12
NEWS
HPFs
'addictive'
Highly processed foods meet
the same criteria as tobacco for
addiction and labeling them as
such might benefit public health,
according to a new US study that also
proposes a set of criteria to assess
the addictive potential of some foods.
The authors of the study reported
that "the ability of highly processed
foods (HPFs) to rapidly deliver high
doses of refined carbohydrates and/
or fat appear key to their addictive
potential. Thus, we conclude that
HPFs can be considered addictive
substances based on scientifically
established criteria."
They assert that the contribution
to preventable deaths by a diet
dominated by highly processed foods
is comparable to that of tobacco
products, and as such the authors
seek clinical recognition and a more
formalized protocol to manage
food addiction.
FDA and
teplizumab
The FDA has now approved the use
of teplizumab (Tzield), the world's
first ever immunotherapy for
Type 1 diabetes, by people at risk
of Type 1 diabetes. A clinical trial
found that teplizumab can delay
Type 1 diabetes by an average of
three years in people at high risk
of developing the condition. Chris
Askew OBE, Chief Executive at
Diabetes UK, said: "This landmark
approval of teplizumab in the US
is the start of a seismic shift in
how Type 1 diabetes is treated.
For 100 years, people living with
Type 1 diabetes have relied on
insulin to treat the condition, and
today's decision means that for
the first time, the root cause of
the condition - an immune system
attack - can be tackled, and Type 1
diabetes potentially delayed for up
to three years."
Among our
peers
The self-management of diabetes
can be tiring and tough on mental
health but a key benefit of peer
support is access to help from peers
who also deal with such issues day
in, day out. "Six Principles of Good
Peer Support for People Living
with Type 1 Diabetes", a new NHS
document produced in association
with JDRF and Diabetes UK, aims to
provide a solid foundation of what
peer support should look like.
Produced specifically for anyone
looking to run or commission a
peer support group for those with
Type 1 diabetes, the authors claim
that the document "outlines our
general support for Peer Support
as a part of our commitment to
making personalised care business
as usual within the NHS… The aim
of improved access to peer support
is to provide invaluable additional
information, and resource, and for
people with diabetes to benefit from
emotional and practical support
and the ability to problem solve
and self-manage. Peer support can
provide a space where individuals
can express the highs and lows of
living with diabetes - whilst feeling
supported and we hope this piece of
work will lead to flourishing of such
principles to help many, if not all,
living with Type 1 Diabetes.
Click the image to
download the guide.
Rosen poem for NHS
Amid reports that more than 40,000 nurses have left the NHS in the past
year largely due to stress, acclaimed author and poet Michael Rosen has
written a brand new poem dedicated to hard-working nurses, midwives,
nursing associates and healthcare support workers.
The poem came as Mr Rosen helped launch a new app, ShinyMind,
aimed at supporting the mental health and overall wellbeing of the nursing
community.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Rosen said: "Nurses are the backbone of the
NHS and literally saved my life and continued to do so when I was discharged
from hospital and finally had the courage to read all of their notes to me,
written while I was in an induced coma. As is detailed in my book, Many
Different Kinds of Love, the compassion and empathy these unsung heroes
have are truly outstanding. I can't thank them enough.
"It is my absolute honour to pen and recite this specially commissioned
piece dedicated to nurses at the launch of ShinyMind. Hopefully, it will give
them a small glimpse as to why they are so important to me and millions of
others around the country. I believe that the ShinyMind app will be a great
source of information, guidance, and support for nurses and I really hope
they download it to help improve their well-being and continue to save lives."
Senior nursing figures from across England are backing ShinyMind,
founded by psychotherapist, Rebecca Howard.
To hear Rosen reading the poem - or to read it yourself, CLICK HERE.