Why coffee protects against diabetes

Coffee has shown to be protective against type 2 diabetes.

Now scientists may know how it works.

"researchers at UCLA have discovered a possible molecular mechanism behind coffee's protective effect. A protein called sex hormone–binding globulin (SHBG) regulates the biological activity of the body's sex hormones, testosterone and estrogen, which have long been thought to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes. And coffee consumption, it turns out, increases plasma levels of SHBG.

.... women who drink at least four cups of coffee a day are less than half as likely to develop diabetes as non-coffee drinkers.

When the findings were adjusted for levels of SHBG, the researchers said, that protective effect disappeared.

....

And there's bad news for decaf lovers. "Consumption of decaffeinated coffee was not significantly associated with SHBG levels, nor diabetes risk," Goto said. "So you probably have to go for the octane!"

There you go. Drink your coffee, preferably in black.


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resveratrol increases beneficial hormone adipopectin

The hopeful longevity supplement resveratrol is in the news again. This time it was found to stimulate the expression of adiponectin, a hormone that modulates a number of metabolic processes, including glucose regulation and fatty acid catabolism.

Resveratrol can be found naturally in grapes and other plants and sold as supplement in various purities. It became widely known after Dr. David Sinclair, biologist who studies resveratrol, was interviewed by Barbara Walters.

In the most recent study, resveratrol stimulates the expression of adiponectin, a hormone derived from cells that manufacture and store fat, the team found. Adiponectin has a wide range of beneficial effects on obesity-related medical complications, said senior author Feng Liu, Ph.D., professor of pharmacology and member of the Barshop Institute of Longevity and Aging Studies at the Health Science Center.

Both adiponectin and resveratrol display anti-obesity, anti-insulin resistance and anti-aging properties.

“Results from these studies should be of interest to those who are obese, diabetic and growing older,” Dr. Liu said. “The findings should also provide important information on the development of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of these diseases.”

The researchers confirmed the finding in cells and animal models.


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What we consumed in 2010

An unexamined life is not worth living.
--Socrates

Below is a list of some of the foods we consumed in 2010 as compared to average Canadian in 2008 (source):

Average Canadian in 2008 -- our consumption in 2010

------------------------ kg --------------------- kg
fruits ----------------- 47.5 ------------------- 130.7
vegetables --------- 44.5 ------------------- 145.5
(not incl. potatoes)
potatoes ------------ 35.0 ------------------- 11.0
fish ------------------- 6.6 -------------------- 36.0
poultry --------------- 13.6 ------------------- negligible
pork ------------------ 9.7 -------------------- 9.0
beef & veal --------- 12.8 ------------------- negligible
egg ------------------- 144.0 pcs. ------------------ 288.0 pcs.
wheat ----------------- 43.7 ------------------- negligible
rice -------------------- 7.0 ------------------- 4.0
rye bread ------------- ? --------------------- 14.5
plantain ---------------- ? --------------------- 24.5
refined sugar -------- 23.1 ------------------ negligible

-------------------------- Litre ------------------- Litre
wine -------------------- 15.0 ------------------ 26.0
beer -------------------- 77.2 ------------------ negligible

daily calories ---------- 2382 ---------------- 1900

When it comes to energy consumption, we consumed 78 gigajoules for our 3500 sq. ft. home in 2010 as compared to 106 gigajoules per average Canadian household in 2007 (source). Even though this number seems low, it is even lower if you convert it to consumption per sq. meter. We only consumed 0.24 GJ/m2 as compared to 0.68/m2 for a single person household.

We strive to be conscious in all our consumptions.


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