title: [THE EFFECT OF 5 DAYS IMMERSION IN DEAD SEA WATER ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVELS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Body immersion in plain water or mineral water induces significant and unique physiological changes in most body systems. In a previous pilot study, a significant reduction in blood glucose levels among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients was found following a single immersion in Dead Sea water but not after immersion in plain water.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To study the immediate and long term effects of immersion in mineral water for five consecutive days on blood glucose in patients with type 2 DM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 34 patients with type 2 DM were divided into 2 groups: The first immersed in a plain water pool and the second immersed in a Dead Sea water pool; both pools were warmed to a temperature of 35°C. Immersions for 20 minutes occurred twice daily: two hours after breakfast and before dinner. Seven samples of capillary blood glucose levels were taken: fasting, before and after every immersion, prior to lunch and before bedtime. Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) was taken prior to the study and a re-check was conducted during the 12 weeks following the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Blood glucose levels significantly decreased immediately after immersion both in Dead Sea water and plain water compared to their values prior to immersion (p<0.001). No significant difference was noted between both types of water. A decrease in fasting glucose levels was observed only in the group immersed in Dead Sea water when compared to plain water (6.83±5.68 mg/dl versus 4.37±1.79 respectively and the difference was close to statistical significance (p=0.071. There were no changes in HbA1c levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Immersion for 20 minutes in water (Dead Sea or plain water) at a temperature of 35°C induced an immediate reduction in glucose levels in patients with type 2 DM.
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brzezinski Sinai
authors.forename: Yotam
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lior
authors.forename: Noa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brzezinski Sinai
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harari
authors.forename: Idit F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Liberty
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001452:Balneology / Q000379:methods*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012623:Seawater; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin