 Medically reviewed by: Eric Venn-Watson, M.D.
Asthma sufferers know the signs of an asthma attack. The shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and feeling of inability to breathe are the hallmark signs it’s time to grab the inhaler. While most asthmatics are able to control their asthma with prescription medication, lifestyle changes, and emergency inhalers, there’s promising new research that a change in diet may also help sufferers better control their symptoms. Fatty acids, like the kind found in fish oil supplements, may be able to help asthma sufferers experience less symptoms caused by inflammation. We’ll talk about what fatty acids are, why our bodies need them, and how they can help fight asthma. Intro Into Fatty Acids We’ve spent an entire generation being told fat is bad. What started as an effort to decrease the number of heart disease patients in the 70s led to dietary guidelines that haven’t been changed since. The message was clear: eat less fat to stay healthy. The result was an onslaught of low-fat products, including skim milk, low-fat cheese, and butter alternatives, like margarine. Unfortunately, we didn’t get it quite right. By the late 1990s our health was steadily declining:
Clearly, avoiding all fat wasn’t the answer.† More than 90 years ago, a husband and wife team discovered that some fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6, were essential to help our bodies function properly. Essential means that our bodies need them for optimal health, but cannot make them on their own. This means we have to get them elsewhere, either from our diets or by taking them in supplement form. When the dietary guidelines changed in the 70s, our intake of these essential fatty acids began to decrease, and our overall health as a nation declined. Now that we know better, we can do better. Here are the basics you should know about omega-3 and omega-6. Omega-3 Omega-3 fatty acids are long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acids that your body needs to maintain good health. There are two main types of omega-3 fatty acids: DHA and EPA. These acids are mainly found in certain types of fish, which is why fish oil supplements are so popular. DHA is especially important in the stages of early infant development. It’s a crucial component of good eye and brain health. Here are the benefits of including more omega-3 in your diet.
As vital a role as omega-3 plays in our bodies, omega-6 is also important, but there’s a caveat. Omega-6 Omega-6 fatty acids are also polyunsaturated fatty acids responsible for helping keep hair and skin healthy, supporting bone health, and promoting healthy metabolism. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in foods like soybeans, corn, vegetable oils, and some meats. However, the average western diet contains much more omega-6 than omega-3, and too much omega-6 has a negative impact on our health. Too much omega-6 can lead to:
While it’s important your body gets enough omega-6, chances are you’re getting much more of it than you actually need. How Fish Oil Helps Fight Asthma Omega-3 is much less abundant in the western diet than omega-6, which is why fish oil supplements have skyrocketed into popularity. Omega-3 has also been studied for its potential effects on patients who suffer from asthma. In studies conducted on asthma patients who regularly relied on inhaled corticosteroids (ICS), a higher circulation of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood was shown to decrease their need for their inhalers and help them better control their asthma symptoms. Additionally, for patients with uncontrolled asthma, higher circulating levels of omega-3 in the body appeared to reduce asthma symptoms and help the patient obtain control of their asthma symptoms. This is phenomenal news for asthma sufferers, and could mean that taking a fish oil supplement could help them experience fewer asthma attacks and more manageable symptoms. Side Effects of Fish Oil Supplements Taking a fish oil supplement may help asthma sufferers experience less symptoms, but the amount of fish oil needed to reduce symptoms may be higher than they’d like to take. While fish oil supplements are generally safe and well tolerated by most, they do come with some unpleasant side effects that may make them a non-viable option for some individuals. The most prevalent side effect of taking a fish oil supplement is a strong fishy aftertaste, fish “burps,” and fishy smelling breath. While this may seem a little comical, consider that to keep the omega-3 levels circulating at a high enough threshold to help reduce asthma symptoms, you’ll definitely be experiencing these side effects long term. Less common side effects include stomach upset, loose stool, and nosebleeds. If taking fish oil alone doesn’t seem like the solution you’d hoped for to help your asthma, we’ve got some new research that you’ll find encouraging. The Latest Research, and Pentadecanoic Acid Much in the same way that omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids were discovered, a husband and wife team has recently discovered another fatty acid that a growing body of research supports is the first essential fatty acid to be discovered since the original husband and wife duo almost a century ago. Pentadecanoic acid (also known as C15:0) is an odd-chain, saturated fatty acid that has been researched in populations of bottlenose dolphins for decades. Researchers noticed that dolphins that consumed more C15:0 in their diet were less likely to have chronic conditions compared dolphins with lower C15:0 levels. This led them to study the effects of this fatty acid on the human body. As it turns out, C15:0 has the ability to strengthen our overall health and improve health conditions that can cause us to experience illness. How does it work? It starts with your cells. Your entire body is made up of cells, and these cells determine how your body functions. If your cells are functioning properly, so are your organs and systems. When your cells begin to lose their function, your organ function begins to decline. Here’s how C15:0 can help:†*
Because C15:0 is found mostly in full fat dairy products, you may not be getting nearly enough of it in your diet. Remember, we’ve all been eating less fat for decades. Just like omega-3, our diets often lack C15:0, making it necessary for us to take it in supplement form. Once a day C15:0 supplements can help improve your health, and current science supports that C15:0 may help you better manage your asthma symptoms. The best part? C15:0 supplements typically have no fishy aftertaste, and are generally well tolerated. In combination with proper diet, regular exercise, and a healthy lifestyle, taking in more C15:0 can help you have better control of your asthma symptoms, and support your health from a cellular level. Sources: The Essential Fatty Acids Omega-6 and Omega-3: From Their Discovery to Their Use in Therapy | NCBI Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Depression: Scientific Evidence and Biological Mechanisms | NCBI 8 Food Ingredients That Can Cause Inflammation | Arthritis.org A Higher Omega-3 Index Linked to Better Asthma Control | Omegaquant  Medically reviewed by Eric Venn-Watson, M.D.
