People who have relatively shorter thighs appear to have an increased risk of developing diabetes or a condition that often precedes the disease compared to those with longer gams, researchers say.

But study author, Dr Keiko Asao cautioned that the study does not mean that thigh length in any way causes diabetes.

Asao, who is at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, explained that a third factor such as the environment in the womb or nutrition in childhood likely influences both leg length and future diabetes risk.

People who have relatively shorter thighs are not doomed to developed diabetes, Asao said. These results are preliminary, she said, and diabetes is a "multifactorial disease" that results from many different causes.

Asao and her colleagues presented their findings at the American
Heart Association’s 43rd Annual Conference on Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention in Miami.

To obtain their findings, Asao and her team reviewed information about 8,738 adults between the age of 40 and 74 collected during surveys conducted by the US government. The authors found that the shorter people’s thighs, the greater their risk of having diabetes or insulin resistance, a condition marked by a loss of sensitivity to this key blood-sugar-regulating hormone that often precedes diabetes. After taking into account other risk factors, the researchers found the link remained true for white and Mexican-American women, but not blacks or men.

Previous research has suggested that shorter people may be at an over-all higher risk of diabetes, Asao noted, but added that in the current study, height was not linked to diabetes risk.

Older people have their own peculiar teeth and gum problems that need extra care, says Dr M Dewan, Chairman, Dental Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi.

Certain conditions peculiar to seniors include dry mouth (xerostomia), tooth wear and excessive staining, dental decay(root surface), gum disease (periodontal disease), loss or alteration in taste, denture care, cracking and chapping of corners of their mouth. Older adults are prone to tooth decay because they are frequently on multiple medications that can dry the mouth. They usually have many areas of gum recession, which can expose the softer, easily decayed root surface.

Missing teeth or large rough fillings may make cleaning teeth difficult. If having dentures, denture sores can occur. These may become infected. Be sure teeth are brushed properly, preferably just before going to bed. To prevent decay, high strength fluoride toothpaste is very useful. Dentures need to be relined occasionally every 3 to 5 years.

Spice in your life, it seems, can save it as well. New and ongoing research, according to nutrionists, has found that beside flavouring the palate, the most commonly used spices in Indian kitchens can possibly reduce the risk of cancer and cardio-vascular diseases as well.

Turmeric, for example, is already known for its medicinal value besides its flavour. "Research now has revealed that its main component, curcumin, is a phyto-chemical and inhibits chronic diseases. Phyto-chemicals, otherwise known as bio-active chemicals, have important physiological and bio-chemical impact on the body’s processes" says Dr Kamala Krishnaswamy, Emeritus medical scientist, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).

Besides turmeric, curry leaves, pepper, cumin (zeera), coriander, fenugreek (methi) have now been found to be able to prevent tissue damage and decrease glucose and cholesterol in the blood. But the same experts also issue a word of caution. As far as negative impact of spices is concerned, spices like chilli, cinnamon sticks and pepper can cause hyper-acidity. "Spices should also be had within limits," says Dr Krishnaswamy.

According to experts, one problem is that not enough clinical trials have been conducted in the field as yet. "Limited clinical trials have been carried out but comprehensive ones haven’t been. But science-based evidence is slowly coming out and there is enough empirical data to support the premise," says Dr Krishnaswamy.

Adds Dr Ramesh V Bhat from Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, Hyderabad : "One should also be careful about the product. Sometimes, the curative component is extracted separately. "For example, oil from clove can be extracted and sold separately. So, the clove becomes less effective. The packaging has to be checked as well. Chilli exports to the United States have been rejected at times for fungal infection," he said.