Massage ~ Fitness
& Diabetes
Not only have high blood sugar levels been linked with nearly every disease such as diabetes and cancer, but they are also now recognized as the most significant component in the obesity puzzle.
A Calorie is Not a Calorie: The Hidden Harmful Effects of Sugar
Many believe that weight loss can be achieved through a simple equation of calories in versus calories out. However, recent research at Touro University California has challenged this notion, especially in relation to the intake of sugar. The study recruited African-American and Latino youth, who were at higher risk for diabetes and high blood pressure due to the metabolic syndrome. They followed 43 obese children aged between nine to eighteen, all of whom had at least one other chronic metabolic condition. These participants had their baseline levels of fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and blood pressure assessed before being fed a diet that limited their sugar intake while substituting the reduction with starch to maintain the same fat, protein, carbohydrate, and calorie levels as their previous home diets. While sugar was lessened, other carbohydrates were added to keep the same number of total and carbohydrate calories. This reduced their total dietary sugar from 28 percent to 10 percent and fructose from 12 percent to 4 percent of their total calories. To preclude any weight loss effects on the study, participants recorded how much they weighed daily, and more low-sugar food was incorporated into the diet to achieve stability if weight loss took place. In only nine days of the sugar-restricted diet, improvements were demonstrated in every aspect of the participants' metabolic health, without any change in weight. On average, people experienced decreased diastolic blood pressure by 5 mm, triglycerides by 33 points, LDL-cholesterol by ten points, and improved liver function tests. Fasting blood glucose decreased by 5 points, and insulin levels dropped by one-third. The research concludes that sugar is metabolically harmful, not because of its total calories, but because it contains sugar. Jean-Marc Schwarz, Ph.D., from the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Touro University California, stated, "I have never seen as significant or promptly seen results that are consistent in our human studies; after only nine days of fructose restriction, the results are dramatic and consistent from subject to subject" (Schwartz, 2015).
Did you know that exercise can help improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes? Physical activity helps the body use insulin more effectively, reducing the risk of high blood sugar levels. It can also promote weight loss, lower blood pressure, and improve overall cardiovascular health. So don't wait, get moving and start reaping the benefits of exercise today!
#ExerciseForDiabetes #HealthyHabits #BeatDiabetes
Take Control
Managing blood sugar levels and improving health requires controlling sugar intake, which is dependent on self-control. However, this can be challenging when dieting and keeping blood sugar levels low. To successfully change behavior, it is essential to have enough self-control to execute the change, especially in weight loss. In a study by the Miriam research team, individuals with more willpower or self-control lost more weight, exercised more, consumed fewer calories from fat, and had better attendance at weight loss group meetings. Developing self-control is similar to building muscle by exercising it through eating a low-fat diet, working out, and attending meetings even when one does not feel like it. The more self-control is exercised, the more it strengthens the self-control "muscle." Furthermore, inhibiting impulses, especially those that threaten weight loss goals, and surrounding oneself with people who exhibit good self-control may help improve self-control. Self-control is contagious, as watching or even thinking about someone with good self-control can prompt us to exert self-control. Procrastination and self-control both have a sticky nature. Procrastination depletes the executive functions that help overcome the impulse of putting things off. On the other hand, consistent performance of self-control acts, exposing ourselves to other people's self-control acts, and thinking and writing about self-control can strengthen our self-control muscle. Although overriding impulses is challenging, our self-control muscle can be strengthened like any other muscle, through consistent exercise and use.
Massage therapy has several potential benefits for people with diabetes, but one of the main benefits is improving circulation. Diabetes can lead to poor circulation, which can cause complications such as nerve damage, slow healing of wounds, and increased risk of infections. Massage can help increase blood flow to the affected areas, reducing the risk of complications and promoting healing. Additionally, massage can also help reduce stress, relieve pain, and improve sleep, all of which can have a positive impact on diabetes management.
A Swedish study3 found that light massage compared to relaxation exercises led to some significant changes in diabetes biomarkers; this was especially true for the women in the study. Some research supports the theory that massage therapy temporarily lowers BG, but the duration of effect has not been well established.4 Connective tissue massage on the lower leg was studied to see its effects on peripheral artery disease; it successfully improved local arterial pressure and oxygen saturation, and some effects lingered for several months, compared to the control group.
Did You Know?
The list of influential people with diabetes is long and varied. It includes Rania Al-Abdullah (Queen of Jordan), Anwar Sadat (President of Egypt), and Mike Huckabee (American politician). Johnny Cash had it, and as of this writing, B.B. King is still going strong with his diabetes. McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc had diabetes, along with actors Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, James Cagney, and Mary Tyler Moore. Writers Ernest Hemingway and H.G. Wells had this disease, and so did inventor and innovator Thomas Edison.
Michael Hale, Owner
Welcome to Genuine Massage & Fitness, where we are committed to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness. With a focus on massage therapy, fitness, and managing diabetes, our team of experts is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality care. We use a holistic approach to help you achieve your goals and create a healthier lifestyle. Whether you are looking to manage your diabetes or simply want to feel better and more energized, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your health and wellness goals.