Dealing with arthritis pain is difficult. The pain is persistent, can range from moderate to severe, and in some cases, can feel completely debilitating. Although it is often thought of as a struggle of older generations, arthritis can happen to anyone, at any age. There are different types of arthritis, and two of the most common are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. We’ll discuss the differences between these two types of arthritis, talk about the causes, and discuss popular treatment options. We’ll also talk about how your cellular health plays a role in the development, prevention, and treatment of arthritis. Osteoarthritis The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. This type of arthritis is often age-related. This form of arthritis happens when the cartilage between your joints begins to deteriorate with age or injury. Osteoarthritis generally occurs in the hands, hips, spine, and knees. Depending on a person’s level of activity, osteoarthritis (also referred to as degenerative arthritis) can occur more quickly. You may develop osteoarthritis in only one joint, or in multiple joints, and the pain may differ depending on the area. In other words, some affected joints may have greater pain than others. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis. Symptoms of osteoarthritis vary from person to person, but may include:
Causes of Osteoarthritis. Normally, osteoarthritis occurs because of age-related use on a joint. As we age, the cells that make up our tissues begin to break down, becoming weak and leaving the tissues and structures themselves in fragile condition. Osteoarthritis can also occur as a result of injury, being overweight, and already having rheumatoid arthritis. Treatments for Osteoarthritis. There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are treatment options available that range from non-invasive, over-the-counter pain medications to complete surgical joint replacements. You can improve your joint health and decrease your likelihood of developing osteoarthritis by maintaining a healthy weight, protecting yourself against injury when you engage in physical activity, and by taking steps to improve your cellular health (more on that last one in a bit!). What is Rheumatoid Arthritis? Unlike osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is not a degenerative disease. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body develops an immune response to its own healthy tissue and begins to attack it. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body begins to attack the membrane that lines the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis can wear away bone, cause deformity in the joints, cause fingers to bend and gnarl permanently. Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis causes intense pain that can come in spurts. Sometimes, a flare of rheumatoid arthritis can last for weeks at a time. Symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include:
Causes of Rheumatoid Arthritis Although experts don’t know what causes a person’s immune system to begin attacking healthy tissues and causing the start of rheumatoid arthritis, they’ve determined that some risk factors can make a person more susceptible to developing this condition. Heredity, sex, age, and weight are all factors that can make you more susceptible to developing rheumatoid arthritis. Women develop rheumatoid arthritis more often than men, and being middle-aged and overweight can make you more likely to develop it. Treatment of Rheumatoid ArthritisThere’s no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are treatments that can help put it in remission and help you experience fewer flares. Rheumatoid arthritis also places you at a greater risk of developing other types of arthritis, including osteoarthritis. Treatments vary, and include prescription medications, injections, lifestyle changes like learning to exercise and ambulate differently, and surgical intervention. Because rheumatoid arthritis is an immune response, it can also be beneficial to start a cellular health program to help better control your immunity and strengthen compromised cells. Cellular Health and Arthritis It might seem strange to talk about cells when talking about arthritis, but the two are closely connected. As we age, our cells become weak. The cell wall becomes flimsy, leaving our cells compromised and open to damage. When our cells are damaged, they don’t carry out cellular functions properly. Cells that don’t function properly result in everything from visible signs of aging to serious metabolic diseases, and yes, even arthritic pain. When our cells aren’t damaged, they’re able to last longer and stay strong, which keeps our tissues and organs working as they should, for as long as they should. C15:0 for Cellular Health Obviously, we can’t give our cells their very own little multivitamins… or can we? A growing body of research suggests we can. Pentadecanoic acid, also known as C15:0, is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that science supports as the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. An essential fatty acid means our bodies need it to function properly but don’t make enough of it to supply our needs. We need to get the needed C15:0 balance from our diets, or from supplements. C15:0 can help support your joint health, starting in your cells:
C15:0 is a relatively unknown little fatty acid with big potential to help you maintain a healthier and happier lifestyle, for longer. Unfortunately, you probably aren’t getting much in your diet. C15:0 is present in whole-fat dairy products, like whole milk and butter. For decades, we’ve followed dietary guidelines that have told us that all fat is bad, which has most of us drinking skim milk and using margarine with little to no C15:0. Further, whole fat dairy has much higher levels of even-chain saturated fats (like C16:0) that continue to be associated with poorer health and increased risk of inflammatory conditions. Thankfully, we’ve got options. C15:0 is now available in a once a day, easy to take capsule that supplies you with a day’s worth of pure FA15™, a pure powder form of C15:0. Just one capsule a day is all you need to protect your cells, balance your immunity, and support your joint health.†* You may not be able to prevent arthritis or cure it, but you can give your cells and your joints a fighting chance by increasing your daily intake of C15:0. Sources: https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/cmc/arthritis/osteoarthritis https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/cmc/arthritis/rheumatoid https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-2035 3648 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28317846/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64960-y  Medically reviewed by Eric Venn-Watson, M.D.
If you’ve been diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, often referred to as NAFLD, you’re likely working with your doctor to find ways to improve your overall liver health. One of your considerations? A low-carb diet. It may seem counterproductive to increase your fat intake and lower your carbohydrate intake as a means of decreasing liver fat, but what does the science say? We’ll take a look at what a fatty liver is, what causes it, and how a low carb diet may help you increase your liver health. What is Fatty Liver? If you have a fatty liver, it means that your liver cells are storing too much fat. There are two main reasons this happens: 1. Excessive alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol can cause your liver to store excess fat. The liver processes alcohol, and drinking too much alcohol can cause fat to build up in your liver’s cells. 2. Non-alcohol related fatty liver. Experts aren’t sure what causes some people who aren’t heavy drinkers to develop fat in their liver, but it has been linked to the following conditions:
