Yo-yo dieting is frowned upon, but one group may benefit if they lose weight, then gain it back.

A four-year study by Kaiser Permanente's Center for Health Research suggests people with type 2 diabetes who lose weight within 18 months post-diagnosis -- then eventually regain the pounds -- are twice as likely to have good blood pressure and blood glucose control than people with type 2 diabetes who did not lose weight. The study was published in this month's Diabetes Care.

Researchers speculate the body might have a metabolic memory that recalls the benefits of a lighter, fitter frame. Hmm ... permanent benefits of weight loss even when the weight creeps back on? I fondly remember my lean, mean high school basketball frame -- maybe my body does, too.

Source

It seems odd to me that a drug meant for the treatment of malaria could help suffers of rheumatoid arthritis develop type 2 diabetes.

The drug, hydroxychloroquine, is sold under the brand names of Planequil and Quineprox right now. Researchers did state that more work is needed to really determine if the drug indeed guards against diabetes.

The inflammation that comes with RA is no picnic and any development that stems from a drug meant for another purpose is welcome I would think. Hydroxychloroquine may be one of those answers.

Source

Medical care in the U.S. is one expensive proposition. In fact, taking care of one's health now (and every day) is more of an insurance policy for later in life than anything you can buy on paper.

Case in point: Diabetes spending is now taking one out of every eight U.S. federal health care dollars. That's more than 10% on a disease that appears to be caused more and more by unhealthy nutritional choices and overeating more than anything. Of course, I could be wrong -- but a sampling of grocery store shoppers the other day done by yours truly estimated that at least 40% of them were overweight (or obese). Take that or leave it.

Diabetes care and cancer care is continually going up and won't cease until healthier attitudes on food and drink (and the banishing of all processed foods and chemical additives) takes place. Will that happen soon? Very doubtful, as the American public continues to get hoodwinked every day.

Source