Diabetes Treatments & Prevention

There are more than 20.8 million adults and children, or 7% of the population, living with type 2 diabetes, also known as non-insulin dependent diabetes. 6.2 million of these people yet do not know they have it. Diabetes can be tested by a simple blood test ordered by your doctor. Daily care for diabetes is about 95-99% self-care. Though for many, diabetes is a serious lifelong condition with many negative consequences, when blood sugars are kept under good control the risk for long term complications decrease and the potential to even reverse the disease is possible. It is even highly likely to prevent this disease if you are one of the additional 54 million people who have pre-diabetes or if it runs in your family.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder where there is insufficient insulin activity and the body can no longer handle glucose. Insulin is needed in order to keep our blood sugars within a normal range. The pancreas makes insulin, which is a large gland that sits behind our stomach. It has two main functions. One, it secretes pancreatic juices that help our digestion process and two it secretes hormones and one of those hormones is called insulin. Insulin is needed in order to regulate carbohydrate metabolism. A good portion of the foods we eat get broken down into glucose and simple sugars that our body needs for energy. Blood glucose then rises as the food is broken down then the pancreas secretes insulin that attach to cells like a lock and key. The cell wall is then opened and the sugar enters into the cells in order to keep blood sugar levels under control. Excess food that the cells don’t need is then stored as fat.

All carbohydrates are not the same. Some break down slower or faster than others. Complex carbohydrates or high fiber foods break down slower than simple or refined carbohydrates. High fiber carbohydrates like fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes all break down slower than refined carbohydrates where the fiber has been taken out. Refined foods are not the only culprit. A diet too high in saturated fat is also known to be a large problem.

Do not buy into the concept that diabetes is a lifelong progressive disease where eventually you will be put on insulin or at minimum oral diabetes drugs for the rest of your life. The research is in and shows that you can make a huge difference in your condition with permanent lifestyle changes. If you are interested in learning how to prevent or reverse diabetes, call the Royal Center for Advanced Medicine at (702) 836-0961.