Tackling the Worldwide Diabetes Epidemic
Medical Director, Nutrilite Health Institute
First, the bad news. According to the World Health Organization, we are in the middle of a global type 2 diabetes epidemic. Right now, 180 million people have diabetes, and that number is expected to double by 2030 unless drastic action is taken!1
The good news is we can fight back against this global epidemic. The rapid increase in type 2 diabetes is not due to a change in our genetics over the past couple decades – it’s due to a change in our lifestyles. We created this serious health crisis with our poor health choices, and that means we can get out of it by making positive lifestyle changes.
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to use glucose for energy. Glucose is often called blood sugar. When you have diabetes, blood sugar levels become too high because of a problem with insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced in your pancreas that acts like a key. It opens the doors of our cells, allowing sugar to go from the bloodstream into a cell.
There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the body stops making enough insulin, causing blood sugar levels to rise. Type 1 diabetes is not increasing and accounts for only 10% of worldwide diabetes cases. Right now, scientists don’t fully understand why type 1 diabetes occurs. If you are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, work closely with your doctor to control daily blood sugar levels.
The second type of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, it can usually be prevented. Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body becomes resistant to insulin, even though the pancreas is still producing the hormone. With this disease, the problem occurs at the location where the insulin “key” unlocks the cell “door,” known as the insulin receptor. When we eat highly processed foods, manufactured fats, and synthetic compounds, chemicals, etc., we are not providing healthy cell walls to create healthy insulin receptors. Bad receptors make for insulin resistance – the key won’t open the door.
You can’t undo a type 2 diabetes diagnosis, because once you have the disease physiological changes have occurred in your body that can't be reversed. But, there are steps you can take to control it. Improving your health choices and watching your blood sugar can help you live a healthier life.
If you are overweight or are considered a borderline diabetic and haven't yet been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, making healthy lifestyle choices can lower your risk of developing the disease.
The best way to avoid type 2 diabetes is with a healthy diet full of natural and minimally processed foods. In addition, you can reduce your type 2 diabetes risk if you quit smoking and start exercising 30 minutes a day. For more strategies to reduce your diabetes risk, check out my new book, The Optimal Health Revolution, and visit the American Diabetes Association website, diabetes.org.
Remember, with a healthy lifestyle you can significantly reduce your type 2 diabetes risk. You’ll be doing something good for your own health, and also doing your part to tackle the worldwide diabetes epidemic. I encourage you to start today!
Dr. Duke Johnson, M.D.Medical Director, Nutrilite Health Institute
1World Health Organization. "Diabetes Factsheet." November 2008.
1World Health Organization. "Diabetes Factsheet." November 2008.
0 comments
Post a Comment