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New Research Sheds Light on Cause of Type 2 Diabetes

St. Petersburg, Fla. – September 12, 2023 – Scientists at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, along with an international team of researchers, are shedding new light on the causes of Type 2 diabetes. The new research, published in the journal Nature Communications , offers a potential strategy for developing new therapies that could restore dysfunctional pancreatic beta-cells or, perhaps, even prevent Type 2 diabetes from developing.

The new study shows that the beta-cells of Type 2 diabetes patients are deficient in a cell trafficking protein called “phosphatidylinositol transfer protein alpha” (or PITPNA), which can promote the formation of “little packages,” or intracellular granules containing insulin. These structures facilitate processing and maturation of insulin “cargo.” By restoring PITPNA in the Type 2 deficient beta-cells, production of insulin granule is restored and this reverses many of the deficiencies associated with beta-cell failure and Type 2 diabetes.

Researchers say it’s important to understand how specific genes regulate pancreatic beta-cell function, including those that mediate insulin granule production and maturation like PITPNA to provide therapeutic options for people.

Matthew Poy, Ph.D. , an associate professor of Medicine and Biological Chemistry in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and leader of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s team within the  Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research , was lead researcher on the study. He adds that follow-up work is now focused on whether PITPNA can enhance the functionality of stem-cell-derived pancreatic beta-cells. Since stem cell-based therapies are still in their relatively early stages of clinical development, it appears a great deal of the potential of this approach remains untapped. Poy believes that increasing levels of PITPNA in stem cell-derived beta-cells is an approach that could enhance the ability to produce and release mature insulin prior to transplantation in diabetic subjects.

“Our dream is that increasing PITPNA could improve the efficacy and potency of beta-like stem cells,” Poy says. “This is where our research is heading, but we have to discover whether the capacity of these undifferentiated stem cells that can be converted into many different cell types can be optimized — and to what level — to be converted into healthy insulin producing beta-cells. The goal would be to find a cure for type 2 diabetes.”

Read more about this groundbreaking research.

This study was funded through grants from the  Johns Hopkins All Children’s Foundation , the  National Institute of Health, the Robert A. Welch Foundation, the Helmholtz Gemeinschaft , the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, the  Swedish Science Council , the  NovoNordisk Foundation  and the  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft .     About Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg is a leader in children’s health care, combining a legacy of compassionate care focused solely on children since 1926 with the innovation and experience of one of the world’s leading health care systems. The 259-bed teaching hospital, stands at the forefront of discovery, leading innovative research to cure and prevent childhood diseases while training the next generation of pediatric experts. With a network of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care centers and collaborative care provided by All Children’s Specialty Physicians at regional hospitals, Johns Hopkins All Children’s brings care closer to home. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital consistently keeps the patient and family at the center of care while continuing to expand its mission in treatment, research, education and advocacy. For more information, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org .

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The effect of cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Affiliations.

• 1 Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
• 2 School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
• 3 Department of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• 4 Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
• 5 Maternal and Childhood Obesity Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
• PMID: 37818728
• DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8026

Although many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have revealed the benefits of cinnamon on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the effects of cinnamon supplementation on glycemic control in patients with T2DM are inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis of RCTs was to assess the effects of cinnamon supplementation in managing glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Scientific international databases including Scopus, Web of Sciences, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched till December 2022. For net changes in glycemic control, standard mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models. Findings from 24 RCTs revealed that cinnamon supplementation had a statistically significant reduction in fasting blood sugar (SMD: -1.32; 95% CI: -1.77, -0.87, p < 0.001), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (SMD: -1.32; 95% CI: -1.77, -0.87, p < 0.001), and hemoglobin A1C (SMD: -0.67; 95% CI: -1.18, -0.15, p = 0.011) compared with the control group in patients with T2DM. Additionally, cinnamon did not change the serum levels of insulin (SMD: -0.17; 95% CI: -0.34, 0.01, p = 0.058) significantly. Our analysis indicated that glycemic control indicators are significantly decreased by cinnamon supplementation. Together, these findings support the notion that cinnamon supplementation might have clinical potential as an adjunct therapy for managing T2DM.

Keywords: cinnamon; glycemic control; meta-analysis; systematic review; type 2 diabetes.

© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

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Increasing daily coffee consumption may reduce type 2 diabetes risk

For Immediate  release: April 24, 2014

Boston, MA — People who increased the amount of coffee they drank each day by more than one cup over a four-year period had a 11% lower risk for type 2 diabetes than those who made no changes to their coffee consumption , according to a new study led by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers. In addition, the study found that those who decreased their coffee consumption by more than a cup per day increased their type 2 diabetes risk by 17%.

“Our findings confirm those of previous studies that showed that higher coffee consumption was associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk,” said Shilpa Bhupathiraju , lead author and research fellow in the Department of Nutrition at HSPH. “Most importantly, they provide new evidence that changes in coffee consumption habit can affect type 2 diabetes risk in a relatively short period of time.”

The study appears online Thursday, April 24, 2014 in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes).

The researchers analyzed data on caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, and caffeinated tea consumption from 47,510 women in Nurses’ Health Study II (1991-2007), 27,759 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (1986-2006), and 48,464 women in the Brigham and Women’s Hospital -based Nurses’ Health Study (1986-2006). Participants’ diets were evaluated every four years with a questionnaire, and those who self-reported type 2 diabetes filled out additional questionnaires. A total of 7,269 cases of type 2 diabetes were documented.

Results showed that participants who increased their coffee consumption by more than one cup per day (median change=1.69 cups/day) over a four-year period had a 11% lower risk of type 2 diabetes in the subsequent four years compared to those who made no changes in consumption. (A cup of coffee was defined as eight ounces, black, or with a small amount of milk and/or sugar.) Those who lowered their daily coffee consumption by more than one cup (median change=2 cups/day) had a 17% higher risk for diabetes. Changes in decaffeinated coffee consumption and caffeinated tea consumption were not associated with changes in risk for type 2 diabetes.

“These findings further demonstrate that, for most people, coffee may have health benefits,” said Frank Hu , senior author and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at HSPH. “But coffee is only one of many factors that influence diabetes risk. More importantly, individuals should watch their weight and be physically active.”

This study was supported by research grants P01 CA87969, P01 CA055075, R01 HL034594 and HL60712 from the National Institutes of Health . The work of Shilpa Bhupathiraju was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship grant from the American Heart Association (13POST14370012).

Study author Rob van Dam (National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore) received grant funding from Nestec Ltd for a randomized trial of the effects of coffee consumption on insulin sensitivity. Nestec Ltd is a broad food company that also sells coffee. This is grant funding specific for that project with a contractual agreement that ensures that the company cannot influence the design of the study or decision to publish the results. This funding does not in any way affect the current study. Other authors declare that there is no duality of interest associated with this manuscript.

“ Changes in coffee intake and subsequent risk of type 2 diabetes: three large cohorts of US men and women ,” Shilpa N. Bhupathiraju, An Pan, JoAnn E. Manson, Walter C. Willett, Rob M. van Dam, Frank B. Hu, Diabetologia , online April 24, 2014, DOI 10.1007/s00125-014-3235-7

For more information:

Marge Dwyer [email protected] 617.432.8416

photo: iStockphoto.com

Harvard School of Public Health brings together dedicated experts from many disciplines to educate new generations of global health leaders and produce powerful ideas that improve the lives and health of people everywhere. As a community of leading scientists, educators, and students, we work together to take innovative ideas from the laboratory to people’s lives—not only making scientific breakthroughs, but also working to change individual behaviors, public policies, and health care practices. Each year, more than 400 faculty members at HSPH teach 1,000-plus full-time students from around the world and train thousands more through online and executive education courses. Founded in 1913 as the Harvard-MIT School of Health Officers, the School is recognized as America’s oldest professional training program in public health.

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Digital diabetes prevention program cost-effective for preventing type 2 diabetes

by Elana Gotkine

For individuals with prediabetes, a digital diabetes prevention program (d-DPP) is cost-effective compared with an in-person lifestyle intervention for preventing the development of type 2 diabetes (T2D), according to a study published online July 26 in Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism .

Sooyeol Park, from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, and colleagues examined the cost-effectiveness of a d-DPP versus a DPP for preventing T2D in individuals with prediabetes. A Markov cohort model was constructed, which simulated a 10-year period starting at 45 years of age.

