Prevention of Diabetes

In the last half-century, the number of diabetes cases has increased fivefold. An estimated 16 million people in the US have diabetes and annually, the treatment of diabetes incurs a cost of $150 billion. Astonishingly, nearly 50% of these individuals are unaware that they have diabetes.

Although diabetes itself is a big enough health problem, the side effects are also ominous. For example, one-third of the new cases of end-stage kidney disease are the result of diabetes. Four out of five patients will die – not from diabetes itself, but from cardiovascular disease (heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease) initiated by diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of amputations and blindness in older people.

Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic proportions and more than 90% of these cases are known as type-2 diabetes (formerly known as adult-onset diabetes). We must seriously consider what is going wrong. Type-one diabetes used to be called juvenile diabetes, because this type of diabetes is usually found in children and is the result of an autoimmune attack on the pancreas. This leaves these children without any insulin and therefore they must take insulin to survive. However, there is a way to decrease the risk of developing diabetes.

Syndrome X

Dr. Gerald Reavens, a physician and professor at Stanford University chose this term to describe several problems that have a common cause: Insulin Resistance. Through medical research, Dr. Reavens estimates that more than 80 million Americans have insulin resistance or Syndrome X.

Can you tell me what typically leads to the development of insulin resistance? Over the years, our diet has taken its toll. Because of a high carbohydrate and high-fat diet, many people have become less and less sensitive to insulin as a result.

The body desires to control our blood sugars. Therefore, when the body becomes less sensitive to its insulin, it compensates by making more insulin. In other words, our bodies respond to increasing blood sugar levels by forcing the beta cells of the pancreas to produce more insulin to control our blood sugars.

Did you know that insulin is not just a hormone that drives sugar into cells for storage or energy use? It also plays a key role in regulating fat and muscle. Unfortunately, one of the negative effects of diabetes is the oxidation of fat molecules leading to the formation of toxic lipid peroxides. This is why it’s important to maintain proper insulin levels to help the body deal with sugar and prevent damage from occurring.

People with insulin resistance need more and more insulin as the years go by to keep their blood sugars normal. Although these elevated insulin levels are effective in controlling our blood sugars, they also may lead to some serious health problems. Below is a list of negative impacts that can arise from high insulin levels, also known as syndrome X.

Prevention of diabetes

Inflammation of the arteries can lead to serious health issues including heart attack and stroke. Additional risk factors include high blood pressure, elevated levels of triglycerides, decreased levels of HDL (good cholesterol), increased levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), a heightened tendency to form blood clots, and uncontrolled weight gain that usually accumulates around the midsection.

Types of diabetes. When all the syndrome X factors are combined, our risk of developing heart disease jumps twenty-fold! When we consider the fact that heart disease is the number one killer in the industrialized world today, we can’t afford to disregard the growing risk of developing it!

After patients have had Syndrome X for several years, possibly even ten to twenty, the beta cells of the pancreas simply wear out and can no longer produce such high levels of insulin. At this point, insulin levels begin to drop and blood sugars begin to rise.

At first, only mild elevations of blood sugar may develop, which is known as glucose intolerance (preclinical diabetes). More than 24 million people in the United States are at this stage of glucose intolerance. Then, usually within a year or two, if no change in lifestyle occurs, full-blown diabetes mellitus will develop. The aging of the arteries then accelerates even faster as blood sugar begins to steadily rise.

What Causes Insulin Resistance?

There are several reasons which are suggesting why we become less and less sensitive to insulin over the years. But I truly believe that insulin resistance is the result of the Western diet. Although we are cutting back on fats, we still like to eat far too many carbohydrates. Most people don’t realize that carbohydrates are simply long chains of sugar that the body absorbs at various rates. White bread, white flour, pasta, rice, and potatoes release their sugars into the bloodstream even faster than table sugar. That’s why these foods are called high-glycemic.

Compared with foods such as green beans, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, apples, and oranges, which release their sugars into the bloodstream much slower and are therefore considered low-glycemic foods.

