Working Long Hours May Increase Your Risk of Diabetes
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A new study suggests that working long hours may contribute to your risk of developing Diabetes. The study, published September 24th in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, found an association between long work weeks and the disease – but the risk involves other factors as well, including the type of job.
Researchers examined data from past studies involving 222,000 men and women from all over the world, including the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia. These subjects were followed for an average of 7.6 years. Results showed that people who worked more than 55 hours a week at a manual labor job, or other types of “low socioeconomic status jobs”, were 30 percent more likely to develop diabetes compared to those who worked 35 to 40 hours per week.
‘More research shows that Vitamin D lowers the risk of developing Diabetes’ – Click here!
“Although working long hours is unlikely to increase diabetes risk in everyone, health professionals should be aware that it is associated with a significantly increased risk in people doing low socioeconomic status jobs,” stated Mika Kivimaki, professor of epidemiology at University College London in England.
Further research is needed to find out more about the association between long work days and diabetes risk. Possible causes of this link include the fact that those who work many hours don’t have any time left for healthy mind and body behaviors, like exercise, eating right, proper sleep, meditation and relaxation, time with friends and family, etc.
Balancing Blood Sugar by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.
Diabetes is a vicious and life-threatening disease where your blood sugar is continuously and seriously elevated (and your triglycerides are also). The excess circulating blood sugar is very destructive – inflaming tissues in the heart and circulation, in the eyes, brain, kidneys, and nerve tissue leading to all manner of serious and life threatening diseases.Diabetes occurs because for various reasons; your cells become resistant to the effects of the hormone insulin, which normally stores sugar in your cells. However, long before full blown diabetes occurs (at a stage referred to as pre-diabetes) your blood sugar is already modestly increased and the beginnings of damage to your kidneys, your blood vessel walls, and to your eyes is already occurring. But even a modest elevation in blood sugar should always be looked at seriously.
Type 2 Diabetes is more common and occurs when the body’s cells become resistant to the effects of insulin. This results in elevated levels of sugar and triglycerides in the blood. The most common cause of type 2 diabetes is truncal obesity or having an “apple-shaped” body instead of a “pear-shaped” one. Type 1 Diabetes refers to an autoimmune disease that attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and it is much less common. People with type 1 diabetes always require insulin.
Jerry Hickey, R.Ph suggests specific supplements and vitamins to support blood sugar. Click here!
Know your Test Scores
To determine your risk of developing diabetes, your doctor will perform a test on your blood after you fast for 12 hours. If your blood sugar after fasting is lower than 99, you are likely okay. However, if the blood sugar is between 100 to 125 mg/dL you have impaired fasting blood glucose and your risk of developing diabetes is increased. You are also at risk for developing cardiovascular disease. For many individuals diet, exercise, and particular nutrients are very beneficial at this point and can help restore blood sugar levels down towards normal. Some drugs are also prescribed for this effect. If your fasting blood sugar is above 125mg/dL you are considered to have full blown diabetes which must be treated aggressively.
A1C Test is a blood test that measures average blood glucose over the past 2 to 3 months and is the best way to measure overall glucose control. It should be measured 2 to 4 times a year and the goal is less than 7 percent. Symptoms may include feeling tired or ill, excessive thirst, frequent urination, sudden weight loss, blurred vision, slow healing of infections, and genital itching.
What are your thoughts on this new study? Do you have questions for Jerry Hickey, R.Ph? Leave us a comment to join the conversation!