The researchers found cost savings of $3,672 and $2,990 from a societal perspective and from a health care sector perspective, respectively, as well as a gain of 0.08 quality-adjusted life years resulting from the d-DPP intervention versus the DPP. A significant factor influencing the results was the dropout rate . The d-DPP intervention was preferred in 85.8% in the societal perspective and 85.2% in the health care sector perspective.

"Based on the current study's findings, d-DPPs can be an alternative to in-person DPPs. The cost savings of prevented cases of T2D with d-DPPs can improve the sustainability for patients with prediabetes," the authors write. "Our findings provide economic evidence that the d-DPP provides good value for money in preventing T2D in high-risk patients in the U.S. setting."

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Bad for all, sugary drinks may raise early death risk for type 2 diabetics.

Study finds replacing a daily serving with water, tea, or coffee reduces chances by up to 18%

Maya Brownstein

Harvard Chan School Communications

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High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) was associated with an elevated risk of premature death and incidence of cardiovascular disease among people with Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Drinking beverages like coffee, tea, low-fat cow’s milk, and plain water was associated with lower risk of dying prematurely.

The study looked specifically at consumption of different beverages among patients with Type 2 diabetes. While many prior studies have linked beverage consumption and health outcomes such as cardiometabolic health, weight change, and mortality, those studies have primarily been among the general population.

“Beverages are an important component of our diet, and the quality can vary hugely,” said lead author Qi Sun, associate professor in the Departments of Nutrition and Epidemiology. “People living with diabetes may especially benefit from drinking healthy beverages — but data has been sparse. These findings help fill in that knowledge gap and may inform patients and their caregivers on diet and diabetes management.”

The study was published online Wednesday in The BMJ .

The researchers analyzed an average of 18.5 years of health data from 9,252 women participating in the Nurse’s Health Study and 3,519 men participating in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, all of whom had been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at baseline or at some point during the study. Every two to four years, the participants reported on how often they consumed SSBs (including sodas, fruit punch, and lemonade), artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs), fruit juice, coffee, tea, low-fat cow’s milk, full-fat cow’s milk, and plain water.

The findings showed higher all-cause mortality, and higher incidence of and mortality from cardiovascular disease, among those who regularly consumed SSBs: Every additional daily serving of a SSB was associated with an 8 percent higher all-cause mortality. Inversely, all-cause mortality and incidence of and mortality from cardiovascular disease decreased among those who regularly consumed healthier beverages such as coffee, tea, low-fat cow’s milk, and/or plain water.

Replacing one daily serving of a SSB with one serving of coffee was associated with an 18 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 20 percent  lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality; tea with 16 percent and 24 percent lower risk; plain water with a 16 percent and 20 percent lower risk; and low-fat cow’s milk with a 12 percent  and 19 percent lower risk. Drinking ASBs was also associated with healthier outcomes, but less so: Replacing one daily serving of a SSB with an ASB was associated with an 8 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality and a 15 percent lower risk in cardiovascular disease mortality.

“People living with diabetes should be picky about how they keep themselves hydrated,” said Sun. “Switching from sugar-sweetened beverages to healthier beverages will bring health benefits.”

Other Harvard Chan School co-authors included Le Ma, Yang Hu, Derrick Alperet, Vasanti Malik, JoAnn Manson, Eric Rimm, and Frank Hu.

Funding for the study came from the National Institutes of Health grants UM1 CA186107, U01 CA167552, R01 HL034594, R01 HL035464, DK126698, DK120870, and DK119268.

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What Is the Carnivore Diet?

• How To Follow It
• Foods You Can Eat
• Foods to Avoid
• Risks and Side Effects
• Sample Menu

thesomegirl / Getty Images

The carnivore diet is a restrictive diet that eliminates most plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, and beans, and has potential side effects like digestive issues, headaches, and irritability. When following a carnivore diet, a person relies solely on animal products to meet all or most of their nutritional needs.  

This diet is popular amongst people who want to lose weight and improve medical conditions like diabetes. There are numerous health concerns related to this eating pattern. However, some argue that the carnivore diet is a healthy way to eat and many people who try the diet report favorable results.

