Prevention of type 2 diabetes is primarily about lifestyle.
According to Health, experts recommend a healthy diet with fewer carbohydrates, along with regular exercise.
In some cases, medication may also be relevant for people with elevated blood sugar levels. These methods are well documented and are already used in treatment.
At the same time, there are warnings against excessive intake of, for example, vitamin D.
High amounts can accumulate in the body and lead to side effects such as nausea and kidney stones, according to the National Institutes of Health.
A new study
A new analysis from JAMA Network Open is based on a larger study from 2019 involving around 2,100 people with prediabetes.
At the time, no overall effect of vitamin D on the risk of developing type 2 diabetes was found.
However, in the new analysis, researchers took a closer look at specific groups.
They discovered that individuals with certain levels of vitamin D in the blood had a lower risk.
Differences in genes
The researchers also examined genetic differences in the body. These genes influence how the body uses vitamin D.
The results showed that approximately 70 percent of participants with certain gene variants had a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, while the rest experienced no effect.
This suggests that vitamin D may only benefit some individuals, depending on their genetic makeup.
Vitamin D does not appear to be a general solution, but it may potentially be used in a more targeted way in the future.
Sources: Health, National Institutes of Health, and JAMA Network Open.
Research indicates that it is not only what you eat, but also how you eat, that affects the body.
Foods high in fat, salt, and sugar, and low in nutrients, can strain the body’s functions over time.
In addition, researchers point out that takeaway is often eaten quickly and without attention to portion sizes. This can lead to a higher calorie intake.
Packaging may also contain chemical substances that could potentially have negative effects on health, writes The Sun.
Increased risk
The study, published in BMC Public Health, is based on data from around 43,000 adults in the United Kingdom.
The results show a link between certain dietary habits and a higher risk of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
According to the research, this also applies to individuals who are not overweight.
At the same time, studies show that many people eat takeaway regularly, making the issue relevant for a large part of the population.
Long-term effects
Exercise is often seen as a way to improve health, but the research suggests that certain dietary habits may reduce the positive effects of physical activity.
The study concludes that regular consumption of takeaway food can cause the body to age faster.
Over time, this may increase the risk of premature death and shorten life expectancy.
If your clothes itch or irritate, the material may be the cause.
People with sensitive skin should pay attention to the textiles they choose, as both fibers and treatments can affect the skin, according to Healthline.
Why fabrics can irritate the skin
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Irritation often occurs when a material creates friction, feels rough against the skin, or traps heat, which can lead to discomfort.
Chemicals in clothing can be a cause
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Some clothing is treated with chemicals such as formaldehyde to prevent wrinkles, and this can irritate the skin even in products marketed as environmentally friendly.
Wash new clothes before use
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New clothing may contain dust and chemicals from production, so it can be beneficial to wash it, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Seams and details can cause irritation
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Rough stitching, labels, closures, and loose threads can create irritation and discomfort when in contact with the skin.
Allergy to synthetic materials
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Some individuals may develop allergies to materials such as polyester, which can lead to skin reactions.
Skin conditions increase sensitivity
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With conditions such as eczema and psoriasis, certain textures can be particularly problematic and should be avoided.
Natural materials are often better
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Natural fibers typically reduce friction and overheating and are therefore often a better choice for sensitive skin.
Cotton is a safe choice
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Cotton is breathable, soft, and used in many types of clothing, making it popular among people with sensitive skin.
Linen is light and hypoallergenic
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Linen is a durable and cooling material that is also hypoallergenic and suitable for sensitive skin.
Hemp has beneficial properties
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Hemp is breathable, antibacterial, and wicks moisture away from the body, although it is often blended with other fibers to make it softer.
Silk is soft and smooth
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Silk is a very soft and smooth material that feels comfortable against the skin and can be a good choice.
Wool can irritate some people
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Wool insulates well and wicks moisture, but it can feel itchy for people with sensitive skin, although fine merino wool is often softer.
Cashmere is soft but expensive
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Cashmere is a very soft, lightweight, and warm material that rarely feels irritating, but it is also more expensive.
Bamboo is not entirely natural
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Bamboo fabric is produced through chemical processing and is therefore semi-synthetic, although it is still soft, breathable, and quick-drying.
Synthetic materials can cause problems
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Synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon can trap heat, be less breathable, and create friction, which is not ideal for sensitive skin.
Synthetic fibers can retain odor
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Materials such as polypropylene can retain odor because bacteria accumulate in the fabric.
Blended fabrics are common
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Most textiles consist of a blend of fibers, but a high cotton content is often perceived as more comfortable.
Cotton is recommended for skin conditions
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Cotton is often highlighted as the best choice for eczema because it is soft, cooling, and absorbs sweat.
Silk regulates temperature
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Silk can help regulate body temperature while feeling soft against the skin.
Choose clothing carefully
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By reading clothing labels and testing different materials, you can find the fabrics your skin responds best to.
Consult a professional if needed
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For specific skin issues, it may be a good idea to consult a dermatologist about the choice of materials.
The body’s biological age develops differently from one individual to another.
According to a study published in Nature Communications, cited by Medonet, this difference may influence how patients cope with cancer.
However, measuring biological age in a simple way has been challenging. Therefore, researchers have turned to artificial intelligence to analyze facial features.
The tool FaceAge assesses factors such as skin condition and facial structure to calculate a person’s biological age.
