by admin | Jun 25, 2018 | Health Awareness
Sugar is a simple carbohydrate the body processes and uses for energy. It is found in its natural form as fructose in fruit and as lactose in dairy products. Yet, chemically-produced sugar is also added to certain processed foods to produce a different flavor. The way our bodies metabolizes sugar depends on the type and the amount we consume.
Controlling the intake of all forms of sugar is critically important for individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes, as having any form of the disease means you have too much glucose in your blood. Failure to control blood sugar could lead to complications like eye damage, foot damage, and skin conditions in diabetes sufferers. Worse yet, some complications, such as cardiovascular disease, could even be life-threatening.
An estimated 9% of the U.S. population has diabetes and must therefore actively control their sugar intake. Yet, here’s a staggering fact to consider: more than a third of U.S. adults aged 18 or older have prediabetes, which suggests our ability to limit sugar intake – especially the type found in processed food – must improve.
Beyond Diabetes
The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing dramatically, but there are also other reasons for populations as a whole to begin watching their sugar intake. Excess sugar is linked to fatty liver disease, heart disease, and high cholesterol. It can also have deadly consequences: research shows individuals who consumed 25% or more of their daily calories as sugar were more than two times as likely to die from heart disease than those whose diets had less than 10% added sugar.
Added sugars have no nutritional value; yet, they make up at least 10% of the calories average U.S. individuals consume daily. In fact, the average person consumes more than 126 grams of the sweet stuff each day, which is more than twice the daily recommendation of 50 grams set forth by the World Health Organization. Thus, in order to avoid the scary health risks discussed above, it’s critical for the majority of the population to start slashing sugar levels.
How to Reduce Sugar Intake
One barrier to controlling sugar intake is the fact that the habit is particularly hard to kick. Once we begin consuming sugar regularly, we are hardwired to continue craving it. While it might not have addictive properties per se, research shows that consuming sugar releases dopamine and impacts the same region of the brain as cocaine and heroin.
Luckily, there are effective ways to slowly reduce your sugar intake. For many individuals, sodas are the primary source of added sugars. Switching to seltzer water with fresh fruit can aid in significantly lowering processed sugar intake. For others, processed foods are the worst offenders. Be wary of low-fat processed foods, which often contain added sugars to improve flavor. Regularly choosing fruit when you’re craving something sweet can help provide your body with nutrients instead of empty calories, and may help you avoid the potentially serious effects of sugar over a long-term basis.
by admin | Jun 22, 2018 | Health Awareness
The father of modern medicine, Hippocrates, once said that all disease begins in the gut. Though his belief was born more than 2,000 years ago, many scientists support his theory to this day. In fact, researchers are still uncovering new links between intestinal health and certain types of diseases. While it’s true that not all afflictions originate in the GI tract, most health experts now agree that a leaky gut could be responsible for many types of chronic conditions. Let’s take a closer look at what that means.
The Importance of Gut Health
The human intestinal tract is home to as many as 500 unique species of bacteria. Many of these are considered “good” bacteria: they aid in digestion, process nutrients, and help your body fight off bacteria. Maintaining harmony among these bacteria is therefore critically important to a person’s overall wellness. When the balance is altered, it causes a condition called dysbiosis.
The condition can be as mild as an upset stomach which corrects itself, but in its more advanced form, it can produce chronic symptoms such as constipation, nausea, diarrhea, and fatigue. Overgrowth of a single bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus, can cause conditions such as staph infections. This bacterial imbalance may also lead to leaky gut syndrome.
The Role of Gut Lining
When the ratio of good-to-bad gut bacteria is off-kilter, unwanted bacteria called endotoxins may leak through the intestinal lining and make their way into the bloodstream. The immune system registers the bacteria as foreign bodies and attacks them, causing chronic inflammation. It is suspected that this ongoing inflammatory reaction caused by intestinal permeability could be linked to serious illnesses, including fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes. Leaky gut is also suspected to be related to chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis, as well as allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, and gastric ulcers.
How to Promote a Healthier Gut
Unfortunately, achieving a balanced intestinal microbiome isn’t always as simple as maintaining a healthy diet. While limiting the intake of processed foods and alcohol could help (and delivers additional health benefits anyhow), there are other factors at play. Everything from the compounds in our tap water to antibiotics alters our gut bacteria, so many people need a more powerful solution for effectively restoring healthy gut flora.
If you suffer from symptoms suggestive of dysbiosis, including diarrhea, bloating, reflux, constipation, or other forms of stomach irritation, it’s a good idea to seek help from a functional medicine doctor. Professionals can assess your symptoms and may order a diagnostic test such as a hydrogen breath test, comprehensive digestive stool analysis, or organic acids test to check for bacterial imbalances.
