Kids, slash diabetes risk by 64 percent

Writing in the journal Population Health Management,theinstitutefor Alternativefuturesestimates that the prevalence of diabetes will increase by 54 percent, to more than 54.9 million Americans between 2015 and 2030; and total annual medical and societal costs related to diabetes will increase 53 percent to more than $622 billion by 2030.

But, according to research published in Diabetes Care, you can help redefine that future.

If your kids are able to avoid becoming obese — about 17 percent of kids, 12.7 million, 2 to 19 are obese — or can reverse their obesity by age 25, they slash their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes when they hit middle age by an astounding 64 percent.

The tools to achieve this are in everyone’s grasp: regular physical activity; seven to nine servings of veggies daily and only 100 percent whole grains; and dodging red and processed meats.

Permanent munchies

We’re big fans of the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s Xtreme Eating Awards, which gives “prizes” (the Worst Visceral Effects) to the Xtreme Eating opportunities at chain restaurants.

In 2017, the prize went to this calorie-dense concoction: Chili’s Ultimate Smokehouse Combo, coming in at 2,440 calories, 41 grams of saturated fat and 7,610 milligrams of sodium.

If you chowed down on that, not only would you stoke the flames of inflammation, bewilder your guts and terrorize your heart’s blood-pumping chambers, you would damage your brain’s ability to let you know when you’re full.

Researchers presented evidence at the recent Canadian Neuroscience Meeting that showed that the brain’s natural endocannabinoid signaling process operates in a brain region involved in evaluating taste, touch and smell.

When that’s working as it should, you know when you’re done eating. But if you regularly pack in high carbohydrate, calorie-dense foods, your brain can be physically altered, and those cannabinoids make you always eager to eat! You’ll develop permanent munchies for calorie-dense foods. Yuck!

So, if you’re going for Xtreme health over Xtreme calories, you need to help your brain get straight! Stock up on calorie-light foods; try a second helping of steamed greens, with lemon garlic; 4 cups of raw spinach contains 28 calories! Stick with broiled salmon; 6 ounces equals 300 calories. That’s Xtremely smart!

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.