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Exercise is key to defeating diabetes

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By Marlin Randolph

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Photo from Health.com

According to the Centers for Disease Control, exercise is one of the key preventive measures against Type 2 diabetes.

Although it is commonly believed that Type 2 diabetes only strikes the overweight and sedentary or unhealthy eaters, health care professionals like Dr. Melvena Wilson advise that anyone can be diagnosed with diabetes, from world-class athletes and the rich and famous to children and expecting mothers.

Wilson, a director at the Center for Advocacy & Research on Health Equity, emphasized the importance of physical activity.

“(Exercise) will greatly strengthen the physical necessities needed to perform your usual tasks for the day” Wilson said.

According to the American Diabetes Association, exercising at least 30 to 60 minutes several times a week can help lower your blood pressure. In addition, keeping the body active allows cells to become more sensitive to insulin and helps with more efficient insulin production. This is key for effective diabetes prevention and management.

Such activities as walking or jogging are highly recommended because they are simple, affordable and the “best types of medicines,” as Dr. JoAnn Manson of Harvard Medical School explains in an interview with Prevention Magazine.

According to the Mayo Clinic it is important that those who choose to adopt exercise as a  tool for defeating pre or post diabetes remember to “avoid being a ‘weekend warrior.’” Trying to squeeze all your exercise in on the weekends to make up for weekday inactivity isn’t a good strategy.  Sudden bursts of activity could actually be risky.

For more information on exercise and healthy living visit the National Institute of Health’s website at  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000083.htm

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The key to winning the battle against sugar: Weight loss and dieting

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Photo provided by Adrienne Nelson

Photo by Adrienne Nelson

By Adrienne Nelson

Mila Hall Hills, 77, is a breast cancer survivor, a great-grandmother and one of many American citizens living with diabetes.  Hills has been struggling with diabetes for thirteen years, but she doesn’t let it slow her down. She finds pleasure in her small successes, like walking laps near her home, and often celebrates her success with a sip of Coke here and there.

As the diabetes epidemic continues to grow throughout the U.S., people like Hill are not hard to find.  They all deal with the same battle that is commonly referred to as “sugar.”

And it  may be safe to say that this rampant disease can be overcome if the patients are willing to put forth the effort needed, according to Melvena Wilson Ph.D., Director at the Center for Advocacy & Research on Health Equity.

Wilson said that all it takes is the will to trade a current lifestyle for a smarter and healthier lifestyle. This means incorporating smart food choices and exercise into their daily routine.

The American Diabetic Association reports that, one of the best medicines against diabetes is dieting and weight loss.

“As long as I eat right and keep moving, I won’t need insulin,” said Hills a Type 2 diabetic.She isn’t required to take synthetic insulin like Type 1 diabetics.

According to Wilson, five percent of diabetics have the hereditary version of the disease known as Type 1. These patients are required to receive a synthetic form of insulin due to their pancreas’ inability to create its own.

The majority of diabetics are Type 2, meaning that like Hills, they contain more glucose within their blood than their pancreas can counteract.  Even though Type 2 diabetics still have the same disease, they have an advantage that Type 2 diabetics don’t have.  They can turn their disease around.

“Actually about 60 percent to 70 percent of diabetics can completely change their case,” said Wilson. If they are willing to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle, not only will they be able to cut down on their medications, but the may rid themselves of the disease.”

Below are some do’s and don’ts for healthy living:

Do 

  • Replace white bread with whole grain
  • Eat more fruits and vegetables
  • Limit high carb intake
  • Eat more home cooked meals
  • Limit sodium intake
Photo provided by http://www.hsph.harvard.edu

Ignore

  • Eating too many sweets                            
  • Eating at fast food restaurants
  • Large intakes of soft drinks or high sugared beverages

 

Photo provided by http://www.jamesfreehealth.com

For tips on weight loss solutions, click the link below.

Diabetes Nutrition : How to Lose Weight When You’re a Diabetic

For  a diabetic friendly recipe list click here

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Mental health vs. diabetes

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By Kiana Robinson

Mental health can cause many problems to a person with diabetes, such as denial, depression and an eating disorder.

According to the American Diabetes Association, many people with diabetes go through a phase of denial. Some refuse to believe their diagnosis, and others don’t immediately seek treatment, which can lead to greater health problems.

Studies have shown that people with Type 1 diabetes are likely to have mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. The ADA states that depression is normal for people who have had something negatively affect their well-being. The impact could make people feel as though life is hopeless and that they can do nothing to help themselves, which can also affect their families. According to PubMed Health, people with diabetes can become angry with themselves, which can lead to a lack of care or an eating disorder.

People with Type 2 diabetes normally already have a mental illness, according to SANE, a national charity that helps those affected by mental illness. Depression and anxiety can make it difficult for someone to exercise regularly and eat healthy foods.