In the meantime, there are solutions available for stimulating the development of healthy gut bacteria, such as taking probiotics and using bovine colostrum. Rich in gut-healing immunoglobulins, these solutions are simply mixed with water and consumed twice daily on an empty stomach. After continued use, colostrum has been proven to modulate immune function and fight off infectious processes.
by admin | Jun 15, 2018 | Health Awareness, Osteoarthritis
When Osteoarthritis (OA) sufferers experience stiffness and discomfort in their joints, exercise may be the last thing on their minds. In fact, OA is the leading cause for disability in older adults. Yet, there is compelling evidence that regular exercise can actually help patients manage the pain associated with the disease. One reason is that it helps aid in weight management, which is crucial to minimizing joint strain. Additionally, exercise can reduce OA symptoms, improve functionality, and preserve range of motion.
With that said, exercising to manage OA without causing further discomfort proves to be challenging. For many patients, the solution lies in selecting low-impact exercises that won’t overwhelm joints and cartilage which have already been compromised. Here are some of the best types of physical activity you can incorporate into your care regimen for effective pain management:
Walking
One of the healthiest exercises of all, walking requires no equipment and can be done either indoors on a treadmill or outside. For minimized impact, take shorter strides and hold a pace at which you can maintain a conversation comfortably. If you have been sedentary for some time, build up the lengths of your walks in five-minute increments. The Arthritis Foundation recommends performing moderate-intensity aerobic exercise for 150 minutes weekly (30 minutes of exercise, 5 days a week).
Swimming
If you’re seeking a full-body cardio workout to really get your heart pumping without straining joints, there’s no better exercise than swimming. Beyond doing laps, aquatic exercises in general are beneficial because the buoyancy of the water offsets the weight placed on the joints. Consider taking a pool aerobics class led by an instructor, or head to your local gym to try some solo activities like water walking.
Range of Motion Exercises
Slow, steady range of motion exercises are excellent ways to promote flexibility. When combined with cardiovascular exercises, these exercises can also strengthen muscles and connective tissue. Wall squats, knee extensions, and leg lifts are just a few ways to keep the lower body limber. For the upper body, consider arm circles and overhead reaches to stay flexible throughout the shoulders and back.
Stretching or Yoga
Stretching can help to alleviate pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility and lowering stress. Follow-along yoga videos and classes are ideal because they offer guided routines so participants can ensure they’re completing the stretches correctly. Poses can be modified to accommodate varying degrees of ability, and practicing certain routines regularly can even help to reduce inflammation across all skill levels.
Cycling
Like swimming, cycling is a low-impact aerobic exercise which can aid in weight management. Indoor stationary cycling is one popular way to maintain fitness year-round, while outdoor cycling on flat terrain may also be a good option for OA sufferers.
While exercise has its advantages for OA patients, it’s important to take note of any discomfort you experience during or after an activity. If you notice increasing pain, stop and talk to your doctor. Medical experts can recommend a routine tailored to your needs, which may include exercises performed under the supervision of a physical therapist.
by admin | Jun 13, 2018 | Diabetes, Health Awareness
Diabetes patients know that maintaining regular visits with their primary care physician is essential to effectively managing their condition and its symptoms. Yet, it’s also critical to make sure other aspects of their health are well-maintained, too. In order to take an all-encompassing approach to health management, individuals with diabetes should also follow a regular schedule of eye and dental exams as recommended by their optometrist and dental care team. Discover why these two facets of health are so important for diabetes patients in particular here.
Eye Exams for People with Diabetes
If you’ve never had an eyesight issues, you may wonder why your primary doctor would recommend having an eye exam following a diabetes diagnosis. The reason for this is because certain conditions in the eye, including glaucoma and cataracts, are more common in diabetes patients. While they are commonly treatable when caught in their early stages, when left unaddressed, they could lead to vision loss.
Additionally, individuals with diabetes may be at risk of developing a condition called diabetic retinopathy. When too much sugar is found in the blood supply, it can impact the blood flow to the retina. In its earliest stages, symptoms may be undetectable, but over time the condition may cause blurred vision, floaters, difficulty focusing, or other vision changes. Luckily, this and other conditions can be detected in tests performed during diabetic eye exams.
Any time you notice changes in your vision, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with an eye care professional. As with many other health conditions, treatments are often most effective when administered in the earliest phases of eye-related issues. It is advisable for individuals with diabetes to receive eye exams performed by specialists at least once every one to two years, depending on their doctor’s recommendation.
Dental Exams for Diabetes Patients
According to research, there has been a recent decline in dental visits in adult patients with diabetes. This is a problem because dental wellness and diabetes are interdependent on one another: for instance, people with diabetes have higher odds of developing periodontal disease, and periodontal disease can worsen diabetes by impacting blood glucose levels.
As with eye exams, dental checkups are useful for early detection of potentially serious issues. Periodontal disease, also called periodontitis, is an aggressive form of untreated gum disease which causes pockets to form between the teeth and the soft tissue of the mouth. Within these pockets, infections can develop, which may eventually lead to bone loss. Thus, not only can periodontitis worsen diabetes symptoms, but it can eventually lead to widespread health issues.
The good news is that the dental conditions to which diabetes patients are more prone, including all forms of gum disease, are easily detected by dental care professionals. Therefore, while a preventive dental care regimen is important for all individuals, it is especially critical for anyone with diabetes.
