#Diabetes

A groundbreaking new clinical trial has pinpointed a twice-weekly intermittent fasting regimen, commonly called the “5:2 diet,” as the most effective and sustainable strategy among three popular diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. The findings, presented at the ENDO 2025 conference in San Francisco, not only illuminate a promising approach for diabetes management but also have significant implications for Thailand, where diabetes rates are rising and dietary trends are keenly watched by both the medical community and the public.

A new clinical trial identifies the 5:2 intermittent fasting plan as the most effective and sustainable option among three popular diets for improving blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. Presented at ENDO 2025 in San Francisco, the findings carry meaningful implications for Thailand, where diabetes is rising and dietary trends are closely watched by clinicians and the public.

Thailand faces a growing diabetes burden, with more than seven million people living with the condition as of 2023, many of them overweight or obese. The Thai Ministry of Public Health has long emphasized dietary modification as central to diabetes care, yet selecting an accessible and effective plan remains challenging. A Thai-focused summary of the study highlights the potential value of structured intermittent fasting within a comprehensive management approach.

A new international study has revealed that even modest increases in blood sugar levels—not just advanced diabetes—can have a significant negative impact on men’s sexual health as they age, shifting the traditional understanding of male reproductive well-being. The latest findings, presented at the Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 annual meeting in San Francisco, spotlight metabolic health, especially mild hyperglycemia, as a key driver in changes to sexual functioning among men, offering a new roadmap for prevention and intervention.

A global study reveals that even small rises in blood sugar, not just diabetes, can affect men’s sexual function as they age. The findings shift how researchers understand male reproduction and highlight metabolic health as a key driver. Results were presented at the Endocrine Society’s ENDO 2025 annual meeting.

Traditionally, aging and lower testosterone were seen as the main causes of reduced male sexual health. The new study, conducted at a leading German university hospital, challenges this view. While age and testosterone matter, the strongest link appears to be modest blood sugar increases and related metabolic changes. This suggests lifestyle changes and medical care can help men maintain sexual health longer.

A new study points to the promise of a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) for people living with type 2 diabetes in Thailand and beyond. This approach aims to reproduce fasting’s metabolic benefits while allowing limited nutrient intake, offering a non-drug option to help improve blood sugar control.

Type 2 diabetes is a growing public health challenge in Thailand. Sedentary lifestyles and changes in diet contribute to rising cases. Effective blood sugar management is essential to prevent kidney disease, nerve damage, and heart problems. A dietary strategy that complements medical care could be especially valuable in Thai communities where meals commonly feature rice and noodles.

A new study has brought hope to millions living with type 2 diabetes globally and in Thailand, revealing that a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) may significantly improve blood sugar control. The latest findings, detailed in Medical News Today, suggest that adopting an eating pattern that simulates the effects of fasting without total food deprivation could play a valuable role in diabetes management.

Type 2 diabetes is a mounting concern in Thailand, where shifting dietary habits and increasingly sedentary lifestyles contribute to rising rates of the condition. Blood sugar regulation remains the cornerstone of diabetes treatment, with poorly controlled glucose levels linked to complications such as kidney disease, nerve damage, and cardiovascular issues. The possibility that a non-pharmaceutical dietary approach can help ease this burden is particularly relevant for Thai patients navigating both medical and cultural food practices.

A major new study published this week in the journal Nature Medicine has found compelling evidence that even small quantities of processed meat may increase the risk of major diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and heart disease. The research also found significant health risks tied to regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and trans fatty acids, sending ripples through health communities worldwide, including here in Thailand. For a nation where processed meats—like sausages, ham, and bacon—are popular in everyday diets and street food culture, these findings have urgent relevance for both policymakers and the general public.

A new analysis in Nature Medicine finds that even small amounts of processed meat can raise the risk of major diseases such as type 2 diabetes, colorectal cancer, and heart disease. The study also highlights concerns about sugar-sweetened beverages and trans fats. For Thailand, where processed foods and street cuisine are common and diets are evolving with urbanization, these findings matter.

Researchers pooled results from more than 60 studies to examine how dietary patterns relate to disease risk. They conclude there is no safe threshold for processed meat, sugary drinks, or trans fats when it comes to chronic illnesses. For example, daily consumption of a single hot dog was associated with an 11% higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a 7% higher risk of colorectal cancer, compared with not eating processed meat. A daily can of soda was linked to an 8% higher risk of type 2 diabetes and a 2% higher risk of ischemic heart disease. While risks rise with greater intake, even small amounts can be harmful. The findings are consistent across multiple data sources, reinforcing a clear message about diet and health.