When a person who does not abuse alcohol develops a fatty liver, it is referred to as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD. A fatty liver usually produces no symptoms. In fact, you may never know you have a fatty liver unless you have a blood test. If you do have symptoms, they can include pain in the upper right abdomen and fatigue. What Causes Fatty Liver Disease? Unless you are a heavy drinker, there may be no clear reason why you are developing fat on your liver. Sometimes, the reason will be because of the cluster of symptoms listed above (insulin resistance, excess weight around the midsection, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure). This cluster of conditions is referred to as metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome places a person at a much higher risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and fatty liver disease. If you have any of these conditions, or if you have a fatty liver, changing your current diet to a low-carb plan may be beneficial. Is Low Carb Good for a Fatty Liver?Eat more fat to cure… fat? Yes, but not just any fat. Let’s take a look at why a diet low in carbohydrates may be beneficial for your fatty liver and for your liver health as a whole. What is a Low Carb Diet? A low carbohydrate diet is a diet that is rich in fats and protein, but lower in carbohydrates. The average intake of a person on a low carbohydrate diet is between 27-57 grams of carbohydrates per day. A person on a low carbohydrate diet will decrease their intake of carbohydrates and simultaneously replace those with healthy fats and proteins. Why limit carbohydrates in the first place? Carbohydrates are broken down into glucose by the body to be used as energy. Glucose requires your body to produce insulin to break it down so that it is usable. When you eat a carbohydrate, your pancreas releases insulin to help break down the glucose and deliver it to your cells for energy. The glucose that isn’t needed gets stored in the liver as fat. Refined carbohydrates like sugar, flour, processed oats, white rice, and potato chips release glucose into your bloodstream quickly, generally faster than your cells need them for energy. As such, the glucose released by these carbs is often stored as fat in the liver. Unrefined carbohydrates like beans, whole wheat, and brown rice take longer to digest. That means the glucose they release is released slowly into the bloodstream, giving your body longer to process and avoiding as much fat storage. A person on a low carbohydrate diet has less glucose entering their bloodstream to be broken down and stored. Low Carb and Fatty Liver: The Benefits While it has traditionally been thought that a patient with NAFLD should avoid fat to help the liver, new studies say otherwise. A low-carb diet will naturally benefit a person with fatty liver disease, because the person won’t be consuming as many high glycemic foods, that is, foods like refined carbs that cause your blood sugar to spike when you eat them. When you aren’t eating as many calories in highly glycemic foods, your liver won’t have to store excess glucose as fat. The new study (linked above) revealed that placing patients with NAFLD on a low carbohydrate diet dramatically decreased liver fat in just fourteen days. The low carb diet was also associated with a higher circulating level of folate, which has been shown to help the liver metabolize fat more effectively. Saturated Fat and Fatty Liver We’ve been programmed to believe that saturated fat is bad for us, and some of it may very well be… but not all of it. It’s taken science a little time to catch up, but we now know that some types of trace saturated fats are actually good for us. Pentadecanoic acid is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that a growing body of research shows may be the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. What does this have to do with fatty liver? Pentadecanoic acid, also known as C15:0 (pronounced see-fifteen), is a sturdy fatty acid that goes into your cells and helps strengthen and support them, giving them a fighting chance against the natural decline they experience as we age. In fact, studies have shown associations between higher C15:0 and lower risks of fatty liver disease. Further, use of daily C15:0 supplementation resulted in less severe disease, including lower liver fibrosis, lower cholesterol, lower inflammation, and improved liver function, across multiple models of NAFLD. When our cells age and weaken, their function is compromised. Here’s how C15:0 helps our cells and liver:
When our cells are healthy, our overall health improves. Studies show that people with higher circulating C15:0 levels have an overall lower risk of developing NAFLD and severe alcoholic steatohepatitis. How To Get More C15:0 C15:0 is found in trace levels in full-fat dairy products like whole milk and butter. As such, you may not be getting very much of it in your diet. We’ve been following health guidelines (from 1974) that have told us fat is bad, and those guidelines haven’t changed much since then. In addition, foods that contain trace levels of the good fat (aka C15:0) also contain much higher levels of even-chain saturated fats (like C16:0) that have been repeatedly associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Because your body doesn’t make enough C15:0 and you may not be getting adequate levels from your diet, you need a viable option. You can get C15:0 in a once a day, easy to take supplement. C15:0 can be great way to help take better care of your liver, improve your overall health, and give your cells a fighting chance as you age. Sources: https://www.alcohol.org/effects/alcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nonalcoholic-fatty-liver-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20354567 https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/low-carb-diet/art-20045831 https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/pdfExtended/S1550-4131(18)30054-8 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28460180/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33399331/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64960-y https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0189965  Medically reviewed by Eric Venn-Watson, M.D.
Inflammation isn’t something you like to experience in any part of your body. If your skin is inflamed from a sunburn or a bug bite, it may swell, fester, and burn. If you sprain your ankle, you’ll experience inflammation in the form of swelling and bruising, making it difficult for you to walk or bend. While inflammation may be a nuisance, it’s your body’s natural, protective response. A normal inflammatory response happens when your body is exposed to:
There are two different types of inflammation, acute and chronic. We’ll explain the differences between both and explain how a little-known dietary fat could change how we deal with the underlying causes of chronic inflammation. What is Acute Inflammation? Acute inflammation is what you’ve likely experienced on and off your entire life. Acute inflammation happens as a response to injuries and illnesses. Acute inflammation is easy to see and feel. You pull a muscle, you feel sore and tender. You get the flu, you feel congested. It’s usually very easy to pinpoint the cause of acute inflammation, which makes it very treatable. You may take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (or NSAID) pain relievers to reduce pain and fever, or apply ice to an injury to manage swelling. Acute inflammation usually only lasts a short period of time. You may only experience this type of inflammation for a few hours to a few weeks, depending on the underlying cause of the inflammation. What is Chronic Inflammation? At the other end of the inflammation spectrum is chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is your body’s response to continual exposure to a particular irritant. Chronic inflammation may last for months, years, or even decades. Chronic inflammation isn’t always easily identified, so you may not know if you have it. This type of inflammation may not cause you pain or discomfort, and may not even be noticeable without a blood test. Chronic inflammation happens because your body perceives a low-level irritant as a threat and attempts to fight it off. When the irritant remains, your body continues to have an immune response. This places your body in a constant state of inflammation. Why does it matter? Good question. When your immune system responds to an irritant, it pumps out white blood cells to tackle the irritant and eliminate it, restoring your body to health. When the irritant doesn’t go away, and your immune system keeps fighting, those white blood cells can begin to attack healthy tissue. When healthy tissues are damaged as a result of your body’s immune response, you develop chronic inflammatory diseases. Research shows chronic inflammation leads to conditions like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cancer, arthritis, and digestive diseases. Many of these diseases make up what’s known as metabolic syndrome. A condition which places a person at very high risk of developing diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Certain inflammatory conditions place you at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. How Inflammation is Linked to Metabolic Syndrome Metabolic syndrome includes higher than normal cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, and higher than normal blood pressure. Many of these conditions can be directly related to inflammation in the body. Here are some examples. Excess Weight. If a person is overweight (especially in the midsection), they likely have a high level of visceral fat. The body can see this excess fat as a threat, and begin to attack it to try to get rid of it. Unless the person loses the weight, the body will continue to attack the fat, placing the body in a state of constant, chronic inflammation. Over time, that inflammation can spread and begin to attack healthy organs. Insulin Resistance. While we most frequently associate type 2 diabetes with excess sugar intake, the problem may be