A large number of people resolve to quit smoking all over the world on a daily basis. We have all heard over and over again how bad smoking is for us and how it contributes to a number of health problems and risks. And while quitting smoking is a great resolution, a new study featured on CNN.com states that quitting smoking can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Despite this new finding, experts caution that the benefits of quitting smoking — including a lower risk of heart attack and lung cancer — far outweigh the risk of developing diabetes, which can be treated with diet, exercise, and medication. However, the risk is something to keep in mind as you’re trying to quit smoking.
The study states that oftentimes when people quit smoking they have a tendency to gain weight, thereby making them a candidate for acquiring diabetes. The study followed 11,000 individuals without diabetes, where 45 percent of these individuals were smokers. After the nine year study, 1,254 people in the study developed type 2 diabetes. 
To combat this risk doctors suggest paying extra attention to weight control and making other lifestyle changes if you have decided to quit smoking and want to decrease your risk of weight gain and developing type 2 diabetes.
Weight control is key, to counteract the increased risk of diabetes, people who quit smoking are encouraged to implement a series of lifestyle changes in consultation with their physicians.
Dr. Richard D. Hurt, director of the Nicotine Dependence Center at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, recommends that people who quit smoking stick to small portions of low-fat, low-calorie foods. They should also get moving, he adds.
“Even just moderate exercise — like 30 minutes of brisk walking — reduces the urges to smoke and reduces withdrawal symptoms,” he says. “People are able to distract themselves, it makes them feel better, and it uses up some of the calories.”
Nicotine-replacement products may also be helpful since nicotine is largely responsible for the appetite-suppressing effect of cigarettes. Nicotine patches or gum deliver nicotine much more slowly than a cigarette, however, so to suppress appetite and prevent weight gain they may need to be administered in above-average doses, says Hurt, who was not involved in the new study.
If they are taken for at least three to six months, smoking cessation drugs such as bupropion, an atypical antidepressant sold as Zyban or Wellbutrin may also limit weight gain, Hurt says.
In addition to recommending lifestyle changes, it is suggested that physicians keep an eye on the blood glucose levels of patients who quit smoking, as elevated glucose levels can be a warning sign for type 2 diabetes.
Despite the study’s findings, doctors are quick to emphasize that quitting smoking — or better yet, never starting in the first place — is far healthier than continuing to smoke, which can cause a host of deadly health problems ranging from heart disease to lung cancer.
“Type 2 diabetes is associated with smoking to begin with; this study found there’s a 30 percent increased risk if you’re a smoker compared to nonsmokers,” he points out. “Stopping smoking increases that risk, but its way offset by the other health gains,” explains Dr. Hurt.
Popularity: unranked [?]
In a report released by the International Union against Cancer (UICC), of the 12 million people who are diagnosed with cancer every year worldwide nearly 40 percent could prevent this life-threatening disease by changing their lifestyles and obtaining vaccines in order to protect themselves against infection.
Preventing Cancer Tip #1- Avoid Smoking and Exposure to Smoke
With winter comes the onset of cold and flu season in addition to other events that can wreak havoc on our immune system. In order to boost our immune systems, we need to make some minor adjustments in our diet and lifestyle to help curb the impact the season has on our body. Try these small adjustments to keep yourself healthy this winter. 
Adjustment 2: Eat Enough Protein
Let’s face it, in today’s rush-rush world we are always trying to cram as much as possible into our 24-hour day. Sadly, many people are turning to energy drinks and pills to help get them through their long days, when in actuality there are plenty of natural energy boosters that you could rely on to help you stay energized.
Exercise to music- Exercise may be the most obvious way to increase your energy levels throughout the day, yet many people still avoid it. If you are having trouble getting the motivation to work out, try listening to music before exercising. Studies show that people who listen to music prior to and while working out, feel like they have exerted themselves less than those who don’t listen to music while working out. 
According to a recent report released by 
New Year’s resolution time has come and gone and if your resolution was to maintain your health and eat better in 2010, then the following foods and drinks should be high on your grocery list.
Red Wine- While you will rarely hear any doctor advising that you drink any alcohol, red wine may just be the exception. Research shows that antioxidants in red wine, polyphenols, aid in protecting the lining of blood vessels in the heart. These antioxidants come in the form of flavonoids and nonflavonoids, which red wine has more than any other food or drink.
Despite what many people think, our brain can remain sharp, active, vital and creative no matter what our age. Our brain will continue to create new brain cells and new connections over the years, but our brain vitality is completely up to us. Maintaining that vitality is truly a “use it or lose it” situation.
Challenge your brain: Challenging your brain by learning and doing something new every week helps to create new neural pathways, helping to make your brain more versatile and able to multi-task. As found on 
The winter months are some of the harshest months on your delicate skin. But by following these simple tips you can help protect your skin from the harshness of winter. Your body will thank you for it.
5. Exfoliate those rough feet- While the logical cure for dry feet is to moisturize them, dermatologists suggest that exfoliating your feet should be the cure instead. A moisturizer cannot work if you continue to put it on dead skin. Once you get rid of those rough spots on your feet, then the moisturizer you use will take to your feet so much better. Try a crystal buffer while your feet are damp or a stainless steel file while your feet are dry for the best results.
We’re right smack in the dab of winter and it’s more important to boost your immune system this time of the year more than any other. Winter time is synonymous with cold and flu season, so why not try a few methods for warding off those winter sniffles?
Sunshine- Vitamin D, which is produced in the skin after exposure to the sun, is a great boost for your immune system and cell defense. Even getting outdoors when the sun is shining, despite the cold weather, will do wonders for your body.
Dieting can be overwhelming. Sorting through labels- calories, fiber, good fat vs. bad fat and doesn’t it seem like the information is always changing? The food that we put in our bodies is essential to how we feel and how our bodies look so it’s essential that we’re making healthy food choices.