Diabetes

Diabetes.co.uk: Raedeh Basiri quoted and her team’s research cited in story about the role of diet reducing risks linked to diabetes and mental health

Taylor Thomas — Fri, 12 Jan 2024 17:55:41 +0000

Diabetes.co.uk: Raedeh Basiri quoted and her team’s research cited in story about the role of diet reducing risks linked to diabetes and mental health Taylor Thomas Fri, 01/12/2024 - 12:55

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

Study highlights pivotal role of diet in reducing risks linked to diabetes and mental health

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Poor nutrition contributes to poor mental health and risk of diabetes

Mary Cunningham — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 22:20:16 +0000

Poor nutrition contributes to poor mental health and risk of diabetes Mary Cunningham Mon, 11/20/2023 - 17:20

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

People with diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) are two-to-three times more likely to have depression than people without, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Current treatment includes therapy, medicine, or both. However, the understanding of the multifaceted relationship between nutrition, mental health, and DM is relatively new in scientific discourse. Mason researchers sought to learn about the connection between nutrition, diabetes, and mental health.

Two literature reviews from assistant professor Raedeh Basiri show that poor nutrition plays a dual role, contributing to both the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and impacting mental health, including anxiety and depression. According to the findings, mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and diabetes is also linked with an increased risk of developing depression and anxiety. Nutrition interventions can aid in both of these health issues.

“Our findings underscore the pivotal role of dietary choices in reducing the risks associated with both diabetes and mental health. The implications of these findings extend beyond the scientific community, as they hold promise for informing public health policies, health care practices, and dietary recommendations that can positively impact the general population, said Basiri, the lead author of the papers.

“Ultimately, the research seeks to empower individuals to make informed and health-promoting dietary choices that can serve as a proactive strategy for the prevention and management of diabetes, as well as anxiety and depression,” Basiri said.

More specifically, the team’s findings provide a comprehensive view of the relationship between dietary patterns, health outcomes, and the critical role of eating behavior in the context of type 2 diabetes and mental health.

The team found that eating foods rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy is associated with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. Conversely, a diet with a large number of processed foods was found to have a negative effect, increasing the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes, depression, and anxiety.

Additionally, the research team found that a diet with energy-dense foods but lacking in essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folate, selenium, chromium, and magnesium, is associated with the exacerbation of unfavorable symptoms in both mental health and the development of type 2 diabetes. This connection emphasizes the importance of nutrient-rich dietary choices for overall health and well-being.

“Current scientific evidence underscores the potential benefits of adopting a well-balanced dietary regimen in decreasing anxiety and depression symptoms while enhancing glycemic control in individuals with diabetes,” said Basiri.

“Exploring the Interrelationships between Diabetes, Nutrition, Anxiety, and Depression: Implications for Treatment and Prevention Strategies” was published in Nutrients in September 2023 with Mason Master of Science in Nutrition students Blessing Seidu and Mark Rudich as co-authors.

“Key Nutrients for Optimal Blood Glucose Control and Mental Health in Individuals with Diabetes: A Review of the Evidence” was published in Nutrients in September 2023 with Seidu and Mason Professor Lawrence Cheskin as co-authors.

Neither study received external funding.

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National Geographic: Dr. Cheskin comments on obesity and regulating blood sugar with a new drug injection

Emma Therese Anderson — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 15:13:05 +0000

National Geographic: Dr. Cheskin comments on obesity and regulating blood sugar with a new drug injection Emma Therese A… Wed, 04/19/2023 - 11:13

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Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

These 7 hormones influence how much—or little—you eat. Can we influence them? (Subscription required)

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College of Public Health

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies

Nutrition education can benefit individuals who are overweight with diabetic foot ulcers

Mary Cunningham — Fri, 14 Oct 2022 00:44:49 +0000

Nutrition education can benefit individuals who are overweight with diabetic foot ulcers Mary Cunningham Thu, 10/13/2022 - 20:44

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

A new study by Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, suggests that dietary recommendations should prioritize proper wound healing for people who are overweight/obese with diabetic foot ulcers.

Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies,

Nutrition can play an important role in the treatment of chronic wounds; however, it is often overlooked as part of wound care. Diet therapy is not currently part of standard care for diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), though some research has shown that nutrition can support healing. A new study by Raedeh Basiri, assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies, further supports nutrition intervention to improve clinical outcomes.

Basiri’s new study suggests that dietary recommendations should prioritize proper wound healing for individuals who are overweight/obese with DFUs. Proper wound healing can be prioritized by recommending that patients consume adequate energy sources and essential nutrients, according to the study.