deeper. Type 2 diabetes may be the result of chronic inflammation associated with obesity. This inflammation is essentially the same referenced above, where inflammation occurs in fatty tissue. This inflammation is thought to inhibit proper insulin response in the body, causing the person to experience a state of insulin resistance. High Blood Pressure. High levels of inflammation have also been linked to increased blood pressure, increasing the likelihood a person will suffer a stroke. Researchers have found that as levels of blood pressure rose, levels of C-reactive protein (a measure of inflammation in the body) also rose. There is still debate as to whether high blood pressure causes inflammation, or if inflammation causes high blood pressure. High Cholesterol. Inflammation plays a hand in the development of high cholesterol as well. When someone suffers chronic inflammation, it alters their lipid metabolism, causing a decrease in their HDL (good cholesterol) levels and increases LDL (bad cholesterol) levels, placing the person at risk for developing cholesterol-related problems. What You Can Do A simple blood test can determine if your body is in a constant state of immune response or experiencing chronic inflammation. If your C-reactive protein levels are consistently high, there are changes you can make to help improve your health and potentially avoid metabolic syndrome and related illnesses. Lose Weight One of the biggest factors for developing chronic inflammation is carrying excess weight, especially around the midsection. Losing weight means your body will carry less adipose (fat) tissue, which means your immune system can stop deploying white blood cells to attack it. Eat Better There are fad diets that claim to eliminate inflammation, but ensuring your diet is full of plant-based vitamins and nutrients is one of the biggest keys to improving your overall health. There’s no magic diet that will completely eliminate the inflammation in your body, but eating a wide range of fruits and vegetables can help you lose weight, and can give you what you need to maintain better health. Take Pentadecanoic Acid Pentadecanoic acid, also known as C15:0 (pronounced see-fifteen), is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that a growing body of research suggests may be the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. This fatty acid has been shown to support the body’s healthy immunity. While even-chain saturated fatty acids are linked to negative health markers like heart disease and type 2 diabetes, odd-chain saturated fatty acids, like C15:0, are linked to lower risks of diseases and conditions, like:
The same organs and systems that suffer as a result of chronic inflammation are supported and strengthened by C15:0, making it a pretty important little fatty acid for inclusion in your diet. C15:0 dives deep into your cells, strengthening cell membranes and activating critical PPAR receptors that lower chronic inflammation so your cells are protected from external stressors. If you’re wondering if you’re getting enough C15:0 in your diet, the answer is probably not. C15:0 is found in trace levels in full-fat dairy products like whole milk and butter, which we’ve been avoiding for decades due to outdated dietary guidelines that have told us that all fat is bad for us. As a result, we’re a society dealing with massive amounts of inflammation and inflammation-related health problems while avoiding foods containing C15:0. The problem is, the same foods that contain small amounts of C15:0 also have much higher levels of even-chain saturated fatty acids (like, C16:0) that are associated with an increased risk of inflammation. The solution? Improving your health at the cellular level by routinely taking C15:0. If you’re ready to give your cells a fighting chance, learn more here. Sources: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/understanding-acute-and-chronic-inflammation https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/metabolic-syndrome https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2246086/ https://arthritis-research.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13075-018-1597-9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5986484/ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64960-y  Medically reviewed by Eric Venn-Watson, MD
It goes without saying, no one wants to be diagnosed with any type of cancer, but pancreatic cancer is an especially dangerous and aggressive disease. Pancreatic cancer is a serious condition affecting your pancreas, and it has the ability to spread to other organs. Your pancreas is responsible for helping you with digestion by producing enzymes that break down sugar, starches, and fats. These are broken down so they can be used by your body. Your pancreas is also responsible for helping you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. When you eat food, the sugar in your blood (also called glucose) needs to be moved to your body’s cells to be used for energy. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone, which effectively removes glucose from your bloodstream and delivers it to cells. In turn, extra glucose is stored in the liver. Pancreatic Illness When the pancreas doesn’t function properly, you can experience illness, such as: Diabetes. If your body can’t use the insulin your pancreas makes, or if your pancreas cannot make enough insulin, you can become insulin resistant. Insulin resistance is part of a group of diseases that make up metabolic syndrome, a condition that places you at much higher risk for developing heart disease and having a stroke. If your insulin resistance isn’t treated, you can develop diabetes. Left untreated, diabetes can be a very serious and life-threatening condition. Pancreatitis. This is a painful condition that describes inflammation of the pancreas. When the enzymes the pancreas produces attacks the pancreas itself, you can develop pancreatitis. Excessive, prolonged alcohol use can cause pancreatitis, as well as the development of gallstones. Pancreatic Cancer. This cancer affects the cells of your pancreas, especially the ones that help with producing pancreatic enzymes. This cancer is hard to diagnose early, and as such, has one of the lowest survival rates. There is no cure for pancreatic cancer, and currently, no way to screen for it. It is often not diagnosed until it has reached a later stage, and/or has spread to surrounding organs. This is because symptoms of pancreatic cancer aren’t present until the cancer has already spread. Symptoms of pancreatic cancer can include jaundice, fatigue, appetite and weight loss, abdominal pain, and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea. Because there’s no way to screen for this deadly disease, it’s vitally important that we actively pursue ways to lower our risk of developing it. 5 Tips To Lower Your Risk of Pancreatic Cancer We’ll be straightforward -- there’s no surefire way to just prevent pancreatic cancer, but there are ways to lower your risk of developing it. A healthy lifestyle and better choices can protect your pancreatic health. Here are five tips for lowering your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Stop Smoking. Smoking increases your risk for numerous types of cancers, including pancreatic cancer. Research suggests that the carcinogenic compounds in cigarettes cause additional inflammation in the pancreas, and stimulates the growth of pancreatic cancer. In terms of risk factors for pancreatic cancer, smoking is number one. You can dramatically reduce your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by stopping smoking today. Avoid Weight Gain. Being overweight is the second highest risk factor for developing pancreatic cancer. People who are overweight (individuals whose BMI is higher than 30) are 20% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer than individuals who have a healthy body weight. You can lower your risk of developing pancreatic cancer by losing weight and maintaining a healthy BMI. Increasing your exercise to 30 minutes a day can help you lose weight and promote overall health. Eat More Fruits and Vegetables. There’s no diet that will prevent any cancer, but eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is the best way to protect your overall health from a dietary standpoint, which plays a huge role. Eating fruits and vegetables that contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, natural sugar, and fiber is a good way to stay healthy and give your body what it needs to function properly. Eating more fruits and vegetables can also help keep you feeling fuller for longer, which can help you lose weight, cut back on unhealthy snacks, and boost your energy levels. Manage Your Blood Sugar. Increased blood sugar levels that lead to insulin resistance and/or diabetes can increase your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Having diabetes for a period of longer than five years increases your risk even higher. Sudden onset diabetes can be a symptom of pancreatic cancer, especially