Diabetes and kids...

The incidence of type II diabetes in children has been growing in frequency the past two decades. There are many contributing factors which I'll address in a minute but I did want to address a recent study published in Circulation that highlight some of the harmful effects of type II diabetes in children.

In this study, researchers at the University of Cincinnati, looked at three groups of youth, one group was lean, the second group was obese and the final group was obese with type II diabetes (TIID). They found that the third group had the highest risk for cardiovascular disease and the greatest carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT see this link to the University of Chicago's explanation of cIMT). Basically, this is a measurement that determines the thickness of the arterial walls. This can be a diagnostic tool for determining the extent of plaque formation and your risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Thicker arterial walls would be indicative of an atherosclerotic situation.

Getting back to the study, these results mean that even at a young age, obesity and TIID may contribute to increase of CVD. Aghhhh! The last thing children need to worry about is CVD, particularly when there are preventative measures that one can take avoid obesity and TIID.

As a parent, I feel like I have a strong responsibility to set a good example for my children and teaching them what is a good health lifestyle, particularly when these lifestyles are in decline. Start by eating well (tell me if you've heard this before). Eat lots of vegetables and fruits (at least 5 servings per day). Eat foods that are high fiber. Avoid junk foods. In a recent study, published by a group from New Zealand, they found that supermarkets often discount foods that lack in nutritional value. While you may save pennies now, you may end up paying dollars in medical expenses down the road. Get out and exercise. Exercise will change your life - it simply affects every facet of health in a positive way. Start simple. You don't have to join a gym (you could if felt so inclined) but you can do simple things like walking to work, using the stairs, going for a stroll in the evening with your partner or family members. The important thing is that you start doing it! Limit your alcohol intake and STOP smoking! The benefits are too great to pass up and your children are too important to neglect!

Overeating...

I started reading this book over the weekend. I really dig the investigation into why we are overeating and the interplay between the mind and the body. Here is a brief bio of the author. If you like to read, check it out. It's worth the time and is shaping how I view food and the external stimuli that is associated with the food I eat.

Be active, get out and walk!

One fundamental core to Unicity's philosophy to optimal health is exercise. We all know the health benefits to our bodies as a result of good cardiovascular exercise. This was reinforced by a very recent study published online (meaning ahead of the print version) from the journal Circulation (h/t Science Daily).

In this study, the authors took a group of overweight cardiac rehabilitation patients and randomized them to two groups. One group was to burn (through exercise, namely walking) 3000-3500 calories per week, while the other group was to do the standard rehab exercise regime of 700-800 calories weekly.

"After five months, compared to the group doing traditional rehabilitation, patients in the high-calorie-burning group had:

• significantly greater improvement in 10 heart risk factors, including insulin sensitivity (a hallmark of the metabolic syndrome), total cholesterol and the total cholesterol/good cholesterol ratio, blood pressure, and cardio-respiratory fitness; and

• a greater average reduction in weight (18 vs. 8 pounds), body fat, (13 vs. 6 pounds) and waistlines (2.7 vs. 2 inches).

Researchers said all of these changes were statistically significant."

Here is a money quote from one of the authors of the study, “The higher-caloric exercise, consisting of almost daily long-distance walking, resulted in double the weight loss and a greater fat mass loss than standard cardiac rehabilitation exercise,” said Philip A. Ades, M.D., lead author of the study and professor of medicine and director of cardiac rehabilitation and prevention at the University of Vermont College of Medicine in Burlington. “And probably most importantly, these patients improved their insulin sensitivity to a greater degree.”

This study highlights the fact that you don't need to hire a personal trainer or get a subscription to the gym. You can simply walk and walk far to achieve positive results. With spring weather here and with summer just around the corner - now is a great time to get started. Pick someone to walk with you. Often you have greater motivation to exercise if you have a partner. Get out and get consistent and reap the benefits you deserve!

Risks and Benefits

The FDA recently issued a recall on the Hydroxycut products due to some adverse reactions, particularly liver damage. There are some that argue that is this recall the FDA is exhibiting some hypocrisy and bias towards dietary supplements. I don't want to enter this argument. I do think it is important to examine the risks and benefits of taking any supplement or medication. Just because a medication has FDA approval does not mean it is without risk.

For example, millions of people take statin medications to manage their lipid profile. Statins are not without side effects, some of which can be severe. ABC recently ran a blurb about another study on the negative side effects, namely loss of energy due to decreased CoQ10 production (see our previous post). You should know that there are safer alternatives to statins that don't have the same negative side effects. If you do choose to use a statin medication be sure to supplement with CoQ10.