FCS3-543: Diabetes and High Blood Pressure

Anna Cason, Ingrid Adams | February 26, 2025 (Minor Revision)

Diabetes increases the risk for developing high blood pressure, or hypertension. High blood pressure means your heart works harder to pump blood through your body. This increases the risk for heart disease and stroke. It also increases the risk of diabetes complications, including kidney disease, eye problems that may lead to blindness, and nerve problems.

FCS3-540: Managing Diabetes

Anna Cason, Ingrid Adams | January 30, 2025 (Reviewed)

Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly use glucose for energy. This causes glucose to build up in the blood. High levels of blood glucose can result in health conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, nerve damage, and more. There are several known benefits of managing diabetes appropriately.

FCS3-539: Understanding Diabetes

Anna Cason, Ingrid Adams | January 24, 2025 (Major Revision)

Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body changes food into energy. Most of the food we eat is turned into glucose, a simple sugar, which is released into our blood. The pancreas makes a hormone called insulin in response to rising blood-sugar levels to help glucose get into the cells of the body. Think of insulin as a key to cells: When insulin is around, the glucose can enter. These cells use this glucose as energy. With diabetes, the body either doesn’t make enough insulin or the cells can’t effectively use the insulin that is made. When there is insufficient insulin, glucose builds up in the blood rather than entering cells, which leads to high blood sugar. Chronically elevated levels of blood sugar have an impact on health. Medication and lifestyle changes are ways to manage blood-glucose levels.

FCS3-571: Fiber: Are You Bulking Up on the Benefits?

Anna Cason, Ingrid Adams | November 12, 2024 (Major Revision)

You may have heard you should eat more fiber, but do you know why? Fiber, in adequate amounts, decreases the risk for heart disease, supports blood sugar management, improves digestive health, and contributes to weight management.

FCS3-104: Lactose Intolerance

Anna Cason, Sandra Bastin | November 12, 2024 (Major Revision)

Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose, the natural sugar found in most dairy products. Lactase, an enzyme our bodies produce, breaks down lactose into simpler units during digestion. Some people do not produce enough lactase or do not produce lactase at all. In this case, the lactose does not get broken down into smaller units. Instead, the lactose is fermented in the colon. This fermentation process often produces common symptoms of lactose intolerance, including bloating, abdominal gas or pain, diarrhea, and nausea.

FCS3-574: Cholesterol 101

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | October 15, 2024 (Major Revision)

Cholesterol is a fat-like substance found in all cells of the body. Our bodies naturally make cholesterol. Foods we eat can also impact the levels in our blood. Cholesterol is needed for the body to function properly, but too much cholesterol in our blood can have an impact on our health.

FCS3-555: Probiotics: Friendly Bacteria

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | October 14, 2024 (Major Revision)

Probiotics are live microorganisms, mainly bacteria and some yeasts, that may provide some health benefits. They also help to digest the foods we eat. “Probiotic” is a broad term for many different living organisms that can be found in foods, drinks, and supplements. The type and number of bacteria in our guts can change depending on our consumption of these items, in addition to other factors including health status, antibiotic and medication use, where we live, and even stress levels. Many of these probiotics found in food sources and supplements are like the bacteria found naturally in our bodies.

FCS3-554: Family Mealtime: Using MyPlate for Our Plates

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | May 23, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Family mealtime gives us the opportunity to communicate, strengthen relationships, and introduce healthy eating habits. MyPlate gives a guideline for building nutritious meals. Small changes over time add up. Here are some simple steps to begin.

FCS3-553: Family Mealtime: A How-To Guide

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | April 25, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Do you ever wish you had more time to talk, laugh and have fun with your family? There is a simple solution - the family meal. Everyone needs to eat. Why not find a time that all of you can sit down for a family meal? It is a perfect time to talk.

FCS3-544: Diabetes and Cholesterol

Ingrid Adams, Anna Cason | March 22, 2024 (Minor Revision)

People living with diabetes are at a greater risk of heart disease than people who do not have diabetes. This increased risk is linked to higher levels of blood cholesterol.