You At Your Best

Special to NWa Democrat-Gazette Diabetes affects a stunning 10 percent of the overall population in United States. And recent research reveals that diabetes is now the third leading cause of death, not the seventh, as was previously thought. Perhaps the most concerning statistic is that one in four persons living with diabetes is unaware that they have the disease. Diabetes impacts children as well: the American Diabetes Association estimates that "one out of every three children born after 2000 in the United States will be directly affected by diabetes" at some time in their lives. The incidence of type 2 diabetes in this country has tripled in the last twenty years. The adoption of sugary diets and sedentary lifestyles has caused the disease to reach epidemic proportions. In the United States, around 15.5 million people suffer from severe obesity, according to the National Institutes of Health, and the numbers continue to increase. Obesity increases the risks of morbidity and mortality because of the diseases and conditions that are commonly associated with it, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, among other health risks. "The impact of obesity on diabetes cannot be overestimated," said Dr. Joshua Roller of Roller Weight Loss and Advanced Surgery. "In fact, it has been suggested that the increase in childhood obesity between the 1960s and the 2000s may have led to the increase in type 2 diabetes diagnoses in both children and adolescents. More than 20 million people in the U.S. currently have diabetes, and obesity has been found to lead to 95% of type 2 diabetes." Dr. Roller serves Medical Director for Bariatric Surgery at Northwest Health. In fact, according to a study provided by the American Diabetes Association, bariatric or weight loss surgery often results in major improvement or even complete remission of diabetes. On the positive side, this condition doesn't have to be a death sentence. It's almost always avoidable, and even reversible, with serious lifestyle changes. Early diagnosis and treatment is critical to preventing irreversible damage to your health and longevity, so awareness and access to care are the key areas of focus. Here are the top five ways to keep blood sugar at healthy levels, and to keep type 2 diabetes from impacting you and your loved ones: 1. Get more physical activity. You don't have to run marathons for physical activity to add years to your life. Just 30 minutes of intentional activity, at least five times per week, can make a huge difference for insulin resistance. A mix of aerobic, heart-pumping activity with some resistance training is the best plan. 2. Get plenty of fiber. Fiber has many benefits, including improving blood sugar management. Sources of fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts. 3. Choose whole grains. Make sure at least half of your grain intake is whole grains. Whole grains are prepared as close to the source from the Earth as possible. Look for labels that say "whole grains," and opt for organic when possible. 4. Lose a little weight. Losing even 5 or 10 pounds appears to have an impact on reducing blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Don't focus on huge goals – celebrate the small wins! 5. Skip the fad diets. Yo-yo dieting and fad diets are hard on the heart, the mind, and your organs. Just make good, whole food choices 80% of the time, and your body will work the way it was designed. If you have a family history of diabetes, you are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes yourself. Also, the condition is more common in African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders. Above- average body weight increases diabetes risk for people of all backgrounds. Only your doctor can tell for sure if you are diabetic or pre- diabetic. As part of your annual health physical, be sure to talk to your doctor about the results of your fasting blood sugar and A1C tests. If your numbers are heading in the wrong direction, you can act quickly to get back on the right track. Diabetes is a life-long health challenge requiring you and your family to take responsibility for maintaining good health. Whether diabetes affects an adult, child, or pregnant woman, Northwest Health is here to help patients effectively meet these challenges in the management of diabetes. Team members of our diabetes education program include Registered Nurses and Registered Dietitians who are certified in diabetes education. If you need assistance in diagnosing or managing your metabolic health, schedule an appointment today with a Northwest Health Physician by visiting NW-Physicians.com or calling (800) 734-2024. For more information regarding our diabetes education program, call (479) 757-3667. Spotlight on the dangers of diabetes Five actions you can take to keep blood sugar at healthy levels 4 | YOU AT YOUR BEST | nwAdg.cOm/YOUATYOURBEST nOvEmBER - diABETES | SATURdAY, OcTOBER 27, 2018

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