It's a sad statistical fact: The holidays, from Christmas to New Year's, are a treacherous time when it comes to our health.

"There's a spike in heart attacks and other cardiac issues," says Dr. John Young, a physician specializing in the treatment of chronic illnesses through biochemical, physiological and nutraceutical technologies, and the author of "Beyond Treatment: Discover how to build a cellular foundation to achieve optimal health," www.YoungHealth.com.

"The incidence of pneumonia cases spikes - in both cold and warm climates. And deaths from natural causes spike. In fact, more people die of natural causes on Christmas Day than any other day of the year!"

While those numbers are well-documented, the cause(s) are not.

"Stress plays a role, particularly if your immune system is weakened," Dr. Young says. "If you look at how most of us eat from Halloween through New Year's, it's easy to see how the immune system takes a beating and otherwise healthy people become more susceptible to illness during the holidays."

It's basic biochemistry, he says.

"We eat a lot more refined sugar, for instance, which is a carbohydrate that's been stripped of all the vitamins, minerals and proteins that make up a complete carbohydrate," he says. "Our bodies can't use that, so the cells in our digestive organs work overtime, burning up a lot of energy, vitamins and minerals to digest it, and they get nothing back. So, eventually, they grow weak."

So - can we have a little sugar, and good health, too? Dr. Young says we can.

"The occasional slice of pumpkin pie is fine as long as you're also feeding your cells with the nutrients they need - the minerals, vitamins, good quality protein, amino acids, essential fatty acids - to stay healthy."
He offers these tips for staying healthy through the holidays and throughout the year.

•  Get your vitamin D!
Vitamin D is actually a hormone, not a vitamin, and one of our best sources for it is sunshine. Unfortunately, many people work indoors all day, so they get little sun exposure. When they do go outside, they wear long sleeves and sunblock to protect against skin cancer. And, of course, in the wintertime, people in cold climes tend to stay inside. As a result, many of us are vitamin D deficient, and should be taking supplements.

"Vitamin D is crucial to many physiological systems, including our immune defenses," Dr. Young says. "It helps fight bacterial and viral infections, including the flu. It supports our cardiovascular system; optimal vitamin D levels can reduce hypertension, heart attacks and stroke.

"If I feel I'm coming down with a cold, I'll take 40,000 units of vitamin D at bedtime," he says. "The next morning, I usually feel like a new person."

•  Eat your protein - 1 gram for every 2.2 pounds of body weight daily.
In this country, we think a healthy diet means eating a lot of fruits and vegetables. We've forgotten protein, Dr. Young says.

"Our immune system is made up of proteins - our bones are 40 percent protein," he says. "We need protein."

When calculating your protein intake, consider: an egg has about 8 grams, and 8 ounces of fish, chicken, beef or pork have about 30 grams.

Dr. Young does not give any of his patients more than 100 grams of protein a day.

•  Get a good night's sleep, exercise, and manage your stress.
Yup, some doctors' orders never change. Rest, exercise and finding effective, healthy ways to cope with stress are simple ways to pamper your cells.

"One of the many cellular benefits of exercise is that it increases the oxygen in our bloodstream. Every cell in our body requires oxygen, so consider exercise another means of feeding your cells."

It's also important to manage stress during the holidays. With unchecked stress, our body releases large amounts of cortisol which, among other things, suppresses the immune system.

"Take time out to meditate, listen to music, or take a walk in the woods," Dr. Young says. "It feels good - and it's good for you!"

About John Young, M.D.

Dr. John Young, (www.YoungHealth.com), is a medical doctor with more than 15 years' experience working in emergency rooms and pediatric burn units. He's the medical director of Young Foundational Health Center, specializing in treating patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes by addressing the physiological issues and not just the symptoms. He's also medical director of Young Health Products, which incorporate the latest biochemical, physiological and Nobel Prize-winning protocols for optimal cellular nutrition. Dr. Young is the author of "Beyond Treatment." He takes questions via a call-in conference call every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. Call (760) 569-7676, access code 772967.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- November 24, 2014

WASHINGTON - Holiday cheer and merrymaking may be everywhere this time of year, but for thousands grieving the loss of a loved one, the holiday season can be an emotional minefield. And there's no road map for easy navigation.

Coping with grief over the death of a loved one during the holidays can be difficult. Memories of holiday traditions shared with a loved one who died may be painful. Somehow, mourners must navigate an emotional roller coaster ride during the holidays that can be bittersweet with nostalgia and happy memories, and also feel painfully cruel and isolating.

