INBALANCEWIRES
The average American consumes 17 teaspoons of sugar a day.
Diabetes: Too Much Sugar To Blame? Half of all adults in the U.S. have diabetes or prediabetes, according to the American Source: American Heart Association
Diabetes Association. Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of the disease. So, what causes this? Is eating too much sugar to blame? First, let’s look at how blood sugar levels can end up too high. During digestion, carbohydrates are broken down into glucose and released into your bloodstream. Glucose is a good news/bad news thing. Your body needs glucose as a source of energy, but too much glucose in the blood can be toxic. The pancreas produces insulin, which allows the glucose to enter the cells in the body. Diabetes impairs the cells’ ability to use insulin, and the glucose stays in the bloodstream instead. Sugar is one culprit in developing Type 2 diabetes, but consuming too many processed carbohydrates contributes to the disease as well. Other factors are excess weight, a sedentary lifestyle and certain medications. So how do you counteract the effects of sugar and carbs in the diet? Think plantbased and fiber, nutritionists say. A 2019 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that people who followed a predominantly plant-based diet with a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and legumes had a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. In addition, increasing your fiber intake will go a long way toward combating the onset of diabetes. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends 25 grams a day for women and 38 grams a day for men, up to the age of 50.
LONG NAPS COULD HARM YOUR HEART
Power n ap ping is said to increase brain function and lower blood pressure. But too much of a good thing could be bad for your heart, researchers said. Naps that last more than 60 minutes could increase a person’s risk of heart disease and early death, according to a study presented at the European Society of Cardiology’s annual meeting. The researchers found people who took naps were 30% more likely to experience early death than those who didn’t nap at all. They concluded that naps of any duration increased a person’s risk of death by 19%, and said it could be because those who napped used the daytime snooze as a replacement for a full night of sleep. Those whose naps extended past the 60-minute mark were also more likely to develop inflammation, high blood pressure and diabetes, the researchers found. DID YOU
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GET RID OF HICCUPS
Is there anything more annoying than hiccups? There are plenty of myths about what causes hiccups and how to get rid of them. So what really works? Here is what some medical experts had to say. Dr. Celine Thum of Paradocs Medical Services recommends taking 20 tiny sips of water in a row, as quickly as possible. This slows down the nerve impulses in the diaphragm and forces the body to calm down. Holding your breath may work the same way, by working on those same nerve impulses and stopping the hiccup reflex. Having someone surprise you can force you to take a deep breath and stop the hiccups in their tracks. Some other ways to get rid of those pesky hiccups include using ice. Gargle with ice water or swallow crushed ice. This stimulates the vagus nerve
QUOTABLE Research shows that probiotics improve gut health, and good gut health is linked to improved immunity. — Amanda A. Kostro Miller, registered dietitian
and stops hiccups. Or you can try preventing hiccups in the first place. Eat more slowly, and avoid carbonated drinks and spicy foods, and you may find hiccups are a thing of the past.
DON’T IGNORE COLON CANCER’S WARNING SIGNS
The recent death of actor Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer has raised awareness of one of the most lethal forms of cancer. More adults in their 20s and 30s are being diagnosed with colon cancer, according to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S. and the third leading cause of cancer deaths in Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2020, an estimated 104,610 The most comnew cases of colon cancer mon symptom and 43,340 cases of rectal to look out for is cancer are expected to be bleeding in the rectal area. That diagnosed, and an estimated bleeding can lead to 53,200 deaths from colorectal anemia, so if you’re cancer are expected to occur. anemic, colon canSOURCE: National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable cer could be the cause. Abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss also could point to colon cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends starting screening when you turn 45 if you’re at average risk for developing colon cancer. Earlier screening is recommended if you have a family history of the disease or other risk factors.
Enlisting the help of a partner helped people lose more weight than those who tried weight loss on their own. Source: European Society of Cardiology
InsuranceNewsNet Magazine » October 2020