Why too much salt increases diabetes risk?

Salt may significantly increase the risk of developing different forms of diabetes. Researchers led by Dr Bahareh Rasouli at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm suggest that sodium, which we commonly ingest through salt, could increase the risk of Type 2 diabetes and latent auto-immune diabetes in adults (LADA).

LADA is a more slowly progressing disease and it does not require insulin treatment initially. They say this may be because sodium impacts insulin resistance but also because excess salt can lead to hypertension and gaining of excess weight. The researchers found that each extra gram of sodium (or 2.5 gm of salt) per day was linked to a 43 per cent higher risk of Type 2 diabetes.

For LADA, each extra gram of sodium led to a 73 per cent increase in risk of developing the condition. They pointed out that those who fell within the high consumption category, more than 7.9 gm of salt daily, were at a 58 per cent higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than individuals in the low consumption group who have up to 6 gm of salt a day. Rasouli says further investigation of the interaction between diet and genetic factors in the context of diabetes might reveal other pathways for the prevention of these two types of diabetes.

HOW TO ENSURE WEIGHT LOSS

A common concern as the current festive season runs its course is losing the unnecessary weight gained by gorging during the festivities. Here is a check list of potential safeguards for a better, healthier self:

1. Drink more water
2. Be prepared to cut calories in the days ahead. Plan what to eat
3. Focus on mindful eating, and listen to your stomach when it is feeling full
4. Make green tea your tipple of choice
5. Add spices with known fat-burning properties to your meal
6. Watch your intake of refined carbohydrates
7. Use smaller plates and bowls
8. Exercise more
9. Get more sleep
10. Keep a food diary

IS CHOCOLATE GOOD FOR YOU?

Research at the University of reading, UK, shows that consumption of cocoa increases levels of 'friendly' bacteria in the gut. They use the complex molecules in cocoa as a food source and provide us with a host of health benefits in turn which are attributed to cocoa and its potent anti-oxidant functions. These include lowering cholesterol, checking inflammatory bowel disease, slowing down cognitive decline and keeping the heart healthy.

HOME REMEDIES TO STOP BLEEDING

Injuries that result in bleeding are common, but even the bleeding caused by cuts needs to be stopped. Here is what you can do at home:

• Place clean, dry material such as a bandage or cloth on the wound and apply pressure with both hands till bleeding stops
• Raise the affected area to reduce flow of blood
• Ice constricts blood vessels, helps form a clot
• Place a steeped and cooled teabag on wound
• For shallow cuts, apply petroleum jelly
• Use an antiperspirant, it has aluminium chloride, an effective vessel constrictor

SHEDDING NEW LIGHT

Exposure to the sun at dawn, if not sunbathing is often advised among measures to overcome deficiency of Vitamin D. A study, published in Neurology by a team led by Dr Kassandra Munger of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, US, cautions that a Vitamin D deficiency can significantly raise the risk of multiple sclerosis, (MS). "Correcting Vit D deficiency in young and middle-aged women may reduce future risk of MS in them," says Munger.