Dr. Oz: A Guide to Your Body's Color Coding
Your body has clever ways of signaling health trouble. Here's a guide to what your hue says about you.
By Dr. Mehmet Oz
Illustration: Jose Luis Merino
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Black
Neck, armpits and groin
Dark, velvety patches found in your armpits and on your neck and groin are likely acanthosis nigricans. This slow-developing skin condition, which is more common in overweight and obese adults, can be a sign of type 2 diabetes. Researchers believe that insulin resistance (which causes high blood sugar and can lead to type 2 diabetes) can send some skin cells into overdrive, increasing skin thickness and darkening pigment.
Protect Yourself: To help prevent diabetes, pay particular attention to your diet. Filling up on high-fiber foods (think oatmeal, beans, and broccoli) can slow the body's absorption of sugar and, as a result, may keep blood sugar within a healthy range. One study found that prediabetics who consumed the most fiber were 62 percent less likely to develop full-blown diabetes than those who consumed the least.
Published 04/24/2013
As a reminder, always consult your doctor for medical advice and treatment before starting any program.
