Vote for Your Health

The excess iron is associated with poorer metabolic control of type 2 diabetes. Therefore, the Biomedical Research Center in Red-Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition has shown that blood donation could prevent this condition.

Blood donation is a safe mechanism for expelling human body iron could prevent type 2 diabetes. This is one of the prominent findings of the studies developed in the Biomedical Research Center in Red-Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition (Ciberobn) have shown that this strategy helps to control the disease.

The research is the section of Endocrinology, Hospital Josep Trueta, Gerona, Spain, directed by José Manuel Fernández-Real. The results indicate that routinely donate blood leads to an improvement in insulin resistance and, consequently, could prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Scientists have found that blood samples in a controlled manner can balance the levels of iron absorbed by the body and prevent oxidation of tissues. They found that excess iron is associated with poorer metabolic control of type 2 diabetes.

“Our body has mechanisms to absorb iron, but not eliminate this mineral. There are medications for it, but not entirely safe, so we talk about blood donations because they constitute a relatively simple, inexpensive, effective and, moreover, can help others, “said Fernandez-Real.

Another conclusion is inferred from this study is that excess iron can trigger this condition, confirming assumptions that are already reflected in the scientific literature: “The association between excess iron and increased risk for type 2 diabetes is clear from 60 years and especially in women after menopause. ”

The Ciberobn study, coordinated from Santiago de Compostela Felipe Casanueva, was the conduct of clinical trials with thirty male patients with type 2 diabetes and a mean age of 50 years. Half followed its standard program of diet, exercise and medication, while the other half underwent the same treatment but donated blood three times (once every two weeks) for a period of six weeks.

The blood samples were coordinated and monitored by those responsible for the blood bank of King Edward Memorial Hospital. “Patients who donated blood showed a significant improvement in metabolic control of insulin resistance and vascular function, maintaining the same medication,” explained Fernandez-Real.

Parallel comparative study was made over one hundred donors, divided into two groups: those who in the past five years donated blood once or never and those who donated twice or thrice. The second group presented lower insulin resistance.

The research is part of the normal work of the group that coordinates Fernandez-Real in the area devoted to iron metabolism, focusing on the absorption of this mineral and the factors that affect it: transport, cellular uptake, storage and excretion. Funded by the Health Research Fund of the Ministry of Health, the research project had a total budget of 40,000 euros.

Maintain a balance of iron

The research coordinator pointed out that healthy levels of iron contribute to good physical and mental performance, but has tempered the need to maintain a balance, “escape the extremes, neither too much nor too little iron.

To achieve this balance, José Manuel Fernandez-Real was recommended to follow a Mediterranean diet. And elaborating on his argument, pointed out that iron occurs in food in two forms: heme iron, found in animal products such as offal and red meat, and non-heme, found in legumes, nuts, vegetables greens and grains.

In western Mediterranean diet is varied enough for a minimal contribution in the absence of iron deficiency anemia. It is advisable to drastically reduce the consumption of red meat, rich in heme iron. The Mediterranean diet has no such meat and is rich in fish and vegetables, which reduce the absorption of iron.

Possibility Related Posts:

• Omega 3 could Increase The Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
  Over 70% of Americans take some type of dietary supplement and the amount of data that supports the benefits to health in general the consumption ...
• Between Secondhand Smoke and Diabetes
  Smokers and people exposed to secondhand smoke have an increased risk of illness in type 2 diabetes compared with those who are not in contact with sm...
• Diabetes and Visual Complications
  Among all the factors that cause blindness in the United States, diabetes is the leading cause in the group of people 24 to 74 years old, accordin...
• Almonds can Help Prevent Diabetes
  Almonds are a good source of protein, fiber and vitamin E. They also have a high content of monounsaturated fat (oleic acid). Therefore, this nut ...
• Acupuncture to Treat Menopause Symptoms
  Although perhaps not the solution for all, there is a good percentage of women who could benefit from acupuncture as a natural remedy to counterac...