Lions: Diabetes Awareness Day is November 14, 2020
Members of the Lions Club of Marlin are raising awareness for diabetes, a disease that affects 463 million people worldwide, by completing a variety of activities during November. As members of Lions Club International each Marlin Lion contributes to the goal of total 1000,000 total minutes by World Diabetes Day, November 14.
Lion Dr. Charlotte Langston (U.S. Veterans Administration physician, retired) and Lion Angela Cases, 1st Vice President District Governor are joint chairs of the Lions Club Diabetes Awareness Project and key speakers at the Lions Club meeting on Tuesday, October 27, 2020.
Dr. Langston pointed out changing one’s lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention. Diabetes prevention is as basic as eating more healthfully, becoming more physically active and losing a few extra pounds.
It's never too late to start. Consider these tips. Exercise can help one lose weight; lower one’s blood sugar; and boost one’s sensitivity to insulin — which helps keep blood sugar within a normal range. Getting plenty of fiber may help reduce risk of diabetes by improving blood sugar control; lower risk of heart disease; promote weight loss by helping one feel full. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains and nuts, Go for whole grains. Try to make at least half one’s grains whole grains. Lose extra weight. Skip fad diets and just make healthier choices.
When to see your doctor? The American Diabetes Association recommends blood glucose screening if an individual is age 45 or older. Also, an overweight adult of any age, with one or more additional risk factors for diabetes, such as a family history of diabetes, a personal history of prediabetes or an inactive lifestyle, should see a doctor.
When you consider that more than one in five of the people in the United States who has diabetes doesn’t even know they have it, it’s easy to understand why an awareness month is needed. According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), that’s 7.3 million, out of a total 34.2 million, who aren’t aware they’re living with the disease and all the health risks that poorly managed blood sugar can pose.
Diabetes doesn’t exist in a vacuum. The times we’re in affect how people are managing the disease and who is hardest hit by its complications. “Our country is still living through unimaginably tough times, and people living with diabetes continue to be severely impacted. Dr. Langston emphasized, “Understanding diabetes and how to manage it is more important than ever.”
To earn more about diabetes, consider visiting online: American Diabetes Association Guidelines 2020 pdf free.. One can also search for the best Diabetes magazines.
Lions in Marlin encourage residents of the community to share this information, go for walks, and eat for health.