Stay in Step with your Diabetes

More than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations occur among people with diabetes. Don't become one of them.

(NewsUSA) - Nearly 21 million people in the United States are afflicted with diabetes, which accounts for 7 percent of the population. The prevalence of the disease is even higher among African Americans. In fact, approximately 13 percent of African Americans aged 20 years or older have the disease. And while diabetes is a chronic disease that can be managed, people need to be more aware of the complications associated with it.

Diabetic complications can cause nerve and vascular damage, which can eventually lead to foot ulcers. If not treated in time, these ulcers can result in amputation. In fact, more than 60 percent of non-traumatic, lower-limb amputations in the United States occur among people with diabetes.

What can you do? The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) recommends regular visits to an APMA podiatric physician as part of a comprehensive foot care plan to help reduce your risk of amputation. Additionally, the APMA suggests following these simple tips at home.

* Check your feet every day

Especially if you have a loss of sensation, visually inspecting your feet daily will help you notice any cuts, sores, blisters or changes in the skin or toenails. You can use a hand mirror to help you check the bottoms of your feet. If you notice a change in your feet, see your podiatrist immediately.

* Clean your feet daily

Washing your feet will help avoid the build-up of bacteria. Be sure to wash in warm water, rather than hot. Completely dry your feet after washing, and pay special attention to drying between the toes.

* Keep skin healthy

By lightly applying lotion or moisturizer to your feet, you can help prevent dry, flaky or cracked skin. Use lotion on the tops and bottoms of your feet but never between the toes because excess moisture between the toes creates conditions favorable to forming an infection.

* Always wear shoes and socks

Soft, lightly padded socks will help you avoid blisters and sores. Socks with no seams are best. Also, examine the insides of your shoes to be sure there is nothing harmful that will injure your feet.

* Choose shoes that fit well and protect your feet

One of the best ways to avoid injuries to your feet is to wear sturdy and supportive shoes at all times.

For more information on diabetes and
your feet or to find an APMA podiatrist in your area, visit www.apma.org.

Walk Your Way to Better Health

Walking is a great way to burn calories and reduce the risk of certain chronic diseases.

(NewsUSA) - Want to get outdoors, improve your health and socialize with friends? It might be time to put on your walking shoes.

Regular physical activity may help control weight and lower the risk for certain diseases.

Some exercise is always better than none. If you're not used to exercise, walking is a great way to become more active. Walking requires a pair of sturdy walking shoes to get started, and proves a viable way to burn calories, build bone density, reduce the risk of chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and socialize with friends.

Not sure how to get started? Sisters Together: Move More, Eat Better, a national initiative of the Weight-control Information Network (WIN) designed to encourage Black women to exercise and eat healthier foods, offers the following tips to get moving:

* Make it fun. Find a partner. Your walking partner should be able to match your speed.

* Find proper footgear. Wear shoes with proper arch support, a firm heel and thick, flexible soles.

* Wear clothes that will keep you dry and comfortable. Look for synthetic fabrics that absorb sweat and remove it from your skin.

* Divide your walk into sections. Warm up by walking slowly for five minutes. Then, increase your speed and do a fast walk. Finally, cool down by walking slowly again for five minutes. Do light stretching after your warm-up and cool-down.

* Try to walk as often as possible. To avoid stiff or sore muscles and joints, start gradually. Over several weeks, begin walking faster, going farther, and walking for longer periods of time. Aim for 30 minutes of walking a day on most, if not all, days of the week.

* Set goals and rewards. A goal might be participating in a fun walk or walking continuously for 30 minutes. Reward yourself when you meet a goal, but not with high-calorie foods.

For more information and tips, visit the WIN site at www.win.niddk.nih.gov.

Four Ingredients to Maximize Weight-Loss Success

Exercise, along with key ingredients, can maximize weight-loss success.

(NewsUSA) - There is no single factor that causes weight gain, and there is no single secret to weight loss. Instead, the most successful weight-loss plans target multiple factors that may contribute to weight gain.

A weight-loss plan should include eating healthy, balanced meals and getting regular exercise, as well as regular supplements. The makers of Diet 360 tablets provide a multidimensional approach to weight loss through four key ingredients:

- Ashwagandha extract. An herb used in Ayurvedic medicine that can help regulate cortisol levels in the body. High levels of cortisol contribute to stress, which can contribute to weight gain.

- Fucoxanthin. An antioxidant derived from brown seaweed that may help to improve metabolism, which can help the body burn more calories.

- Blueberry leaf/bayberry bark extract. The combination of these two plant extracts has been associated with maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and promoting glucose metabolism.

- Slimpure. A trademarked green coffee extract that is designed to help increase lean muscle mass.

In addition, these ingredients can help promote weight loss by targeting many of the factors that contribute to weight gain. Some common factors that can contribute to weight gain include:

- Stress. Stress has been associated with binge eating, carbohydrate cravings and poor sleep, all of which can play a role in weight gain.

- Low energy. If your metabolism is slow, you may burn fewer calories, and you may be more susceptible to weight gain.

- Lack of lean muscle mass. A lower percentage of lean muscle mass can foster weight gain; increasing lean muscle mass can help with weight loss.

- Unhealthy blood sugar. Unhealthy blood sugar may be associated with weight gain by promoting the creation of new fat cells.

For more information about how to simplify your weight-loss plan, visit the Diet 360 Web site:www.thebetterhealthstore.com/diet360. To order Diet 360 quickly and easily, visit the Better Health Store: www.thebetterhealthstore.com.