>U Mom Knows Best: 4 Facts About Ceramides: The Fat Linked to Diabetes

Wednesday, February 9, 2022

4 Facts About Ceramides: The Fat Linked to Diabetes

  Ceramides are a kind of fatty acid called lipids. They make up about fifty percent of the outer layer of our skin and are involved in our neuro-development. Ceramides are a necessary building block in our bodies, but too many can cause diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems

There are measures we can take to limit the level of ceramides in our bodies, to prevent disease.

What are Ceramides

 Ceramides are fatty acids stored in our muscles, tissue, and liver. Our bodies may end up with too-high levels of ceramides if we become overweight, which can lead to health issues.

 Ceramides have positive effects on the body as well. In fact, they are used in skincare products to increase skin moisture, prevent wrinkles and treat eczema and psoriasis, among other benefits. 

Source of Ceramides

 There are ceramides in foods, such as soybeans, eggs, dairy, and brown rice, but diet is not the main source of the ceramides in our bodies. We naturally produce ceramide in our bodies, and only when we exceed healthy levels do problems occur.

IMAGE SOURCE: https://pixabay.com/images/search/health/ 

Effect of Ceramides

  Too much ceramide in the body can damage mitochondria, which are the parts of cells that generate energy. This damage can lead to metabolic syndrome and metabolic disease

 Cardiovascular diseases are also more likely. DiaBettr cites a study from the University of Utah that found that people with high ceramide levels were three to four times more likely to have a stroke or heart attack than those with lower levels.

 Excess ceramides affect insulin signaling and transmission. We need insulin to absorb blood glucose into the cells. When this process fails, our blood glucose levels are too high and we develop type 2 diabetes and related health issues.

Reducing Ceramides 

The experts at DiaBettr offer suggestions on reducing ceramide levels in the body, such as exercise and eating a healthy, low-fat diet.

Exercise

 One thing everyone can do to reduce ceramide levels is exercise. Exercising can also improve glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, which can help to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, or help ease symptoms for sufferers.

It doesn’t have to be high-intensity training! Going for a walk, or even doing chair yoga if your mobility is restricted, can bring on these health benefits.

IMAGE SOURCE: https://pixabay.com/images/search/chair%20yoga/ 

Whole Foods

 Another great way to keep your body healthy and limit excess fat intake is to eat whole foods, like fruit and vegetables, rather than overly-processed alternatives. Limiting carbohydrate intake is essential for diabetic people, in order to keep blood glucose levels down. 

Everything In Moderation

 Essentially, it is important to enjoy everything in moderation; from carbs and processed foods to vegetables and exercise. You don’t need to stop eating all of the things you love, but a general awareness of calorie intake and high-fat foods, as well as a dedication to some form of regular exercise, will set you on the right path to avoiding too-high levels of ceramide in the body. 

This is definitely a price worth paying to avoid cardiovascular disease or diabetes!




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