Integrative Health Blog

Prediabetes, Protein Metabolism, and Healthy Aging Are Connected

Posted by on Wed, May 29, 2019

Prediabetes is a diagnosis given to the individuals whose blood sugar levels are higher than normal but have not fully met the diagnostic criteria for Diabetes Mellitus type 2 (DM type 2).  At this stage, the patient's fasting blood glucose level is still within normal limits.  Most of the patients with prediabetes are diagnosed by an elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), which is a simple blood test.

It is important to understand that prediabetes and most of the DM type 2 diagnoses are more than just a "sugar" problem.  What else is going on here?

Prediabetes raises a red flag for the abnormalities in human body metabolism and energy processing, which may involve the endocrine, neuro-endocrine system, cardiovascular system and digestive system alone or in combination.  As part of a holistic primary care approach, it is important to examine the additional factors that may be involved. Among different individuals, the leading cause may vary.  But the common theme in many of the cases has to do with aging and genetic-environmental interactions.

When we talk about aging, in addition to the common understanding of "wear and tear" on the body, there is a problem that has become noteworthy in recent years. Sometimes, what we see happening is:

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Tags: diabetes, pre-diabetes

Sugar: Hidden Ingredient and Healthy Alternatives

Posted by on Wed, Dec 28, 2016

Most of us know that eating too much sugar is bad for us. Sugar promotes acidity in the body which provides a breeding ground for illness and disease.

Rising rates of sugar consumption over decades has contributed to increasing rates of candida, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes, adrenal fatigue, metabolic imbalances, liver toxicity, cancer, vitamin and mineral deficiencies and a range of health conditions.

When your body craves sugar, it may signal a high level of candida, which provides an internal acidic, environment in which bacteria and fungus, and ultimately disease, grows.

Unfortunately, most people don’t know how to combat sugar cravings and don’t realize that many of the processed foods they consume every day disguise sugar on labels with names such as high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, maltose and dextrose. When you constantly feed your body sugar, which is acid-forming, your taste buds can become addicted to the taste and crave more sugar! On the other hand, as you feed your body alkaline-forming foods and beverages, your taste buds will crave less sugar and you will feel better.

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Tags: insulin resistance, diabetes, sugar

Diabetes Awareness: The Truth About Carbohydrates

Posted by on Tue, Nov 11, 2014

I have long been talking about pre-diabetes and Type II diabetes as conditions that we DO have control over. The foods that we choose to eat and our lifestyle choices are of paramount importance.

November has been designated as National Diabetes Awareness month.

Personal awareness has to be the starting point to turn the tide of this chronic disease. So what can you do to prevent or slow the progression of diabetes?

It’s all about the carbs!

Carbohydrates raise blood sugar and insulin levels. When a large part of the diet is made up of carbohydrates, insulin levels remain high throughout the day. Eventually, even though there is plenty of insulin in the bloodstream,  the body stops responding to it- creating insulin resistance- and body fat increases and insulin can no longer do it’s job of escorting sugar out of the blood and in to the cells for energy. Blood tests then reveal high blood sugar and a diagnosis of pre -diabetes or Type II diabetes is made.

All carbs get broken down in to sugar. Period. What’s important is whether or not that carbohydrate has fiber. Fiber slows down the absorption of sugar and that’s a good thing because it lessens the amount of insulin needed to remove the sugar from the blood. The goal is always to reduce the amount of insulin needed to get the job done and that happens when we eat foods that are low in carbohydrates.

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Tags: carbohydrates, weight loss, diabetes, pre-diabetes

Holistic Nutrition: The Thing About Fruit Is...

Posted by on Tue, Jun 24, 2014

Summer is here!

One of the biggest reasons I love summertime is the fruit!  Beautiful berries, watermelon, cherries, peaches, nectarines and plums - all make my mouth water. They also bring back memories of trips to the local farm when I was a kid to buy fresh produce, long before farmer’s markets were “en vogue”.

Now that I am older, I am also wiser when it comes to eating fruits.

As you know from reading my blogs, I am interested in helping people understand how blood sugar problems can lead to insulin resistance, pre-diabetes and Type II diabetes.

You’ve heard the phrase “work smarter, not harder”, right?

I want to remind you of a tip I have given you before to help you make smart decisions when it comes to enjoying all the beautiful and luscious fruits that are in season now.

Here is my healthy tip:

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Tags: holistic nutrition, diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood sugar

The Magnesium and Diabetes Connection

Posted by on Wed, May 14, 2014

Dr. Mercola posted an article, Low Magnesium May Play Key Role in Insulin Resistance and Diabetes about low magnesium and it’s role in insulin resistance and diabetes, two things that I have a great interest in and have posted  numerous blogs about.

