People tend to pay more attention to their overall health and fitness as they age. If you ignore your aches, pains, and injuries, they’re more likely to worsen, which is why so many of us go out of our way to track specific health measurements. One measurement you should track, especially if you’re showing symptoms of prediabetes, is your blood sugar. Maintaining low blood sugar helps prevent cognitive decline, kidney disease, nerve damage, and more. However, many don’t know how to lower their blood sugar if it’s starting to reach dangerous levels. Here are two lifestyle changes that can help keep blood sugar low while improving other aspects of your health. Exercise regularly. Exercise becomes increasingly important as we age, but this doesn’t mean you have to go all out every time you strap on Sugar Smarts ESSENTIAL STEPS TO BALANCE BLOOD SUGAR AS YOU AGE
your running shoes or go to the gym. Experts recommend that you get around 150 minutes of exercise every week, and it doesn’t have to be any more strenuous than a brisk walk. You’ll see much better results if you pick a routine that’s easy to maintain and follow. Cut back on ultra-processed foods. When people try to keep their blood sugar balanced, they usually make an added effort to reduce their intake of sweets. However, nearly all processed carbs pose a risk. Even eating things like bread, pasta, noodles, and white rice can raise sugar levels. Pay attention to what you eat, and your body will thank you.
Biting Bullets and Serving Cold Shoulders
The Unexpected Histories of Old Expressions
When you’ve had to “bite the bullet” and face a difficult situation, did you get a mouth full of gunpowder? Or, has someone’s “cold shoulder” left you with indigestion? While we hear these common expressions often, their quirky origins may leave you feeling like a “cat’s got your tongue.” From wartime
practices to subtle ways to kick out unwanted houseguests, the stories behind these phrases may surprise you. Bite the Bullet In the days before painkillers and anesthesia, doctors had a bang-up method to dull the pain of surgery. Soldiers injured on the battlefield were given a bullet to bite down on as a way to distract from the aches. We still use this expression to describe accepting something difficult or unpleasant. At least we won’t chip any teeth today! Give the Cold Shoulder Nothing stings quite like someone snubbing you and giving you a cold shoulder. As early as the 1800s, cold shoulders were considered a polite
way to tell someone you wanted them to leave. Party hosts used to serve a cold piece of pork shoulder or beef to unwanted guests to say, “Get out.” Break the Ice We have all probably had to “break the ice” in conversations or awkward social situations, but its origins are far more literal. Ships used to be the primary mode of transportation for goods, and road infrastructure was many years away. While carrying goods to trade, ships often got stuck in ice. The receiving country would send small ships to break the ice and make a path for the trade ships. It symbolized an understanding and partnership between two territories.
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