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NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH
Tuesday, November 15th, 2005 -- 11:40 am
Posted by Riley Hebert-News Director
 A glass of wine or a beer could help prevent diabetic complications, but exercise might be even better. Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Insulin is a hormone that is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.
Tuesday morning on Viewpoint, Dr. James Stanga and Charlene Arneson from the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville explained there are many risk factors associated with the development of Type 2 Diabetes, including: family history, poor diet, age and lack of exercise.
Arneson says more research indicates exercise is not only important for diabetics, but for those hoping to avoid the disease.
"I tell people it's a prescription. It's something you absolutely have to do," Arneson says. "It helps to bring down the sugar and the dose of medication you've been placed on."
There’s been plenty of research and discussion about alcohol and health. Dr. Stanga says excessive drinking is never advisable, but it appears “flavonoids” consumed through moderate wine or beer consumption could help the body produce more HDL or “good cholesterol”.
“That will increase the scavenging capacity of your natural occurring blood-type lipid to be able to scavenge free fatty acids and plaques,” Stanga explains. “This will actually decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke.”
Diabetics are especially susceptible to heart disease, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Studies show red wine is more beneficial than white wine, but the jury is still out on how beer compares to red wine.
People at risk for diabetes should consult with their physicians about blood sugar testing. You can get more information about diabetes by contacting the Memorial Medical Center in Neillsville at 743-3101.
American Diabetes Association
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