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Consumers can contact HSA on 6866-3538 or e-mail [email protected] if they have more questions. HSA recalls 3 versions of diabetes drug metformin amid global testing for carcinogen SINGAPORE - Three versions of a diabetes medication are being recalled here after they were found to contain unsafe levels of an impurity that can potentially cause cancer. The Health Sciences Authority (HSA) tested all 46 locally marketed metformin medicines and the remaining 43 are not affected. The recall comes even as health authorities worldwide are checking if the impurity, carcinogen earlier found in heart and gastric drugs, might also be found in unsafe levels in diabetes drugs that are widely used. HSA said on Wednesday (Dec 4) that three metformin drugs were found to contain trace amounts of a nitrosamine impurity, called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), which are above the internationally acceptable level. NDMAs are classified as potential carcinogens for humans. The authority tested all 46 locally marketed metformin medicines and the remaining 43 are not affected. As a precaution, HSA said that it is recalling the three affected drugs, which are used to control high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. The recalled drugs are: one batch of Glucient XR Tablet 500mg, supplied by Glorious Dexa Singapore; and all batches of Meijumet Prolonged Release Tablet in 750mg, and 1,000mg versions, supplied by Pharmazen Medical. The authority said that the risk to patients who have been taking the affected medicines is “very low”. This is because the potential risk of nitrosamines is associated with long-term use of the affected drugs, and the medicines have only been supplied here for a short period of time – since last year. Patients taking the affected metformin medicines are advised not to stop treatment on their own, as doing so suddenly will raise blood sugar levels, which may pose a greater health risk than the trace amounts of NDMA in the affected medicines. It has also advised healthcare professionals to contact their patients who are taking the affected drugs and arrange for an exchange of their medicines as soon as possible. Patients who are concerned about their current treatment should speak to their doctor or pharmacist. Besides being a potential human carcinogen, the NDMA nitrosamine impurity found in the diabetes drugs is also known to cause cancer in animals, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. NDMA can be found in food or the environment. They are commonly found in low levels in processed food – including pickled vegetables, salted fish, processed meat products such as bacon and sausages – and in polluted air. Nitrosamine impurities have recently also been found to be formed unexpectedly during the manufacture of some medicines. Recalls were done worldwide for affected products found to contain these impurities above acceptable levels. HSA said that acceptable levels of nitrosamines are set in one-billionth of a gram. This is based on what is considered as reasonably safe if a patient continues to take the affected medicine every day for a lifetime of 70 years. On Wednesday, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that it is testing samples of metformin sold in the US for NDMA, Bloomberg reported. The agency will recommend recalls of the medication as appropriate. The European Medicines Agency said on the same day that companies should test for high levels of NDMA in metformin. No dangerous levels have been detected in European Union supplies to date. Poland's health minister, Lukasz Szumowski, said earlier that officials were scrutinising metformin-containing drugs but that no products would be pulled from the market as NDMA had been found in only trace amounts. HSA is working with the companies supplying the affected medicines and international regulatory agencies to verify the causes of the contamination, and identify the measures to address the issue.

