Its the World Health Day today, April 7th and the theme of this year’s World Health Day is “Halt the rise: defeat diabetes”. To mark the occasion, the World Health Organization has released its first ever global report on diabetes, which are quite frightening. According to WHO, 422 million people were affected in 2014. However, there are simple things one could do to lower becoming diabetic. INFORMATION NIGERIA has highlighted them in this piece including other health facts…
1. To lower the risk of diabetes: Stay active and walk 10,000 steps every day, avoid eating processed food, cut back on sugar simple carbs such as refined flour, maintain a healthy weight, lose belly fat, get six to seven hours of sleep daily and get blood sugar levels tested at the age of 30 if your immediate family (mother, father, brother or sister) have diabetes.
2. According to a survey published last year and based on life expectancy and health risk facts, the healthiest country in the world is Singapore, however, a survey three years earlier had rated Singapore the most unhealthy country in the world based on economic and ecological factors.
3. Excess meat consumption is bad for the planet, for our health, and for the well-being of animals.
4. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it feeds your body and mind with the necessary nutrients and energy to function throughout the day. Eating breakfast regularly will also help keep weight off because it gets your metabolism going.
5. According to the World Health Organisation, WHO the lives of many children’s lives who die could be saved if they had access to simple and affordable interventions such as exclusive breastfeeding, inexpensive vaccines and medication, clean water and sanitation. WHO is working with governments and partners worldwide to deliver integrated, effective care and strengthen health systems, both of which are crucial to saving children’s lives.
6. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the world. Around 3 in 10 deaths globally are caused by cardiovascular diseases – diseases of the heart and blood vessels that can cause heart attacks and stroke. At least 80% of premature deaths from cardiovascular diseases could be prevented through a healthy diet, regular physical activity and avoiding the use of tobacco.
7. Almost 10% of the world’s adult population has diabetes, measured by elevated fasting blood glucose (≥126 mg/dl). People with diabetes have increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Deaths due to diabetes have been increasing since the year 2000, reaching 1.5 million deaths in 2012.
8. Road traffic injuries are projected to rise as vehicle ownership increases due to economic growth in developing countries. Strong action to improve road-use policies and enforce road-safety laws is needed to avert this rise in injuries and deaths.
9. Eating sugar causes diabetes: You get diabetes when your body cannot produce enough insulin to control blood sugar levels. Staying inactive and being overweight as you grow older puts you at risk of getting diabetes.
10. Eating egg yolk leads to high cholesterol levels: It is true that egg yolks contain cholesterol, but they also provide your day’s requirement of selenium, folate and and Vitamin B12. So if your cholesterol levels are under control, eating egg yolks a few times a week is perfectly all right.
11. Drink water only if you are thirsty: Sipping water through the day is a better idea than waiting until you are thirsty.
12. With diabetes being the theme for World Health Day this year, eat food like Millets, which are very good source of protein, resistant starch, vitamins and minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus and potassium. They are rich in anti-oxidants too, Fish: They are a good source of omega-3 fatty acid which helps keep cholesterol and triglycerides in check. The omega-3 also helps the body fight against oxidative damage caused due to free radicals, Beans which are rich in fibre and protein, and also provide satiety and help control hunger pangs, Sweet potato: It is a good source of fibre. It also contains vitamin A and C which helps in enhancing the body’s immunity and reduce your sugar intake.
Don’t ignore your health, like they say early detection is key to survival, ensure to do regular medical check ups, exercise and eat right!!!
