It has long been suspected that there is a link between stress and diabetes. It has also been observed that people with diabetes sometimes experience cognitive decline as the disease progresses. A new study from National Institute on Aging (NIA) explores these connections and offers hope for improved diabetes management.

The NIA study, published on March 1 by Nature Neuroscience, documented the reactions of diabetic rats to the elevation and reduction of their corticosterone levels. When levels of this stress hormone were raised, it negatively affected the rats’ learning and short-term memory. When levels of corticosterone returned to normal, the rats regained their cognitive functions. To the authors of the study, these results suggest that for humans with diabetes, cognitive impairment due to excess stress hormones could be prevented or perhaps even reversed. That’s because the corticosterone in rats is similar to the human hormone cortisol, which is released during periods of stress.

Cortisol is both good and bad. The body needs some cortisol to regulate its energy levels. Cortisol helps deliver needed fuel to working cells by drawing on the body’s fat stores. During periods of stress, cortisol also helps the body convert proteins into glucose that the body can use right away. But too much cortisol can have adverse effects. Excess cortisol may contribute to visceral obesity, the development of fat around important internal organs such as the stomach and intestines. The more stress you feel, the more cortisol your body produces. The more cortisol your body produces, the greater the possibility that you will develop this unhealthy abdominal fat. People with diabetes are at a further disadvantage, even beyond your average stressed-out person. People who do not have good control over their diabetes often produce more cortisol than normal.

According to in the NIA study, this excess cortisol could lead to cognitive impairment in people with diabetes. It could also lead to excess abdominal fat—another big health risk. The authors suggest that by regulating the levels of cortisol in the body, these risks can be reduced or eliminated for people with diabetes. Beyond stress reduction techniques, it is possible that someday a medication will be developed that blocks the action of excess cortisol in the body. In the meantime, scientists will continue to study the relationship between stress, cognitive function, and diabetes.

Mmmm, we all love those homemade pasta dishes. What could be a better comfort food than a home-baked, piping-hot lasagna, gooey with cheese and dripping with rich tomato sauce? But for people with diabetes, pasta has been called a no-no because of its effect on the blood sugar. White-flour pastas are carbohydrate-heavy, and when eaten in large portions, they can cause an upsurge of glucose into the blood stream. Luckily, American Diabetes Wholesale has a solution for the pasta-lover in us all: Dreamfields low-carb pastas.

Dreamfields is the only pasta that has a clinically-proven low glycemic index. In fact, its glycemic index is 65% lower than regular pasta. Why is that? Part of the reason is Inulin, a special fiber that gives Dreamfields pastas twice the fiber of regular pasta. Extra fiber means a longer digestion time—and a slower release of glucose to the blood stream. And with only 5 grams of digestible carbs per serving, there is no need to worry about carbohydrate overload. Dreamfields is also low in fat and has no cholesterol.

With Dreamfields, your favorite pasta dishes are no longer off-limits. You can enjoy your famous linguine with clams without it wreaking havoc on your blood sugar. Try one of these great varieties today:

Spaghetti. An all-time favorite! Whether you’re serving spaghetti and meatballs to your kids or cooking up a quick and simple dinner for yourself, it’s hard to go wrong with this classic standby.

Rotini. These pasta spirals are what most people choose when making pasta salads. Just toss with Italian dressing and fresh diced vegetables for a tasty bring-along dish at any potluck or picnic.

Penne Rigate. Choose these short-cut tubes of pasta when it’s the sauce you want to spotlight. Sauces cling to the ridges of penne rigate and fill up the hollow middle of each tube.

Linguine. When you want a pasta that’s more “grown up” than spaghetti, this flat, thin noodle will do the trick. Try it with butter and garlic or with a tangy pesto sauce.

Lasagna. The perfect Sunday dinner—just add a tossed salad and you’re good to go.

Elbows. Dust off grandma’s prized macaroni recipe and get cooking with this versatile pasta. It’s great for soups, cold salads, and casseroles, too!

Banana Pineapple Tropical Pie

Serves: 10

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
calories 272, protein 6 g, carbohydrate 26 g, fat 16 g, cholesterol 29 mg, sodium 199 mg.

Food Exchange: 1 1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 3 fat.

Ingredients:

• Pastry for single crust 9-inch pie
• 2 (8-ounce each) packages reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup Equal® Spoonful*
• 1 (8-ounce) container light whipped topping, thawed if frozen
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, well drained
• 1/4 cup flaked coconut, divided use
• 1/2 teaspoon rum extract
• 2 medium ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
• 1 tablespoon chopped pecans

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1-inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce side and bottom of pastry with tines of a fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on wire rack.
3. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and Equal® in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until smooth and well combined. Gradually mix in whipped topping, pineapple, 3 tablespoons coconut and rum extract.
4. Place half of cream cheese mixture over pie crust. Arrange banana slices in single layer. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle top of pie with remaining 1 tablespoon coconut and chopped pecans. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours before serving.