Diabetes is a condition with symptoms that are not isolated to one part of the body, so it’s important to take as broad an approach to wellness as possible. By going for regular eye and dental checkups in addition to receiving treatment from your diabetic care team, you can manage your symptoms more proactively and enjoy a better quality of life.
by admin | Jun 12, 2018 | Diabetes, Health Awareness
For individuals with chronic conditions such as diabetes and autoimmune disorders, finding effective ways to manage symptoms is critical. While there are many medical treatments available to treat these illnesses, making dietary changes may also yield positive results in some patients. One such dietary change to consider is swapping out regular cow’s milk for camel’s milk.
Camel’s Milk for Diabetes
People with diabetes must be mindful of their dietary choices so as to manage blood sugar levels. While milk is a staple item in many individuals’ diets, it is notoriously high in fat and can cause blood sugar to rise. Camel milk, on the other hand, doesn’t cause a spike in blood sugar, and could in fact help reduce the amount of insulin needed to control diabetes because it is a rich, natural source of the hormone.
According to a recently published study, the milk has been shown to be a suitable hypoglycemic agent in patients with diabetes. Further research shows camel milk is beneficial for people with diabetes, and consuming it resulted in improved blood sugar levels and a 30% reduction in required doses of insulin among the majority of study participants. Here’s another interesting find: areas where camel milk is consumed regularly experience lower rates of diabetes, suggesting that consuming it could even aid in prevention efforts.
Camel’s Milk for Autoimmune Conditions
Individuals with autoimmune conditions, which cause the immune system to attack healthy cells, might also benefit from incorporating the beverage into their diets. Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis are just a few examples of these types of conditions.
Camel’s milk has a high concentration of immunoglobulins, which help to boost the body’s immune system. Though similar to the immunoglobulins in humans, the ones found in the milk are smaller and are therefore absorbed more easily by the body. Since the immune system in individuals with an autoimmune disorder is compromised, consuming these immunoglobulins may aid in alleviating the severity of their conditions. Some researchers even attribute these unique properties to reversing allergies because of their immune-boosting benefits. While the verdict is still out on whether its powers can alleviate allergies for good, at the very least, camel’s milk is a suitable dairy alternative for those who are allergic to cow’s milk.
Where Can You Purchase Camel’s Milk?
If you’re interested in finding out whether camel’s milk could provide health benefits for you or a family member, you unfortunately won’t be able to find it in most grocery stores just yet. While some health food retailers (such as Whole Foods) do carry it, for now, it seems the simplest way to purchase the drink is online, but always be sure to research online retailers before making a purchase.
by admin | Jun 5, 2018 | Health Awareness
Most of us have heard about the importance of staying hydrated more times than we can count. With water playing a major role in the functionality of every major system in our bodies, replenishing our stores of H2O is indeed critical to maintaining overall wellness. Yet, for individuals with neurological disorders, water intake becomes even more essential to promoting health. Here, we explore the importance of hydration for managing these conditions.
The Link Between Brain Health & Hydration
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes neurological disorders as “diseases of the central and peripheral nervous system,” which includes nerves, muscles, and the spinal cord. Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, ALS, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are some examples of neurological conditions, but there are many others. As of 2016, WHO reported that hundreds of millions of people are affected by the conditions globally.
While maintaining optimal brain health is important for all individuals, it becomes even more of a priority for people living with neurological conditions. And, it turns out there’s a direct link between water consumption and brain functionality. A report in Neurology Solutions explains that water is the vessel through which nutrients are transported to cells, including brain cells. It also supports the efficiency of nervous system functionality and cerebral blood flow.
The problem lies in the fact that becoming dehydrated is all too easy in neurological disorder patients. The symptoms of dehydration can mimic those of conditions such as Parkinson’s. To complicate matters further, dehydration can “significantly worsen already compromised neurological function,” states Neurology Solutions. Moreover, one study published in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration analyzed hydration in ALS patients and found that water intake is an even more important predictor of survival than malnutrition. In other words, while a maintaining a healthy diet is also important for managing neurological conditions, hydration is paramount.
How to Stay Hydrated
By the time indications of dehydration present themselves, the body’s water stores are already depleted. Although it’s critical to watch for and act on signs of dehydration such as dizziness, headaches, muscle cramps, fatigue, weakness, and dark urine. Best practice is to remain hydrated to avoid any of these signs of dehydration.
Harvard Health recommends adults consume 30 to 50 ounces of water per day, but recommended intake may vary by age, condition, and other specific factors. Thus, it’s a good idea to consult your physician for a more precise recommendation.
One key to staying hydrated is spreading your water intake throughout the day. Some individuals set timers to remind themselves to drink small amounts of water, while others line up cups each morning. If you prefer flavored beverages, consider adding slices of citrus fruits to your glass of water. For individuals who have trouble swallowing, drinking through a straw can aid in taking smaller sips. Finally, don’t overlook the ways in which your diet can contribute to water intake. A portion of your daily water consumption can also come from watermelon, spinach, cabbage, cucumber, celery, tomato, and other foods with high water content.
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