Every cigarette you DON'T smoke is doing you good

People find smoking difficult to give up for any number of reasons and everyone's journey is different. However, the negative effects all point in the same direction: 'tobacco smoking is the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disease in Australia. It is responsible for the greatest disease burden and accounts for approximately 15,500 deaths per annum.' (Australian Government – Quitnow website: www.quitnow.gov.au).

Having an idea of what to expect when you are giving up may help you to realise that what you are experiencing is completely normal. Have a look at the Quit Timeline via the link below and look forward to your smoke-free future!

Read more...

Key role in development of gestational diabetes discovered

Researchers have identified a cell-signaling pathway that plays a key role in increasing insulin secretion during pregnancy.

Read more....

Why sit when you can stand?

Overweight office workers, drivers and call centre staff who sit for long periods could improve their health by simply breaking up their sitting time with frequent activity breaks according to new research by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute.

In a controlled laboratory environment that mimicked the typical patterns of desk-bound office workers, participants who interrupted their sitting time with regular activity breaks, showed up to 30 per cent improvement in the body's response to a meal containing glucose. The good news is that the improvements were seen even with light-intensity activity, which is the equivalent of strolling.

High animal fat diet increases gestational diabetes risk, study finds

Women who consumed a diet high in animal fat and cholesterol before pregnancy were at higher risk for gestational diabetes than women whose diets were lower in animal fat and cholesterol, according to researchers at the National Institutes of Health and Harvard University.

Gestational diabetes is a form of diabetes seen during pregnancy. Gestational diabetes increases the risk for certain pregnancy complications and health problems in the newborn.

Women whose diets were high in total fat or other kinds of fats - but not in animal fat or cholesterol - did not have an increased risk.

Read more...

Diabetes: the silent pandemic and its impact on Australia

A report recently released by Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute, entitled 'Diabetes: the silent pandemic and its impact on Australia', has prompted some of Australia's leading research and consumer advocacy groups to demand a renewed focus from the federal government on the health issue.

'What is critical now is for us to take urgent responsibility and act firmly and fast to contain the significant burden our younger generations and children are set to endure,' according to Associate Professor Shaw the reports lead author.

'The battle against diabetes requires concerted efforts on a number of fronts - strategies to slow down the rapidly rising number of those developing the disease and ensuring those living with diabetes are able to manage this insidious condition effectively.

'We must also do everything we can to fully understand diabetes via research.'

The report says 275 Australians are diagnosed with diabetes every day, which can result in visual impairment, kidney disease or limb amputation.

Report released March 14 2012. To view the report click here.