If one consumes an excessive number of high-glycemic foods, it may have negative effects on one’s health, it causes blood sugar to rise very rapidly and stimulates the release of insulin. When our blood sugar drops, we feel hungry. So, we grab a snack or have a big meal and the whole process starts all over again. After some time, the release of insulin has been overstimulated so often that our bodies simply become less and less sensitive to it. For the body to control blood sugar levels, the pancreas needs to put out higher levels of insulin. It is these elevated levels of insulin that cause the destructive metabolic changes associated with syndrome X.

Can you provide me with information on the symptoms of Syndrome X?

After a blood test, you should get the level of HDL (good) cholesterol. LDL (bad) cholesterol, and triglycerides (the other fat in the blood). If you divide the triglyceride level by the HDL cholesterol, the ratio you get is an indication of whether you are developing the syndrome. If the ratio is greater than two, you may be starting to develop Syndrome X. Also, if you notice that your blood pressure or your waistline is increasing, it is even more likely that you are developing a serious case of Syndrome X.

When a patient treats his insulin resistance with simple but effective lifestyle changes, not only does he prevent accelerated damage to the arteries, but he also avoids diabetes itself. This is true preventive medicine. A healthier lifestyle, not the drugs doctors prescribe, will make the difference.

Diagnosis of Diabetes

One of the most widely used tests for diabetes is the fasting blood sugar test. Physicians also use a sugar-challenge test, in which a patient is given a sugar load (a pop-like drink that is loaded with sugar), and then takes a blood sugar level test two hours later.

Most physicians believe that a two-hour blood sugar above 200 is the level to diagnose diabetes. A normal two-hour blood sugar level should be less than 110. Patients who have a slightly elevated fasting blood sugar and a two-hour blood sugar between 130 and 190 are classified as having glucose intolerance- preclinical diabetes- and not actual diabetes.)

Prevention of Diabetes 2 Since a blood sugar measurement indicates only how a patient is doing at a particular moment, another helpful test is hemoglobin A1C, which reveals the amount of sugar found in a red blood cell. This test is preferably done every four to six months. Since our red blood cells remain in our body for approximately 140 days, this test is a great indicator of how well a patient is truly controlling his or her diabetes. The normal range for hemoglobin A1C in most labs is 3.5 to 5.7. A diabetic should keep good control so that the hemoglobin A1C level remains below 6.5%. Then the risk of complications is less than 3%.

Of greater concern is the fact that at the time of actual diagnosis of diabetes, a majority (more than 60%) of these patients already have major cardiovascular disease. This is why it is critical for physicians as soon as possible and encourage lifestyle changes that can correct the problem. A patient may have Syndrome X for many years before he truly becomes diabetic.

Obesity People who are seriously overweight, men and women over 50-60 lbs., are 3000% more likely to develop diabetes. Even if you are moderately overweight, your risk of diabetes increases by 100%. Insulin resistance leads to central obesity, not the other way around. Obesity is a major aspect of this Syndrome.

This has to do with how your weight is distributed in your body. If it is evenly dispersed all over or you are heavy in the bottom (pear-shaped), you may need to drop some weight. But about Syndrome X, you are fine. But if you have gained substantial weight around your waistline (apple-shaped), you may be in trouble.

You have developed insulin resistance. If you have essentially a high- carbohydrate, low-fat diet, this makes the insulin resistance worse. The solution is to balance your diet by eating low-glycemic carbohydrates with good protein and good fat and when this diet is combined with a modest exercise program and cellular nutrition, the insulin resistance may be corrected.

Treatment of Diabetes

All physicians agree to improve their patient’s condition that they should encourage them, firstly: to pay more attention to insulin resistance, the underlying problem in most cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and not simply focus on treating blood sugar levels. This accounts for the fact that 80% of diabetics still die from cardiovascular disease. Secondly: they should encourage patients to make effective lifestyle changes that will improve insulin sensitivity. Doctors should consider medications as a final option. Doctors should consider medications as a final option.

How to prevent Diabetes Type 2 with Healthy Diet

The American Diabetic Association primarily encourages diabetics to have a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. When we want to treat the underlying problem of insulin resistance, we have to take into consideration that there are low-glycemic and high-glycemic carbohydrates. The Glycemic Index indicates the rate at which the body absorbs various carbohydrates and turns them into simple sugar.

