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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

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.

Connecting the Dots

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Sometimes, connecting the dots doesn’t make sense to some of you. It will, it just means you haven’t connected the dots , yet. What dots? The myriad of weird illnesses caused by various products you’re using or have used in your home.

I’ve been connecting the dots for twenty years now and I can’t say enough about how these products have changed my life! Looking back, I think I spent more money than I care to admit on supplements that didn’t work. It was frustrating, looking for healthier options. I am so thankful for my friend who introduced me to a new brand she found. She swore these “new” products were life changing..

First of all, I never have to step foot in a big box store to get discounts, these products are priced competitively and are delivered straight to my door!
Think about it, how many ow many companies are truly American these days? This one is. everything is made here in the USA. How many companies do you know of have a 96% reorder rate each and every month? None that I know of!”

I will forever be grateful for this online shopping club and what it’s doing and had done for my family.
We don’t have many things we can control but we can control what we put in our homes and in our bodies!

Skinny Fat

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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.

What do you know about Pumpkin seeds?

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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.