if you have no other risk factors for diabetes, like metabolic syndrome. Managing your blood sugar is important to your overall health, and along with a healthy diet, there's mounting evidence that adding a little-known fatty acid, called pentadecanoic acid, may help you achieve this goal. Know Your Fats. Lowering your unhealthy fat intake can help you lower your risk of developing pancreatic cancer. However, it’s a myth that all fat is bad. In fact, some (like omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids) are essential. While some saturated fats are associated with negative health markers, like inflammation, heart disease, and type II diabetes, some saturated fats are associated with positive health markers, like balanced immunity, heart health, healthy metabolism, red blood cell health, and liver health. The fat responsible for the good health markers? The fatty acid, pentadecanoic acid, we just mentioned, also known as C15:0. C15:0 (aka pentadecanoic acid) C15:0 is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that is supported by a growing amount of research to potentially be the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in decades. An essential fatty acid is something your body needs to function properly, but can’t make on its own. That means we have to get it from our food. Getting C15:0 from our food, however, is a problem. We’ve spent an entire generation avoiding fat. We were no longer buying whole dairy products like milk and butter, and that’s precisely where C15:0 can be found. Unfortunately, whole dairy products also contain an unhealthy dose of bad fats, so where can we find our balance? As of just recently: a once a day, C15:0 supplement. Benefits You can lower your risk of pancreatic cancer by not smoking, avoiding weight gain, managing your blood sugar, and, possibly, increasing your intake of pentadecanoic acid. In a study including 750 patients, people who had higher circulating C15:0 body levels had a lower risk of having pancreatic cancer. A series of studies published in Scientific Reports has demonstrated how C15:0 can act as a beneficial dietary fat that may be critical to supporting your overall health. C15:0 is all-natural, and has a myriad of health benefits not limited to simply increasing healthy fat intake -- here are just a few:
The Takeaway There’s no cure for pancreatic cancer, and there is no way of preventing it, but you may lower your risk of developing it by maintaining a healthy lifestyle void of smoking and excess weight, and packed with healthy nutrients and healthy fats, including C15:0. Sources: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/the-digestive-process-what-is-the-role-of-your-pancreas-in-digestion https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/postings/2019/03/pancreatic-cancer.php https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/pancreatic-cancer-prevention.html https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3956306/ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html https://www.pancan.org/news/6-things-need-know-diabetes-pancreatic-cancer/ https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.31797  Medically reviewed by Eric Venn-Watson, MD
You probably aren’t familiar with inflammaging. In fact, you may even think it’s a typographical error for the word “inflammation,” but we assure you, inflammaging is a real condition. Pronounced “inflamm-aging,” this condition occurs mostly in individuals with advanced age. It describes a process of age acceleration that can make you more susceptible to age-related disease. To fully understand inflammaging and what it does, we need to examine what happens to our cells as we age. We’ll cover cellular aging, what inflammaging is and how it affects our cells, and how you can avoid it. What Happens To Our Cells When We Age? Every cell in your body begins to break down and lose function as you age. The state of your cells largely determines your overall health and wellness. When your cells age, the structures that they make up (tissues and organs) also age. Thus, if your cells are not functioning properly and are aging faster than they should, your tissues and organs will also begin to malfunction and age more quickly. The breakdown in our cells happens gradually, and leaves our bodies less energized and more fragile. Some cellular aging happens naturally, without the assistance of any external stressors. What causes this process to speed up is largely a matter of personal health choices, like diet, exercise, maintained weight, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels. If you suffer from certain weight-related illness, for instance, your cells are more likely to be advancing in age at a much faster rate than they would if you were maintaining a healthier weight. What is Inflammaging? Inflammaging refers to chronic, low-grade inflammation that occurs on the cellular level in older adults. It is believed that inflammaging speeds up the aging process, and causes an individual to experience faster aging than people who don’t suffer from this condition. In essence, inflammaging is the constant onslaught of inflammation within a cell such that the cell can no longer function properly. This inflammation isn’t necessarily noticeable; at least not in terms of the types of inflammation you’ve likely experienced. The finite lifespan of the cell is dramatically shortened by inflammaging, and eventually the cell loses its functionality and dies. The process of inflammaging is brought on largely by the same chronic illnesses that cause your cells to age faster: obesity, improper diet, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and high LDL cholesterol levels. When your cells begin to malfunction and die without being able to reproduce other cells, your tissues begin to age faster, which means organs begin to age faster, which leads to advanced and rapid aging in the body as a whole. How is Inflammaging Diagnosed? You will need a series of blood tests to determine whether you are experiencing inflammaging. Inflammaging is determined by the presence of inflammatory markers in a person’s blood. Normally, your healthcare provider will order a blood panel that includes the following tests:
If your blood tests indicate inflammation and your doctor has ruled out other possible causes, the diagnosis may be inflammaging. How Does Inflammaging Affect the Aging Process? Inflammaging is a dangerous condition because of the amount of cellular stress it places on the cells of your body. Your cells are not meant to withstand constant inflammation. A cell that is chronically inflamed is essentially “putting out fires” instead of operating the way it should. This level of cellular stress causes the process of cellular aging to move at warp speed. The end result is a body that is continually aging faster, losing energy, stamina, and ability more quickly than it would if the cells were not experiencing such a high level of stress. How Can You Avoid Inflammaging? There are certain genetic markers that may make you more susceptible to inflammaging. However, developing this condition is largely a result of a cluster of conditions that are treatable and preventable. Here’s how you can avoid these conditions, and inflammaging. Maintain a Healthy Weight. Obesity is defined as someone with a body mass index (“BMI”) of over 30. Especially dangerous is an individual with a 30+ BMI with excess fat around their midsection. This places a person at a much higher risk of weight-related, and age-related illness. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial in preserving your overall health, and avoiding inflammaging. Keep Your Blood Sugar Levels In Check. Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin which helps move glucose in your blood to your cells to be used as energy. When your body becomes unable to use the insulin your pancreas makes, or if your pancreas cannot make enough to keep up, you can become insulin resistant. Insulin resistance and diabetes are two health markers that make a person more susceptible to inflammaging. As such, it’s important to make sure your blood sugar levels are normal. Lower Your Blood Pressure. High blood pressure is a condition in which the pressure of the blood against the walls of your veins is too high. When this condition becomes chronic, a person is said to have high blood pressure. High blood pressure increases your risk of heart attack and stroke, and also increases your risk of developing inflammaging. Get Your Cholesterol In Check. High cholesterol can put you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. You won’t know you have high cholesterol unless you have a blood test to determine your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels. If your cholesterol levels are high, take steps to lower them. Take a Cellular Health Supplement. Your overall health starts at the cellular level, so it makes sense to begin supplementing your health on the cellular level, too. You can give your cells the support they need to function properly and avoid inflammaging by using pentadecanoic acid, i.e. “C15:0.” How C15:0 Helps C15:0 (aka pentadecanoic acid) is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that a growing body of evidence suggests is the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in almost a century. Essential fatty acids are nutrients our body needs to function properly but cannot make on their own. C15:0 supports your cellular health by essentially deep-diving into your cells and fortifying them, so they are no longer fragile and susceptible to age-related illness, like inflammaging. Here are just a few key characteristics:
