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          Study Finds Marijuana Helps Control Blood Sugar, Waistlines

   by VOA News

   Marijuana has been used for centuries to relieve pain, improve mood and
   increase appetite. A new study suggests that the herb also has a
   positive effect on blood sugar levels, suggesting it could be helpful
   in diabetes control.
   Researchers analyzed data collected from more than 4,600 patients who
   completed a drug-use questionnaire and provided blood samples. Nearly
   half had never used marijuana, about 2,000 others had used it in the
   past and the rest were current users.
   Participants who reported using marijuana in the previous month had the
   lowest levels of fasting insulin and the highest levels of the
   so-called 'good' cholesterol - indicators of a lower risk for both
   diabetes and heart disease.
   The study also found the marijuana users tended to have smaller
   waistlines. Large waist circumference, typically associated with
   obesity, is linked to diabetes risk.
   Although the U.S. government banned marijuana in 1937, its social use
   has continued, with an estimated 17.4 million Americans reporting
   regular or occasional use of the drug. Two states recently legalized
   recreational marijuana, and nearly half the states and the District of
   Columbia have legalized or decriminalized medical-use marijuana, for
   patients suffering from glaucoma or the effects of chemotherapy or
   HIV/AIDS.
   This new study, appearing in The American Journal of Medicine,
   highlights the need for more research into the short and long-term
   effects of marijuana in a variety of clinical settings.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/study-finds-marijuana-helps-control-b
   lood-sugar-waistlines/1663260.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/study-finds-marijuana-helps-control-blood-sugar-waistlines/1663260.html