A new international study outlines a potential breakthrough for autoimmune conditions, including type 1 diabetes. Researchers describe BiTS, a protein-based therapy that may halt disease progression by precisely silencing problematic T cells. The work, conducted across institutions in New York, China, and Zhejiang, demonstrates in animal models how targeted immune suppression can curb disease while preserving overall immunity.

The findings resonate with Thailand, where autoimmune diseases are placing a growing burden on patients and families who depend on long-term medications. Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Current treatments mainly control symptoms and carry notable side effects, underscoring the need for therapies that address root causes.

In a groundbreaking research effort that could transform the lives of millions, scientists have unveiled a potential cure for type 1 diabetes and other debilitating autoimmune diseases through a novel protein-based therapy, according to a new international study published in the journal Cell (nyulangone.org). The collaborative research, spearheaded by NYU Langone Health, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Zhejiang University, demonstrates for the first time how targeted suppression of misbehaving immune cells in animal models may fully halt disease progression—pointing toward a future in which permanent relief from diseases like diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and autoimmune hepatitis could be within reach.

New research highlights two minerals—magnesium and chromium—as potential partners in preventing high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes. Health professionals say diets rich in these minerals can improve insulin sensitivity and help manage blood glucose before insulin therapy becomes necessary. This is especially relevant for Thailand, where urbanization is linked to rising non-communicable diseases and where practical, nutrition-based prevention resonates with many communities.

Thailand faces a “silent epidemic” of diabetes, with public health data estimating more than 5 million affected. Type 2 diabetes is the majority, closely tied to lifestyle and dietary patterns. This mirrors trends in many countries, including the United Kingdom, where most adult diabetes cases are type 2. The latest research on magnesium and chromium offers Thai health authorities a chance to promote practical dietary guidance as a frontline defense against growing diabetes rates.

A new wave of research shines a spotlight on two naturally occurring minerals—magnesium and chromium—commonly found in certain superfoods, as potential allies in the fight against high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes. Health experts and recent meta-analyses suggest that diets rich in these minerals can significantly reduce insulin resistance and help manage blood sugar levels before insulin therapy becomes necessary. This development is particularly relevant in Thailand, where the urbanization-driven rise in non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes mirrors global trends, and dietary adjustments are seen as a practical, preventive strategy (getsurrey.co.uk).

A simple exercise that can be done anywhere—seated calf raises—has stirred growing excitement in diabetes circles, following viral reports of its effectiveness in managing blood sugar levels. The renewed focus comes after a social media influencer detailed his dramatic improvement in blood sugar control, sparking questions in Thailand and globally: Can something as simple as calf raises truly help fight the diabetes epidemic?

The news gained traction after a viral video featured a young professional who revealed he had reduced his HbA1c from a prediabetic 6.1% to a healthy 5.4% over several months simply by integrating regular seated calf raises into his routine after meals, based on his nutritionist’s advice. Unlike brisk walking, which is often recommended yet hard to fit into a busy schedule, this exercise only requires 10 minutes, sitting right at your own desk. He cited research on the effectiveness of these movements for blood sugar and inspired many to attempt the regimen themselves (Times of India; also highlighted in MSM news outlets: MSN).

A simple, desk-friendly exercise is gaining attention in diabetes circles. Seated calf raises—performed while sitting—are being touted as an accessible way to support blood sugar control, especially for those who struggle to fit longer workouts into a busy day. A viral personal account described how adding these short movements after meals helped him improve his HbA1c from 6.1% to 5.4% over several months, prompting questions about their relevance for Thai readers.

A new scientific study has overturned a widespread dietary myth, revealing that consuming seed oils like soybean and corn oil may actually lower inflammation and improve heart health—contrary to persistent claims suggesting otherwise. The findings, presented at the prestigious NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida, are highly relevant for Thai consumers amid ongoing debates about cooking oil safety and chronic disease in the Kingdom.

Seed oils, including commonly used vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid—a type of omega-6 fatty acid—have become controversial, with vocal critics suggesting they may promote inflammation and contribute to the country’s rising rates of heart disease and diabetes. These oils are common kitchen staples in Thai households and are found in a variety of popular foods, from street-side stir fries to commercial packaged snacks.

