Diabetes - why does this epidemic continue to grow?

Diabetes.  Where do I begin.  This is an emotional issue for me.   I get very upset at the toll this disease has taken on our population.  I have spent the past few years doing considerable research on this topic and I find some of the activity in our country criminal.  Therefore, in this post I am going to try and explain what is going on and why more and more of our population is needlessly suffering with this disease. 

America's diabetes rate is increasing at such a rate that the Wall Street Journal calls it a growth industry.  Public health officials estimate that by 2050 one third of all Americans will have diabetes.  

Diabetes trade shows and expos display the latest prescription drugs and devices for diagnosing and treating the illness.  TV commercials feature celebrity endorsements,  there are diabetes magazines, newsletters, blogs, on line forums for articles, food blogs, classes.  Despite all this few Americans improve enough to avoid the nerve damage, foot pain, frozen shoulder, vision loss, confusion, digestive disorders, high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol profiles, fatigue, heart disease, chronic infections, and gangrene that are all considered normal complications.  Why?

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) has for years touted the low calorie, low fat, low protein, high carbohydrate diet, that emphasized fruit, milk, bread, and very little fat and be sure to measure everything you eat. A typical suggested breakfast was non fat milk, banana, orange juice.  The body recognizes all of these as sugar and therefore glucose levels would rise after eating this meal.  This diet was basically supporting the diabetes, keeping the  glucose levels high, as we now know. And the emphasis on measuring does no good when you're eating the wrong foods to begin with. 

Some wellness practitioners were wise to this and starting putting their clients on low to no carb diets eliminating potatoes, rice, cereals, breads, fruits, low fat items like milk and yogurt and refined sugar. They started to see glucose levels go down and people started losing weight. Many were able to go off their medications. 

Gary Taubes is a journalist who wrote the books Good Calories, Bad Calories and Why we Get Fat and through his extensive research discovered that the low fat, high carbohydrate diet recommended by the ADA, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture has never been supported by scientific research. The diets they recommend might be ok for people with normal blood sugars but for those who are overweight or have insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, or diabetes these diets can be disastrous. 

Unfortunately most doctors follow these guidelines mentioned above and as we have seen, the rate of diabetes continues to rise.  Doctors are following the advice of these organizations, and it is clear that doctors are not helping people reverse this disease. As long as we continue to follow these flawed guidelines the disease will continue to escalate. 

Another issue is with our insurance programs.  Insurance won't pay for many diabetes prevention programs and therefore people do not get the help they need. It's mind boggling to me that insurers won't pay the $150 for a diabetic patient to see a podiatrist who could help them prevent foot ailments from the disease, but they would pay for the amputation costing more than $30,000.   Patients have trouble getting reimbursement for $75 to see a nutritionist who can counsel them on their diet but will pay for the $315 per dialysis treatment for patients who have destroyed their kidneys.  We spend far more money on the effects of the disease than we can ever spend on prevention. It's important for people to understand that if they are willing to spend a few hundred dollars out of their own pockets they can get help with this disease. Don't let your insurance company keep you from getting the help you need. 

If you suffer with this disease do not make the mistake of only following your doctors orders when it comes to this disease. It has been proven time and time again that the people who go outside their doctors office and find other forms of assistance are the ones that beat this disease.  Our medical doctors are not trained in nutrition.  They do not have the latest diabetes information  nor do they have the time to coach you and follow up with you.  Many are afraid of lawsuits so they stay with the status quo.  All they can do is give you medication to help manage the disease. (In fact many of these medications make the disease worse and cause other complications, but that's another article.)  You must take it into your own hands to find a program that can teach you what changes you need to make in your diet.  Then you work the program, along with seeing your  doctor and making adjustments to your medications as you improve your numbers.  With changes to your diet, you can lower your glucose numbers rapidly and this will in turn allow you to reduce your medications and finally get off them for good. 

But this takes work and you must be prepared to do the work.  There are a number of very good books out there now that give people the information they need to make life changes. I can recommend a couple for you if you are interested.
 
Resource: The Well Being Journal March/April 2013 

Agave Nectar - the great debate

When agave nectar came out in the 1990's it seemed like an answer to our prayers. Those of us who are health nuts are always looking for natural sweeteners, and there are not many, so this was exciting news for us.  We were told that because it was fructose it was a good choice for diabetics because it did not spike glucose levels like regular sugar. Since that time I've read countless articles and medical papers about both the benefits and the evils of agave nectar.  Well, the jury is in. 

Agave nectar is not a natural sweetener as it was first touted. Plus, it has more concentrated fructose in it than high fructose corn syrup! When I first laid eyes on the bottle labeled Organic Raw Blue Agave Nectar I assumed a couple of things.  One that is was organic , two that it is raw, and three that is was from the blue agave plant.  None of that is true! 

If you do the research you will find out that it is actually made from the starch of a pineapple root.  The Weston A. Price foundation website contains information I have used here. 

