Healthy Living Blog

Obesity is an epidemic in the world today.  Diabetes is also on the rise.  Is there a correlation between the two?  The experts say that there is and that you need to know about it.

There are two types of diabetes:  Type 1 and Type 2.  Diabetes is a condition of the body where insulin production is affected in some way.  Insulin production may be non-existent or in limited quantities, or the body may be resistant to using the insulin that is produced.

Let’s go back a step.  Insulin is produced in the pancreas in response to blood sugar levels.  Insulin directs the sugar in the blood to different sites in the body where it is used for fuel.  Depending on the amount of sugar in the blood, more insulin is produced to deal with the issue.

Are Sports Drinks better than Water? One of the most important aspects of working out is making sure you are staying well-hydrated. The question is whether to choose a sports drink or water? The answer depends on such factors as the length, intensity and type of exercise while considering personal preferences.

Exercise raises the body temperature, which causes sweating and loss of water and salts. However, most people working out at a low to moderate intensity for sixty minutes or less are able to stick to water. It’s the perfect choice for rehydration. Not only is it calorie free but it also moves rapidly from the stomach through the body via the blood stream. For an added bonus, it costs much less than sports drinks as well.

Let’s take a look at both water and sports drinks to see the pros and cons of each. This will allow you to make a more informed decision as to which one you choose.

Living with diabetes can be a tough thing.  You have to monitor your blood sugar and be careful of your activities and what you eat.  But, those with diabetes still need physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Here are five ways that diabetics can get the exercise they need and stay safe.

Some diabetics can experience a drop in blood sugar from exercise.  If the activity is too vigorous it can cause problems.  The object here is managed activity in moderation.  If you are a diabetic who wants to lose weight, this can still be done without compromising your health.

Exercise is important for everyone.  The main object is to get moving.  Your level of fitness will be determined by your body.  Try for thirty minutes most days of the week. 

When we want to lose weight, we often try to reduce our intake of sugars. This is a sound approach, because sugar is high in calories and low in nutritional value. This change is not particularly difficult to make, because artificial sweeteners can give us the taste we desire without the calories. But are these sweeteners safe for our health?

According to multiple studies conducted over the past twenty years, the answer is a resounding "no." The artificial sweetener aspartame (also known as NutraSweet) have been linked to headaches, blindness, seizures, memory loss, depression, high blood pressure, metabolic disorders, and even cancer. In a study entitled "First Experimental Demonstration of the Multipotential Carcinogenic Effects of Aspartame Administered in the Feed to Sprague-Dawley Rats," it was found that "aspartame is a multipotential carcinogenic agent, even at a dose... much less than the current acceptable daily intake."

Other artificial sweeteners also pose serious health concerns. Saccharin (Sweet 'N Low) was once on the Food and Drug Administration's list of carcinogens. It has been removed, even though it was directly linked to bladder cancer in male rats. Ace-K (Sweet One) contains the known carcinogen methylene chloride, which can cause kidney and liver problems, nausea, depression and headaches.

What are Omega 3 fatty acids?  Commonly known as polyunsaturated fats, Omega 3 fatty acids are primarily found in fish and peanut oil.  

Since we know that saturated fats contribute to high cholesterol levels, it is the Omega 3 fatty acids that are most effective in lowering cholesterol, reducing inflammation, and helping to prevent those risk factors that are attributed to heart disease, cancer, and arthritis.  

What fish have the most Omega 3 fatty acid content?  They include tuna, salmon, halibut, mackerel, trout, herring, and sardines.  

Omega 3 fatty acids come in three types:  ALA or alpha-linolenic acid, EPA or eicosapentaenoic, and DHA or docosahexaenoic.  After ALA is consumed, it is changed to EPA and DHA.  These not only reduce the risk of the onset of factors attributed to the aforementioned diseases, but can also improve memory function.