The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a national nonprofit organization offering comfort and care to families of our fallen military troops, offers the following tips to help anyone who is grieving the death of a loved one during the holiday season.

Take charge of your holiday season. Anticipating the holiday, especially if it's the first one without a cherished family member, can be worse than the actual holiday. Take charge of your holiday plans, and map out how you will spend your time. This can help relieve anxiety.

Make plans. Plan to spend the holidays where you feel nurtured, emotionally safe, and comfortable. Having a plan will help you navigate the holiday season and its activities. But remember to plan for flexibility, as you may not know how your emotions will respond, especially if it is your first or second holiday season after the death of a loved one.

Find sustenance for the soul. Your church, synagogue, mosque or other faith community may offer services, resources, and support networks for the bereaved. You may want to look for a support group for people who are grieving and have suffered a similar loss. Families who have lost a loved one serving in the military may find comfort by connecting with other survivors through the TAPS online community, peer support groups, peer mentoring or care groups.

Don't be afraid to change your holiday traditions. Some traditions may be a comfort, while others can cause pain. Consider which traditions to keep, and which ones to forego this year. Do not feel like you have to do something because you have always done it that way.

Include your lost loved one in gift-giving. Give a gift on behalf of your loved one to someone else. Consider making a donation to a charity in memory of your loved one.

Create a tribute. Light a candle, display a favorite photograph, or set a place at the dinner table to represent the missing loved one. Consider writing a letter to your loved one about the holidays and your special memories with that person.

Be gentle with yourself. Realize that familiar traditions, sights, smells and even tastes, may be comforting, or may jolt your emotions. This is the time of year when you need to be careful with your emotions and listen to yourself.

Attend holiday functions if you can. Consider attending holiday parties and events, especially if you'll be able to spend time with supportive family members and friends. Make an escape plan in case the event is more than you can handle. If you think a holiday gathering might be more than you can bear, it is ok to stay home.

Don't pretend you haven't experienced a loss. Imagining that nothing has happened does not make the pain of losing a loved one go away, nor does it make the holidays easier to endure. Even though holiday memories may be painful, they can be comforting. It is ok to talk with others about what you have lost and what the holidays mean to you.

Pay attention to your health. It's often difficult for people who have experienced a recent loss to sleep. Make sure you get regular rest and drink lots of water. Do not over-indulge in sweets or alcohol. If you feel overwhelmed, talk with your medical care provider.

Take stock of both joy and sadness. Give yourself permission to feel joy as well as sadness. Don't feel like you have to "be a certain way" because of your loss, or because it is the holidays. Just be yourself.

Express your feelings. Bottling up your feelings may add to distress, not lessen it. To express your feelings, use your creativity to write a poem, talk with a supportive friend, create a painting, or pen a journal entry.

Share your holiday season with someone else. There are many lonely people who might like to experience the holiday season alongside someone else. Consider volunteering with a local charity or soup kitchen, inviting a neighbor for a special holiday meal or including others in your holiday activities.

For more tips on dealing with grief during the holidays, go to the TAPS website at www.taps.org and look for our holiday survival guide. TAPS will hold a special online chat for grieving military families on November 19 at 9pm Eastern Time with bereavement expert Darcie Sims to discuss handling the holidays. Sign up online through the TAPS online community at www.taps.org.

About TAPS
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) is the national organization providing compassionate care for the families of America's fallen military heroes and has offered support to more than 50,000 surviving family members of our fallen military and their caregivers since 1994. TAPS provides peer-based emotional support, grief and trauma resources, grief seminars and retreats for adults, Good Grief Camps for children, case work assistance, connections to community-based care, online and in-person support groups and a 24/7 resource and information helpline for all who have been affected by a death in the Armed Forces. Services are provided free of charge. For more information go to www.taps.org or call the toll-free TAPS resource and information helpline at 1.800.959.TAPS (8277).

Diabetes complications can occur if you don't regulate your blood sugar (glucose) levels properly. Blood sugar is produced in your liver and muscles, and most of the food you eat is converted into blood sugar. This is your body's source of energy, but when your blood sugar gets too high, diabetes is the result.

Your pancreas produces the hormone insulin, which then carries blood sugar into your cells, where it's stored and used for energy. When you develop insulin resistance, high levels of sugar build up in your blood instead of your cells and you start to experience signs and symptoms of diabetes. You may notice fatigue, hunger, increased thirst, blurred vision, infections that are slow to heal, pain and numbness in your feet or hands, and increased urination. For awhile, your pancreas will work to keep up with your body's sugar demand by producing more insulin, but eventually it loses the ability to compensate and serious diabetes complications ? including blindness, kidney failure, loss of circulation in your lower extremities, and heart disease ? can develop.