Previous studies indicate that patients with a higher biological age often have poorer outcomes.
Study of patients
A total of 2,276 cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy participated in the study.
Photographs of their faces were taken at the start of treatment and subsequently analyzed using AI, according to Medonet.
Researchers measured how quickly the face changed over time.
They found that faster aging was associated with a higher risk of death, regardless of the type of cancer or other factors.
The risk was highest among patients with advanced disease.
At the same time, the results showed that changes in aging over time were more important than the difference between biological and chronological age.
Potential implications
The method is relatively inexpensive and can be used multiple times during a course of treatment.
Nevertheless, the researchers emphasize that there are limitations, partly because the participant group was not sufficiently diverse.
There are also concerns about data security and the risk of errors in the technology. Therefore, further studies are required before the method can be applied in practice.
The small stickers on fruit may seem insignificant, but they contain more information than most people realize.
When buying fruit such as apples and bananas, there is often a sticker attached. This is called a PLU code and is used in stores to register and price items.
The codes consist of numbers that can reveal information about the fruit. For example, they can indicate the type of fruit and how it was grown.
That is why the sticker is there
PLU codes help both retailers and consumers. They make it easier to distinguish between products and their quality.
According to IFPS, a five-digit code starting with 9 indicates that the fruit is organic.
Some stickers can also show where the fruit comes from. This provides additional information for those who want to know more about their food.
What are they made of?
Dietitian Stephanie Crabtree told Better Homes & Gardens that the stickers are made of paper or plastic, glue, and ink approved for food contact.
This means they are safe to come into contact with food, but they are not intended to be eaten. The body cannot break them down, and they have no nutritional value.
What happens if you eat them?
Experts recommend removing the sticker and washing the fruit before eating it. In rare cases, some people may react to the materials in the adhesive.
It is generally not dangerous if you accidentally eat a sticker. According to Stephanie Crabtree, it will typically pass through the body without any problems.
Sources: Better Homes & Gardens and the International Federation for Produce Standards.
Small everyday habits can make a meaningful difference to overall health, and blueberries are a simple addition with notable benefits. According to Parade, these berries may help support both blood pressure and heart health.
Blueberries as a healthy habit
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Adding blueberries to your daily routine is an easy way to strengthen your diet, especially when combined with a variety of nutrient-rich foods.
Rich in beneficial nutrients
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Blueberries contain a range of compounds that support multiple functions in the body and contribute to overall well-being.
Antioxidants help reduce inflammation
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The antioxidants and polyphenols found in blueberries can help lower inflammation and support internal balance.
A lot of people take their daily medication without a second thought. It’s part of a routine that feels safe and familiar.
But new findings suggest that even widely used treatments may carry risks that are not always fully understood.
According to LADbible, citing research reported by TCTMD, EurekAlert and Knowridge, scientists in the Netherlands and Denmark have identified a possible link between a popular blood pressure drug and an increased risk of cardiac arrest.
Unexpected findings
The medication, nifedipine, is commonly prescribed to treat high blood pressure and angina. It works by relaxing blood vessels, helping blood flow more easily and reducing strain on the heart.
However, recent analysis of large patient datasets has raised concerns. People taking higher doses, particularly 60 mg per day or more, appeared to face a greater risk of experiencing cardiac arrest outside of hospital settings.
The Dutch study compared more than 2,500 cardiac arrest patients with over 10,000 individuals without heart issues.
Danish data supported the findings, indicating the risk could be significantly higher at certain dosage levels.
Differences in treatment
Researchers also examined a similar drug, amlodipine, which belongs to the same class of medication. Unlike nifedipine, it did not show the same association with increased risk.
This contrast suggests that dosage and drug-specific effects may play a key role, even within the same category of treatment.
Key takeaways from the research include:
Higher doses are linked to increased risk
Lower doses showed no clear association
Comparable drugs may not carry the same risk
What it means
The findings came as a surprise, given that nifedipine has been used safely by millions of patients over many years.
Earlier research had already hinted that certain forms of the drug, particularly short-acting high doses, might be linked to increased mortality in heart patients.
Experts stress that it is too early to change medical guidelines. Patients are advised to consult their doctor before making any changes to their treatment.
The liver is a vital organ capable of repairing itself after damage, but this requires the body to receive the right nutrients, writes Tua Saúde.
Without them, the liver’s function slows down, and the risk of disease increases.
Research from Hepatology Forum shows that low levels of zinc and selenium are associated with liver damage. This is particularly evident in fibrosis, where scar tissue forms in the liver.
At the same time, harmful substances in the body can negatively affect liver cells and worsen the situation.
The role of nutrition
Vitamins such as C and E help protect the liver. Vitamin E, for example, may help reduce inflammation in the liver.
Proteins are also important, as they help the body build new cells and keep the liver functioning properly.
If protein intake is too low, the liver may have more difficulty repairing itself.
In addition, B vitamins play a role in the body’s energy production and metabolism, which are also important for liver function.
Long-term effects
Other nutrients also play a role. Omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce fat in the liver and lower inflammation.
Fiber from food can support digestion and ease the burden on the liver.
It is also important to drink enough water, as it helps the body eliminate waste products.
Overall, the liver’s ability to repair itself depends on a proper balance of different nutrients. Without the right diet, this process is weakened.
