Every 1% increase in HbA1c increases risk of death -from any cause - by 28% for women and 24% for men. These risks were independent of other risk factors, including age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, cholesterol counts, smoking, or history of heart disease.

How significant are these findings for average American? With every small increase in average blood sugar level, even as small an increase as 0.1%, risk of heart disease goes up. And only about 1/4 of our general population has average blood sugar levels in safe 5% range. Unfortunately, tendency is for our blood sugar levels to keep going up, as our obesity rate increases and our activity levels decline.

More studies need to be done, of course. But in meantime, Dr. Khaw believes that we should all be attempting to control our blood sugar levels with more physical activity and diets rich in fruits and vegetables.

Jonni Good is the author of a self-help book for sugar addiction, and the owner of Stress-Free-Weight-Loss.com, which is filled with articles on natural weight loss.

http://www.stress-free-weight-loss.com

For example, instead of smoking while drinking your morning coffee you could read a newspaper. Instead of smoking after hot argument with your colleague you can take a walk around a block or write down everything you think about this person, then tier this piece of paper in shreds and throw it away. Don't be lazy, write it down! This exercise really works!

4. Call your friend.

This method works great. Call someone who can support you, who can talk with you for a couple of minutes. You can call your nonsmoking friend, or someone who's trying to quit smoking too.

5. Distract yourself with a quick task.

Think of a small task you have to do, something what would take you 5-10 minutes. Make a call, send a fax, make yourself a cup of coffee, water plant in your office. Anything! Your task is to distract yourself until urge will pass. (Hint: Try to find activity that makes smoking impossible!)

6. Drink a Glass of Water.

Take a glass of water and drink it with a straw. First of all having something in your mouth to chew on will help, second it will take you a couple of minutes to drink whole glass and urge will pass. Plus, don't forget that you're supposed to drink 8 glasses of water every day!

7. Power Tip.

That’s disgusting one, but it often works. Print a small picture of smoker's lungs (you can find one here: http://www.quitsmokingsupport.com/lungphotos.html ) and put it somewhere in your wallet. I know view is not pretty, but something like this can stop you dead on your track from lighting up. Take a look! Really! THIS could be your lungs! You love yourself, and you respect your body. Why harm yourself?