Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it doesn’t use insulin properly. This causes the blood sugars to become too high, known as hyperglycemia.
Almost 10% of the population is diabetic, so there’s no wonder why pharmaceutical companies are marketing Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovey, etc in big ways.
People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing serious complications including:
Heart Disease
Kidney Disease
Nerve Damage
Dementia
Gum Disease
Mood Disorders
Eye Problems, including Blindness
Type II Diabetes IS REVERSIBLE, but it takes effort. Even though it’s reversible, through diet, exercise and healthy life changes. Diabetes is a highly dangerous disease and it’s worth taking seriously.
Did you know that olives are a fruit? Olive oil is a fruit juice, and, just like fruit juice, olive oil tastes best and is the most nutritious when it’s fresh. Fresh-pressed olive oil has the highest levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and a unique anti-cancer compound called Oleocanthol.
But there’s a problem: According to Forbes magazine, “It’s been reliably reported that 80% of the Italian olive oil on the market is fraudulent. A study last year by the National Consumer League found that six of 11 bottles of extra virgin olive oil from three major retailers—Whole Foods, Safeway, and Giant—failed to meet extra virgin requirements.”
Many olive oil companies produce low quality olive oil diluted with other oils, and some companies sell “olive oil” that isn’t even made from olives!
In his book, Extra Virginity, olive oil expert Tom Mueller warns of contaminants and cancer-causing agents in these fake olive oils: “Italian investigators have found hydrocarbon residues, pesticides, and other contaminants in fake oils, and pomace oil, a common adulterant, sometimes contains mineral oil as well as PAHs, proven carcinogens that can also damage DNA and the immune system.”
So how do you know if it’s authentic?
The Label: The label should indicate the harvest date and whether the oil has been blended with other oils. Look for a quality seal from the International Olive Council (IOC) for European oils or the California Olive Oil Council for American oils, which indicate that the oil has been tested and meets certain standards.
The Bottle: The bottle should be dark colored glass to protect against UV Ray exposure.
The Taste: Authentic EVOO has a bright flavor with hints of fruit, grass, and almond, and a slightly bitter, peppery aftertaste. Low-quality or “fake” EVOO may taste dull, greasy, waxy, or crayon-like, or have no flavor.
I don’t know if it’s on the rise, but I keep hearing of people suffering with Gout, so I thought it might be good to post on it.
Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling, often in the big toe.
Uric Acid is a waste product, produced by the body in small amounts. When uric acid blood levels get too high, it can cause problems such as gout, kidney stones or other kidney disorders.
What causes these high levels?
High Blood Pressure
Obesity
Excessive Intake of Alcohol
Diets High in Meats, Bacon, Turkey and Sardines
Interesting Fact: Only about 4% of the population suffers from gout, but at least 21% of adults have high uric acid levels. This can lead to hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart disease and insulin resistance syndrome.
Uric Acid can be reduce with the help of medications but these meds can have various side effects, so proceed with caution.
Cancer is the second leading cause of death, right behind heart disease. According to many of the leading experts in integrative medicine, cancer cells mainly grow out of control due to the existence of too many toxins trapped inside the body and a lack of nutrition, on a cellular level. The message is simple: there are natural techniques that exist to help discourage cancer cell growth.
Did you know Getting Sufficient Vitamin D Levels Can Slash Your Cancer Risk? Having healthy levels of vitamin D has been linked in studies with lowered risk of bladder cancer, lung cancer and leukemia. But its “superpower” may well be its ability to decrease the odds of developing breast cancer. In a study of 4000 women over 55, participants with Vitamins D levels over 60 had one-fifth the risk of breast cancer than those with 20 (and 20 is what the medical community considers acceptable). It’s often recommended to make certain you get a minimum of 5000 IU’s of D3 every day PLUS and extra 2000 IU’s of K2/D.
When it comes to cancer, and other life- threatening diseases, the “sunshine vitamin” can lead to brighter outcomes.
Sources: “Sister Study 2017” and University of California San Diego School of Medicine
Skinny fat is a term to describe those who might be thin but have a high percentage of body fat. The medical term is sarcopenic obesity. This condition refers to an individual who may have what would be considered a normal/healthy weight, but metabolically, this person shares many health characteristics as someone who is overweight or obese. And that means they are at risk for a variety of health problems.
