There are roughly 30 million adult diabetics, and nearly 90 million who are in the process of developing diabetes, called “prediabetes.” These are grim numbers, but there is hope for the diabetic and pre-diabetic. Lifestyle changes dramatically change the numbers and the outcome of this disease. You are not a number. You are a person, and there is hope for a new life, better health, and hope in your healing journey.
What is diabetes? Diabetes is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of sugar in the blood. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that causes the body’s cells to be deprived of fuel (glucose). When uncontrolled, it causes problems with circulation, heart health, kidney function, eyesight, immune function, depression, mental processing, and cancer and dementia risk. Most diabetics, up to 95%, are type 2, a form of the disease that develops due to a combination of inactivity, poor nutrition, and overweight. Eight out of ten people who suffer from type 2 diabetes are overweight. Those who carry fat at their waist are at higher risk. Type 1 diabetics have an autoimmune disorder and require daily insulin. All forms of diabetes respond well to positive lifestyle choices.
Diabetes, Metabolism, and Microbiome. Inactivity doubles the risk of developing diabetes. Being overweight triples the risk. When waist-size in women increases from 28 inches to 38 inches, the risk of developing diabetes is increased 6-fold! The good news is that as much as 90 percent of type 2 diabetes can be prevented with lifestyle improvement, even if diabetes runs in your family. The great news is that the very tools that prevent diabetes also manage and reverse symptoms.
A low-fiber diet causes a shift in the gut bacteria, called “microbiome,” that affect metabolism, weight gain, and insulin-resistance. A diet rich in vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, and seeds shifts the gut population to aid in weight loss, insulin sensitivity, inflammation, and overall metabolism. Think “crunch” foods such as celery, raw veggies, apples, and other fibrous foods. Adding crunchy fiber foods and beans to your meals is a delicious way to curb cravings and improve weight and blood sugar control.
Lifestyle Links for Better Health. How can this terrible trend be reversed? Lifestyle choices can dramatically affect the risk, severity, and progression of pre-diabetes and diabetes. Lifestyle links for preventing and even reversing prediabetes and early diabetes include quitting smoking, managing stress, getting adequate sleep, choosing whole foods, and carving out regular exercise—especially walking after meals.
Submitted by Betty Dean
(www.lifestylematters.com. Used by permission. Courtesy of LifeSpring – Resources for Hope and Healing, Stuart)
