Extension Rural Health & Nutrition

The Health Benefits of Nature

The world is filled with nature. Natural environments, ranging from forests and coastal areas to community parks, gardens, and even indoor spaces with plants, are an integral part of daily life. Beyond their aesthetic value, these environments are increasingly recognized as contributors to human health and wellbeing. Overview of Nature and Health A growing body […]

Neuropathy: Increasing Awareness of Nervous System-Related Complications from Diabetes

The Nervous System The nervous system is responsible for sending messages throughout the body via electrical signals. These electrical signals instruct our bodies to perform various tasks, such as walking, talking, thinking, and digesting food. The brain and spinal cord make up the central nervous system. The nervous system is comprised of nerve cells known […]

Getting Restful Sleep with Diabetes: A Guide to Practicing Good Sleep Hygiene

Sleep: An Overview Sleep is an essential component of human health and well-being. On average, individuals spend approximately 1/3 (33%) of their lives asleep, underscoring the critical role sleep plays in maintaining normal physiological and cognitive function.  Without sufficient sleep, the human body cannot sustain its optimal performance or maintain long-term health. This is because […]

Growing Healthier Families Through Home Gardening

Home gardening is more than a passion; it can be a powerful tool for building healthier families. Studies show that growing vegetables at home can lead to improved nutrition, encourage physical activity, and support emotional well-being. Beyond the overall health benefits, gardening together can strengthen family bonds and help ease the financial strain of food […]

Gastroparesis

Gastroparesis, or delayed gastric emptying, occurs when the stomach takes too long to empty its contents. Gastric refers to the stomach, and paresis is a condition where muscle weakness or paralysis occurs due to nerve damage. The effects of gastroparesis are that muscles in the stomach do not move well or have impaired mobility, causing […]

Nutrition Recommendations for Diabetes

Introduction Diabetes is a complex chronic disease that, when left untreated, can impact every part of the body. Often, one may hear older generations refer to diabetes as a “touch of sugar” or “sugar diabetes.” While these names for the condition of diabetes are technically inaccurate terms, they do in some ways describe a small […]

Kidney Health and Diabetes

The kidneys are vital organs essential for survival, playing massive roles in waste management within the human body to support functions of all organ systems. To carry out their roles, the kidneys remove waste by filtering the blood and using the waste and extra fluids to produce urine. During this process, the kidneys remove acids […]

The Role of the Gut Microbiota in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes

According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), one of the most notable risk factors for type 2 diabetes is obesity. Obesity raises the risk for type 2 diabetes by increasing the body’s resistance to insulin, the hormone responsible for removing glucose (sugar) from the blood and delivering it to the body’s cells for energy. Additionally, […]