HEALTH COLUMN

1. GET OUT AND GET GOING- Exercise is very important for maintaining your weight.

2. INCREASE YOUR FIBER INTAKE- A study at the University of Texas South western Medical Center at Dallas Southwestern Medical School found that people who increase their fiber intake had dramatic improvements in blood –sugar levels.
Fast Tip-Try to get a total of 13 daily serving mixtures of vegetables, fruit, beans, brown rice, and whole grain pastas.

3. KEEP STRESS LEVELS LOW- Stress can be detrimental to your blood-sugar levels. So relax. Yoga and massage maybe helpful in lowering your stress levels.

4. TAKE A DAILY MULTIVITAMIN- Research has shown that of 130 people who took a multivitamin for 1 year, only 17% of type2 diabetics got the flu or an upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infection, compared with 93% who took a placebo.

5. TAKE CHROMIUM- An important trace mineral that helps cells break down sugar into energy for the body. This can help regulate blood sugar, fat, and carbohydrate metabolism.

6. DRINK GREEN OR BLACK TEA- powerful beverages the contain flavonoids that fight off inflammation. Chronic inflammation can increase the risk of heart attacks and threaten the body's ability to absorb blood sugar.

7. SIGN UP FOR MEDICAL TEST REMINDERS- In our busy schedules, it is easy to forget our testing scheduled. The College of American Pathologist have created a website that free to use, and your information is kept private. Here you will receive e-mail reminders for your diabetes test, cholesterol tests, and other health screenings. Visit www.myheatltestreminders.com to sign up.

8. RECRUIT A DIABETES CARE TEAM- your team players should consist of a primary care physician or an internist, a nutrition or dietitian, a trainer or exercise physiologist, certified diabetes educator (CDE).

9. MANAGE YOUR HEALTH TEAM- Make sure to have an initial consultation with your team to go over your health goals and to maximize your benefit.

CHECK LOCAL AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION (ADA)- Obtain as much information possible about the prevention and manage of this disease.

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