Posts Tagged Worth Reading

Worth Reading: Statins and Diabetes Risk

A recent study (April, 2015) published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine examined the link between the use of statin medications for high cholesterol levels and a subsequent increased risk of diabetes and diabetic complications.

What was found:
-Statin use increased the risk of diabetes, diabetic complications and obesity.

Take home message:
If on a statin, it is important to have regular blood tests to determine if your blood sugar levels are affected. In addition, you should consult with a Naturopathic Doctor to put together a plan to ensure that you are reducing the effect of the statin on blood sugar (e.g. by planning to eat a healthy diet and increasing the level of physical activity).

Graham Beaton is a Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Ottawa. For more information about diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or Naturopathic Medicine, please call 613-290-6115.

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Worth Reading: Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Obesity

A study published in the International Journal of Obesity looked at the link between vitamin D deficiency and obesity.

Key Points:
Obesity is thought to contribute to low vitamin D levels circulating in the blood in a few possible ways:

1- Due to the increased number of fat cells in obese individuals, vitamin D (a fat soluble vitamin) is taken up and stored in fat cells at a higher rate compared to lean individuals. After being absorbed into fat cells, vitamin D may be broken down by enzymes within fat cells at a faster rate than would occur in lean individuals

2- Synthesis of vitamin D in the liver may occur at a slower rate in obese individuals as compared to synthesis in lean individuals.

The article also suggests that vitamin D may contribute to obesity or possibly inhibit weight loss due to vitamin D’s role in the regulation and metabolism of fat cells and by possibly affecting the body’s resting metabolic rate.

Take home message:
While the link between obesity and vitamin D levels needs to be further investigated, if you are overweight and are having trouble losing weight, it may be worth consulting with a Naturopathic Doctor and having your levels of vitamin D checked.

Graham Beaton is a naturopathic doctor practicing in downtown Ottawa at the Ottawa Collaborative Care Centre. For more information or to book an appointment, please call 613-290-6115.

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