”Being depressed or having anxiety can cause weight gain and a lack of caring for themselves,” said Dr. Melvena Robinson, director of the Center for Advocacy & Research on Health Equity. “Without caring or treating it over years, that can lead to damaging of small nerves.”

Tallahassee resident Geraldine Robinson said her mother, Ledall Todd, had an eating disorder before she was diagnosed with diabetes. Todd was in and out of the hospital and refused to change her eating habits. But after losing weight and becoming weak, she began to listen to her doctors and live a healthier lifestyle. Although overcoming a mental illness may be difficult, Robinson said her mother has shown that it can be done with help and support.

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Photo  of diabetes patient by Kiana Robinson

From observing her mother’s progress, Robinson recommends that others impacted by the disease “learn about diabetes, because if anybody wants to live, start caring about your body.”

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Fight diabetes, transition into new diet

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 By Tamia B. Campbell

In America many families have a love one or close friend who has been diagnosed with diabetes. Historically, diabetes has commonly affected adults ages sixty and older. However, today the risk has sky rocketed. One of the main issue with diabetics and their loved ones facing diet management. According to  The Physician Committee For Responsible Medicine  a good source of modification for a healthier life and body, could be converting to vegetarian/vegan diets in which are very good health care alternatives.

According to Center of Advocacy & Research Director Dr. Melvena Wilson, “One out of three people can be diagnosed with diabetes,” which is now the hot topic of today’s new generation. According to The Kids Health Center, about 13,000 children in the U.S. are facing such disease that isn’t common in youth, which raises a red flag in monitoring  aspects of dietary control and needs.

As a vegetarian a person doesn’t consume meat, fish and poultry. Vegans are vegetarians who refrain from consuming and using all animal products, including cheese, milk, other dairy products, eggs, wool, silk, and leather. The aid that this particular diet provides helps weight loss, exercise components and reduce medication intake. Vegetarian nutrition also helps you meet protein needs, iron intake, gain calcium for stronger bones and teeth and consume vitamin B12. As well as provide high fiber, which improves glycemic control by about 60 percent. The result of this impact on your life or your love ones life takes dedication and encouragement, so challenge yourself or Love one to get healthy and live life to its fullest.

(Click Below To View Video)

Reverse Diabetes With A Vegetarian/Vegan Diet

Possible diets

For more informations Click Here

Vegetarians 

Breakfast

  • 1 cup oatmeal sprinkled with 2 Tbsp. wheat germ
  • 1 apple or pear
  • 1 cup skim or low-fat milk

Lunch

  • 1 cup mixed fruit salad over …
  • 2 cups salad greens, sprinkled with …
  • 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar, raspberry vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Afternoon snack

  • 1 cup any-flavor low-fat yogurt

Dinner

1 cup cooked whole-wheat and regular pasta (mix 1/2 cup whole-wheat pasta with 1/2 cup regular)

  • 1/3 cup tomato sauce
  • 4 soy “meatballs” (found in the freezer section of most supermarkets)
  • 1 cup steamed broccoli or broccoli rabe with garlic
  • 1/2 cup orange sections 

Vegans

(Click the Amy’s Diet Plan Vegan below to view more diet plans)

Amy’s_Diet plan_Vegan

(http://www.amys.com/health/diet-plan)

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ADHD and diabetes: Is there a correlation?

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photo (1)

Photo by: Vitiara Brown                Melvena Wilson, P.h.D., the assistant director of Minority Health for the Florida department of Health speaks to high school students about diabetes and health.

By Vitiara Brown

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Photo by http://www.focus-md.com/

More than 25.8 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association.

Similarly, the ADA stated there are 18.8 million people diagnosed and 7.0 million that are not. 8.3 percent of all Americans have diabetes.

Diabetes can cause other complications such as high blood pressure, blindness, kidney disease, amputation, heart disease and stroke.

Upon surveying students of Tallahassee there was varying thoughts on how diabetes and Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), affected African-Americans, and how both diseases were connected.

Vitiana Brown, 21, of North Florida Cosmetology said, “I don’t know much about it, but people make it seem like they have a hard time being still and paying attention,” referring to ADHD.

Annae Jackson, 21, a third-year broadcast journalism student said, “I think that some people are getting mislabeled or are self diagnosing themselves with ADHD, but they have a lot of medicine and research to help them.”

Jackson continued, “I feel like it’s an epidemic that is slowly killing the African-American race and we must get fit and healthy to fight back,” referring to diabetes.

Both Jackson and Brown had an understanding of how diabetes and ADHD affected people, but neither knew that both diseases could be connected.

Melvena Wilson, Ph.D., the assistant director of minority health for the state of Florida said, “In the last five to 10 years they have come up with a term called pre diabetics.”