Let’s talk about complex carbohydrates, (the ones with a lot of fiber) like beans, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and apples release their sugars slowly. When we combine these low-glycemic carbohydrates with good proteins and good fats, in a balanced meal, our blood sugar does not spike. Few people know that high-glycemic foods raise blood sugar much faster than when you eat candy can lead to diabetes symptoms.

Avocados, olive oil, nuts, beans, and soy are great sources of protein and contain fats that will lower your cholesterol. The best carbohydrates come from fresh whole fruits and vegetables. Avoid all processed food. An apple is better than apple juice. Whole grains are essential and avoiding processed grains is critical in developing a healthy diet for everyone, especially the diabetics.

How to prevent diabetes type 2 with diet when it comes to fats and protein, it’s best to limit your intake of red meats and dairy products. However, low-fat options like cottage cheese, milk, and egg whites can still be a part of a healthy diet.

Trans-fatty acids are one of the worst fats you can eat. These are called rancid fats because they are so harmful to our bodies. Look at labels when you shop. When you read “partially hydrogenated”, don’t buy it.

If people were to adopt a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and incorporate some essential nutritional supplements, the prevalence of diabetes would significantly decrease.

Exercise Helps Considerably

Modest exercise has tremendous health benefits. And exercise is especially critical for people with Syndrome X or diabetes mellitus. Because exercise makes patients significantly more sensitive to their insulin and is, therefore, a critical part of the lifestyle changes needed for diabetes and those who have insulin resistance.

According to various studies, consuming a blend of antioxidants can potentially enhance insulin resistance. For individuals with diabetes, it’s crucial to take a suitable combination of antioxidants as supplements, in the recommended amounts. According to various studies, consuming a blend of antioxidants can potentially enhance insulin resistance. For individuals with diabetes, it’s crucial to take a suitable combination of antioxidants as supplements, in the recommended amounts.

Chromium is critical in the metabolism of glucose and to improve insulin resistance. A study has shown that 90% of the American population has a chromium deficiency. Chromium significantly increases insulin sensitivity, especially for those who are deficient in this mineral. Diabetics and patients with Syndrome X need 300 mcg of chromium in supplementation.

Vitamin E not only improves antioxidant defenses but also seems to help the body with the problem of insulin resistance. People with low levels of Vitamin E have a five-fold higher risk of developing diabetes than those with a normal amount of vitamin E.

Many studies have proven that Vitamin E can protect animals with diabetes from this damage. It works by complex mechanisms that also neutralize sugar directly, besides reducing peroxide formation. Vitamin E works in humans too. In a study by Dr. Guiseppe Paolisso at the University of Naples in Italy gave groups of diabetics 900 IU of vitamin E. After four months the diabetics showed a remarkable reduction in blood sugar.

Magnesium

Magnesium deficit has been associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as an increased risk of retinopathy in diabetic patients. Studies have shown that when this deficiency is corrected in the elderly, insulin function improves significantly.

Unfortunately, diagnosing magnesium deficiency is very difficult. Typically, serum magnesium levels are tested where only a trace amount of the body’s total magnesium is located. Cellular levels of magnesium are much more sensitive and accurate; however, these can only be tested in research labs, not in hospitals. Magnesium deficiency often goes undiagnosed, and here’s why. We all need at least 400/ 500 mg of magnesium in supplementation.

Vanadium

Although not widely recognized, vanadium is a crucial mineral for individuals with diabetes. Studies have shown that vanadium supplementation can significantly improve insulin sensitivity. To maintain proper health, it is recommended that individuals with diabetes consume between 50-100 mcg of vanadium daily through supplementation.

As stated earlier, the prevalence of diabetes is reaching epidemic levels. Despite the enormous amount of funding dedicated towards this disease, we are still struggling to overcome it. Both medical professionals and the general public must shift their focus toward combatting insulin resistance instead of solely addressing high blood sugar levels. When we observe heightened triglyceride levels in combination with reduced HDL cholesterol levels, hypertension, or unexplained weight gain, we must acknowledge the potential emergence of Syndrome X and the rapid onset of cardiovascular damage that may already be occurring.

Instead of only addressing the diseases resulting from insulin resistance, it is crucial to take proactive measures in treating the insulin resistance itself. It’s astounding how modest modifications to one’s lifestyle can lead to almost miraculous results, such as the eradication of diabetes.