“Routine visits with a dietitian are essential for assessing the dietary needs of patients with diabetic foot ulcers and designing individualized nutrition therapy, which can result in effective clinical outcomes,” said Basiri, the principal investigator. “Identifying the adequate dietary intake of macro- and micronutrients in these patients, especially for those who are overweight or obese, is critical for expediting the wound-healing process and can make a substantial difference to medical expenses and quality of life in this population.”

To the researchers’ knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates the effects of nutrition education and supplementation with extra calories, protein, and micronutrients on long-term blood glucose control and body composition in patients who are overweight and obese with DFUs. In addition to standard DFU care, the treatment group was asked to consume more low-fat protein sources, vegetables, and high-fiber carbohydrates, and a lower amount of simple carbohydrates; educated about and given examples of healthier food items; and provided a nutritional supplement to take twice a day.

On average, patients in the treatment group lost less lean body mass (8.4 lb. vs. 10 lb.) and gained less fat (2 lb. vs. 8 lb.) than the control group. Additionally, DFUs healed 12.85 times faster in the treatment group than in the control group, and inflammation significantly decreased in the treatment group. Previous research by Basiri found that nutritional education and supplements reduced inflammation in DFUs. The research team suspects that Basiri’s previous research, along with previous studies reporting that preventing the loss of lean body mass leads to faster healing of chronic wounds, could be why the treatment group healed quicker.

The findings of this study showed that supplementing a patient’s diet with extra energy sources and nutrients had positive effects on body composition and phase angle (an indicator of cellular health) and did not have any significant negative effects on long-term blood glucose control when combined with nutrition education.

Effects of Nutrition Intervention on Blood Glucose, Body Composition, and Phase Angle in Obese and Overweight Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers was published in Nutrients in September 2022. Other researchers included Maria T. Spicer and Thomas Ledermann, and Bahram H. Arjmandi from Florida State University.

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Using Personalized Nutrition to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes

Mary Cunningham — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 18:46:25 +0000

Using Personalized Nutrition to Help Prevent Type 2 Diabetes Mary Cunningham Tue, 08/02/2022 - 14:46

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

Lawrence J. Cheskin, MD

Lilian de Jonge, PhD

Raedeh Basiri’s new clinical trial seeks to answer whether personalized nutrition intervention can be effective in lowering blood sugar (and thereby help to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes and related cardiovascular diseases) in people with prediabetes.

Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri

One in 10 Americans has diabetes and of those who do, 90% have type 2 diabetes. More than 1 in 3 Americans (96 million people) have prediabetes, many of whom don’t know it. Type 2 diabetes is a preventable disease and Assistant Professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri’s new study hopes that personalized nutrition can stop prediabetes from progressing into type 2 diabetes.

“Many people know general health tips, such as eat more vegetables, yet are not following the health guidelines, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases,” said Basiri, who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. “We understand that there are many factors that influence individual’s food choices – and sometimes those factors are outside their control. I want to study the why behind why people aren’t following health/dietary guidelines that can help prevent/delay these diseases. Is it access to foods? Their culture? The lack of knowledge? This study looks at how can we as dietitians help people put education into practice based on their individual body and personal desire.”

Type 2 diabetes occurs when there is too much sugar in someone’s bloodstream and it impairs the way the body processes insulin, a hormone that helps the body process sugar (glucose) as fuel. High blood sugar levels can lead to disorders including heart disease, kidney disease, blindness, non-healing foot ulcers, and stroke. With the correct diet and lifestyle adjustments, a person’s blood glucose levels can decrease and return to the non-diabetes range, but type 2 diabetes does not have a cure.

Prediabetes, when blood sugar levels are elevated but not yet at diabetes levels, is reversible if the appropriate lifestyle changes are made. A new study from Basiri and colleagues will help determine to what extent personalized nutrition intervention can help lifestyle changes in participants, who are unaware of having prediabetes or have been diagnosed with prediabetes.

The study emphasizes healthy eating and not weight loss or changing routine exercise to determine if only adjusting food intake will decrease blood glucose level, which in the long term could prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. In the study, the treatment and control groups will receive general dietary recommendations, similar to what would be provided to them in clinical settings currently, and be visited by the researchers once a week.

Participants in the treatment group will receive more individualized nutrition education. The goal is to lower participants’ blood sugar levels while meeting their dietary needs with foods they enjoy. Each person has a unique physiology, which makes food affect people differently. For example, if a person is very sensitive to a certain type of carbohydrates and it raises their blood sugar levels, but they love it, the dietitian will work with the participant on portion size and the best time of day for them to eat it. This is personalized nutrition.

