Diabetes is becoming a bigger global issue every day. Here’s what you need to know if you’re one of the millions of people living with it – or at risk for developing it. Knowledge is power, so arm yourself with information and learn how to take control of your health. You can do this! Diabetes doesn’t have to rule your life. There are things you can do to improve your condition and even reverse it naturally. Keep reading for more info.
Diabetes as an epidemic
Nearly every person in this country has diabetes or will have it soon. Diabetes is number three on the list of chronic diseases. Heart disease is number one, cancer is number two, and diabetes is number three. Yes, it is so common in this country that it touches nearly everyone’s life. The statistics on diabetes are staggering and a diagnosis can be frightening.
It’s the third leading cause of death in the United States. Nearly 800,000 new diabetics are going to be diagnosed each year, according to the National Institute for Health. That is three new cases every two minutes. Even more alarming is the incidence of type two diabetes or what was once known as late-onset diabetes.
We’re now seeing it in children 18 years and younger, and the rates are skyrocketing. Some signs that you have diabetes include:
- frequent urination
- constant thirst
- Numbness
- tingling in the hands and feet
- wounds that are slow to heal
- fatigue and irritability.
- having a fasting blood sugar of 125 mg/dL or higher
- a hemoglobin A1C greater than 5.7
Once we get to a hemoglobin A1C of 6.2, we’re going to have significant cellular damage from circulating blood sugars, especially in the smaller vessels; the eyes, the kidneys, and the toes.
What actually is diabetes?
It is a disorder that affects how your body uses carbohydrates. This can lead to higher levels of glucose in your blood. It’s because the body is either not secreting insulin or the cells of the body have become resistant to insulin. Hence then the blood sugar cannot get into the cells andt just floats around the bloodstream further leading to serious complications.
In type two diabetes, the body needs more insulin to open the doors to the cells, which ultimately leads to more fat storage. The more advanced the blood sugar problem is, the more body fat someone will have. Each year, tens of thousands of Americans will lose their eyesight because of diabetes, which is the cause of blindness for people ages 25 to 74.
95% of people with diabetes have the second type. This type is usually caused by eating too much food that is not good for you and having a sedentary lifestyle. It is not always genetic. Nine out of ten cases of type two diabetes can be prevented if people exercised more, ate better, stopped smoking, and changed their behavior.
The study findings suggest that behavior is the main culprit in type two diabetes. Can we control it? Yes, we can. Nobody will ever want those complications from type two diabetes. These can often be prevented with the use of the proper supplements, weight loss, and exercise.
Ana’s story
Ana came to our office after being diagnosed with type two diabetes. She was terrified of having it and wanted help learning how she could make things better for herself, ideally reversing the disease in its earliest stages if possible.
She did not want to be on any blood sugar medication and she didn’t want to be labeled with diabetes. We worked together. I laid out a plan for her where I explained what types of changes she would need to make.
First, I needed her to understand what was happening in her body. This way, she would feel like she was working with her body and that her body wasn’t going against her. Then we put together specific supplements, exercises, and foods in place to help her body restore proper blood sugar balance.
She was committed to her health and to her plan so she made the change. Within four months, her blood sugars were down at 100 mg/dL and her hemoglobin A1C had dropped by two-tenths of a point. She was thrilled with her progress and she continued on.
Fast forward to three years later, Anna feels great. She’s at her ideal weight and she knows exactly how to take care of herself. And guess what? She no longer has diabetes because her blood sugars are normal.
Diabetes really is a silent killer. It’s a chronic disease that sets us up for health complications down the road. Often it doesn’t affect the quality of life until it gets very advanced. People can go for years not realizing the damage that’s being done inside their bodies.
Diabetics triple their odds of developing heart disease. People with diabetes develop high blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and plaque buildup inside the arteries. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
When you have diabetes, you become a high risk for simple surgical procedures, cataract surgery for example. They may also need to undergo surgeries like joint replacement depending on the severity and necessity.
If you are pre-diabetic or if you’re diabetic right now, what should you do?
Let’s start by taking a daily walk. 20 minutes a day of aerobic exercise helps lower blood sugar and it increases circulation throughout the cardiovascular system. Here’s a bonus. If you’re already walking add in some light weights, arms, or chair squats for legs too. Adding in lightweight or bodyweight exercises is ideal for diabetics because it lowers the blood sugar by efficiently helping to transport the blood sugar into the cells.
Next, eat the rainbow. Five servings of vegetables each day, especially leafy greens, is ideal. By eating more vegetables, you crowd out the less nutrient-dense foods like bread and pasta.
There are many supplements that can help bring blood sugar into balance. For example, chromium is taken with each meal and berberine. If you take two a day, they can help balance the blood sugar at each meal.
Diabetes is becoming a bigger global issue every day. In fact, according to the World Health Organization, an estimated 422 million people have diabetes worldwide. That’s more than one in eleven adults! If you’re one of the millions of people living with it – or at risk of developing it – know that you are not alone. You can take control of your health by following a simple plan and committing to yourself. And if you’ve been recently diagnosed with diabetes or pre-diabetes, now is the time to take action. Let us help you get started on your journey to better health today. Schedule a free discovery call with us and we can chat about how we can support you on your wellness journey.
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If you’re looking for a more natural way to manage your health, please contact us for a discovery call to see if our approach would be appropriate for your situation.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional
