Can something good for you also be bad for you?  Some of the latest research on antioxidants suggests that they can contribute to the early onset of type 2 diabetes.

A study published in Cell Metabolism challenges the long held belief that molecules called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are always harmful and that antioxidants are always beneficial.  This was the finding by an international team of scientists.  Researchers found that the ROS molecules enhance insulin action and may protect individuals during the early stages of type 2 diabetes.  Antioxidants prevent ROS molecules from having this beneficial effect.

After all we’ve heard about the disease fighting qualities of antioxidants, this may sound unbelievable, but what the researchers found is that by elevating ROS levels in the muscles of genetically-modified mice they could prevent the onset of insulin resistance and diabetes.  When they treated the animals with antioxidants, which cleaned up the ROS molecules, the mice lost their improved insulin response.

However, researchers say that ROS, while beneficial in the early stages of type 2 diabetes, can be harmful as diabetes develops.  What they’re now trying to figure out is when these molecules stop being beneficial by enhancing insulin action and helping to lower blood sugar levels, and when they become harmful. 

If you’re concerned about diabetes what should you do?  The scientist’s advice is to eat healthily and exercise because those are natural sources of ROS molecules that promote insulin action.

If you’re concerned about your potential for developing diabetes, be sure to discuss those concerns with your physician and with your dentist.   Why your dentist?  Dentists can often spot problems in your mouth – like diabetes – before you have it diagnosed by your physician.   And, since you should see your dentist twice a year, that gives you an additional opportunity to have a problem diagnosed in early stages. 

Not all dentists are alike when it comes to understanding the links between dental health and high blood sugar levels or other systemic health problems. Every Dentistry For Diabetics^SM dentist, on the other hand, is thoroughly trained in the connections between gum disease and high blood sugar readings. They also know how to lower blood sugar using specific types of dental therapy, so follow this link to find a Dentistry For Diabetics^SM dentist near you.

It’s been shown through research that antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress that leads to inflammation which, in turn, triggers higher CRP levels that can add fuel to the fire of any smoldering periodontal disease. And, for people who have diabetes, gum disease poses significant metabolic threats. So, many dentists incorporate antioxidants into their oral care of people who have diabetes symptoms.

There is a direct link between periodontal disease and higher system-wide levels of CRP. When you treat gum disease, CRP levels go down and, as a result, reduce all the associated risks from system-wide inflammation, CRP, and the compounding effects of all of these upon your diabetes.

For more diabetes information, get your free five-lesson mini-course on diabetes and your teeth at DentistryForDiabetics.com.

After an inspirational career that achieved 10 Olympic medals despite a continual battle against elevated blood sugar, swimming star Gary Hall has officially announced his retirement. Hall said much of the time he formerly spent on his rigorous training regimen will now be devoted to his diabetes-focused foundation. It was especially fitting that he made the decision  More on Inspiring Olympian Who Has Diabetes Retires With 10 Medals

Can your choice of a beverage affect your oral health and your ability to manage blood sugar levels? The answer is yes, according to dental researchers, and you may be surprised by what that beverage turns out to be. After studying the effects of different drinks on tooth erosion, the winner is clear – it’s  More on The Best Beverage For High Blood Sugar Readings And Teeth

If you’re a man who has diabetes or who has been diagnosed with prediabetes, you may soon be talking with your physician about the benefits of taking vitamin K.  A three-year trial showed that men who took a small daily amount of vitamin K slowed down the process of  More on Men Over 60 May Get Extra Metabolic Help From Vitamin K

While most of the focus centers on obesity as a consequence of faulty drinking behavior in our contemporary lifestyle, an equally pressing issue in my mind is the effects on your teeth. Attacked by ridiculous amounts of sugar in pop or acid in juices, your teeth are under assault as never before. But there is one beverage that avoids tooth erosion – brewed tea.

The typical soft drink these days has 17 spoonsful of  More on What’s The Best Beverage For Your Teeth? You May Be Surprised.

Autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes may be preventable in some people using a compound found in green tea, researchers in Georgia say. Several antioxidants in green tea curb inflammation, prevent cell destruction and may even fight cancer. Now, one of these antioxidants – a substance called  More on Green Tea Antioxidant Could Slow Or Even Prevent Type 1 Diabetes

As a person who has diabetes you may need to visit the dentist more frequently than a nondiabetic would. Talk with your dentist about the check-up schedule that’s right for you and then maintain regular check-ups at intervals of two to six months.   The interval between check-ups will depend on the severity of your diabetes, your overall dental health and your overall health trends.

Now there’s an easy and tasty way to fight the hidden inflammation that is at the root of gum disease, which worsens your diabetes. The best part is that you can do it at the dinner table, or at lunch if you like. You’ll probably want to skip this at breakfast, though. All you have  More on Eat Your Curry - It May Help With Diabetes & Gum Disease