He states that an estimated 80% of Americans are deficient in this important mineral!

There can be many reasons: nutrient depleted soil, nutrient deficient diets, intestinal problems, kidney problems, diabetes, age, certain medications.

My focus here will be on the relation to Type II diabetes. Dr. Mercola says “ the evidence is clear: if you want to optimize your metabolism and keep your risk for type 2 diabetes low, one of the things you need to do is consume adequate magnesium.”

How to Increase Your Magnesium Intake with Food

The easiest way to do that is to eat foods that are high in magnesium:

  • dark leafy green vegetables

  • sea vegetables like dulse,nori, wakame, kelp

  • unrefined sea salt

  • sunflower and pumpkin seeds

  • nut butters

  • almonds, cashews, brazil nuts

  • brewer’s yeast

  • wheat germ

  • cilantro, dandelion

  • unprocessed grains

In a recent 2013 study, according to Mercola, pre-diabetics with the highest magnesium intake, reduced their risk for blood sugar and metabolic problems by 71%!!

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Tags: insulin resistance, magnesium, diabetes, blood sugar

Prediabetes is a Slippery Slope

Posted by on Tue, Jan 28, 2014

I had a disturbing thought the other day while I was thinking about the slippery slope towards diabetes and it was this -- most people don’t even KNOW what their blood sugar is!

Can you be sure that you are not at risk for prediabetes without knowing your blood sugar level?

No, I don’t think you can.

Prediabetes May be the Start of Future Serious Health Problems

According to a recent article, nearly 80% of people with prediabetes thought that they were in great or very good health! That tells me that there is a lot of public education that needs to be done!! Prediabetes leads to full blown diabetes, which is associated with heart disease, heart attack, stroke, blindness and more. Click here to read the complete article - http://www.counselheal.com/articles/8420/20140125/people-with-prediabetes-think-they-are-healthy.htm

If you are overweight..... you need to know your blood sugar level.

If you don’t get much exercise.......you need to know your blood sugar level.

If you are on blood pressure medicine.......you need to know your blood sugar level.

If you have stubborn belly fat or metabolic syndrome…you need to know your blood sugar level.

If you are Native American, African American , Hispanic or Asian......you should know what your blood sugar level is.

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Tags: diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood sugar

Let's Prevent Diabetes Now!

Posted by on Mon, Sep 23, 2013

 
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Tags: insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood sugar

Diabetes and Prevention Seminar Oct. 5, 2013: Control Your Blood Sugar

Posted by on Mon, Sep 16, 2013

Take Control of Your Blood Sugar Now!

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Tags: insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood sugar

Easy 4th of July Picnic Dessert

Posted by on Tue, Jul 02, 2013

Anita Capizzi RN

Anita's Healthy Tips

Today, in honor of the most patriotic day of the year, July 4, I offer you a recipe for a nutritious and EASY dessert to accompany any picnic or barbecue!

 

Creme Filled Strawberries  -   read through recipe first!

1 carton strawberries

1 carton of organic heavy cream

blueberries

Wash and hull strawberries, cutting ends so that they sit flat on plate.

Make a batch home made whipped creme using organic heavy whipping cream.

If you have never done it before, it’s easy! It’s best to use a bowl that has been chilled in the freezer for 30 min or so. To the bowl, add 1 carton of organic heavy whipping cream and sweetener, if using. It’s perfectly fine without sweetener, though!

Using an electric beater, beat on high until soft peaks form, which should take only a few minutes.

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Tags: holistic nutrition, diabetes, pre-diabetes, blood sugar

Holistic Nutrition: When Fruit is Not a Healthy Choice

Posted by on Mon, Jun 17, 2013

Anita's Healthy Tips                       

 

Summer officially starts this week, on Friday, June 21. Most of us have air conditioning these days, but many of us can remember sleeping on sticky sheets with the fan in the window during the summer! Which never worked, by the way!! When it gets hot, who wants to be in the kitchen using the oven or the stove? Now is the time to try all those recipes that don’t require cooking!!

 

Salads of all types - green salads, fruit salads, raw kale salads, gazpacho soups, cold cucumber or melon soups, and caprese salad - taste wonderful and don't heat up the kitchen.

Know Your Fruits and Veggies: The "Dirty Dozen" and The "Clean 15"

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Tags: holistic nutrition, diabetes, pre-diabetes, integrative nutrition, sugar, pesticides