According to Diabetes.org, 79 million people are pre diabetics. Being pre diabetic can last between 10 to 15 years sometimes even up to 20 years. This disease can cause gangrene, an infection, or can lead to amputations.

Dr. Yannick Pauli, who conducts research on ADHD and dyslexia of Switzerland said, “ADHD is a psychological problem that signified by chronic inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.”

“ADHD is usually caused by a deficiency in two neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and dopamine. Norepinephrine controls hyperactivity and works with adrenaline to give the body an energy boost during moments of stress. Dopamine controls behavior and mood.”

According to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, levels of insulin, which is needed for diabetes, can influence the brains regulation of dopamine. High levels of glucose can aggravate symptoms of ADHD by affecting the brains neurological and cognitive functions.

Diabetes is connected to ADHD because of the levels of insulin and high blood pressure. Insulin is used to control diabetes. High blood pressure can be a result of diabetes.

Having high levels of sugar can aggravate symptoms of ADHD, which is bad for diabetics. Levels of insulin can contribute to dopamine.

To maintain both low blood pressure and a balance of diabetic levels individuals should abstain from simple sugars and eat more fruits and vegetables. Wilson recommends that it is great to have a lot of color on ones plate.

Diabetes and ADHD are both very prevalent in society and are simultaneously intertwined.

However there is very little research about the correlation between diabetes and ADHD. More over, the connection between the two doesn’t mean that they cause one another.

For more information go to http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/diabetes-statistics/

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How diabetics’ technology could be their lifeline

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By Adam Claitt

In this generation, many citizens say that they “cannot live without” present day technology such as smartphones or laptops.

But rather than being a mere exaggeration, what if someone was actually incapable of living without technology?

“The machine is my new kidney,” said Marilyn Fisher, a wheelchair-bound diabetic featured in the documentary “Diabetes: Trapped in the Epidemic.”

Fisher, who goes to the dialysis four days a week, four hours at a time, has Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma and kidney renal failure.

In some cases of diabetics like Fisher, the inability to live without technology is no exaggeration. Without the dialysis machine, Fisher would die. Others are tied to devices such as insulin pumps or blood and heart rate monitors, which they depend on for their lives. But not all diabetics have to rely on medical technologies like dialysis machines to survive.

According to Diabetes Self-Management Magazine, in most cases diabetes can be controlled, or even reversed, by maintaining a healthy balance of exercise, dieting and occasional doses of insulin. Taking a simple one-hour walk or jog per day helps to relieve stress and balance blood pressure as well as to maintain good cardiovascular health.

However, there are other situations where diabetes reaches such a severity, or has acted as a gateway for numerous other health issues, that other forms of technology become necessary.

While healthy eating and exercise contribute to a diabetic’s independence from technology, there are certain devices that are still highly recommended and even essential for all those diagnosed with diabetes. A popular device used among diabetics would be an insulin pump, which automatically delivers doses of insulin into the body throughout the day as opposed to past methods that required numerous manual injections.

Picture provided by: http://pumpzzz.com/

Picture provided by: http://pumpzzz.com/

A blood glucose monitoring system is a mandatory device. According to Melvena Wilson, director at the Center for Advocacy and Research on Health Quality, a diabetic’s pancreas produces little-to-no insulin, which regulates the body’s levels of glucose. Without the body’s natural ability to regulate blood glucose levels, a diabetic must do so manually. A blood glucose monitoring system gives the patient both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings. This device can be essential for diabetics who must manually control the levels of glucose in their blood.

Picture provided by: http://www.healthmadeeasy.com/

Picture provided by: http://www.healthmadeeasy.com/

There are many other devices that are essential to the health and well being of a diabetic, and an understanding of such technology is just as necessary. According to the Science in Society Initiative, without the aid of technology, there would be many diabetics whose lives could be in jeopardy.

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Stress busting

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By Torri Hart

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes management can be quite challenging, especially when first diagnosed. In most cases, diabetics must check their sugar levels multiple times a day, pay close attention to their carbohydrate intake and implement physical activity into their daily lives.

The challenges they face could cause additional physical and mental stress, which puts them in danger for greater health complications.

Divorce, family issues or even being laid off from a job all exemplify emotional stress. Some people “stressing out” have no appetite, and others begin to overeat, which leads to unhealthy blood sugar levels. In addition, the ADA reports that diabetes-related stress leads to negative emotions, impaired decision-making, increased blood glucose levels and poor eating. However, there are multiple ways diabetes-related stress can be handled.

“Stress-Free Diabetes: Your Guide to Health and Happiness,” by written by Joseph Napora, is a survival guide for people battling with diabetes and the pressures of everyday life. As a tip for stress management, Napora recommends that people write a “contract” of their goals: Try skipping dessert and going for a fruit or walking instead of driving when possible. “A lot of times when I feel stressed, I lie down and take a nap,” said Ann Crawford, 72, who has lived with Type 2 diabetes for two decades. “Drinking a glass of cold water also helps me to relax.”