Sounds like pretty good protection against inflammaging, doesn’t it? If you’d like to learn more about how C15:0 can help give your cells a fighting chance as they age, we’d love to have that conversation. Aging is inevitable, but inflammaging isn’t. You can age on your own terms, and along with healthy lifestyle choices, a cellular support supplement with C15:0 can help you do it. Sources: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41574-018-0059-4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6146930/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6582449/ https://labtestsonline.org/tests/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr  Authored by : Eric Venn-Watson, MD
Summary
Much of what we see on our skin is a direct reflection of our internal health, so tackling the root cause of the issue is the best course of action. A good example of internal problems causing external skin issues is the skin condition known as acanthosis nigricans. This condition causes thickening and discoloration of the skin and is brought on by an elevated insulin level in the patient. This is usually referred to as insulin resistance, or metabolic syndrome. In order to remedy the skin, the insulin resistance needs to be treated. While most remedies for skin inflammation and irritation focus on an external treatment, like creams or lotions, we’ll look at ways you can prevent skin inflammation from the inside out. What is Skin Inflammation? Skin inflammation is an immune response. Inflammation is essentially a collection of white blood cells that are attempting to heal something that is reacting negatively with your body. Skin inflammation can be mild to severe and can be caused by numerous external and/or internal triggers. A classic example of skin inflammation is acne. Acne has many causes, but the end result is pustules of inflammation on the skin. Many times, the root cause of acne isn’t products or bacteria on the skin, but a response deep within the skin cells to something imbalance inside the body. Examples of Skin Inflammation Skin inflammation doesn’t necessarily mean acne or blisters, although those can be symptoms of skin inflammation. Sometimes, skin inflammation will present with less severe symptoms. Examples of skin inflammation include:
Causes of Skin Inflammation There are many causes of skin inflammation. Some external factors that could cause inflammation are:
Because we know that many skin conditions are caused by internal factors, it’s important to look at what some of those causes are.
How To Prevent Skin Inflammation You can’t always avoid skin inflammation, but there are many types of skin inflammation that can, indeed, be prevented. Here are some tips on how to avoid it, and how to help soothe inflamed skin if you’ve got it. Avoid the Sun The sun can aggravate inflamed skin, and it can cause inflammation on its own, especially if you don’t use sunblock. When your skin is exposed to the sun, the UV light damages it, and elicits an immune response from your skin cells in the form of a suntan. If you continue to stay in the sun, the skin will eventually burn. Eat a Balanced Diet Your skin is affected by your diet, so it’s important that you eat well and avoid foods that trigger inflammation. Known inflammation offenders include added sugar, refined carbohydrates, trans-fats, red meat, and margarine. If you want to follow an anti-inflammatory diet, you should eat foods like tomatoes, green vegetables, nuts, omega-3 rich fish, olive oil, and nuts and seeds. You can also consider adding pentadecanoic acid (aka C15:0) to your diet. What is Pentadecanoic Acid (aka C15:0) and How it Helps Your Skin If you’ve never heard of pentadecanoic acid (also called C15:0), it isn’t surprising. It’s a saturated fatty acid, and since we’ve spent the last few decades avoiding fat because of dietary guidelines that told us to avoid it, it wasn’t very well known. Turns out, not all fat is bad, and that includes some saturated fats. What is C15:0? C15:0 is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that a growing body of research shows may be the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. “Essential” means our body must have it to function properly but can’t make it on its own. C15:0 is crucial in helping keep us healthy on a cellular level. The inflammation responses we see on our skin happens in our skin’s cells. Supporting our overall cellular health and immunity is the first step (and in some cases the only step) in reducing and/or eliminating skin irritation. How Does C15:0 Work? As we age, our cells age right along with us. As for our cell’s immunity, it becomes unbalanced as cell function declines. Our cells become fragile, and lose some of their function. They become less able to communicate with other cells. Our cells become less able to properly manage nutrients which can affect conditions like weight, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol. C15:0 can help. C15:0 is a sturdy fatty acid that digs into our cells, strengthens cell membranes and fortifies cellular health. When the cell wall is strengthened, the cell doesn’t damage and age as rapidly. With less damage and aging, your cells function better, and for longer:
In short, C15:0 gives your cells a fighting chance. How To Get More C15:0 in Your Diet Getting more C15:0 in your diet isn’t as easy as you may think. It’s mostly found in whole fat dairy products, as well as some fish. However, it’s found in relatively small amounts. You can also get your full daily amount of essential C15:0 from vegan-friendly dietary supplements, which can be safe, well-tolerated, and a good way to support your overall health on a cellular level so you can avoid skin inflammation and help soothe it when it occurs. Sources: https://www.aocd.org/page/AcanthosisNigricans https://celiac.org/about-celiac-disease/related-conditions/dermatitis-herpetiformis/ https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sunburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20355922 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/foods-that-fight-inflammation  Authored by: Eric Venn-Watson, MD
Summary
It’s no secret, there are parts of our overall health that are on the decline. In America (and many other countries in the world), we’re plagued with health issues that are directly related to poor diet and lack of exercise. Our bad health habits are taking a toll on us, too. The statistics are in, and it turns out most of us aren’t getting nearly the amount of recommended daily exercise we should be. We’re also exceeding the limits of daily caloric intake. What does it all mean? For many, it means the onset of health problems related to blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight gain. Together, they are referred to as metabolic syndrome. If you’ve been diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, or one of the conditions that causes it, your healthcare provider may have asked you to begin the metabolic syndrome diet. We’ll talk about what metabolic syndrome is, how a certain diet helps you manage it, and what you should and shouldn’t eat. What is Metabolic Syndrome? Metabolic syndrome isn’t a disease in itself. It’s actually a group of conditions that, when they occur together, put a person at higher risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Metabolic syndrome, therefore, is really a condition where a person is in a high risk zone. Here are the hallmark health conditions that put you in the metabolic syndrome “danger zone":
What is the Metabolic Syndrome Diet? If you’ve been diagnosed with any of the markers above, you’re at risk of developing metabolic syndrome because of the way these conditions interrelate. As such, you may want to try subscribing to a diet and exercise plan to prevent further development of symptoms. The metabolic syndrome diet eliminates certain foods that trigger the conditions of metabolic syndrome and include foods that help you avoid them. While anyone can benefit from eating a diet composed of more whole foods, fruits, and vegetables, people who have underlying conditions which could lead to metabolic syndrome (like the ones referenced above) can find it most beneficial. Here are five foods to avoid, and four nutrients to start looking for right now. Foods to Avoid Certain foods can trigger the health conditions that cause metabolic syndrome, and they’re part of the average American’s everyday diet.
