Food for Thought India

17/09/2025

Magnesium is a nutrient that the body needs to stay healthy. Magnesium is important for many processes in the body, including regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure and making protein, bone, and DNA.

Research shows that in general, the American population lacks Mg in their diet and considering recent understanding of its importance in reducing stress and improving sleep, its consumption in the form of Mg supplements is on the rise. Off late, Magnesium seems to be the panacea for a lot of issues. From providing better sleep, reducing stress/anxiety to improving muscle strength to

440mg in men and 320 mg in women of elemental magnesium is the daily requirement. Mg is commonly found in a lot of foods like: Fruits (such as bananas, dried apricots, and avocados)
Nuts (such as almonds and cashews)
Peas and beans (legumes), seeds
Soy products (such as soy flour and tofu)
Whole grains (such as brown rice and millet)
Milk

Excess Mg intake over long periods of time can cause arrhythmia and cardiac arrest .
Best is to check the amount of elemental Mg present in the product.. not total Mg as a compound. Elemental Mg should not be more than 100mg.
If the tablet can be split, then do that and take it.
Try as much as possible to naturally increase its consumption in the diet.

23/05/2025

A new form of diabetes, Type 5, just got official recognition.

And there are over 20 million people with it worldwide.

The newly recognized form of diabetes, known as Type 5, has been officially added to the global classification by the International Diabetes Federation.

Unlike other types, Type 5 diabetes stems from malnutrition during early life, particularly in low-income regions.

Affecting an estimated 20–25 million people worldwide, this form is not caused by autoimmunity or lifestyle factors, but by underdeveloped pancreases due to inadequate childhood nutrition.

Researchers believe that poor protein intake during critical growth periods stunts the development of insulin-producing cells, leaving individuals vulnerable to diabetes despite being underweight.

The recognition of Type 5 diabetes marks a significant shift in global health perspectives. While common types like Type 1 and Type 2 are well known and often linked to genetics or lifestyle, Type 5 sheds light on the lasting effects of poverty and malnutrition. With at least a dozen diabetes variants now identified—including gestational diabetes and rarer genetic or treatment-induced forms—this expanded classification underscores the need for tailored healthcare responses worldwide. Understanding the diverse roots of diabetes is essential to improving outcomes and ensuring equitable access to treatment, particularly in underserved communities.

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A guide to the different types of diabetes, including the latest type to be officially recognised – type 5.