Healthy Spell

Cholesterol plays a very valid major role in several functions of the body those roles are: Cholesterol forms and maintain cell membranes and their structure. Helps cells to adjust to changes of temperature. Assists in production of hormones like cortisol and sex hormones. Helps nerve cells for insulation. Changes itself to vitamin D when you are in the presence of sun. Helps your liver make acids that assist with the process of digestion I guess with these 6 good sides of cholesterol you were able to see the importance of cholesterol. What makes cholesterol bad? There are 2 types of cholesterol named LDL(low density lipoprotein) and HDL (High density lipoprotein). LDL is classified as bad cholesterol and HDL as the good one. LDL is the culprit here. LDL (bad cholesterol) contains less protein, making it light in weight. When it's oxidized, LDL tends to cause inflammation and forces lipids to cover the walls of vessels in the heart and whole body forming plagues that...

Artificial pancreas system is a device made for people living with diabetes. This device system helps keep glucose levels within an acceptable range. Automated insulin delivery (AID) is definitely not a cure for diabetes, at least not now. But it helps a lot to manage diabetes and makes diabetes patients lives easier. AID is made to act and do the job a pancreas has to do for Type 1 diabetes patients; with a condition where the body destroys the insulin- producing cells. An AID (Automated insulin delivery) comes in 3 parts: An insulin pump Algorithm CGM( Continuous glucose monitor) All of them together adjusts insulin delivery automatically. Technology and scientists has to be given the credit for this beautiful invention. According to NIDDK ,  the first experimental artificial pancreas was developed in  1964 . The device—about the size of a large backpack—measured blood glucose levels and delivered insulin intravenously and thus was not intended for everyday use in fre...

In our daily lives, there are some things we cannot control, but is there anything we can do about it? We can, yes. And it all starts with you being aware of what you eat and why you are eating it. Yes, I am aware that the adage "Eat nutritious food and you will live longer" has probably been said a million times by this point. Personally, I believe it is preferable to live a life-long effort at disease prevention than to live carelessly and endure pain and regret in the future. Welcome to Healthy Spell , where we talk Kidney disease , Heart diseases and Diabetes . These diseases invite each other like how Nephropathy is kidney disease caused by diabetes. So trust me when I say, when you try to prevent one of them, you might be saving yourself from all three of them. Your kidneys remove waste from your blood and excrete it in your urination. Toxins might accumulate when your kidneys aren't functioning properly. What are the early signs of kidney damage? So many pe...

For most kidney failure patients, there comes a point where the patient has to undergo through a treatment of dialysis which will be to keep their body fluids balanced and remove waste products and toxins from their body as the kidneys should. Dialysis is very helpful to people living with kidney failure, because it boosts the kidneys by draining out excess salt, sugar and toxins, as well as allowing the body to receive in more clean water and cleanse the system. As much as dialysis sounds like a life saver, it has its own risk factors for people living with other chronic diseases as well as risky for the elderly people. What are the risk factors of dialysis for the elderly? Frailty is one of the disadvantages of elderly people and having to go through the treatment of dialysis; making elderly patients on PD to have a significantly risk of mortality as compared to the non-elderly patients.  Though, elderly patients do have the right to refuse going through this treatment. Th...

Keeping your kidneys healthy involves making smart lifestyle choices and  avoiding habits  that could damage them.  Simple changes can  reduce the risk of kidney-related problems  and improve overall health. Here are some key habits to adopt for optimal kidney health: 1. Control Your Blood Sugar People with diabetes or high blood sugar are at risk of  kidney damage . When blood sugar isn’t properly regulated, the kidneys are forced to work harder, which can lead to  long-term harm .  By controlling your blood sugar levels, you can reduce your risk of kidney disease. Recommended:  Use a  Contour Next Blood Glucose Monitoring System  to track your blood sugar levels effectively. 2. Monitor Your Blood Pressure High blood pressure can significantly damage your kidneys. A normal reading is  120/80 , and anything above  140/90  may require lifestyle changes or medications.  Monitoring your blood pressure regularly and ...

What Damages the Kidneys? The kidneys are essential organs that  remove waste products and excess fluids  from the body through urine. They also play a crucial role in: Balancing body fluids Regulating blood pressure Producing vitamin D for strong bones Controlling red blood cell production Removing excess salt and sugar from the bloodstream Isn't it amazing what our kidneys do for us? The best way to take care of them is by avoiding foods and habits that contribute to  kidney-related problems. 10 Habits That Damage Your Kidneys 1. Overusing Painkillers While over-the-counter pain medications such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) may relieve pain, they can  harm your kidneys , especially if you already have kidney disease. It's important to  limit their use  and never exceed the recommended dosage. Recommended:  Consider using natural alternatives like  Turmeric Curcumin with Black Pepper by BioSchwartz  to ...

Understanding LDL Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk Medical research and  scientific evidence  confirm a  positive association between serum cholesterol levels and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) . LDL (low-density lipoprotein) particles, often called "bad cholesterol," play a direct role in the development of  atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) —a condition where arteries become narrowed due to plaque buildup. Recent studies suggest that any method of lowering plasma LDL particle concentration can help reduce the risk of ASCVD events, but only if the reduction in LDL cholesterol aligns with a decrease in LDL particle number. Additionally, it's crucial to ensure that no harmful side effects arise from dietary changes or interventions. The Effect of Saturated Fats on LDL Cholesterol Lowering LDL cholesterol through a reduction in  saturated fat intake  primarily decreases large LDL particles, but it often has little ...

Sleep plays a crucial role in overall health, and its impact on diabetes management is significant. Medical researchers have found that  insufficient sleep  can lead to higher blood sugar levels, making it harder to control diabetes.  Whether you're living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, prioritizing sleep is just as important as diet and exercise. The Link Between Sleep and Diabetes Studies have shown that poor sleep quality and short sleep duration can contribute to the  development of type 2 diabetes . A major study involving over 6,000 men found that sleep disturbances were linked to an increased risk of diabetes after nearly 15 years of follow-up. Another study, the Sleep Heart Health Study, revealed that sleeping less than  6 hours or more than 9 hours  increased the likelihood of diabetes and glucose intolerance compared to the ideal sleep range of  7 to 8 hours per night . But why does sleep have such a profound impact on blo...

  What is diabetes? Diabetes is a  chronic condition  that affects how your body converts food into energy. When you eat, your body breaks down most of the food into sugar (glucose), which then enters your bloodstream. In response, your pancreas releases insulin, a hormone that acts like a key to help glucose enter your cells and provide energy. However, when diabetes occurs, your body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can't use it effectively, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. Over time, this can result in serious health complications if not properly managed. The 3 Types of Diabetes Type 1 Diabetes: This occurs when the body doesn't produce insulin at all, causing blood sugar levels to rise dangerously. It's often diagnosed in childhood or adolescence. Type 2 Diabetes: In this case, the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn't produce enough of it, leading to persistently high blood sugar levels. It’s the most common type and often linked to lifestyle fac...