Latest news with #ResearchSocietyfortheStudyofDiabetesinIndia
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Continuous glucose monitoring key to healthy pregnancy: expert
Purvi Chawla, a consultant diabetologist associated with the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India, said continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) is crucial for diabetes pregnancy. CGM is important for pregnant women as even a relapse of 5% per hour can lead to poor pregnancy outcomes and can have neonatal consequences, Dr. Chawla said while speaking at the annual Jothydev's Professional Education Forum Diabetes Update 2025 (JPEF 2025) on Saturday. K.R. Jyothilal, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance), Government of Kerala, inaugurated the conference and launched two projects for Type 1 diabetes patients -- 'Dreams Practicals 2.0' for children and 'Dreams Guru Project' for teachers of students suffering from the same medical condition. The ways and means to fight obesity and diabetes were discussed at the conference from the point of view of improving quality of life and preventing cardiovascular complications. Mahendra Narwaria, president of the All India Association for Advancing Research in Obesity (AIAARO), on Friday challenged the over reliance on body mass index (BMI) in clinical decision-making. 'The BMI is a screening tool, not a decision tool. 'Don't let it gatekeep care,' Dr. Narwaria said. He argued that the BMI fails to capture health risks specific to South Asians who develop metabolic disease at lower BMI thresholds, and that women and the elderly are often misclassified. He pointed to the Rubino Commission's 2023 recommendation, which called for the BMI to be replaced with more comprehensive diagnostic frameworks. Dr. Narwaria's presentation urged clinicians to adopt multidimensional staging models like the Edmonton Obesity Staging System (EOSS), which considers adiposity, function, and disease risk—not simply weight. More than 1,500 delegates, including doctors, nurses, dieticians, and educators from eight countries, are taking part in the conference which will draw to a close on Sunday.
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
It was the mangoes! What glucose trackers catch that lab tests miss
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are revolutionising diabetes care by offering a real-time picture of how everything from your morning coffee to evening workout affects blood sugar levels. Pushpa Narayan speaks to Dr Vijay Viswanathan, president of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), about how these wearables are helping in diabetes management How good are CGMs at monitoring blood sugar levels? These wearables give real-time information about glucose levels, providing greater insight into the body's sugar trends than traditional finger-prick tests. CGMs can show how different foods, exercise, sleep, and stress impact a person's glucose levels 24x7. This data helps doctors offer dietary and medicinal adjustments to optimise blood sugar levels. Some studies suggest CGMs can detect early signs of impaired glucose tolerance or prediabetes even in those with normal HbA1c (2-3 month blood sugar average) levels. Also, the feedback can motivate people with diabetes to adopt healthier lifestyle choices such as regular physical activity and balanced diet. When do you recommend them? In specific cases. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Last week, I had a patient whose HbA1c was 6.1, which is very good control for a person with diabetes, but the fasting and postprandial (after a meal) sugar levels were extremely high. We found it was possibly because my patient had been eating mangoes almost every day. HbA1c is the gold standard but doesn't reveal glucose fluctuations that occur throughout the day. A normal HbA1c with frequent low and high blood sugar indicates wide swings that the average doesn't capture. A high HbA1c despite 'good' clinic readings could mean post-meal spikes or overnight high sugar that are not being captured by intermittent testing. We recommend a CGM when a patient's average might be masking significant glycemic variability. It provides the timing, magnitude, and frequency of fluctuations, allowing doctors to pinpoint the root cause of disparity and adjust meal plans and medical treatment accordingly. Are they tools to improve diagnosis? Yes. For instance, the Somogyi phenomenon or rebound hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and the Dawn phenomenon are two distinct causes of high morning blood sugar in people with diabetes. Somogyi phenomenon occurs when an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) during the night triggers the release of counter-regulatory hormones such as glucagon, cortisol, and epinephrine which work to raise blood sugar. In diabetics who lack sufficient insulin, this mechanism can overshoot, leading to high blood sugar levels in the morning. Dawn phenomenon is a more natural process where the hormones cause a blood sugar rise between 2am and 8am to prepare for waking. These hormones increase insulin resistance and signal the liver to produce more glucose. In those without diabetes, the pancreas releases enough insulin but not in diabetics, leading to elevated blood sugar levels upon waking. Unlike Somogyi phenomenon, Dawn phenomenon is not preceded by a hypoglycemic event. It's important to distinguish between the two as treatment varies. CGMs help the caregiver diagnose, adjust insulin dosage and medication timing, with better long-term health outcomes and lower risk of complications. The information overload can cause anxiety, unwarranted dietary restrictions, and sometimes an unhealthy obsession with food among healthy folk. Not to mention needless expense Dr Viswanathan Even healthy people are using CGMs as a predictive health tool to prevent diabetes. Would you recommend it? Doctors' bodies, including RSSDI, are cautious about recommending widespread use in healthy people as the need is not yet proven. Also, most devices have algorithms tailored only to a diabetic's needs, which can lead to data misinterpretation. There's also the danger of an information overload that can cause anxiety, unwarranted dietary restrictions, and sometimes an unhealthy obsession with eating among healthy folk. Not to mention the needless spending. That said, manufacturers have designed over-the-counter devices for those who don't use insulin and are not at severe risk of low blood sugar. For healthy people, I would recommend a balanced diet, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight for glucose management. Can CGMs help kids and the elderly? They greatly reduce the need for painful finger-prick tests that kids may dislike and the elderly may have difficulty with. Both may be more susceptible to hypoglycemia and may not experience typical symptoms. A CGM can provide life-saving alerts for low glucose that would help prevent severe episodes. And modern CGMs are often user-friendly, which can benefit older adults with cognitive impairments.
