Advanced Glycation Explained: How to Look 10 Years Younger is the skin-savvy, science-rich episode of Five Rivers that teaches you how to slow visible aging while slashing hidden Type 2 diabetes damage. Host Dr Sumeet teams up with integrative-nutrition analyst Shannon Davis to translate the complex chemistry of advanced glycation into simple food, cooking, and lifestyle tweaks you can start tonight. If you want to look 10 years younger, lower A1C, and create share-worthy wellness content, this 26-minute master class belongs on your watch list.

When excess glucose or fructose collides with proteins in your bloodstream, the reaction called advanced glycation creates sticky compounds known as AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products). These AGEs cross-link collagen, stiffen arteries, cloud eye lenses, and accelerate nerve damage. People with unmanaged blood sugar or char-grilled diets build AGEs rapidly, aging skin and organs in parallel. Shannon Davis explains how sugar-protein “caramelization” inside the body mimics that golden crust on barbecue—and how swapping cooking methods, sequencing carbs, and adding antioxidant spices can drop AGE intake by 45 % in a week.

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Habit Stacking for Health: Small Steps, Big Impact is the spotlight topic on this week’s Five Rivers podcast, proudly powered by Heald. Host Preetpal Singh sits down with behavioral-change strategist Nadeem Ashraf to prove that disciplined Habit design—not heroic motivation—drives lasting results for metabolic Health. Whether you’re living with Type 2 Diabetes, producing evidence-based wellness content, or simply tired of white-knuckle programs that fizzle, this episode shows how Small routines deliver a Big Impact when they’re carefully Stacking onto anchors you already perform.

A 2025 JAMA Network analysis found adults who added one friction-free Habit each week lost 5 lb more and cut fasting insulin 12 % compared with “all-at-once” dieters. Meanwhile, Stanford’s Behavior Design Lab reports that Stacking routines improved six-month adherence to exercise prescriptions by 43 %—proof that Small Steps create a Big metabolic Impact even in high-stress U.S. lifestyles.

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In this powerful episode of Five Rivers, sponsored by Heald, host Dr. Sumeet Arora is joined by Dr. Todd Smith, a seasoned physician, to explore the evolving landscape of diabetes management in today’s world. Titled “Culture, Care & CGMs: Key to Modern Diabetes Management”, this conversation dives deep into how personalized care, cultural sensitivity, and the use of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) are reshaping the way we approach Type 2 diabetes and metabolic health in the U.S.

Dr. Smith shares firsthand clinical insights on why early intervention in pre-diabetes is critical, how emotional and financial burdens compound after a diabetes diagnosis, and what healthcare systems can do to catch and reverse insulin resistance before it escalates. Discover how CGMs aren't just for the tech-savvy—they’re an empowering behavior modification tool that enables users to track real-time blood glucose trends, identify triggers, and actively reverse metabolic decline.

What makes this episode especially relevant is the attention to health disparities and the need for culturally competent care. Dr. Smith outlines real-world examples from his practice in Minneapolis, where diverse communities such as Somali and Southeast Asian populations bring unique dietary habits, languages, and family structures to the healthcare table. The discussion highlights how understanding cultural nuances and removing judgment from care conversations can make or break a patient’s long-term outcome.

You’ll also hear about the SMART goal approach in diabetes care, the importance of educational resources, the role of AI and health apps in interpreting CGM data, and why mental health support is a non-negotiable element in chronic disease care.

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