A new study challenges the belief that seed oils are harmful by showing that they may lower inflammation and improve cardiovascular health. The research was presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida, and carries meaningful implications for Thai consumers amid ongoing discussions about cooking oils and chronic disease.

Seed oils, such as soybean and corn oil, are rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid. Critics have claimed these oils fuel inflammation and contribute to heart disease and diabetes. Yet in Thai kitchens they remain common staples, appearing in street-food stir-fries and packaged snacks alike.

Aronia berries, known scientifically as Aronia melanocarpa and affectionately called chokeberries for their tart kick, travel from North American forests to global kitchens. In Thailand, as elsewhere, they symbolize how age-old herbal knowledge can meet modern science. The berry’s story resonates with Thai readers who seek foods that nourish body and culture alike.

Originally native to eastern North American wetlands, aronia shrubs were valued by Indigenous peoples for food, medicine, and even textile dye. Communities used the berries to fortify diets during cold months and harsh journeys, long before the modern idea of a “superfood” appeared. Ancient networks of knowledge recognized the berries’ rich antioxidant profile, a trait now confirmed by contemporary research.

Aronia berry—known to botanists as Aronia melanocarpa, and affectionately dubbed “chokeberry” for its mouth-puckering tartness—has traversed continents, centuries, and cultures. Once central to the medicinal practices of Native Americans and now celebrated by a new wave of health-conscious consumers, this unassuming dark berry is at the epicenter of a vibrant dialogue between age-old tradition and cutting-edge science. As increasing numbers of consumers in Thailand and worldwide search for foods that both nourish the body and connect with cultural wisdom, aronia’s journey offers a compelling case study in how modern research can validate, challenge, and inspire time-honored herbal practices.

A new wave of social media buzz is touting psyllium husk as “nature’s Ozempic”, a cheaper, natural alternative to prescription weight loss drugs like Ozempic, which has gained global fame for its effectiveness in managing obesity and type 2 diabetes (The Guardian). Experts, however, urge caution and nuance, pointing to both real benefits and critical caveats regarding psyllium husk—not as a miracle weight-loss agent, but as a dietary fiber with distinct physiological effects worthy of attention for Thai health-conscious consumers.

A surge of social media chatter is calling psyllium husk “nature’s Ozempic” as a cheaper, natural alternative to prescription weight-loss drugs. Experts caution that psyllium is a dietary fiber with real benefits, but it is not a miracle solution for obesity or type 2 diabetes. For Thai health-conscious readers, understanding the difference matters for making informed dietary choices.

The trend is front and center on platforms like TikTok, where thousands of videos discuss psyllium husk as a weight-loss aid. This interest reflects a broader distrust of high drug costs and concerns about side effects from GLP-1 drugs such as semaglutide. At the same time, there is renewed curiosity about traditional fiber-rich foods, which fit well with Thailand’s long-standing emphasis on a high-fiber diet.

A new wave of research is upending long-held assumptions about sugar, revealing that consuming sugar in beverages—such as sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks—may pose a significantly higher risk for type 2 diabetes and metabolic illness compared to eating the same amount of sugar in solid foods. The findings, drawn from a major meta-analysis and recently published studies, highlight the unique dangers of “liquid sugar” and call for renewed scrutiny of sugary drink consumption, especially in countries like Thailand where sweetened drinks are a staple of daily life.

New research challenges the old view that all sugars are alike. It finds that consuming sugar in beverages—sodas, fruit juices, energy drinks—may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes more than eating the same amount of sugar in solid foods. This landmark meta-analysis and related studies highlight the dangers of “liquid sugar” and call for renewed focus on sugary drinks in Thailand, where such beverages are deeply woven into daily life.

A major international study shows that consuming sugar-laden drinks—such as sodas and fruit juices—may raise the risk of type 2 diabetes more sharply than sugar from foods. The research, led by a team at Brigham Young University with German collaborators, analyzed health data from more than half a million people across several continents. The findings carry meaningful implications for Thailand, where sweet drinks are deeply embedded in daily life and diabetes rates are climbing.

A groundbreaking international study has revealed that drinking sugar-laden beverages—such as sodas and fruit juices—may sharply increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, more so than consuming sugar through foods. Conducted by a team led by researchers at Brigham Young University in the United States, with collaboration from German partners, the research analyzed health data from over half a million people across multiple continents. The findings carry major implications for public health in Thailand, where sweet drinks are woven into daily routines and the rate of diabetes continues to climb.