diabetes

Fasting diet 'regenerates diabetic pancreas'

Restoring the function of the organ - which helps control blood sugar levels - reversed symptoms of diabetes in animal experiments.

The study, published in the journal Cell, says the diet reboots the body.

Experts said the findings were "potentially very exciting" as they could become a new treatment for the disease.

People are advised not to try this without medical advice.

In the experiments, mice were put on a modified form of the "fasting-mimicking diet".

Platypus venom could treat type 2 diabetes, Adelaide researchers find

The team found both the platypus and echidna produce a long-lasting form of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

GLP-1 is normally secreted in the gut of both humans and animals, stimulating the release of insulin to lower blood glucose levels.

But GLP-1 typically degrades within minutes.

Lead researcher Frank Grutzner said his team was surprised to find the hormone was produced not only in the platypus' gut, but also in its venom.

Fiji to host regional youth diabetes forum

Diabetes Fiji will host youths from Tuvalu, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Its project manager Viliame Qio says the first-of-its-kind event will train participants in how to lead diabetes associations and help others with the disease in their countries.

He says part of the conference involves a health camp, where participants will meet with doctors and learn more about food, oral care and eye health.

Fighting grim statistics, Pacific Islanders unite over health

In Utah, where the per-capita share of Pacific Islanders is the highest in the continental U.S., they have the highest incidence of stroke, the lowest rate of prenatal care and the highest prevalence of diabetes (twice that of the state average).

These figures are why Jake Fitisemanu, an outreach coordinator for the Office of Health Disparities at the state health department, started Pacific Islander Health Week four years ago.

Six health conditions that raise the risk of heart disease

Seemingly unrelated diseases that affect your skin, brain, or mouth can cause changes that eventually threaten your heart.

Luckily, the reverse is also true. Steps that improve heart health, including exercising and eating a healthy diet, can also help prevent and treat many other illnesses. Here are six conditions that can place your heart in peril—and how you can reduce your risk.

1. Arthritis