Making Life-Saving Lifestyle Changes
After reading the last post, I hope you’ve started to think of ways to protect yourself from diabetes.
The ugliness that’s known as Type 2 diabetes is a condition defined by high blood sugar levels and abnormal insulin action. Poor control of type 2 diabetes affects the heart, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. My mom, who had Type 2 diabetes died from heart problems. I’m certain (to the point of willing to bet all future Starbucks trips on it) that she had diabetes long before she was actually diagnosed. If she had been treated properly during prediabetes, she might be here, right now, calling me to get all the Thanksgiving menu details just right.
Prediabetes, as you might guess, is characterized by blood sugar levels that are above what’s considered normal but not as high as those that occur with diabetes. People with prediabetes also tend to have high blood pressure, high triglycerides (fats that circulate in the blood), low HDL, or good, cholesterol levels, and significant belly fat — a cluster of symptoms that raise their risk for heart disease.
Most people with prediabetes develop type 2 diabetes within ten years unless they make certain lifestyle changes. Get this: these changes have been found to be more effective for reversing prediabetes than medications, according to the National Institutes of Health! ”The most frustrating part about prediabetes and diabetes is that they are largely preventable, and in circumstances where diabetes can’t be prevented, the onset can usually be postponed,” says Dr. Arthur Agatston, preventive cardiologist and author of The South Beach Diet.
“These conditions are brought on by a Western lifestyle — eating refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats like trans fats and saturated fats, and inactivity,” he explains. But a straightforward South Beach Diet approach to eating (an emphasis on lean proteins and good fats and carbs) and exercise can reverse prediabetes and diabetes. “Many of my patients actually started the South Beach Diet because they were diagnosed with prediabetes or diabetes, and I’ve witnessed their blood glucose levels revert back to the normal range,” adds Dr. Agatston.
The ADA recommends diabetes screenings every three years beginning at age 45. If you have symptoms of diabetes (excessive thirst and hunger, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss or fatigue, and irritability) see your doctor as soon as possible.
Also See:
Revised South Beach Diet Good Fats/Good Carbs Guide
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
If any one out there telling people not to eat fat i have to disagree because you need fat in your body. If you go on a no fat diet it will case harm to the integrity of your cells, bones and organs.
so be careful when you go on these creasy diets.
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