is relatively low, prevalence will increase to 33% by 2050. A middle-ground scenario projects a prevalence of 25% to 28% by 2050. Intervention can reduce, but not eliminate, increases in diabetes prevalence.

Conclusions
These projected increases are largely attributable to the aging of the US population, increasing numbers of members of higher-risk minority groups in the population, and people with diabetes living longer. Effective strategies will need to be undertaken to moderate the impact of these factors on national diabetes burden. Our analysis suggests that widespread implementation of reasonably effective preventive interventions focused on high-risk subgroups of the population can considerably reduce, but not eliminate, future increases in diabetes prevalence.

Durg addiction and alcoholism are serious conditions that affect millions of people in the U.S. Even though some still believe that addicts are always marginals or people with emotional disturbs, the true is that nobody is risk-free when it comes to addictions. It is very difficult to realize that one has an addiction problem until it is too late. At the beginning one thinks that quitting is not a problem, but when the first symptoms such as health conditions or social problems appear, going back seems like an overwhelmingly difficult task.

A simple but clear fact is that very little people find the way out of addiction by themselves. Help from others is a prime requisite for a recovery plan. Family and friends must constitute the first line in a recovery program, and fortunately there are different options to explore when somebody we know need help. Addiction intervention is an effective way to successfully get somebody out of an addiction problem.

An intervention works by bringing together the addict with his/her loved ones with the support and guidance of an interventionist. They work with the goal of helping the addict realize where they are and what can be done to help get rid of substance addiction. Properly conducted, an intervention is exceptionally effective in leading someone to accept entering a treatment program and greatly improve the chances of definitive recovery after the rehabilitation process.

American food habits are seldom regarded as healthy. In fact, the alarming increase in obesity in the US population (by far on of the highest in the world) is connected with the elevated fat content of many of the typical foods consumed in America, especially at breakfast. Many Americans recognize this fact and are slowly switching to healthier ways to start their day, but many more refuse to change these long-established food habits.
But health companies are looking into more efficient ways to reduce fat intake than convincing people not to eat so many fried eggs or sausages.
Among the most recent developments of the weight loss industry is a type of substances called fat binders. These have the ability to ‘capture’ fat molecules in the stomach and intestine, preventing from being absorbed by the body. One of the most popular is Chitosan, which is obtained from certain shrimp. Chitosan is widely sold, but its effectiveness has not being scientifically assessed. Some labs are now focusing their efforts on a more promising product. It has been found that extracts of the desert plant Opuntia ficus is effective in binding ingested fat and also has appetite suppressant properties. The fibre complex from Opuntia ficus is being commercialized under the name of Proactol.

The difference between this and other fat binders is that Proactol has been subject to many rigorous clinical trials that support the claims made by the company. The manufacturer claims that Proactol is the only product in its kind whose effectiveness has been scientifically proven and medically backed.

And talking about breakfast, one of the studies conducted by the InQpharm laboratory aimed to test the ability of Proactol to deal with a real, fat-rich American breakfast. In their own words, “associated with an American breakfast intake, the patented fibre complex of Opuntia ficus indica absorbs about 23% of total fatty acids compared to a control “
Detailed information about the Opuntia extract can be found in the Weightloss Research website. For inquiries about Proactol consult their website.