| Think diabetes is irreversible? | | | | management and reversal. |
| Nothing could be further from the truth. | | | | Because damage to the body can occur with |
| Despite what the medical establishment tells you, | | | | even small changes in insulin and blood sugar, |
| you can reverse diabetes -- without insulin or | | | | doctors should diagnose pre-diabetes as soon as |
| medication. | | | | possible. |
| Today, I'd like to tell you about a new way of | | | | The proof is in the research. One recent study |
| viewing -- and treating -- diabetes. | | | | found that people whose fasting blood sugar was |
| First, though, you need to understand why | | | | higher than 87 were at increased risk of diabetes. |
| diabetes is such a problem. | | | | Yet most doctors don't worry until the blood |
| A Growing Epidemic | | | | sugar is over 110 -- or worse, over 126, which is |
| The disease has reached epidemic proportions: | | | | diabetes. |
| Type 2 diabetes (formerly called adult onset | | | | Instead, I recommend early testing with anyone |
| diabetes) now affects nearly 100 million people | | | | who has a family history of type 2 diabetes, belly |
| worldwide, 20 million of which are Americans. | | | | fat, or abnormal cholesterol -- regardless of your |
| And it's on the rise -- especially in kids. One in | | | | blood sugar level. |
| three children born today will have diabetes in | | | | Ask your doctor for these tests: |
| their lifetime. | | | | 1. Insulin glucose challenge test with 2-hour glucose |
| That's because the path to diabetes starts very | | | | challenge, 75 grams measuring fasting, 1 and 2 |
| early. | | | | hour blood sugar AND insulin. |
| The culprit is insulin. | | | | Your blood sugar should be less than 80 fasting |
| When you eat a lot of sugar and other refined | | | | and never rise above 110 or 120 after one to |
| carbohydrates like bread, pasta, rice, and | | | | two hours. Your insulin should be less than 5 |
| potatoes, your body eventually becomes resistant | | | | fasting and should never rise above 30 after one |
| to the effects of insulin. It requires more and | | | | to two hours. |
| more insulin to keep your blood sugar balanced. | | | | I recommend this test for everyone over 50, and |
| High insulin levels increase your appetite -- and | | | | for anyone with any risk of insulin resistance, |
| your belly fat. | | | | even children. |
| High levels of insulin can occur decades before | | | | 2. The hemoglobin A1C is an important measure |
| you're diagnosed with diabetes. They are warning | | | | of glycated hemoglobin, which can be an early |
| signs of this condition. | | | | indicator of sugar problems. It should ideally be |
| So are the other symptoms of insulin resistance, | | | | less than 5.5. Anything over 6 is considered |
| like belly fat, sugar cravings, feeling tired after | | | | diabetes. |
| meals, high blood pressure and triglycerides, and | | | | 3. Lipid profiles are important. An HDL under 40 |
| inflammation. | | | | and a triglyceride level over 150 usually means |
| A family history of obesity, diabetes, heart | | | | diabetes. |
| disease, and even dementia can increase your | | | | 4. An NMR lipid profile identifies the size of your |
| chances of developing insulin resistance and | | | | cholesterol particles. |
| pre-diabetes. | | | | 5. High sensitivity C-reactive protein is a measure |
| And pre-diabetes is just as bad as full-blown | | | | of inflammation, which is both a cause and result |
| diabetes. It, too, can cause heart attacks, | | | | of insulin resistance and diabetes. It should be less |
| strokes, dementia, cancer, and impotence. | | | | than 1. |
| So why is diabetes on the rise? | | | | 6. Homocysteine is often abnormal in people with |
| The answer is as close as the food on your plate. | | | | diabetes. It should be between 6 and 8. |
| Our bodies were meant to consume a diet that's | | | | 7. Fibrinogen measures your risk of clotting and is |
| high in nutrients, fiber, and omega-3 fats and low | | | | associated with insulin resistance and diabetes. It |
| in sugar. So when we eat unhealthy foods -- like | | | | should be less than 300. |
| sugar, trans fats, white flour, and processed | | | | 8. Ferritin is a nonspecific marker of inflammation |
| foods -- we activate genes that promote | | | | associated with diabetes. It should be less than |
| diabetes. | | | | 150. |
| Yet type 2 diabetes is almost totally preventable. | | | | 9. Uric acid should be less than 6. Higher levels |
| In fact, in one major study, Harvard researchers | | | | indicate problems with insulin resistance. |
| found that lifestyle and diet changes could prevent | | | | 10. Elevated liver function tests result from insulin |
| more than 90 percent of all type 2 diabetes | | | | resistance. |
| cases. | | | | These are tests any doctor can perform and are |
| Early Diagnosis is Key | | | | covered by insurance. If you're at risk for |
| Diagnosing type 2 diabetes early is crucial to its | | | | diabetes, I urge you to get tested. |