Dr. Mark Wiley | Dec 19, 2012 | Comments 0
The number of people suffering from serious health conditions is on the rise. The numbers are often staggering, if not totally surprising. There are some diseases that we have little to no personal control over, like those that are due to environmental causes or heredity. Yet there is one disease that has increased in cases exponentially over the years, and it is entirely preventable: type 2 diabetes, or diabetes mellitus. It is impacting the lives of millions of Americans, yet it is caused entirely by our own actions.The Staggering Situation
When the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released its new Morbidity and Mortality Report (MMWR), its pages clearly displayed a disturbing trend. In a 15-year span, 1995-2010, there was an alarming 100 percent increase in the cases of diagnosed diabetes in 18 States. What’s more, 42 States overall saw at least a 50 percent increase in diagnosed cases.
Are you kidding me?
Those who are familiar with my work know that my philosophy of wellness is steeped in the self-directed approach. If we can each take responsibility for the things we can control within our daily lives, the provenance of preventable pain, illness and disease decreases exponentially. At the same time, quality of life increases. Now, I don’t get up on my soap box too often, but the numbers in this report boiled my blood!
How is it that there is a doubling of this morbid disease, this preventable disease, in a country obsessed with fitness products and infomercials, yoga studios on every corner, huge fitness megaplexes (like Bally’s and LA Fitness) in every town, and groceries like Whole Foods and Farm Fresh on the rise? Do we spend millions of dollars on alternative therapies, wellness activities and organic food but fail to use them or stick to a daily plan? Do we like to suffer in our bodies, knowing full well much of the answer for what ills us can be activated with a simple change in behavior and through better choices?
Perhaps it’s a problem of education. Well, I vote for that answer (half-heartedly) and hope to shed a little light on the raging diabetes issues and its practical solutions.
Diabetes And Other Health Issues
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), nearly 30 million Americans, about 8 percent, currently are diagnosed with diabetes. Another 80 million of us have been labeled “prediabetic.”
Diabetes is a disease defined by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the bloodstream. Its symptoms include unquenchable thirst, frequent urination (the urine containing glucose), bloodstream sugar spikes and drops in energy. The condition is also correlated with obesity.
The American Journal of Preventive Medicine estimates that in less than 20 years’ time (by 2030), 42 percent of Americans will be clinically obese. This is important because the steady rise in type 2 diabetes is correlated with the steady rise in obesity. In fact, the MMWR reported that Southern States with high and increasing levels of obesity show the largest increase in the rates of new cases of diabetes. Oklahoma is a particular problem spot, with a simply unbelievable 226 percent increase. Not far behind are: Kentucky at 158 percent, Georgia at 145 percent, Alabama at 140 percent and Washington at a 135 percent increase.
Alzheimer’s is another disease that often accompanies diabetes. In 2006, a team of Swedish scientists discovered that there is a near 70 percent association between prediabetes and an elevated risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease when you reach age 75. Since nearly half of all senior adults over the age of 85 are diagnosed with dementia (or 5 million Americans), the diabetes link is particularly troubling.
Prevention Is The Cure
Because diabetes is associated with obesity and dementia, it is a three-in-one deadly disease. But all three of these health conditions can be brought under control, eliminated and prevented with a clear view of lifestyle modifications and better decision making.
Let’s consider some of the controllable things.
The main culprit here is sugar, but not just refined white sugar from candy. Yes, too much candy, chocolate and other sugary snacks and cereals can spike blood glucose levels. But so can refined simple carbohydrates like non-whole grain breads, pasta and cereals. Also problematic are white potatoes, milk products, fruit juice (especially the no-pulp variety), energy bars and sugary drinks.
A key to improving your defenses against diabetes is simply to increase your fiber intake (both soluble and insoluble) by increasing your vegetable and whole grain consumption. You should also drink more water and avoid, as much as possible, sweet or refined sugar/flour snacks.
A secondary factor is lack of physical exercise or movement of any kind. A study this year pointed to the (obvious) correlation between obesity and being a couch potato. But do we really need a study to correlate that for us?
Yes, we have to sit at the office and while eating and driving. Nevertheless, we must find ways to be physically active, too. Our health depends on it. You need to increase your body heat to burn calories, burn sugar and lose weight, lowering your risk of diabetes.
You can go to the gym, sign up for Pilates and yoga, and go for long walks. Even ironing clothes, cleaning the house and dancing are activities that burn calories and may be sufficient to prevent weight gain (depending on your diet). Getting up and moving also increases circulation and makes you feel good.
Herbs
While you are working on the diet and exercise portion of the diabetes prevention program, there are two Chinese herbal remedies you should investigate online and discuss with your healthcare provider: Yu Quan Wan (Jade Spring Teapills) and Liu Wei Di Huang Wan (Six Flavor Rehmannia Teapills) both help restore kidney and liver issues associated with diabetes. Liu Wei Di Huang Wan also helps regulate the adrenal cortex and regulates blood glucose levels.
The Bottom Line
Millions of Americans needlessly suffer from the effects of diabetes, obesity and dementia. These three conditions are all associated with lifestyle choices, including diet and exercises. Type 2 adult-onset diabetes is the linchpin connecting the three, and it is preventable and avoidable.
Take your health seriously and get a grip on your choices. If you don’t think you have diabetes, you may be prediabetic and well on your way, behaviorally, for it to strike. But if you do or don’t yet have diabetes, go ahead and make changes to your diet, exercise more and maybe take supplements. In all cases your health will improve, and you will prevent a morbid disease. Your quality of life will increase exponentially.
Source: Don’t Be A Diabetes Statistic
