Should you be concerned about a high fasting blood sugar if you don't have diabetes? A normal fasting blood sugar is defined as being below 100. Those who have fasting blood sugars between 100 and 125 are not necessarily diabetic, but carry five times the risk of suffering a heart attack in one year as those with fasting blood sugars below 100. At the 2005 American College of Cardiology meetings, Dr. Beer of France showed that people who have elevated fasting blood sugars are at high risk for heart attacks, even though they may not be diagnosed as being diabetic. Having high blood sugar levels may be an even greater risk or heart attacks than having a high cholesterol.

Many doctors now feel that 35 percent of Americans become diabetic because they eat too much sugar-added foods and drinks, bread, spaghetti and other refined carbohydrates and that they are overweight. Storing fat, particularly in your belly, puts you as high risk for becoming diabetic and for having a heart attack.

Does eating nuts will lower your risk for diabetes? In one study, risk for type 2 diabetes in women who ate nuts at least five times per week was 30 percent lower than those who rarely or never ate nuts. Nuts contain lots of fat, but most fats in nuts are monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are good for insulin sensitivity and serum cholesterol. Before the bad LDL cholesterol can damage arteries, it must first be converted to oxidized LDL. Mono-unsaturated fats form LDL cholesterol that resists oxidation and therefore protects arteries. Nuts are also rich in antioxidant vitamins, minerals, plant protein and dietary fiber. However, nuts are concentrated sources of calories, so rather than adding nuts to your current diet, substitute them for less healthful foods such as bread or red meats.

Read my Good Food Book FREE, with 100 healthful recipes.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.