Type 2 diabetes news and views
More than half of folks with Type 2 diabetes say they're obsessively worried about developing diabetes-related complications, according to an International Diabetes Foundation survey. Well, two new studies may offer you an incentive to take optimal care of yourself and your diabetes and avoid the risk of heart, liver, kidney and brain complications that come along with the lack of blood sugar control.
Want to avoid a heart attack, stroke and A-fib? A study in The New England Journal of Medicine reveals that intensive control of blood pressure in folks with Type 2 diabetes -- that is achieving and maintaining a systolic blood pressure (the top number) below 120 mg/Hg, as opposed to the recommended 140 mg/Hg -- does the trick very effectively.
You also can live longer on a healthy plant-based diet -- emphasis on healthy. A study presented at a meeting of the American College of Cardiology shows that folks with heart woes (that's most people with Type 2 diabetes) who reduce their animal protein intake and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes and drink tea and coffee, reduce their risk of premature death as well as heart disease and cancer by 7% to 24%. Eat an unhealthy plant-based diet? You up your risk for early death by 28% to 36%. So, choose wisely!
To help you do that -- and control your blood pressure -- make the switch to a plant-based diet. Discover how to do that with my books "What to Eat When" and "This Is Your Do-Over." You can take charge of your tomorrows today!
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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