You’ve probably heard the frightening statistics about type 2 diabetes.
At the top of that list is the prediction that, if obesity trends hold, as many as one in three Americans could develop the disease by the year 2050.
Well, in an effort to prevent that bleak future from coming to pass, here’s some food for thought: A component naturally found in dairy fats might significantly cut an individual’s diabetes risk.
Milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter contain trans-palmitoleic acid, a beneficial substance that is not produced by the body and so must be assimilated into one’s diet, according to this new study by the Harvard School of Public Health.
The study, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and as reported by Science Daily, found that a diet rich in dairy products can be linked to a significantly lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
More research is needed to confirm the findings, and it’s important to note that full-fat dairy foods may pose their own problems, such as an increased risk of obesity.
Still, the study findings indicate it’s possible that replacing scientifically generated trans fats with naturally occurring dairy fats could be beneficial in warding off type 2 diabetes.
That’s potentially great news to share with your staff, especially if you have employees currently struggling with losing weight and other attempts to lower their risk of diabetes.
Workers who have type 2 diabetes cost your business in health care dollars, missed work, and productivity. The price of managing a chronic illness such as this can add up quickly and take a toll both on your employees’ well-being and your business’ bottom line.
Studies such as this one underscore the necessity of keeping yourself and your staff informed of the latest health and wellness research.
It’s never too late to start making changes to benefit your health, or to at least attempt to undo damage from years worth of not-so-wise lifestyle choices. And that’s a valuable point to get across to workers who might think a few changes won’t make enough of a difference.
Keep your staff informed, and stay on top of health and wellness promotion. Your employees and your business stand to reap the benefits for years to come.