A person who has obesity has a risk of developing diabetes no matter what age. Compared with people of healthy weight, obese people have three to seven times higher risk of having type 2 diabetes. It appears to happen to people with a body mass index of greater than 35 kg per square meter.
Some people with obesity become resistant to insulin. Those who have a less active lifestyle causes their glucose levels to increase. It means that if a person with obesity loses weight, it would also improve or decrease their blood sugar.
The American Diabetes Association said that there were 18.2 million people who had diabetes in 2002. It means they make up 6.3 percent of the people in the country. In 2000, the condition was the sixth leading cause of death on US death certificates.
Melinjo seed extract could addresses obesity and diabetes
Researchers from Kumamoto University in Japan study plants with medicinal use across the globe. They found that Melinjo seed extract (MSE) helps the body to produce adiponectin. Adiponectin is a hormone that helps improve obesity and diabetes. The team also found that each genotype differences cause varied effects.
Melinjo fruit benefits
Melinjo fruit is a proven antioxidant and antibacterial. It also contains large amounts of polyphenols. Polyphenol comes from plants and helps improve our bodies.
One polyphenol, resveratrol, causes the body to secrete adiponectin. Researchers found that it may help improve metabolic syndrome diseases.
MSE has plenty of Gnetin C, a type of resveratrol. It is known to stay longer and has a higher antioxidant effect. Do take note that the mechanism of action that both these polyphenols are still unknown.
The team gave 42 healthy adult men MSE supplement for 14 days. The subjects took 300 mg of MSE per day, and the team found that their adiponectin became active.
MSE improved diabetic symptoms on mice
Dr. Tsuyoshi Shuto, one of the researchers, led his team to perform another test. They tested the compound in a high-fat diet mouse with diabetes and obesity. They found that using MSE on mice could improve diabetic symptoms. The compound increased fat accumulation in mice and improved fasting blood glucose levels.
More studies needed for proof
Associate professor Shuto believes that their findings could help human health by treating obesity and diabetes. They are hoping that their work could contribute to a healthier society. Using plants and other natural sources, the team hopes to create new medicines for human use.
Finally, he said that more reliable scientific evidence is vital. They will use it to support the use of natural resources in emerging countries. He also said that it is essential for discovering new drugs and maintaining health.
Treating obesity and diabetes is achievable with diet and lifestyle change. We should remember that apart from curing the two conditions, your health would greatly thank you if you would take good care of your body.
You could start by trying to lose weight by eating the right foods instead of not eating at all. You may try to do intermittent fasting or eating a low carb diet. Better if you could try to do both for a healthier, more energetic you.
If you have high blood glucose, some herbs could help lower them. Check your kitchen for some turmeric or cinnamon. They prove to lower blood glucose. If you increase your physical activity, you will not only lose weight but also help decrease your blood glucose.
The CDC suggests that adults should have at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. You may divide them into five days. Start small and increase your number gradually.