The principle component of the agave root is starch, similar to the starch in corn or rice, and a complete carbohydrate called inulin, which is made up of chains of fructose molecules. Technically a highly indigestible fiber, inulin,  comprises about half of the carbohydrate content of agave.  The process by which the glucose and inulin are converted into nectar is similar to the process by which corn starch is converted into high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The agave starch is subjected to an enzymatic and chemical process that converts the starch into a fructose rich syrup, anywhere from 70 percent fructose.  Compare that to the typical fructose content of HFCS at 55% and you can see that it's a concern. 

I've heard it time and time again, agave is low on the glycemic index and so it's safe for diabetics.  There are some differences in the way the body digests sugars and I could get into a lengthy explanation, but I will spare you. The gist is that fructose is digested in your liver which is immediately turned into triglycerides or stored body fat. Since it doesn't get converted to blood glucose like other sugars it doesn't raise or crash your blood sugar levels and therefore the claim that it is safe for diabetics.  

The only problem is that is isn't.

It can cause weight gain, and the ugly kind, visceral fat, the most dangerous. It's also associated with chronic disease, particularly metabolic syndrome.  It also increases insulin sensitivity, increases LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL which put you at higher risk of heart disease. While high fructose agave syrup won't spike your glucose levels, the fructose in it may cause mineral depletion, liver inflammation  hardening of the arteries  insulin resistance leading to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and obesity. 

My advice. Stay away from the stuff.  

I will be writing a more through piece on fructose in the near future so stay tuned. 

Coconut Body Butter - the end of my dry winter skin!

Coconut oil has been written about a lot lately and lots of people are changing over to this miracle oil, for everything because it's not only great for cooking and baking, it's wonderful for the skin and hair.  You can even brush your teeth with it. 

During these cold winter months my skin has been so incredibly dry.  One night in bed, literally in the middle of the night, I started scratching my leg, and it kept itching, so I kept scratching, and it kept itching, so I kept scratching. Before I realized it I had drawn blood.  Yes, blood.  I had this for a couple of weeks. I wondered if I was going to have a scar but alas once I started using this body butter it healed quickly. 

Now I don't know what you use for a body lotion but I love body butters. I've bought many, and while they feel nice when you first put them on they really don't keep the skin moisturized for very long. In addition, I now only buy all natural products so there are no emollients for agents at work.  It can take some getting used to when you first switch over.  The reason I switched is because the toxic load in your body can get heavier the older you get.  It is important to me to try and keep the toxins I put in, and on, my body to a minimum which allows my liver and lymph system to do the work they need to do.  

I whipped this up, put it in a plastic jar and put it in my dressing room.  I use it twice per day.  Once in the morning immediately after my shower, and then again at night when I change into my pajamas to go to bed.  I am amazed by the results.  It does feel oily when you first put it on, but it goes right into your skin and after a few minutes most of the oil will be gone. That's why I do it right out of the shower. I put on my robe, do my hair and makeup, and by the time I get dressed I don't have to worry about getting oil on my cloths. 





Recipe:
1 cup coconut oil 
1 tsp vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil 
few drops of essential oil 

I used my KitchenAid stand mixer for this.  The idea is to whip some air into it.  The coconut oil must be solid, do not allow it to melt or it won't whip. Turn the speed up and allow it to whip for about 6 minutes.  

You can use the fragrance of your choice.  I used lavender essential oil because that's what I like, and you should use what you like, perhaps a citrus, flower or herb smell you love.      

I've been using this body butter on a regular basis for weeks now and I can see that I'm going to be whipping up a batch of this on a regular basis. Its also inexpensive at approximately $2 to $3, which is much cheaper than anything I can find in a store. 

I hope you love it as much as I do. 

Reversing Diabetes - Classes now forming!

I have partnered with Diabetes Free America to teach comprehensive diabetes classes for people who want to reserve the disease. This program is multi-step so you can easily incorporate each step into your daily life.  Classes are held weekly, for 16 weeks.  We cover a different topic each week, discussing topics such as portion sizes, good carbs/bad carbs and healthy snacking.  

Make Your Body a Diabetes Free Zone! 

Diabetes Free Zone is more than just another diet that is doomed to failure.  It is a physician created, multi-component system specifically designed to help individuals with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes to lower their blood sugar and regain their long-term health.

Regain Control of Your Health!

• Reduce Weight. 
• Reduce or eliminate diabetes medications. 
• Reduce the complications of diabetes. 
• Increase energy. 
• Restore self healing systems. 
• Enjoy a happier, healthier life! 

In our meetings you will get:

• Support and encouragement form others in the program. 
• Practical techniques and strategies to help you reach your goals. 
• Comprehensive reference materials and tools.
• Guidance and information from trained wellness leaders. 

You should also know:

• Attending meetings helps keep you motivated and accountable.
• All of our meetings are conducted by trained wellness professionals. 
• At the meetings there are no weigh-ins.
• Meetings are dynamic and interactive.  You're welcome to join in the conversation, or just sit back and listen.
• There are no required food purchases.
• The meetings work for men and women.
• The meetings last for approximately 60 minutes.  Each week there is a new topic on nutrition, healthy activities, or healthy habits.  

 

Classes are forming now!

 Sign up today!

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Please forward to anyone you feel might benefit from this information.

If you would like to get on the distribution list for future classes and information be sure to send me your name and email address.

 You may contact me at:  info@nutritionbydenise.com. 

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