The study, “Individualized Nutrition Therapy for Preventing or Delaying Onset of Type-2 Diabetes,” is a clinical trial. It has been approved by Mason’s Institutional Review Board and ClinicalTrials.gov and is funded by Mason's College of Health and Human Services. Nutrition and Food Studies Chair Larry Cheskin and associate professor Lilian de Jonge are co-investigators on the study.

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Nutritional Supplements and Education Decrease Inflammation in Diabetic Patients with Foot Ulcers

Mary Cunningham — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:36:04 +0000

Nutritional Supplements and Education Decrease Inflammation in Diabetic Patients with Foot Ulcers Mary Cunningham Tue, 06/28/2022 - 11:36

In This Story

Raedeh Basiri, PhD, RDN

A new study by Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri shows that nutritional interventions play a pivotal role in treatment and healing.

Nutritional supplementation and education would support faster healing in patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

A diabetic foot ulcer, an open wound on the foot, affects about 25% of diabetes patients, and without proper care, ulcers can lead to amputation. As with all chronic wounds, diabetic foot ulcers are persistently inflamed, which slows the healing process.

A new study by George Mason University Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri finds that in people with diabetic foot ulcers, nutritional supplements and nutritional education can significantly decrease inflammation and enhance the healing process.

“Currently, nutritional interventions or referral to dietitians are not part of diabetic foot ulcer standard care. Our results show that nutritional interventions play an important role in decreasing inflammation and should be an integral part of treatment, underscoring the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to clinical care,” said Basiri, who is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist.

Assistant Professor of Nutrition and Food Studies Raedeh Basiri

Participants in the intervention group of the study were educated about improving their dietary intake by increasing their consumption of low-fat/high-bioavailable protein sources, vegetables, and high-fiber carbohydrates, as well as decreasing their intake of refined and simple carbohydrates.

In addition to nutritional education, patients took a nutritional supplement. People with diabetic foot ulcers have a significantly lower intake of micronutrients, especially potent antioxidants, which have shown the potential to alleviate chronic inflammation. The nutritional supplement provided at least 50% of the Food and Nutrition Board’s recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for antioxidants, and the nutrition education supported patients receiving the remaining antioxidant recommendations from their diet.

The study evaluated the effects of nutrition supplementation and education on inflammatory biomarkers in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. After 12 weeks, concentrations of the inflammatory biomarker IL6 decreased significantly in the intervention group, but increased drastically in the control group. Results on other biomarkers were not statistically significant. The sample size was relatively small, so researchers recommend more clinical trials with larger sizes to confirm the results.

To the research team’s knowledge, this is the first randomized controlled trial that uses both nutrition education and supplementation for improving inflammation status in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. “Improving Dietary Intake of Essential Nutrients Can Ameliorate Inflammation in Patients with Diabetic Foot Ulcers” was published in Nutrients in June 2022.

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Kansas City Star: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments about a study on a diabetes drug linked to birth defects

Emma Therese Anderson — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:11:13 +0000

Kansas City Star: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments about a study on a diabetes drug linked to birth defects Emma Therese A… Fri, 04/08/2022 - 09:11

Common diabetes drug may raise birth defect risk if dad used it recently, study finds.

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College of Health and Human Services

Miami Herald: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments about a study on a diabetes drug linked to birth defects

Emma Therese Anderson — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 13:09:06 +0000

Miami Herald: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments about a study on a diabetes drug linked to birth defects Emma Therese A… Fri, 04/08/2022 - 09:09

Common diabetes drug may raise birth defect risk if dad used it recently, study finds.

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College of Health and Human Services

Healio: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments on a study linking a diabetes drug to birth defects

Emma Therese Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:40:03 +0000

Healio: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments on a study linking a diabetes drug to birth defects Emma Therese A… Thu, 03/31/2022 - 15:40

Paternal metformin use before conception increases risk for birth defects.

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College of Health and Human Services

WBAL TV: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments on a study linking a diabetes drug to birth defects

Emma Therese Anderson — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 19:33:19 +0000

WBAL TV: Dean Germaine Buck Louis comments on a study linking a diabetes drug to birth defects Emma Therese A… Thu, 03/31/2022 - 15:33

Men's use of diabetes drug before conception linked to 40% increase in birth defects, study finds.

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College of Health and Human Services