Every other Wednesday in the Pacific Daily News, Dr. Vincent S. Duenas, an internal medicine physician at the FHP Health Center and chief medical officer at TakeCare Insurance Company, Inc, writes Wellness Wednesdays, a column offering suggestions to live a balanced lifestyle.
The 2024 Pika’s Best Family Physician, Dr. Duenas’ most recent columns are below and linked to the original columns at guampdn.com.
If you have a question, you can contact Dr. Duenas via email at vincent.duenas@fhphealth.com.
How ultra-processed foods impact health - December 11, 2024
With the dramatic rise in heart disease, diabetes, and cancer in recent years, ultra-processed foods have been a hot topic in medicine. I’d like to share some important information about these foods and their impact on our health.
What are ultra-processed foods?Ultra-processed foods are industrial formulations made primarily from substances extracted from foods or synthesized in laboratories. These items go far beyond traditional food processing like freezing or canning. They typically contain numerous ingredients you wouldn’t find in a home kitchen, such as hydrogenated oils, modified starches, protein isolates, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives.
To read the rest of the column, click here.
Prediabetes — A wake-up call for better health - December 25, 2024
Diabetes often steals the spotlight when we talk about our health.
A lot of people either have it or know someone else who does. The numbers are alarming. Roughly 38.4 million people in the United States are currently diagnosed. Although this garners the concern and attention it deserves, what we also need to be paying close attention to is the large number of people with prediabetes, a staggering 98 million Americans. Shockingly, 80% of these individuals are unaware, making prediabetes a significant public health concern.
To read the rest of the column, click here