Did you know that 1 out of 4 people in America are either diabetic or pre-diabetic? According to the CDC 57 million Americans are pre-diabetic and 24 million are diabetic. Unfortunately this disease does not generate the attention it deserves, because it can simmer for years while damaging the heart, kidneys, eyes and other organs. Since a lot of the associated symptoms of diabetes surface in middle age they may be accepted as a simple part of the aging process. People are usually a diabetic for years before being actually diagnosed.
Estimations are that in the next 24 hours, 2,200 people will be diagnosed with diabetes, over 500 will die from it and almost 220 will go blind or have an amputation, Other complications occur including heart disease, high blood pressure, nervous system damage, liver disease and Alzheimer’s.
Why is there an epidemic of type II diabetes? While there is a genetic component to diabetes, people have control as to whether they get it or not, by the choices they make in their diet and exercise. The core problem has to do with people’s eating and lifestyle habits and the consequences that include:
- excessive weight and especially abdominal fat
- lack of adequate nutrients (fiber, minerals, vitamins, omega 3 fats) due to eating junk and processed food (high in refined sugar, sodium, and saturated fats)
- lack of exercise
- increase in portion size and calorie intake since the 70s (portion sizes were about ½ what they are today)
In addition, our healthcare system is not promoting prevention. We are waiting for disease conditions to set in and then manage the disease. This is why experts are predicting America will go bankrupt with healthcare costs. The status quo is not sustainable especially when the CDC is predicting that is nothing changes out of all infants born today 1 out of 3 will become diabetic as adults.
There is no silver bullet to solve this problem, but the good news is diabetes is preventable.
Lets analyze the progression of diabetes. For most people it starts with bad eating habits that result in excess weight and nutritional deficiencies. Over time this leads to insulin resistance where people start noticing high levels of blood glucose resulting from improper insulin production and receptor sensitivity that causes sugar to build up in the body. In conjunction with these changes people start noticing elevated lipid levels such as triglycerides and LDL cholesterol. However, many years before people are diagnosed with diabetes they are in a pre-diabetic zone, but the typical physician will only monitor elevated blood sugar levels and wait for a person to become diabetic and then give them medication. Unfortunately for about 90% of people who do go onto conventional care and diabetic medication, the complications are not prevented. Under 12% of diabetics being treated with medication have their blood pressure, blood sugars and cholesterol under control.
The simplest way to beat this disease is to prevent it. Pre-diabetes can be prevented from becoming diabetes by getting rid of abdominal fat, eating normal portions 3 times a day, correcting nutritional deficiencies and getting daily exercise – even if its just walking for 20 minutes.
The easiest way to determine if you are a pre-diabetic is to answer a questionnaire that will highlight the possibility of pre-diabetes. If you determine you are pre-diabetic take the required steps needed to reverse this condition before it is too late, and in the process experience weight loss, increased energy, better sleep and overall wellness. If you already have diabetes and would like additional support in managing or reversing your condition, and preventing any further complications you may want to investigate nutritional supplements, herbs, homeopathic remedies and acupuncture indicated for this condition.
To learn more about diabetes prevention or treatment call my office at 530-274-8854.