Nutrients to Eat Thankfully, there are a lot of nutrients that you can eat that are not only delicious, but also help you drive down the markers for metabolic syndrome.
C15:0 helps protect you by diving deep into your cells to promote your cellular and general health. A growing body of research shows that this odd-chain fatty acid may be the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. This means that we may need certain levels of C15:0 in our bodies to stay healthy, our bodies don’t make enough of it, so we must ingest adequate levels of C15:0 in our diet or supplements. C15:0 helps protect your overall metabolic health by naturally binding to receptors throughout our bodies, called PPARs, that help to regulate our metabolism. C15:0 also helps to restore impaired mitochondrial function, supports your cells’ resilience and functionality, and helps to restore communication between your cells. When your cells function properly, your body functions properly. Studies have shown that people with higher C15:0 levels in their bodies have a lower risk of having or developing type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and many other conditions. Where Can You Get C15:0? You can get C15:0 in trace amounts in full fat dairy products and some fish. However, you can also get a full, daily dose of C15:0 in a once daily supplement that is easy to take, completely tasteless, and confined to one convenient capsule. You don’t have to become a part of the declining health statistics. Giving your body a fighting chance with exercise and a proper diet, including C15:0. Sources: https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/metabolic-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351916 https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/09/170913193141.htm https://journals.lww.com/jhypertension/Abstract/2015/08000/Daily_potassium_intake_and_sodium_to_potassium.3.aspx http://www.clinicalnutritionjournal.com/article/S0261-5614(14)00140-X/abstract https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213858714701469 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64960-y  Authored by: Eric Venn-Watson, MD
Summary:
No one likes getting “the conversation” from their healthcare provider, but if you aren’t managing your diet and exercise very well, chances are, it’s going to happen. Hearing your doc say you should trim a little off your waistline or exercise more may seem like a non-threatening suggestion you can easily brush off. However, if you don’t heed your doctor’s orders, you could put yourself at risk for a condition known as insulin resistance. You can make dietary and lifestyle changes to help prevent becoming insulin resistant in the first place and reverse its effects if you’ve already been diagnosed. What is Insulin? Insulin is a hormone that your body naturally makes. Insulin is what regulates the glucose, or sugar, in your blood. Insulin is produced by your pancreas. After you eat a meal, glucose enters your bloodstream from carbohydrates that have been broken down. Insulin is what helps glucose get to your body’s cells to give you energy. If there is extra glucose in your blood after you eat, it gets stored in your liver. When your insulin levels dip a few hours after your meal, your liver releases the glucose back into your bloodstream to be used as energy. In a person who is healthy, this is how the process works and keeps you energized. What is Insulin Resistance? Insulin resistance is a condition in which a person’s body has built up a tolerance to insulin, making it much less effective. People with insulin resistance syndrome, also known as metabolic syndrome, require more insulin to deliver glucose from the blood to fat and muscle cells to be used as energy. They also need more insulin to persuade the liver to store excess glucose. While insulin resistance doesn’t mean a person has type 2 diabetes or even prediabetes, it is characteristic of people who develop these conditions. Symptoms of Insulin Resistance “I feel fine,” you may say to yourself, but insulin resistance often comes with no feelings of sickness or general malaise. Only having a fasting glucose blood test can show whether you have risk factors for insulin resistance, or even prediabetes. As such, it’s incredibly important to get regular check-ups with your healthcare provider. The hallmarks of insulin resistance syndrome include the following:
You may have some or all of the above if you are insulin resistant. Risk Factors for Developing Insulin Resistance Your lifestyle, diet, and exercise routines play a major role in keeping you healthy and reducing your risk for developing insulin resistance. Simply taking better care of yourself can drastically reduce your likelihood of developing insulin resistance. People with some or all of the following factors have a higher risk of developing insulin resistance.
4 Tricks To Reverse Insulin Resistance Thankfully, by making some lifestyle changes and adjusting your diet and supplement intake, you can begin to reverse your insulin resistance, or prevent yourself from becoming insulin resistant. Here are 4 tricks you can start today to reverse your insulin resistance. Eat Better Eating better isn’t just about losing weight. Your body needs certain nutrients and vitamins to work properly. Many of the prepackaged, processed foods we eat are void of nutrients and have instead been filled with trans-fats, refined carbohydrates, and added sugar. Eating a diet richer in complex carbohydrates (whole grains, brown rice) and seeking out plant-based foods, fresh fruits, and vegetables is a great way to improve your diet, increase your overall health, and even help keep you fuller longer. Move More Exercise is a crucial part of reversing insulin resistance. Moving for just 30 minutes per day can dramatically improve your overall health. In fact, even low impact exercise, like walking, has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity. Maintain a Healthy Weight Your weight matters in terms of your overall health. If you carry excess weight, especially around your waistline, you’re at a much higher risk of developing insulin resistance. By maintaining a healthier diet and exercising, you can also begin to shed extra pounds. Increase Your Intake of Pentadecanoic Acid (aka C15:0) Pentadecanoic acid, also known as C15:0, is an odd-chain saturated fatty acid that a growing body of research supports is as beneficial in maintaining healthy metabolism. Afraid you should avoid it because it’s a “saturated” fat? We understand, but science says not all saturated fats are bad. While even-chain saturated fatty acids are linked to negative health markers, odd-chain saturated fatty acids like C15:0 have been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and insulin resistance syndrome (also called metabolic syndrome). C15:0 naturally binds to receptors in your body, called PPARs, that orchestrate your metabolism and immunity. By doing so, C15:0 promotes your overall metabolic health, which can help you maintain healthy blood glucose levels, more balanced cholesterol, and better liver function. Studies have shown that daily supplementation with C15:0 can lower glucose and cholesterol in relevant models of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance syndrome. C15:0 also works by supporting your metabolic health on the cellular level. In addition to activating your metabolism-regulating receptors, this fatty acid helps improve your cell’s mitochondrial function, which equates to more overall energy. It also bolsters your cells’ resilience and functionality. As you age, your cells become more fragile and easily damaged. C15:0 gives them support. What Foods Contain C15:0? Our primary source of C15:0 is whole dairy products like full fat milk and butter. It is estimated that we need between 100 to 300 mg of C15:0 a day. Because many of us have moved away from whole fat dairy products, you may not have much in your diet. As an alternative to milk fat, people can also get their daily C15:0 from once daily vegan supplements. In summary, activities that may help to reverse or prevent insulin resistance, including a healthier diet, 30 minutes of exercise a day, and eating foods or supplements with C15:0 can also improve your general health. Let’s get back to healthy. Sources: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetes/in-depth/diabetes-treatment/art-20044084 https://diabetes.org/healthy-living/medication-treatments/insulin-resistance https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/diabetes/symptoms-diagnosis--monitoring-of-diabetes https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/expert-answers/exercise/faq-20057916 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10683091/ https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/99/6/1385/4577423 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213858714701469 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-64960-y  Authored by: Eric Venn-Watson, MD
