People normally associate diabetes with eating too many carbs, but a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition could add two more foods to the list: red meat and processed meat.

Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard School of Public Health and coauthor of the study, explains:

“We found that one serving per day of processed meat like a hot dog or sausage was associated with a 50 percent increased risk of diabetes.”

The study also shows that eating four ounces of red meat a day  (in the form of steaks, burgers and pork chops for example) will raise the risk of diabetes by 20% compared to those who eat four ounces of red meat in a week.

But how exactly do these meats increase the risk of developing diabetes?

First off is the high iron content. Too much iron can destroy insulin-producing beta cells by increasing the number of inflammatory chemicals present in the body, while excessive nitrates in processed meat are toxic to beta cells.

Second is that people who tend to indulge on red and processed meat have been statistically shown to be more obese, smoke more and maintain less-balanced diets – all of which increase the risks of developing diabetes.

Eye exams are important to maintaining our health. Our eyes are the primary means that we take in information from the world around us. From reading medicine labels, watching television shows, or even just watching out for cars when crossing the street, our eyes are essential. Unfortunately, our eyes have a tendency to degrade and grow weaker – hence the need for eye exams and subsequent corrective measures.

The problem is that eye exams can be very costly. Not everyone can afford to shell out that much money regularly, or even at all, considering the economic conditions of the moment. This brings us to a dilemma – how can you afford an eye exam, but how can you afford not to get one?

The solution is to get financial aid for free eye exams. It’s actually easier than you might think. The first thing to check is your insurance policy. Many policies offer this financial aid because an eye exam still costs less than the payout if you meet an accident. Sometimes it comes as default, sometimes it is a rider. Just review your policy carefully and contact your insurer if you are unsure.

You might want to ask at your place of work. Lots of employers offer medical benefits, and eye exams are usually covered. If it is for your children, they can ask their school nurses. School nurses and doctors often have access to large-scale assistance plans that are easy to avail of, once you get past all the forms. For example, the vision service plan Sight for Students provides eye exams and eyeglasses for children of 18 years of age and younger from families who cannot afford them.

The Lions Club is a long-standing social club that regularly provides assistance for eye examinations and the like. Though an international organization, it should not be too hard to find a local branch near you. To do so, visit their website and look for the club locator feature.

Vision USA, which is coordinated by the American Optometric Association, is worth checking out. They provide eye care to eligible people – often the uninsured, low-income workers plus their families.

If you have Medicare and have diabetes, you are entitled to a dilated eye exam, which is meant to spot signs of diabetic eye disease. Glaucoma is also something to check against, and you can get eye exams for such if you fulfill the conditions. Review your Medicare policy for more information.

Many states offer health insurance for children (SCHIP, State Children’s Health Insurance Program). These can greatly reduce costs for visits to the doctor, prescribed medications, hospital stays and so on. Of course, it only applies to children 18 years old and younger. This insurance usually includes dental care, eye care, and medical equipment costs.

As you can see (pun intended), it is easy to get financial aid for eye exams. You will need to put up with some red tape, but if it means getting access to the care that you need, then you can just be patient and work it out.

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