“Stress busting” is important if one desires to execute a healthy lifestyle while living with diabetes.  According to Napora, mindless thinking and poor planning, in terms of diet and exercise, normally causes stress. With a more mindful approach to the daily challenges people may encounter, it could help them develop a healthier stress-free lifestyle.

Photo taken from http://www.janekdickinson.com/

Click here for more information on diabetes related stress.

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The affects of childhood obesity on adolescents

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By Mikayla Murray

With childhood obesity on the rise research has noted there may be serious complications for adolescents. One of these complications is Type 2 diabetes, a disease that is affecting more and more young people every year.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, obese adolescents are at a higher risk for development of diabetes and many are not aware that there are long-term health effects related to childhood obesity. Children and adolescents who are obese are also more likely to be obese as adults.

The Bogalusa Heart Study found that 70 percent of obese youth had a minimum of one risk factor for heart disease.

In addition, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that children and adolescents that are obese also are more at risk for adult health problems such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, and osteoarthritis.

Having a poor diet and inactivity are top contributors to obesity and Type 2 diabetes among young people. Moderating unhealthy drinks and food and incorporating daily physical activity are  essential actions that must be taken to ward off the continued increase in childhood obesity and to prevent future illnesses.

The Independence Blue Cross Pediatric Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Kit recommends the followings tips to help young people start living healthier lives now:

  • Eat balanced meals and five servings of fruits and vegetables daily.
  • Limit computer and TV screen  time to two hours or less a day.
  • Ensure at least one hour of physical activity daily.
  • Cut down on sweet drinks.

Medical professionals recommend that children eat more fruits and vegetables to help decrease obesity and the risks of developing long-term diseases. Photo by Mikayla Murray

Medical professionals recommend that children eat more fruits and vegetables to help decrease obesity and the risks of developing long-term diseases.
Photo by Mikayla Murray
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How to live with a diabetic child

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By  Antonio Johnson

According to the American Diabetes Association, about one in every 400 children and adolescents has diabetes. About 215,000 of all people under the age of 20 have diabetes. Most children with diabetes need insulin treatment, as well as good glucose control and avoidance of hypos. This is because many of the complications of diabetes increase with the length of time diabetes has been present.

Being diagnosed with diabetes can be a traumatic moment, and coming to terms with it can be a long process, but it doesn’t have to be. It’s important for the child to have a healthy, balanced diet that is high in fiber and carbohydrates. Parents often struggle with maintaining healthy living habits for children with diabetes. However, if they consider eating the following foods, they can live a healthy life:

1. Organic apples

2. Carrots

3. Celery

4. Granola bars

5. Yogurt

When a child is diagnosed with diabetes, the whole family is affected. Every child is different and will handle the diagnosis differently. It’s more important to talk with one another, even when it hurts. Whether you’re a parent, sibling or other family member, your support and understanding can make all the difference.

 Photo by flfamily.org

For more information, go to http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/diabeteschildren.htm.

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How diabetes could affect your smile

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By Adrienne Harmon

Photo taken from madamenoire.com

At first glance, diabetes and dental health seem to have no connection. But, according to health care professional Dr. Melvena Wilson, diabetes can affect almost every body part if left unmanaged.

According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 26 million people with diabetes may also suffer from a form of gum disease or other oral complications.

Uncontrolled diabetes makes it difficult to heal wounds and defend against bacterial infections. Damaged tissue at the roof of the mouth, caused by hot coffee, for example, would usually heal within a couple of days. But for a person with diabetes, it could take longer to heal and cause unforeseen complications.

If not taken care of, diabetes can complicate simple mouth wounds, especially if dental hygiene is not taken seriously. Gingivitis and other dental problems can also arise for people who have ignored their diagnoses for at least 5-7 years. Periodontitis can develop, and gums could start to rot.

According to Wilson, when someone has a tooth pulled at the dentist, it leaves a hole in his or her gums where the tooth used to be, and the gums needs time to heal. The process might take longer, if it heals at all, for patients with unmanaged diabetes.

“Just like you can lose the feeling in your fingers, diabetes, particularly uncontrolled high glucose blood sugar, can cause you to lose your teeth,” Wilson said.

Florida A&M student Gabriel Williams, 24, said he takes his dental health seriously “because you only get one set of teeth for your whole life, so you have to take care of them.”

Although he is adamant about his dental health, he said he doesn’t know how diabetes could affect dental health.

Like Williams, many people don’t see the connection, whether they have diabetes or not. Nevertheless, for diabetics who control their diet and blood glucose levels, there is no reason to stop smiling. With the proper hygienics, their smiles can be as healthy as anyone’s.

To learn more about how diabetes could cause dental diseases, click here.

To learn about serious dental diseases, click here.