Time of India
05-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Manage diet, stress, exercise, shed weight for diabetes remission, says diabetologist
Nagpur: The term "diabetes reversal" may be widely popular today, but the medically accurate and preferred term is "diabetes remission", explained well-known diabetologist Dr Sunil Gupta on Wednesday. He said calling it 'reversal' can be misleading, while 'remission' acknowledges the possibility of maintaining normal blood sugar levels without medication for a prolonged period, though the condition may still persist in the background. "Diabetes just doesn't vanish. Through focused care and effort, blood glucose levels can return to a non-diabetic range without medication for some time. That's remission, not reversal," Dr Gupta said, clarifying the often-confused terminology in simple language. He outlined four scientifically established approaches to achieve diabetes remission. "First and foremost is lifestyle changes like diet modifications, regular exercise, stress management, and weight loss. The second option is medications, including targeted oral drugs that support glucose control and insulin sensitivity," he said. Insulin therapy, in which insulin injections can help preserve pancreatic function, is the third, while bariatric surgery, a surgical option for patients with obesity and uncontrolled diabetes, is the fourth approach. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Emphasising the growing recognition of obesity as a key health challenge, Dr Gupta said, "Obesity is now officially considered a disease and is being treated as such. It's a major driver of both diabetes and hypertension." He also shared insights into a massive national study currently underway on one crore hypertensive patients, which aims to examine the link between hypertension and diabetes in the Indian context. "Over 4,500 doctors across the country are participating in this study. The results are expected to give us a clearer understanding of the overlap between these two lifestyle diseases," he said. Dr Gupta also announced the 12th edition of Hello Diabetes Academia (HDA), scheduled from June 6 to 8 in Nagpur. "It's a flagship academic conclave of Nagpur. We will host over 100 national experts and feature 150+ sessions focused on the latest advances in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic disorders," he said. This year's edition is being organised in collaboration with leading organisations, including the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), Indian Podiatry Association (IPA), Indian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (IACE), Association of Physicians of India (API), and All India Association for Advanced Research in Obesity (AIAARO). Dr Gupta also announced the 12th edition of Hello Diabetes Academia (HDA), scheduled from June 6 to 8 in Nagpur. "It's a flagship academic conclave of Nagpur. We will host over 100 national experts and feature 150+ sessions focused on the latest advances in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic disorders," he said. This year's edition is being organised in collaboration with leading organisations, including the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI), Indian Podiatry Association (IPA), Indian Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (IACE), Association of Physicians of India (API), and All India Association for Advanced Research in Obesity (AIAARO). While the conference will start from Friday, its formal inauguration will be held on Saturday at the hands of chief ninister Devendra Fandnavis at 12.30 pm. Director General of Health Services from New Delhi Dr Rati Makkar, administrator of the Maharashtra Medical Council Dr Vinky Rughwani, IDF chairman Dr Banshi Saboo, Dr Kamlakar Tripathi, and Dr Shashank Joshi will be the guests of honour on the occasion. Diabetes: Remission and Reversal - Remission means blood sugar stays normal without medication, but diabetes can return. - Reversal wrongly implies diabetes is permanently cured. - Remission acknowledges the condition still exists in the background. - Reversal gives a false sense of complete elimination of disease. - Remission is a medically accepted, realistic term; reversal is more popular but misleading.