This article takes a deep dive into the carnivore diet and tells you everything you need to know about what it is, how to follow it, potential side effects, and how this unconventional way of eating affects health.

Origin of the Carnivore Diet

Although the carnivore diet has only recently become popular, scientists have been interested in this very low-carb way of eating for hundreds of years. There are several accounts of researchers mimicking the traditional meat-based dietary intake of Arctic or nomadic societies as far back as the 1700s.

For example, in 1797, Dr. John Rollo successfully treated patients with type 2 diabetes using a diet that consisted primarily of meat and fat after studying the very low-carbohydrate diet of indigenous people in St. Lucia. After discovering that a very low-carb diet benefited those with diabetes, it became a widely adopted treatment for managing this condition until the discovery of insulin in 1921.

The carnivore diet we know today was popularized by Shawn Baker, M.D., who authored "The Carnivore Diet" in 2018 after finding that a meat-based diet benefited his health. This version of the protein-heavy eating plan advocated for the complete elimination of plant foods and total reliance on meat and other animal products like eggs , seafood, and full-fat dairy products .

Some carnivore diet advocates follow a strict plan that only includes animal-based foods, while others follow less restrictive versions that allow for small amounts of plant-based foods, like low-carb vegetables. 

However, most people following carnivore-type diets get most of their calories from meat and other animal foods. 

Foods You Can Eat on the Carnivore Diet

Although there are different versions of the carnivore diet, most people following this eating pattern primarily consume animal foods, such as:

• Eggs: Whole eggs and egg yolks
• Full-fat dairy: Full-fat yogurt, cheese, and butter
• Meat: Steak, pork, ground beef, bison, lamb, and venison
• Organ meats : Liver, heart, and kidneys
• Poultry: Chicken, duck, and turkey
• Seafood: Salmon, sardines, clams, mussels, and shrimp

In addition to animal-based foods, people on this diet allow for seasonings like salt, pepper, herbs, and spices. 

A 2021 study that included data on the dietary intake of 2,029 people following carnivore-style diets found that red meat products, like beef, lamb, and venison, were the most commonly consumed foods, followed by eggs and nonmilk dairy products. The study also found that over 50% of the participants drank coffee at least once per day.

Foods To Avoid on the Carnivore Diet

People following carnivore diets get most of their calories from animal-based foods. Although less restrictive versions of the carnivore diet exist, the following foods are usually restricted or completely avoided by those following this eating pattern:

• Beans: Black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, and lentils
• Fruit: Berries, apples, grapes, bananas, avocados, and peaches
• Grains and grain-based products: Bread, quinoa, rice, pasta, and noodles
• Nuts and seeds: Almonds, cashews, peanut butter, pumpkin seeds
• Snack foods and sweets: Cookies, chips, ice cream, cakes, and candy 
• Sugary beverages: Juice, soda, sweetened coffee drinks, and energy drinks
• Vegetables: Potatoes, zucchini, broccoli, asparagus, and greens

Water is the preferred beverage when following a carnivore diet, though many people who follow this diet include tea and coffee in their daily routine. Additionally, some people allow for a small amount of low-carb vegetables, like greens and zucchini.

Carnivore Diet Benefits 

Currently, there’s limited research investigating the health benefits of following a carnivore diet. One study of over 2000 participants found that most people on the diet experienced a high level of satisfaction with the meat-heavy meal plan, general health improvements, and few adverse effects.

Additionally, there’s plenty of evidence that very low-carb diets can benefit the health of some people, such as those with type 2 diabetes.

Although there are no strict rules regarding the macronutrient ratio of the carnivore diet, it can generally be considered a type of high-protein, very low-carb diet. Studies show that certain very low-carb diets, like the keto diet , could be helpful for certain health conditions.

Very low-carb diets aren’t the same thing as the carnivore diet, and there’s currently limited evidence that the carnivore diet significantly improves health, specifically. That said, the carnivore diet may offer a few benefits.

May Improve Blood Sugar Regulation

Low-carb diets are effective for improving health outcomes in people with diabetes. This is because these diets are low in carbohydrate-rich foods , which have the largest impact on blood sugar and insulin levels. If a person follows a carnivore diet, their carbohydrate intake would be minimal, and their blood sugar levels and reliance on diabetes medications would likely decrease.