Summary:
You might think twice before grabbing a second donut at the office, or politely pass on dessert in an effort to lower your sugar intake, but did you know you could still be at risk of developing diabetes even if you avoid sugary foods? If you’ve got type 1 diabetes, even avoiding sugary foods won’t prevent you from having a hyperglycemic or hypoglycemic episode if you aren’t properly managing your blood sugar with medication. The occurrences of diabetes is high, affecting at least one in every ten adults, according to the CDC. While type 1 diabetes is not curable or preventable, we can work to prevent and even reverse type 2 diabetes that is caused by poor diet and health patterns. First things first: let’s look at the differences and similarities between types 1 and 2 diabetes, and explore options we have in preventing and reversing diabetes in the future. What is Diabetes? Simply put, if your blood sugar is consistently too high and your body can’t lower it on its own, you likely have diabetes. Blood sugar, also called glucose, enters the blood from the foods you eat. Glucose comes primarily from carbohydrates, but those carbs aren’t limited to just sugars and starches in “cheat” foods like donuts. Carbohydrates come in the form of “healthy” foods, too, like fruits and vegetables. When you eat food, your body turns the carbohydrates in your food into glucose. The glucose in your blood is used for energy. Your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which moves glucose from your blood into your cells to be burned as energy. In a person who is diabetic, there isn’t enough insulin to remove glucose from the blood, and this results in high blood sugar levels. The difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes has to do with insulin production. Type 1 Diabetes A person who has type 1 diabetes cannot produce insulin, or produces too little insulin to have any effect on blood glucose. This type of diabetes is an autoimmune disease that can’t be prevented or cured. It is thought that type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics. Type 1 diabetes can be managed with medication. The immune system of a person who has type 1 diabetes attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, so no insulin is made. A person with type 1 diabetes is said to be insulin-dependent, which means they must manage their diabetes by taking insulin medications. Insulin can be taken in the form of a shot or a pump. Type 2 Diabetes The body of someone with type 2 diabetes does not make insulin well, or doesn’t use it efficiently. This results in too much glucose in the blood, called hyperglycemia. This can be a result of insulin resistance, a condition where a person’s cells don’t respond to insulin as well as they should. Type 2 diabetes can develop at any age, but it is most prevalent in middle-aged and older adults. Though the biggest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes are obesity and lack of physical activity, genetics do play a role. A person with type 2 diabetes may need medication to control their diabetes, including oral medication like metformin as well as insulin. Which is More Severe, Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes? Both types of diabetes can cause major health issues including cardiovascular disease. However, type 1 diabetes is often more severe than type 2 diabetes. Additionally, type 2 diabetes may be able to be reversed or avoided by maintaining good lifestyle habits and a healthy diet at the pre-diabetes stage. Because type 1 diabetes is not curable or reversible, it is generally harder on a person’s overall health than type 2 diabetes. However, it should be noted that type 2 diabetes that is not well regulated can lead to very serious health conditions, such as:
These problems can develop over time and become more severe in a type 2 diabetic who does not properly manage their blood sugar levels. Which Type of Diabetes Are You Born With? A person with type 1 diabetes is often born with the disease, although type 1 diabetes can be developed. Normally, a person with type 1 diabetes that does not have it at birth develops it as a child, which is why it is often times referred to as juvenile diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is often developed later as a result of a poor diet, unhealthy weight, and lack of physical activity. Genetic factors do play a role in predisposing a person to type 2 diabetes, but even those genetic factors do not mean a person will definitely develop diabetes. You can decrease your risk of developing type 2 diabetes by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet, and exercising regularly. These three factors alone are crucial in keeping your blood sugar levels in the healthy, normal range, and working against any genetic factors that might predispose you to developing diabetes. You can also promote healthy blood sugar levels by making an effort to consume healthy fats like C15:0 that help to maintain metabolic function. Also known as pentadecanoic acid, research suggests C15:0 is the first essential fatty acid to be discovered in 90 years. Studies show that higher levels of C15:0 in a person’s diet are associated with lower occurrences of type 2 diabetes and a lower risk of type 1 diabetes. C15:0 and Type 2 Diabetes So how can a little fatty acid found mostly in full fat dairy help support healthy blood sugar levels? C15:0 gets deep into your cells to support mitochondrial function, bolster your cell walls, and help support your cellular health. Your cells get healthy, you get healthy. C15:0 is an odd chain saturated fatty acid that helps your body maintain proper cell function.* Specifically, C15:0 naturally activates receptors (called PPARs) throughout our body that help to regulate our metabolism and immunity, as well as our mood, appetite, and sleep. While some saturated fats are bad for us (i.e. even-chain saturated fats), odd-chain saturated fats like C15:0 are associated with good health markers like:
Along with a proper exercise plan and a balanced diet, making an effort to include C15:0 in your daily routine can help you be proactive in your healthcare and in keeping your weight and blood sugar in check. ~ Type 1 diabetes is not curable or preventable. Normally, people with type 1 diabetes are born with this disease, but it can be controlled with medication. Type 2 diabetes is a disease affecting every age and sect of the population. Poor diets and lack of exercise have long been the culprits of type 2 diabetes, but you can fight back by making lifestyle changes and incorporating more C15:0 in your diet to help support your overall health. To learn more about C15:0 and how it supports metabolism, click here! Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-stat-report.html https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-1-diabetes https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/what-is-diabetes/type-2-diabetes |
STEPHANIE VENN-WATSON, dvm, mphDr. Stephanie Venn-Watson is a veterinary epidemiologist dedicated to improving both human and animal health. Before co-founding Seraphina Therapeutics and Epitracker, Inc,. she worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, and the Department of Defense. Dr. Venn-Watson has over 70 peer-reviewed scientific publications and is an inventor on 40+ patents. Her dedication to discovering natural compounds to improve global health has been featured in/on Forbes, NPR Science Friday, PBS, National Geographic, BBC, and more. ERIC VENN-WATSON, MDDr. Eric Venn-Watson is a physician, US Navy veteran and serial entrepreneur. Prior to Seraphina Therapeutics, Eric founded multiple companies in therapeutics discovery, healthcare analytics, and medical device industries as well as working in leadership roles in several life science companies.
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