IN YOUR DAILY DOSE: Diabetes takes a financial and physical toll on families, businesses and insurance companies. Long-term effects can devastate communities, and today research finds there may be more people than originally thought who suffer.

MAKING CHANGES: Diabetes exacts a significant toll on people, but you have the power to improve your condition and may even be able to get off your medication safely. Change may not be easy, but it is simple and effective.

FACT OR FICTION: You either love them or hate them. Cats are independent furry little creatures full of fun surprises.

In The News

A landmark paper led by Monash University in the U.K., in coordination with U.S. researchers, estimates that the number of people who suffer from diabetes is actually 25 percent higher than originally estimated.

Previous estimations were 450 million people but the actual number may be closer to 520 million people worldwide. The team argued that the organizations who gathers data about the number of people who have diabetes may have been using inappropriate methods and tests.

Professor Sir George Alberti, quoted in Science Daily, says:

"Accurate data on the burden of diabetes is required so that countries can identify current and future healthcare priorities to estimate direct and indirect economic and societal costs of the disease and to allocate appropriate healthcare resources and expenditures for healthcare delivery,"

SOURCE: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/07/160711121513.htm

Daily Health Tip

The diet people with diabetes must follow is the same nutritional plan that you and I should be eating every day. Your body can only withstand so much abuse and overuse of sugar and carbohydrates. These tax your pancreas and increase your risk of insulin resistance, also known as diabetes.

Making Changes

Simple changes you make may prevent diabetes, and may reduce your dependence on insulin.

1. Reduce your carbohydrate intake to 50 grams per day or lower. You might think it isn’t possible, but it is. You are eating in order to live - not living in order to eat.

2. Use a nutritional tracker to count your calories, carbs, fats, sugars and proteins.

3. Eat foods high in healthy fats, such as avocado, nuts, seeds and grass-fed, pastured meats and cheeses.

4. Replace the carbs you’re eating with healthy fats.

5. Drink enough water for your urine to be light yellow in color.

You may not think these simple strategies will work, but try them. You’ll feel full longer, be satisfied with the food you’re eating and will likely lose weight - as well as reduce your dependence on medication.

Daily Affirmation

My work responsibilities keep me on my toes because my employer sets targets. I use those targets to prioritize and give due attention to tasks.

Although the pressure is intense at times, I am able to feed off it. Having that adrenaline rush takes the worry and fear out of my mind. I keep my eyes on the finish line and my mind on the matter at hand.

Fact or Fiction?

Cats

You either love them or you hate them. Cats are independent, furry little creatures who entered our homes and lives, giving comfort and warmth in a very austere manner.

1. Cats are more popular pets than dogs. There are 88 million cats compared to 74 million dogs.

2. Cats ears can swivel in many directions. They have 32 muscles that control their ears, while you have just 6.

3. Cats have a deep need for rest and sleep, spending about 70 percent of their lives in slumber.

4. Owning a cat can reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke by about one third.

5. One study found that neutered male cats live approximately 62 percent longer than unneutered males.

Have a wonderful day!

Your Healthy Life America Team