In the 2021 study that included data on the dietary intake of 2,029 people following carnivore-style diets for nine to 20 months, researchers found that the participants with type 2 diabetes experienced reductions in their levels of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) a long-term marker of blood sugar control- and significant reductions in their diabetes medication use. In fact, among the 262 participants with type 1 or type 2 diabetes (T2DM), 84% discontinued oral diabetes medications and 92% of participants with T2DM discontinued their use of insulin.

Although these results are promising, more research is needed to investigate the effectiveness and safety of the carnivore diet. Also, it’s important to note that diabetes can be effectively managed using less restrictive diets, such as plant-based diets and more inclusive low-carb diets, which are considered better for overall health and easier to stick to long-term.

May Promote Weight Loss 

The carnivore diet eliminates many foods and beverages implicated in weight gain, including ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Since this dietary pattern is low in carb-rich foods and so high in protein, which is the most filling macronutrient, the carnivore diet may promote weight loss, at least in the short term.

In the 2021 study mentioned above, the participants reported substantial reductions in their body mass index (BMI)—a measure of body fat based on height and weight—after transitioning to a carnivore diet.

However, the carnivore diet is highly restrictive and likely unsustainable for many people. Similar diets, like the keto diet, have also been shown to be effective for short-term weight loss. Diets, such as keto, that cut out many healthy foods are notoriously difficult to stick to, and most evidence suggests that, in the long-term, their efficacy is comparable to other, less restrictive weight loss diets.

This means that even though the carnivore diet may promote quick weight loss, more inclusive diets that are easier to follow are likely just as effective for long-term weight loss and healthy weight maintenance.

Other Possible Benefits 

Participants included in the 2021 study reported that following a carnivore diet led to improvements in their overall health, physical and mental well-being, and some chronic medical conditions. This may be because this meal plan cuts out foods and drinks associated with poor physical and mental health, including ultra-processed foods and added sugars. 

However, keep in mind that the participants included in this study had only been following the carnivore diet for nine to 20 months. It’s unknown how the carnivore diet impacts long-term health, including disease risk.

Overall, more research is needed to fully understand how this meal plan impacts overall health. 

Carnivore Diet Risks and Side Effects

Though proponents of the carnivore diet suggest that this way of eating can help boost weight loss and improve chronic diseases, there are several significant downsides to this way of eating. 

First, this diet is extremely restrictive, which may make it hard to maintain. It cuts out foods that are known to improve health and deliver essential nutrients, like fruits and vegetables. Diets low in produce have been consistently linked with an increased risk of several diseases, including cancer and heart disease, as well as overall mortality risk.

A high intake of red and processed meat has also been associated with an increased risk of several health conditions, including colorectal cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and heart disease.

Another concern with the carnivore diet is the environmental impact of a dietary pattern high in red meat and other animal products. Research shows that red meat production significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and has a considerable impact on global warming and climate change .

What’s more, a diet low in plant foods can lead to unpleasant side effects like constipation , fatigue, low mood, poor gut health, skin issues, gastrointestinal discomfort, nutrient deficiencies, and more.

Carnivore Diet Sample Menu

If you are following the carnivore diet, you will primarily eat various types of meat and drink water for each meal. Here’s an idea of what someone on a carnivore diet might eat daily:

• Breakfast: Eggs and bacon
• Lunch: Hamburger patties with cheese
• Snack: Sardines
• Dinner: Steak

Some people following a less restrictive carnivore diet may choose to include some produce in their diet, such as low-carb vegetables like cucumber and lettuce, avocado, and olives. 

A Quick Review

The carnivore diet is a highly restrictive diet that’s recently become popular amongst those looking to lose weight and improve health conditions like type 2 diabetes. 

Although limited evidence suggests that following this eating pattern could result in weight loss and improvements in blood sugar levels, there are significant concerns with the long-term health implications of this diet.  Following the carnivore diet long-term could increase your risk for several serious health conditions, such as colorectal cancer and heart disease . Please consult your provider before starting the carnivore diet, especially if you have a history of health problems.

If you’re looking for a safer, more evidence-based way to better your health, consider trying a less restrictive diet high in foods known to improve overall health, such as the Mediterranean diet or a less restrictive low-carb diet.

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