Published in the Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR, March 20th, 2013
Prevention is Best - Say No to Diabesity! (diabetes & obesity)
By Lisa Rohde
More and more cases of obesity and diabetes are popping up. It’s a global problem affecting over a billion people wold wide. Obesity affects 1 in 3 people and it is largely preventable.
Alarmingly diabetes has increased over 100% in 18 states between 1995 and 2010 and over 50% in 42 states. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, though you can be lean and be diabetic too. Once thought of as an adult disease, today 43% of newly diagnosed childhood diabetes is type 2. Type 2 diabetes is preventable with proper nutrition and physical activity. To avoid diabetes in yourself and particulary in your children, look at the food you consume. The number one missing food in our American diet is greens. A diet comprised of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (including brown and wild rice, quinoa, and millet), coupled with regular exercise will help to ensure your healthy lasting life. Most of us would also benefit too from eating less meat.
Diabetes is brought on by a diet high in refined foods and sugars which gradually cause the bodies ability to manage blood sugar levels to decline. By eating too many refined foods and sugar our blood sugar spikes. The body sees the high levels of sugar as an emergency and the pancreas works hard to creates the insulin that manages the excess blood sugar.
The problem is with so much insulin, blood sugar levels drop to abnormally low levels depriving cells of needed fuel and energy. Thus the person roller coasters from high blood sugar, hyperglycemia, to low blood sugar, hypoglycemia. The body is hungry again for more fuel, and this sets the stage for the pre-diabetes that affects most Americans today.
Eventually the stress on the pancreas causes it to break down and no longer produce insulin. Then the person becomes diabetes type 1, or insulin dependent and requires daily insulin injections.
Further, the system just described is part of the hormonal system. As all body systems are interconnected, the breakdown of the body’s ability to manage blood sugar may lead to a breakdown of other systems including the thyroid, adrenal gland, and the sexual reproductive system.
The good news for many is: the cure is simple. Eat more greens, eat more whole foods, keep meals simple, and omit sugar. Drink water first thing in the morning and inbetween meals. Get daily exercise and fresh air.
Prevention is Best - Say No to Diabesity! (diabetes & obesity)
By Lisa Rohde
More and more cases of obesity and diabetes are popping up. It’s a global problem affecting over a billion people wold wide. Obesity affects 1 in 3 people and it is largely preventable.
Alarmingly diabetes has increased over 100% in 18 states between 1995 and 2010 and over 50% in 42 states. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, though you can be lean and be diabetic too. Once thought of as an adult disease, today 43% of newly diagnosed childhood diabetes is type 2. Type 2 diabetes is preventable with proper nutrition and physical activity. To avoid diabetes in yourself and particulary in your children, look at the food you consume. The number one missing food in our American diet is greens. A diet comprised of fruits, vegetables and whole grains (including brown and wild rice, quinoa, and millet), coupled with regular exercise will help to ensure your healthy lasting life. Most of us would also benefit too from eating less meat.
Diabetes is brought on by a diet high in refined foods and sugars which gradually cause the bodies ability to manage blood sugar levels to decline. By eating too many refined foods and sugar our blood sugar spikes. The body sees the high levels of sugar as an emergency and the pancreas works hard to creates the insulin that manages the excess blood sugar.
The problem is with so much insulin, blood sugar levels drop to abnormally low levels depriving cells of needed fuel and energy. Thus the person roller coasters from high blood sugar, hyperglycemia, to low blood sugar, hypoglycemia. The body is hungry again for more fuel, and this sets the stage for the pre-diabetes that affects most Americans today.
Eventually the stress on the pancreas causes it to break down and no longer produce insulin. Then the person becomes diabetes type 1, or insulin dependent and requires daily insulin injections.
Further, the system just described is part of the hormonal system. As all body systems are interconnected, the breakdown of the body’s ability to manage blood sugar may lead to a breakdown of other systems including the thyroid, adrenal gland, and the sexual reproductive system.
The good news for many is: the cure is simple. Eat more greens, eat more whole foods, keep meals simple, and omit sugar. Drink water first thing in the morning and inbetween meals. Get daily exercise and fresh air.