wanna find out which brand of test kit(blood sugar) to get.intend to get 1 for my mum.anyway,anyone here got experience with diabetes within family members?can they lead a normal life?what do they have to take care?any suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/Diabetes-ravages-emerging-nations-in-Asia-Africa?utm_campaign=GL_asia_daily&utm_medium=email&utm_source=NA_newsletter&utm_content=article_link&del_type=1&pub_date=20230213123000&seq_num=12&si=44594 Diabetes patients in Asia and Africa are projected to total 560 million by 2045 as affluence and urbanization lead to changes in Diabetes ravages emerging nations in Asia, Africa Number of patients projected to jump 50% by 2045 as dietary habits change RYOSUKE HANADA and KOSUKE INOUE, Nikkei staff writersFebruary 11, 2023 16:10 JST MUMBAI/BANGKOK -- The number of diabetes patients is surging in Asia and Africa as more people become obese due to COVID-related curbs on outdoor activities and their dietary habits change amid economic growth. In Pakistan, there were 5.2 times more diabetes patients in 2021 than a decade earlier. Of the population from ages 20 to 79, 30% have developed diabetes. "Earlier in Pakistan, diabetes would affect people of 40 years of age, but gradually [came to affect those] in 30s, then 20s, and now we can find in teenagers type two of diabetes," said Matiullah Khan, an endocrinologist at the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad. If left untreated, diabetes can lead to serious complications, such as heart disease, strokes and blindness. "There is widespread lack of education and awareness among general masses in Pakistan about diabetes. People [tend] to take it less serious as compared to heart ailments," said an official at the nonprofit Diabetes Center in Islamabad. "At government level, there is no education and awareness policy to tackle soaring number of diabetic patients in Pakistan." Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or the body cannot use the hormone well. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the insulin-producing cells fail to work, while Type 2 diabetes results when the body cannot keep blood sugar at normal levels due to obesity or a lack of physical activity. Type 2 accounts for 90% of the world's diabetes patients. Diabetes by itself is the ninth-leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. But if sugar in the bloodstream remains high, it can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of developing such complications as ischemic heart disease, the leading cause of death. Treating diabetes is expensive because it requires regular medications, and some patients also find it difficult to make the lifestyle changes needed for treatment. People in emerging nations are particularly vulnerable to diabetes. The total number of diabetes patients in Asia and Africa is forecast to reach 560 million by 2045, up 50% from 2021, according to the International Diabetes Federation. The number is projected to rise 70% to 220 million in South Asia, while sub-Saharan Africa is expected to see a 2.3-fold jump to 55 million. In contrast, increases in Europe and North America are expected to be slight at 1.1 to 1.2 times. The number of patients suffering from Type 2 diabetes is growing in emerging countries as their diets improve with economic development. Daily calorie intake per capita rose 43% in Vietnam and 39% in Ethiopia over the 20 years through 2018, compared to a global average of 8%. The number of diabetes patients rose 130% in Vietnam and 40% in Ethiopia in the decade through 2021. Traditional staple foods in Asia and Africa are low in calories and fat, but foods high in both categories have become available with the globalization of Western diets. As the number of fast-food restaurants increases in urban areas, people have more opportunities to eat foods rich in carbohydrates and fat, leading to an increase in obesity and diabetes. Half of Pakistan's adult population is now considered obese, according to one study. The spread of the novel coronavirus made the situation worse as various restrictions were imposed on people's daily activities. The global average of steps that a person walked daily was 4,997 from May to November in 2021, down 10% from the pre-pandemic level, according to a study by Geoffrey H. Tison, a cardiologist and assistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco and other researchers who analyzed data from the Azumio Argus smartphone app. In Asia, the number fell 30%. "Even North America and Europe, which were among the first countries to lift restrictions relevant to COVID-19, have not [seen the level of exercise] recovered to pre-COVID-19 level," Tison said. Unless people engage in more physical activity, the number of diabetes patients will likely increase and the condition of existing patients will worsen. Along with exercise, dietary control is the key to preventing diabetes or staying healthy after the onset of the disease. Some emerging countries have adopted measures to discourage the excessive drinking of sweetened beverages. Thailand plans to raise its sugar tax by 1.6 to 3.3 times, depending on the level of sugar in beverages, effective as of April. South Africa is also considering raising its sugar tax. Still, education can make people aware of the importance of daily diet. "Government should do campaign to [tell] people, as well as children in the school, about how [important] diets are for their healthy life," said Ruchirek Thamcharoen, an endocrinologist at the Royal Thai Navy's Somdejphranangchaosirikit Hospital.

Was looking at the other thread on exercising without a gym. Apparently the TS mentioned that the high fat zero carbo diet managed to cure diabetes. I believe diabetes is incurable. Am I missing something? My mom is on medication and it is to be taken for the rest of her life. Tried chinese medication before but it did not yield the results that was promised. ie "cure" the disease. Anyone experienced "curing" this disease? I am just shocked a change of diet can have this effect..............

Singaporean with diabetes, hypertension can get subsidy via the new green CHAS card. https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/new-green-chas-card-november-all-singaporeans-chronic-health-conditions

With our National Day rallying us to fight Diabetes. First thing, get yourself screened. In just a few more days, from 1st Sept 2017, those above 40years Singaporean can get themselves screen for diabetes, high cholesterol for only $5, CHAS holder $2. FAQ https://www.healthhub.sg/programmes/61/Screen_for_Life?utm_source=LBDHH

http://www.dyna-nutrition.com/newsletter/ashitaba-diabetic-diet/ There are several researches in Japan which have discovered that Ashitaba can actually lower blood sugar level. Ashitaba (also know as Angelica Keiskei) is a traditional health food for Japanese. Ashitaba has been an integral part of their diet for hundreds of years. It has been taken as health food and also utilized as medical herb.

Eating Western-style fast food can increase one's risk of developing diabetes and dying from heart disease, a local study has found. The research, a first that looks at the impact of fast food on Asians, found that those who eat fast food more than four times a week had an 80 per cent higher risk of dying of a heart disease. Those who eat fast food more than twice a week are also 30 per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Western-style fast food is categorised in this study as cheeseburgers or hamburgers, pizzas, hot dogs, french fries, ham sandwiches, and deep-fried chicken. Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/S...ory_821937.html