Years of life lost due to obesity related diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Years of life lost due to obesity related diabetes and cardiovascular disease

At a Glance

A new study provides a quantitative analysis of the impact of obesity on shortened life spans and on years of healthy life lost to obesity. Men who are 20-39 years of age with a BMI greater than 35 are likely to lose 8.4 years of life and 18.8 years of health based on these statistical models.

Read more about this research below. 

It is well established that excess bodyweight is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. To go along with all the research studying and detailing this association, a study published in The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology developed a meaningful metric to determine the effect these diseases have on quality of life and length of life.

A disease-simulation model was developed to estimate the annual risk of type 2 diabetes diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and mortality for individuals based on their BMI classification. The data was compiled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 3992 individuals over a period of seven years (2003-2010)

As seen in previous studies, this study also showed that excess bodyweight was positively associated with increased risk factors for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Years of life lost as a result of these conditions ranged from 0.8 to 5.9 years in obese (BMI = 30 to <35) men and 0.9 to 8.4 years in very obese (BMI ≥ 35) men, increasing with age. Years of life lost ranged from 1.6 to 5.6 years in obese (BMI = 30 to <35) women and 0.9 to 6.1 years in very obese (BMI ≥ 35) women, increasing with age. Losses were smaller, but generally similar for overweight (BMI = 25 to <30) men and women. Healthy life-years (years free from premature disease) also decreased as a result excess bodyweight, with totals ranging from two to four times higher than the total years of life lost.

While these results already reveal a lot about the potential impact of obesity on life expectancy and quality of life, they are actually conservative estimates. As they only take into account the risk factors associated with obesity on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In the future, additional considerations must also be made for cancer, respiratory disease, hepatic disease, renal disease, and other diseases impacted by excess bodyweight.

Higher magnesium intake is associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk

It is a "nutty" time of year with the Holidays upon us. I found this Weekly Essenrials of Health Bulletin courtesy of Usana Health Sciences Inc to be right on time sharing a new perspective on holiday nuts that are plentiful. - Ekayani Chamberlin
November 19, 2014

Higher magnesium intake is associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk

At a Glance

A meta-analysis of 13 prospective cohort studies has found that magnesium intake is inversely associated with type 2 diabetes risk, and in a dose-dependent manner.

Read more about this research below.

 Diabetes, and in particular Type 2 diabetes, is a growing health concern worldwide. Untreated or poorly controlled diabetes increases risks of many health conditions. Adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke than adults without diabetes. Experts agree that diet plays an important role in the development and progression of type 2 diabetes. According to epidemiological evidence magnesium intake may be related to the incidence of diabetes. Magnesium is found primarily in whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables, and is an essential cofactor in enzymes involved in glucose metabolism.

In a study published in Diabetes Care, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to examine the association between magnesium intake and the risk of type 2 diabetes. The study included 13 prospective cohort studies and 536,318 participants. The included studies were published between 1999 and 2010 and involved follow-ups of up to 20 years. 

After adjusting for geographic location, follow-up length, gender, or family history of type 2 diabetes, the combined studies indicated a significant (22%) reduction of risk of type 2 diabetes when comparing the highest magnesium intake group to the lowest. The inverse association was also more pronounced in overweight individuals, suggesting that high magnesium intake may have greater effects on improving insulin sensitivity in overweight individuals who are prone to insulin resistance. In the analysis of dose-response it was found that for every 100 mg/day increment in magnesium intake there was a 14% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk.

The results of this study provide additional evidence that magnesium, in a dose-dependent manner, is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

Jia-Yi Dong et al. Magnesium Intake and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies. Diabetes Care 34:2116–2122, 2011.

Low Vitamin D Status and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

   Low vitamin D status and the risk of type 2 diabetes

At a GlanceAdults with a lower vitamin D intake or low vitamin D blood levels may have a significantly increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Read more about this research below.

 Type 2 diabetes has become a significant worldwide health care challenge, as it is associated with various health problems and increased mortality risk. There is increasing evidence that vitamin D influences many non-skeletal medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer, certain autoimmune diseases and type 2 diabetes. Observational research has shown that seasonal variation in blood sugar control in the winter may be partly due to vitamin D, since vitamin D levels are generally much lower in the winter.  

In a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined the association between vitamin D status and the incidence of Type 2 diabetes. After a thorough review of the literature, 8 observational studies and 11 randomly controlled trials were included in the review.  When compared to those with a vitamin D intake of <200 IU/day, intake of >500 IU/day decreased the risk of type 2 diabetes by 13%. Compared to those with the lowest serum vitamin D levels (<14 ng/ml or 35 mmol/L), adults with the highest vitamin D status (>25 ng/ml or 62.5 mmol/L) had a 43% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.  In two trials that included patients with glucose intolerance, vitamin D supplementation improved measures of insulin resistance. No significant effect of vitamin D on glycemic outcomes was evident in the trials that included subjects with normal glucose tolerance at baseline.

The results of this review show that vitamin D may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes, although high-quality studies are still needed to determine a potential mechanism between vitamin D concentration and relevant glycemic outcomes.  

J Mitri, M D Muraru and A G Pittas. Vitamin D and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2011) 65, 1005–1015. 

High glycemic index and glycemic load diets increase the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

High glycemic index and glycemic load diets increase the risk of Type 2 Diabetes

At a Glance
Results from 3 large cohort studies and a recently updated meta-analysis provide additional evidence that higher dietary glycemic index and glycemic load diets are associated with an elevated risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Read more about this research below.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been a worldwide public health concern for several decades. It is projected to be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030. Many good studies have shown that a healthy diet and lifestyle can be even more effective at preventing T2D than medical or pharmaceutical interventions.

In a recent study published online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined the association of dietary carbohydrate quality, using glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL), and the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Researchers followed 164,659 women from 1991-2008 that took part in the Nurses Health Studies I and II, and 40, 498 men from the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. All were free of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer at the beginning of the study periods. Periodic questionnaires were used to analyze diet and lifestyle.  The researchers updated a meta-analysis which also included the results from the 3 cohort studies.

After compiling the results of the 3 population studies, it was found that the adults with diets in the highest quintile (20%) of energy-adjusted GI had a 33% higher risk of T2D than those with diets in the lowest 20% of GI. Subjects in the highest GL group had a 10% higher risk of T2D than those in the lowest group. Consumption of a combination diet that was high in GI or GL but low in cereal fiber had a 50% greater risk of T2D. When comparing the highest with lowest categories of GI and GL in the updated meta-analysis researcher found an increased risk of T2D of 19% and 13% respectively. 

The results from these studies confirm that consuming a high-GI/GL diet is associated with a higher risk of Type 2 Diabetes, especially when cereal fiber intake is also low.

Shilpa N Bhupathiraju et al.  Glycemic index, glycemic load, and risk of type 2 diabetes: results from 3 large US cohorts and an updated meta-analysis.  Am J Clin Nutr.  First published April 30, 2014, doi: 10.3945/​ajcn.113.079533 [Epub ahead of print].