The Cause?
Losing muscle mass and gaining fat mass due to maintaining the same caloric intake and a sedentary lifestyle creates a skinny fat condition
The Description?
A person who is sarcopenic obese will have high fat mass and low muscle mass
The Analysis?
Getting a body composition test can help assess your body fat and muscle mass distribution
Possible Risks?
Increased risk of heart disease
High cholesterol
Insulin resistance, leading to Type 2 Diabetes
Lower bone mineral density
Loss of cognitive function
The Solution?
Eating a protein-rich diet
Increase Skeletal Muscle Mass with weight training
Just because someone looks skinny, don’t just assume they are healthy.
Pumpkin seeds contain more magnesium than spinach with 48 percent of your daily needs in just half a cup! They beat all other seeds aside from hemp and chia in their magnesium content. Pumpkin seeds are also extremely high in chlorophyll, zinc, iron, and potassium, making them one of the most alkalizing seeds around. You want your body to be more alkaline because it reduces inflammation. Enjoy pumpkin seeds raw and look for those that are bright green in color, not muddy brown. The greener the seed, the fresher and richer in nutrients it will be.
Did you know that when we take medications, they impact our bodies nutritionally?
I am NOT saying don’t take meds. I AM saying that when you take a medication, you need to address the depletion of nutrients caused by that medication.
I am NOT saying don’t take meds. I AM saying that when you take a medication, you need to address the depletion of nutrients caused by that medication.
The past year almost brought me to a dead stop. After decades of “doing it all” (and loving it), I had to learn to do almost none of it. But I still want to be useful and able to do so much more. So healthy living and healthy choices has to become my focus. It’s my response to “take care of yourself.”
Learning to make healthy choices in eating, exercising, sitting still and feeding my soul, sleeping enough, has become a necessity. That makes making those decisions so much easier! With the virus season upon us…those things are really important if we want to remain useful in the present.
My work with a wellness shopping club and hanging around on social media with healthy minded people motivates me and makes saying “no” to unhealthy choices a whole lot easier. But boundaries are not popular—saying “no” to friends never gets easier.
I owe a lot to the simple changes I made as well as eating healthier. Why not join me in this adventure?
If processed meat products are part of your diet, you can take steps to reduce or eliminate them.
Read the label. Check the ingredient list for words like nitrate, nitrite, cured or salted. If you spot these words, it’s a processed meat and should be avoided.
Be an educated buyer. Even meats labeled “uncured” still can have nitrates and nitrites in them.
Skip nitrate-free meats. These meats may have less nitrates and nitrites, but they’re not nitrate-free. When you eat these foods labeled nitrate-free, your stomach actually turns some nitrates into nitrites. And some of these nitrites can then form cancer-causing substances in your body.
Reduce portion sizes of processed meats and eat less frequently.
Choose a plant-based diet most often and have some meatless days.
Think outside the box. Eating less processed meat is easier than you think. Here are some healthy swap tips to get you started.
Add grilled chicken, hard-boiled egg, beans, tofu or flaked tuna to your salad instead of cubed deli meat.
Order a grilled chicken or fish sandwich instead of a deli sandwich.
Add vegetables to your omelet instead of bacon, ham or sausage.
Keeping a food log can help you be more mindful of just how much processed meat you are eating. Be sure to carry healthy substitutions like hummus and vegetables that can replace that deli sandwich. Once you become of aware of your eating habits and start choosing healthier foods, reducing and even eliminating processed meats from your diet will become easier.
You may want to rethink the amount of this supplement you take. A new study reveals there are many connections between niacin and heart disease. For a while, many cardiologists were prescribing niacin for cardiovascular prevention, but more recent studies didn’t show much of a benefit from niacin—and this medication has significant side effects for many individuals.
These side effects include things like flushing, difficulty tolerating hot showers, increased blood sugar levels, insulin resistance, and dizziness, and have caused some cardiologists like himself to be skeptical about niacin for years.
Read more about the latest study results here at MedLinx