news&views Winter 2018 | Page 15

ARTA Wellness: The Diabetes Volume Amanda Shaw | Director of Marketing, ARTA Over 425 million people around the globe are currently living with diabetes. Most of these cases are type 2 diabetes, which is largely manageable through regular physical activity, a healthy and balanced diet, and the promotion of healthy living environments. November is National Diabetes Month, with World Diabetes Day on November 14. Timed with this occasion, ARTA released its fi rst Wellness publication focused on diabetes. The publication discusses topics including what diabetes is, how to mitigate risk with age, and living with a diagnosis of diabetes. Learning all you need to know about diabetes may seem daunting, but the more you learn, the better equipped you will be to make lifestyle adjustments that come with good diabetes management. ARTA Wellness: The Diabetes Volume provides a great introduction to diabetes and links to valuable resources for more information. To further build on the information provided, articles related to diabetes will appear in upcoming issues of news&views . If you did not receive your copy of ARTA Wellness: The Diabetes Volume, please contact the ARTA offi ce to have a copy mailed to you. Diabetes and Smoking There are many ways to stay healthy; one of the most important is to stop smoking. While it is well known that smoking increases risk for heart attacks, lung cancer, and strokes, Diabetes Canada suggests that smokers are also thirty to forty per cent more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than nonsmokers. Again, according to Diabetes Canada, people with diabetes face an even greater risk from smoking: smokers have more trouble with insulin dosing and with controlling their disease. Also, just like high blood sugar levels, chemicals in cigarette smoke attack blood vessels. When blood vessels are under attack, the arteries begin to harden, aff ecting the blood’s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body and contributing to long-term complications of diabetes. If you are ready to stop smoking, there are many resources available. Consider asking your doctor or a family member for help and accountability. Research nicotine replacement products, and purchase some if you think they may help you. Federal and provincial governments also provide a variety of resources. ● Recommended Resources Government of Canada: Gosmokefree.gc.ca or call a “Quit Coach” toll-free 1-866-366-3667 Alberta Quits: albertaquits.ca or call 1-866-710-QUIT (7848) BC Quit Now: quitnow.ca or call 1-877-455-2233 Canadian Cancer Society Smokers’ Helpline: smokershelpline.ca or call 1-877-513-5333 New Clients Are Welcome Gerhard Sawatzky, MEd, CFP ® Life Insurance and Financial Services 1-403-652-9453 momentumcap.ca info@momentumcap.ca Mutual funds and other securities are sold through Portfolio Strategies Corporation; other products and services are provided through Momentum Capital Management. news&views WINTER 2018 | 15