Let's suppose you've been working harder than a Broadway hoofer to transform your high blood sugar into low blood sugar—and you've done it (insert ovation)! Twelve years from now, not only will type 2 diabetes be a complete stranger in your life, but—talk about terrific twofers—so will colon cancer.

That's the upshot of a striking study that chased down a fuzzy link between diabetes and colon cancer. Women who started out the 12-year project with elevated blood sugar levels were twice (yep, twice) as likely to have colon cancer a dozen years later as women who started with healthy blood sugar levels.

To keep blood sugar steady as you go, eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and beans, and lay off sugary drinks and snacks. (Walk away from those Ding Dongs!) Also, kick anything with saturated or trans fats to the curb. Getting plenty of sleep and finding a stress-relief technique that you love doing, such as meditation or yoga, is also helpful. We YOU Docs love both. 

One more characteristic of people who avoid colon cancer: They're more likely to be physically active—and not hard-core gym rats, just active. The same goes for people who avoid close encounters with type 2 diabetes.

It’s time for our daily walk. Grab your coat and do the same.

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