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Risk Factors for Diabetes

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They say knowing is half the battle. 

Lately, many of my friends have been telling me their doctors are telling them, “You need to be concerned about Diabetes” after review their latest lab work. 

Many of these individuals are being told they are Pre-Diabetic. With one in every three people being diagnoses as Pre–Diabetic, it’s not a surprise.

Once your doctor mentions Pre-Diabetes be prepared for lab work that contains tests for glucose, A1C, Homocysteines, C Reactive Protein, D3, cholesterol and liver tests. All tests to ascertain Type II Diabetes. 

If we know what to look for, we can help prevent it or at the very least hold it off from developing quicker. It really does help to stay in front of this disease! The best way to start is to know the risk factors.

Risk factors for Type II Diabetes:

  • Weight. Being overweight or obese is a main risk.
  • Fat distribution. Storing fat mainly in the abdomen, rather than the hips and thighs, indicates a greater risk. The risk of Type II diabetes is higher in men with a waist circumference above 40 inches and in women with a waist measurement above 35 inches.
  • Inactivity. The less active a person is, the greater the risk. Physical activity helps control weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin.
  • Family history. An individual’s risk of Type II diabetes increases if a parent or sibling has Type II diabetes.
  • Blood lipid levels. An increased risk is associated with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and high levels of triglycerides.
  • Pregnancy-related risks. The risk of developing Type II diabetes is higher in people who had gestational diabetes when they were pregnant and in those who gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome. Having polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity, increases the risk of diabetes.

If you or a loved one display any of these symptoms, please get a physical and request the labs above it’s better t catch it early!

Diabetes and It’s Many Friends 

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Diabetes isn’t just about blood sugar levels 

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. 

Does Weather Impact Our Health?

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You bet it does!

  • Blood Pressure — When atmospheric pressure decreases, your blood pressure drops. Low temps cause your blood vessels to narrow, meaning on the whole, blood pressure is lower in the summer.
  • Asthma and Allergies —Changing seasons and hot weather can worsen asthma and allergy symptoms, with the growing season and air pollution paying a serious role. The solution? Be prepared with your allergy meds before spring weather arrives.
  • Joint Pain — Sudden changes in barometric pressure, such as the switch that occurs right before a storm, can trigger joint pain. Cold weather can also cause painful changes in joint fluid thickness, some research has found. 
  • Headaches —Barometric pressure can be a headache for some, though the reason is unclear. It might affect the pressure in the brain or the way the brain blocks pain, or it might be evolutionary, as it keeps humans in tune with their environment.
  • Diabetes and Blood Sugars — Any weather front is associated with low pressure, so during cold fronts, blood viscosity, or thickness, increases. Research shows that diabetics have more trouble controlling their blood sugar during cold fronts.
  • Heart Attacks — Each 1.8 degree Fahrenheit the temperature drops is associated with around 200 additional heart attacks nationwide, according to one medical study. Higher blood pressure, an increased risk of blood clots and challenging activities like shoveling show contribute to the risk

The Olive Oil Deception 

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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.

So shop carefully!

A a picture is worth a thousand words

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 Since I do price comparisons all the time, THIS is the reason my online Wellness store is a monthly shop club:
By redirecting even the smallest amount of shopping away from Target, Costco, Wal-Mart, Publix and Amazon
to my online wellness shopping club, they can cut out warehousing. That’s a huge part of a retail price when you
shop the old fashioned way in a store or at Amazon.
So…. the MORE you switch, the MORE you save.
It’s money already spent. It’s just a better way to spend it.
Why would any of us pay retail when we can get a wholesale price?

Eye-opening statistic about functional movement

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Here’s an eye-opening statistic for you! 

“The average person loses 30% of their muscle by the time they reach 60!
This can lead to many health issues including loss of balance, less mobility, as well as decreased bone density — all of which can lead to falls and fractures.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, studies suggest that among those 50 and older, up to one in two women and up to one in four men will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Even a minor fall or bump can result in broken bones for those suffering from bone density loss. 

Strength training for the aging population — and by that, I mean anyone 50 and over — is tremendously important as it can help to reduce the risk of falls and bone breakage. The great news is that it’s never too late to start…and it doesn’t have to be complicated! 

We all are getting older. Exercises that combine functional strength skills with mobility exercises with help us move better and reduce the risk of injury! 

Here are just a few benefits of functional movement and strength training:

  • Reduced Fall Risk 
  • Better Balance and Stability
  • Improved Mobility
  • Decreased Pain and Stiffness
  • Increased Strength and Stamina
  • Greater Ease When Performing Daily Activities

By incorporating functional strength training two to three days a week and aerobic exercise (such as brisk walking) three to four days a week, you can experience greater control and improve the quality of your life!

Second-Hand Smoke

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It’s not something that we hear a lot about anymore, but it’s still out there. And it’s as dangerous as ever! Look at the stats:

  • Second Hand smoke causes as least 7,000 deaths each year from lung cancer.
  • Heart disease CAUSED by second-hand smoke kills 34,000 Americans each year.
  • Short term smoke exposure can increase heart attack risk.
  • A large European study found that exposure to second-hand smoke at home or work can increase pancreatic cancer risk by 50%!

Each year, 3000 sober Americans are tragically killed by drunk drivers, but 41,000 non-smokers are killed by second-hand smoke! 

Besides avoiding it as much as possible, what can we do?

Eat cruciferous vegetables! Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and collard greens lower our cancer risk because they help to detoxify our bodies of carcinogens like benzene, found in cigarettes.

Gout

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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.

Finding Your Path

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Finding a path that affords you personal growth while serving others and allowing you to have time freedom is priceless.

One simple way you can help to prevent cancer

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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