The Cost of Diabetes

Diabetes is costly: said in the most figurative AND shockingly literal sense. Since 2007 there has been a 41% increase in the total cost of diabetes, from 174 billion to 245 billion. Forty one percent?!

Articles are everywhere online detailing the high rise of Type I diabetes among children, the hypotheses of diet and gene interactions to combat the repercussions, and endless statistics detailing growth rate and costs. The information can be staggering, not to mention overwhelming. In the midst of this diabetes hurricane, health professionals are growing increasingly concerned with the sheer NUMBER of people affected with the disease and the factors prevalent in adding to those numbers. Two major factors influencing this rise is the increasing age of the baby boomer generation, along with the rising obesity rates.

ACCFamily wants to continue to spread awareness about diabetes, in order to address the disease on the front end of the battle, versus the back. Besides helping monetarily, it will increase quality of life. Consider taking a moment to read the following articles:

Diabetes Cost Report

Diet Strategies Show Promise in Lowering Risk of Diabetes

Brain Boosters

As our mind gets creakier and rustier with age, social functions and other events can become stressful. With the current Baby Boomer population spending millions on their physical bodies to fight off age, the next step is assuming control over brain power. Are there truly trite little lists called, "Brain Boosters" or "Seven Ways to Remember Names" which speak the truth? What helps forming those memories and then being able to recall information in a timely and socially acceptable way? Can Sudoku and chess and reading out loud really work??? A recently compiled list details seven ways to aid memory. Of course the biggies such as sleep, exercise, and a rainbow diet of vegetables help but did you know red wine makes the list?

• Exercise
• Sleep
• A Rainbow Diet of Vegatables
• Red Wine
• Mental Games
• Don't Multi-task
• Learning New Memory Tricks

Many of these lists seem redundant or childish, but when a person seriously reflects on personal habits, can you honestly say you hit everything on the list? Doubtful. So the challenge is on by ACCFamily: Eat a rainbow diet this week. And play a game of chess while you're at it.