Issue Date: April 3, 2005
Diabetes tricks
Just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon a day could lower your blood sugar.
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No magic bullet can stop our epidemic of type 2 diabetes, but certain supplements may help cut risk and alleviate symptoms:
Chromium picolinate. Taking 200 to 1,000 micrograms daily can lower blood glucose, improve insulin function and lessen diabetic symptoms such as thirst and fatigue, says expert Richard Anderson, Ph.D., of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In recent Israeli research, taking 200mcg twice a day for three weeks reduced diabetics' blood glucose by 26% and cholesterol by 9%. Anderson advises all adults to take 200mcg chromium picolinate daily to help prevent diabetes. New studies have put old safety questions to rest.
Cinnamon. The spice boosts insulin's efficiency in processing sugar, Anderson says. In one test, diabetics who ate 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day for 40 days reduced their fasting blood sugar 18% to 29%, triglycerides 23% to 30% and cholesterol 12% to 26%. Sprinkle cinnamon on foods such as cereal or fruit, or take it in capsules, Anderson says.
Alpha-lipoic acid. This potent antioxidant can improve blood sugar and help prevent and treat diabetic complications such as cataracts and neuropathy, says Lester Packer, Ph.D., of the University of Southern California. In German research, 600 milligrams daily significantly increased insulin sensitivity and lowered blood sugar in type 2 diabetics after four weeks.
Salacia oblonga. This herb, used in India to treat diabetes and sold on the Internet, lowered insulin 29% and blood glucose 23% in healthy adults, reports Steve Hertzler, Ph.D., of Ohio State University. But don't try it without telling your doctor, he says. Effective daily doses range from 100mg to 1,000mg, with gastrointestinal distress occurring at higher levels.
Jean Carper's latest cookbook is EatSmart. Contact her at stopagingnow.com.
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Avoid basement floods this spring
Now that spring's in the air, our thoughts turn to flowers and baseball. But most of the country had better be thinking about rain showers and flooded basements. Most insurance companies now limit coverage for flooding, so make sure your main sump pump (if you don't have one, get one!) is working. Also, consider installing a backup sump pump. If the power fails, your main pump won't work. There are many battery models on the market; just be certain you install one that pumps at least 1,500 to 2,200 gallons an hour. Otherwise, your backup pump could leave you as flooded as the lost continent of Atlantis.
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Middle-aged? Activity can lengthen your life.
A solid reason to get moving: A recent study shows that if you're active, even just a little, you're at least 35% less likely to die early.
"Middle-aged people all benefit from regular activity. However, the majority of deaths that could be prevented by physical activity are in the highest-risk groups [for cardiovascular disease]," says Caroline Richardson, M.D., lead author of the University of Michigan study. "Unfortunately, they are often most afraid to start exercising." Those high-risk groups -- people with a history of diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, heart attack, chest pain or stroke -- reduced their rate of early death by 45% with moderate exercise.
The U.S. surgeon general's office recommends exercising at least 30 minutes all or most days of the week. Even activities such as walking, dancing or gardening will cut your risk of early death. So don't put it off. Talk to your doctor and get moving.
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Make airport security a snap
It's easier to know what to expect now that historical wait times at major airport security checkpoints for each hour of the day are posted on the Transportation Security Administration's Web site (www.tsa.gov).
Use these TSA tips to speed things along:
Divest yourself of keys, cellphone, loose change and jewelry long before you get in line -- put them in your carry-on. And just before passing through the magnometer, take your shoes off. The reason? If you trigger the alarm, you're automatically required to undergo a secondary screening, which can mean the difference between making and missing your flight.
If you're carrying a laptop, tape on a business or ID card, preferably one with a cellphone number. If your computer gets lost in the shuffle, TSA personnel can sometimes get it back to you before you board.
Stow a photocopy of your driver's license or passport in your carry-on. Many people lose those documents as they pass through security.
Save the "humor" for later. Thanks to newly imposed fines, joking about a bomb or weapon can cost you $1,000 to $2,000.
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