Magazine Article Review: Zinc Improves Glucose Control

 Zinc Improves Glucose Control by Ross Howzer, Life Extension Magazine: The Science of a Healthier Life, Collectors Edition 2026, pp 65-68.

This is a concept I had not heard, that zinc could help with glucose control.  I am taking Four pills and a weekly shot to improve my glucose control.  Adding a zinc supplement may help as well.  This article indicates that zinc has many positive qualities.  It can improve and support the immune system.  Studies indicate that low zinc is related to inulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.  For those with diabetes zince supplements have helped improve blood sugar numbers and lower AIC.

This magazine promotes supplements so I was wary, so turned to AI for its answer to the question about zinc.  There is states that zinc can help diabetes and cholesterol.  It states that zinc is helpful in controlling blood sugar but it also warns it is possible to get too much zinc.  It suggests that a low dose of zinc can be helpful but less than 25 mg.  There are 50 mg supplements so I would be wary of those.  My multivitamin has 10 mg zinc so a supplement with 10 or 15 mg may be right for me.  I see my Dr. in a couple weeks and am going to ask him about this.

Weight Wars # 6

It has been a year since I last wrote about my weight struggle.  I changed my injectable from Victoza, to Trylicity and now Monjauro.  The Monjauro seems to have been a bit more effective as I have lost 8 lbs with it after being stuck at about 223 for some time.  I am now under the 220 mark which was a goal.  Now my goal is to actually get below 200.  At 215 I am still in the obese range (but no longer grossly obese).  At 196 I would no longer be obese but only over weight.  Here is watching that things continue in a positive fashion.  I am exercising more.  I try for 5x a week.  However I still have binge eating episodes.  My sugar is a bit better this wick.  A1C Monday was 6.8.  Under 7 was my goal.

Weight Wars #4. 2/25/25

 My previous weight post was during the middle of Covid, April 2021.  At that time I weighed 240, obese. Now I am hovering around 220.  My eventual goal is to be under190 overweight instead of obese.  My wife blames the weight loss on continued use of Victoza.  I feel this helps but it is more.  I don't eat quite as much.  I could exercise more.  I developed sciatica in 2022 which really limited my exercise.  But to be honest it has resolved enough I could be exercising more.

Weight Wars #3.   4/19/2021

 I have posted twice before, but not for the past two years.  I saw my weight go from 298 in 2003 to 248 in 2019 and 245 in 2019.  My weight has not dropped much more.  Now I weigh about 240.  I am no longer grossly obese but just obese.  However I have been stagnant in any further weight loss.  I was able to take pills to help with weight loss, and then Victoza shot.  Victoza helped me lose about ten pounds but then no more.  However it is going to take something more to get me below the 240 line and continue my trek to 190 which is my ultimate goal.   I was doing better before Covid made everything be work from home.  Then I did not walk near as much as I no longer took the train to work.  I have not gotten into a pattern of exercise since having retired.  I keep thinking something will change.  I guess that something will need to be myself.  I need to lose that last 50 lbs to be as healthy as I can be.  

So I commit to a half hour walk or activity everyday.  I commit to doing exercises to help my frozen shoulder.  I commit to watch my food intake.  I commit to no food after 8 p.m.  

Weight Wars #2. 4/11/2019

I published a previous post about my weight and being half way to not being obese, down from 298 to 248.  I can now say I am down another 5 lbs but still only half way.  The difference is an adjustment in my height.  I guess I am shrinking, which means I have another 10 pounds to lose before escaping the obesity line.  So down 55 pounds with a goal of 55 pounds more.  I hope this sharing will motivate me, as my life is at stake.

Weight Wars. 9/29/2018

I came across something really scary: a record of my weight from 2001 through 2003.  I started at 292 in December of 2001.  However I was down to 285 by mid January; only to blossom back up by the end of the year.  My last recorded weight in 2002, early December, was 292.  Then I became my heaviest.  I started 2003 at 298.  That is just gross.  That is the most I have weighed my entire life.  That is 100 pounds above the obese line.  I recorded that by the end of 2003 I was back to 285.  I have continued a mostly downward spiral, with significance periods of getting stuck.  I am half of the way to the obese line--in other words I am 50 pounds lighter than my heaviest with another 50 to go.
What have been the consequences.  I have diabetes and tinnitus, and sleep apnea and high blood pressure.  Weight is a contributing factor in all these areas.  I hope when I am no longer obese--some of these health issues will be resolved.  I would be grateful if just one or two  would improve and I not have to take so many medications.

Diabetes: Lowering Your A1C

A1C is a blood test which can let you know how you are doing with regards to diabetes management.  Mine has been too high for some time, 10.2 first of 1026, then down to 8.9 and 8.5 but my last lab back up to 8.8.   have gone through several medication adjustments to try to get this under control, adding januvia and then later gong to extended release metformin.  These have done some good.  However I am looking at these points from Everyday health to bolster my results.  Anything over seven is considered too high.  Below 5.7 is considered normal.
1. Move more.  At least 30 minutes of exercise five days a week is needed.  However this does not have to be formal exercise.  Participating in a sport, walking, or other activity requiring movement will do the trick.
2. Eat a balanced diet with proper nutrition sizes.  Ideas include using a salad plate instead of a dinner plate, be mindful of portion sizes when eating fruit starchy foods and fats, avoid processed foods, and avoid sugary drinks.
3.  Stick to a schedule.  Skipping meals, and then overindulging, or going too long without eating between meals can lead to unhealthy drops and spikes in blood sugar.  I have heard small meals with regular snacks in between is best.
4. Follow you treatment plan.  Best to take medications when they should be taken.
5. Check your blood sugar levels regularly.  This is one I am not doing regularly.  Unless I am on the train, I usually don't check my level.  It is important to check so you can learn how you level responds to certain activities and foods.
Consultation with your doctor about your A!C levels is always a good idea.