Hindustan Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Doctors share how to improve gut health and lose weight naturally by adding prebiotics and probiotics to your diet
Gut health has become one of the most talked-about topics in the health and wellness sphere today — and for good reason. Did you know that having a healthy gut can impact how your body functions? But between knowing the best foods for gut health, how to improve gut health, and how to get rid of bad gut bacteria, there's tons to grasp. Also read | 6 signs you have poor gut health: Nutritionist reveals why you should not ignore these and what you can do If you're not sure where to start when it comes to improving your gut health and losing weight naturally, you have come to the right place. In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Professor (Dr) L Sreenivasa Murthy, vice president of Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India and Dr Manohar KN, consultant physician and diabetologist, Manipal Hospital break down the basics of gut health. Improving your gut health and thereby furthering your weight loss journey may sound like a tall order; but let these experts explain how you can actually do it naturally with a few simple diet and lifestyle changes. The gut microbiota consists of a complex and dynamic ecosystem of microorganisms that play a crucial role in our body's metabolism, nutrient absorption, immune function, and even our behaviour. These microorganisms help regulate our energy levels, appetite, and how much fat we store, which in turn affects our weight and overall body composition. Dr Manohar says, 'Recent scientific advancements have shown that a balanced gut microbiome is essential for maintaining an efficient metabolism and preventing obesity. However, as obesity rates continue to rise in India, there's a lot of misleading information about health products, especially those related to gut health. This misinformation, coupled with scepticism towards modern injectable weight management treatments like GLP-1 receptor agonists, exacerbating the problem. Despite their proven effectiveness, these treatments are often avoided due to concerns about cost, potential side effects, and the perceived unnatural method of administration.' Eating a diverse diet is one of the best ways to improve your gut health and experts encourage people to eat a wide range of foods. Dr Murthy says, 'Mythos surrounding weight loss has shifted over the years. One is not only focused on shedding a few pounds, but on maintaining an ideal weight, which requires lifestyle changes. One strategy is to naturally increase levels of GLP-1, a hormone responsible for appetite and blood sugar control. Diets including high-protein and high-fiber foods as well as healthy fats tend to increase GLP-1 levels. These dietary changes help individuals feel fuller and support steady, long-term weight management.' Eating certain foods can help increase the levels of GLP-1 in your body. 'Including nuts and seeds in your meals is beneficial because they're packed with proteins and healthy fats that help produce more GLP-1. Whole grains are also great because they have a lot of fibre, which slows down digestion and helps maintain steady GLP-1 levels throughout the day. Additionally, leafy greens and vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are full of fibre and important nutrients, boosting GLP-1 while keeping you healthy,' Dr Murthy says. He says that probiotics, found in foods like yoghurt and fermented vegetables, support gut health, which plays a key role in regulating GLP-1 production, and adds: 'Prebiotics, found in foods like bananas, garlic, and onions, help nourish beneficial gut bacteria, further promoting optimal GLP-1 levels and overall well-being.' Dr Manohar says that probiotics are live, beneficial bacteria that help keep your gut healthy, while prebiotics are fibres that serve as food for these bacteria — together, they play an essential role in enhancing the diversity of the gut microbiota — the vast community of microorganisms living in our digestive system. Dr Manohar further says that to effectively tackle the growing challenge of weight management, it is essential to educate people with accurate, science-based information about how gut health plays a key role in controlling body weight. 'Many individuals are misled by popular myths or marketing claims, so it's important to clarify these misconceptions and explain how simple, natural changes — like improving diet, staying active, and supporting gut health — can make a big difference. A healthy gut microbiome, which refers to the community of beneficial bacteria living in our digestive system, helps regulate metabolism, control appetite, and manage fat storage,' he says. According to Dr Manohar, if you constantly feel the urge to snack or crave unhealthy food, it could be a sign that your gut microbiome is imbalanced. He further says that feeling hungry soon after eating or never feeling 'full enough' may indicate poor gut function. 'If your weight isn't budging even with diet and exercise, your gut health might be affecting your metabolism and fat utilisation. Since gut health impacts metabolic markers, poor gut health could be slowing down your metabolism. Bloating, indigestion, or irregular bowel movements can all be indicators that your gut health needs attention,' Dr Manohar says. He adds that weight loss or metabolic improvements will only last if healthy habits are sustained, and reversing a condition like diabetes or losing weight isn't a one-time effort — it requires ongoing discipline. 'Include fibre-rich foods and probiotics that support your microbiome. Products that combine precision probiotics, fibre, and nutrients like L-carnitine can help manage cravings and improve satiety. Whether it's food habits, supplements, or exercise, consistency is key to seeing lasting results,' Dr Manohar says. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
