Gum control
In the past few years, I've seen several diabetic patients who also had gum inflammation around their teeth (called periodontitis), which, if left untreated can cause bleeding and tooth loss. But now there's good news: New research shows that treating gum disease can actually help diabetic patients control their blood sugar.
In a recent study, 20 periodontitis patients -- half of them diabetics -- underwent treatment for their inflamed gums. Not only did all of the patients show improvement in their gums, but the diabetics also saw significant reductions in their blood sugar levels.
Of course it's always important to care for your gums. But if you're diabetic, it's even more important. And if you don't already have periodontitis, this is the best time to start preventing it.
This means good oral hygiene, including flossing once and brushing your teeth twice a day, and seeing your dentist at least twice a year. I know the dentist is no fun, but neither is watching all of your teeth fall out. Flossing can be a hassle too, but there are ways to make it easier. DenTek makes a nifty little floss picks that you can buy at your grocery or drug store. They cost about $2 for a month's supply.
There are also some nutrients you should use regularly to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Vitamins C and D, along with calcium, all promote good bone, teeth, and gum health. In fact, research has shown that vitamin D and calcium can reduce the rate of bone and tooth loss in women and men. Try getting 800 mg of calcium, 90 mg of vitamin C, and about 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily. Another nutrient that can promote healthier gums is coenzyme Q10. Taking 60 mg daily can clear things up in a week or two. I recommend QMelt, which you can by online at www.vitacost.com for $14.95. As an added bonus, this stuff is also good for your heart, and it gives a lot of people a noticeable energy boost.
Your immune system hates it when you grieve
I've seen it happen to my patients: Someone comes to see me with a bad case of the flu just a week or two after they've lost a loved one. It always seems like the forces of Nature are just adding insult to injury, but as it turns out, there could be a physical reason. A recent study showed that grief has a serious impact on your immune system's ability to respond to flu shots and illness.
During the study, researchers gave blood tests to 184 people over 65 to figure out if they had enough antibodies in their system to fight off the flu virus. The participants also answered questions about recent life events (like death and divorce), their marital status and satisfaction, their support networks (friends, family, etc.), and their health habits. Next, the participants received a flu vaccine.
A month after being vaccinated, the people who had recently lost a loved one or faced marital difficulties had significantly weaker responses to the vaccine compared to the people who were happy.
Of course, I would never tell you not to grieve. After all, grieving is a normal part of dealing with any personal tragedy. But there are ways to keep your immune system from falling by the wayside.
First and foremost -- make sure that you are getting a good dose of the nutrients you need every day. I know that sometimes when we're grieving, eating a good meal seems almost impossible. So even if your appetite dwindles, it's important that you at least supplement with a good multivitamin.
It's also a good idea to find some good, healthy distractions, like exercising, visiting friends, or taking up a new hobby, like art or dancing. Don't ignore your grief. But don't make it the entire focus of your life, either. That can be just as unhealthy.
You may also want to consider seeing a good therapist. I know that can be a difficult step to take. But if you're anything like me, you sometimes feel bad talking too much about your sadness to friends and relatives, and you might feel like you're burdening them (even when it's not true). But with a therapist, it's their job to listen.
