FCS3-542: Diabetes and Hemoglobin A1C

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

Hemoglobin A1C is a measure of average blood-glucose levels over the past two to three months. Health-care providers sometimes reference hemoglobin A1C as “HbA1C” or “A1C.” These names all mean the same thing.

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.

FCS3-574: 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.

FCS3-643: Adding Up Vitamin A in the Diet

Heather Norman-Burgdolf | August 16, 2024 (New)

What do sweet potatoes and beef liver have in common? They are both excellent sources of vitamin A. We need this vitamin for vision, immunity, growth, development, and helping our heart and lungs to work well.

FCS3-644: Vitamin E for Everyone

Heather Norman-Burgdolf | August 16, 2024 (New)

We are exposed to harmful chemicals in our environment each day that can cause free radicals. These could be from cigarette smoke, pollution, or even too much sun. Our body processes can even create free radicals. This matters because free radicals can cause damage to our cells. There are several nutrients found in abundance in foods that can help minimize free radicals in our body. One of those nutrients is vitamin E.

FCS3-645: Vitamin K All the Way

Heather Norman-Burgdolf | August 16, 2024 (New)

Have you ever wondered what happens when you get a paper cut? Why do you stop bleeding after a certain amount of time? You can thank the vitamin-K-rich foods you eat for that. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting when an injury happens and supports bone health and strength.

FCS3-562: MyPlate: Tools for Building a Balanced Plate

Ingrid Adams | July 19, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Building a balanced diet is much like building a house: you must begin with a good foundation. A healthy eating foundation means including a variety of foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy, and a mixture of lean proteins into an eating pattern.

FCS3-560: Beverage Breakdown

Ingrid Adams | July 11, 2024 (Minor Revision)

Water, 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, and unsweetened beverages like coffee, tea, and sparkling water provide proper hydration. However, we often see sweetened coffee drinks, soda, lemonade, energy drinks, sweet tea, sports drinks, and more sugar-sweetened beverages on the menu or shelves at the grocery store. Often, these drinks contain high amounts of added sugar and little amounts of valuable nutrients that support our health.

FCS3-524: Dietary Supplements: What are They and Who Needs Them

Sandra Bastin | July 1, 2024 (Major Revision)

Choosing the right supplement is not a simple task, but with a little information, you can choose the best daily supplement for you. Traditionally, dietary supplements are products made of one or more essential nutrients, like vitamins and minerals, but they may also include amino acids, botanicals, or herbal ingredients. Supplements come in many forms including capsules, pills, gummies, powders, drinks, and bars.