For most people with diabetes, the target blood sugar level is 70 to 130 mg/dL, but your doctor will work with you to pinpoint your individual target range. Your doctor can also help you learn what to eat and how to keep your blood sugar within a healthy range.

Joel Zonszein, MD, director of clinical diabetes at Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, says it's very important to work with and see your doctor regularly and to consult a diabetes educator. If your diabetes is well-controlled and you're monitoring your blood sugar level at least once or twice a day, seeing your doctor four times a year should be sufficient to maintain good diabetes control.

Four Signs of Diabetes Complications

One of the main reasons monitoring your blood sugar level is so important is that it can change quickly and unpredictably. The sooner you detect any changes, the sooner you can catch early signs of diabetes complications. Be aware of these four specific diabetes problems:

Hyperglycemia. The most common cause of diabetes complications is hyperglycemia, or when your blood sugar level rises above 180. This kind of spike indicates that either there isn't enough insulin in your body or that insulin isn't being properly used. You can experience high blood sugar from overeating, medication deficiency, or as a reaction to new medication. Signs of hyperglycemia include being very thirsty, experiencing extreme fatigue, having blurry vision, needing to urinate a lot, and feeling sick to your stomach. Although regular exercise may help stabilize your blood sugar level, it's important to contact your doctor because your meal plan, your medication, or both may need to be adjusted. If left untreated, hyperglycemia can become a life-threatening condition.

Hypoglycemia. A quick drop in your blood sugar level is called hypoglycemia. Blood sugar levels below 70 are dangerously low and can be caused by missing or delaying a meal, exercising too much, or taking too much medication. Hypoglycemia may cause feelings of weakness, confusion, irritability, shakiness, hunger, and fatigue. You can prevent passing out or having a seizure from hypoglycemia by eating regular meals, taking your diabetes medication, and checking your blood sugar level often. When your blood sugar begin to drop, you should drink fruit juice or regular soda, take glucose tablets, eat a spoonful of sugar or honey, or eat five or six pieces of hard candy to stabilize your blood sugar. If you experience hypoglycemia, contact your doctor as soon as possible. Until your blood sugar level has stabilized, repeat the sugary drink or food every 15 minutes. Always carry food with you for this reason.

Diabetic ketoacidosis. When there isn't enough insulin or sugar for fuel, your body starts breaking down fats for energy instead. As a result, your body produces ketones, which are waste products found in the blood. Because your body can't tolerate high levels of ketones, your system will try to eliminate them through your urine. If ketones build up in the blood, a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis can poison your body and lead to a coma or death. Early symptoms include thirst, dry mouth, shortness of breath, fruity smelling breath, frequent urination, fatigue, dry skin, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, high blood sugar, and high levels of ketones in your urine. You can check your ketone levels with a simple drugstore urine test. Diabetic ketoacidosis, which is relatively rare with type 2 diabetes, can be prevented by regularly checking for ketones, particularly when you're sick. Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis develop slowly, increase quickly, and can create an urgent medical situation. If you suspect you have diabetic ketoacidosis, call your doctor immediately and go directly to the emergency room.

Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketonic syndrome (HHNS). HHNS occurs you're your blood sugar level is extremely high ? greater than 600 mg/dL. It's most common in older people with type 2 diabetes and develops over days or weeks, especially after an illness or infection. The high level of sugar in your blood makes it thick and syrupy, and your body will work to rid itself of excess sugar by passing it through your urine. If you don't drink enough liquid, you run the risk of dehydration, and HHNS can also lead to a seizure, a coma, or death. Warning signs of HHNS include a dry mouth, extreme thirst, a fever greater than 101° F, drowsiness, confusion, vision loss, hallucinations, weakness on one side of your body, and dark urine. The best way to prevent HHNS is to check your blood sugar level regularly, and more often when you're sick. If warning signs begin to appear, drink liquids at least every hour and call your doctor or 911.

Follow your doctor's recommendations about how often to check your blood sugar level. In general, Melissa Li-Ng, MD, an endocrinologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, advises people who take diabetes medication to check their blood sugar once a day, and if you're on insulin, check it three times a day before each meal. Monitoring your blood sugar closely can help you prevent serious diabetes complications from developing.

PELLA, IA (11/24/2014)(readMedia)-- Jacob Logan '18, a member of the Central College Mock Trial Team, won the Outstanding Attorney Award at the Creighton University BlueJay Open on Nov. 22. Logan, a first-year student, was the second highest-ranking attorney for the entire tournament.