Understanding Insulin Resistance: The Root of Chronic Disease and Ten Myths of Diabetes … and A Fascinating Podcast!

For more info on Diabetes, I urge you to visit www.Diabetes.org.

The Podcast below is really incredible and describes the impact of our modern diet on our body’s ability to absorb the insulin that way it was intended.  The first half is very science based, and the second half will help you apply it.

Listen Now: “The Plague of Prosperity: Understanding Insulin Resistance” by Dr. Benjamin Bikman
 LISTEN NOW ON YOUTUBE

The following comment on the Youtube description inspired us to listen to it:   “I am a physician and wholeheartedly agree with this view of insulin as the root of most “chronic” disease. Just wish I had a professor like him when I was in college, instead of the AHA guidelines and so forth. I really hope his and other great researchers in this field gets known and we can see a change in the dogmatic ideas the general public and the medical community have about nutrition and disease.

Ten Myths of Diabetes
by Carolyn Allen for Meridian Magazine

After publishing this article, one of my readers wrote in:

“I’ve had Type 2 diabetes since 1996. Felt it was a death sentence! I have been studying about reversing diabetes for several years. I lost 30 pounds using HCG and was able to get off most of my diabetes medications, however, I couldn’t keep it up and now I realize I am a food addict, so I am in a 12-step program and lost 50 pounds in six months and am keeping it off for eight more months. My doctor says when I lose 40 more pounds I will no longer have diabetes! I am abstinent from sugar, flour, white potatoes and white rice, and I avoid artificial sweeteners and packaged products. For me, they are addictive and cause cravings and only turning this over to my Savior with the help of my support groups rescues me from the wiles of conspiring men who aim to keep us wanting more and more of foods which are not good for us. And I think the medical community and pharmacy companies want us to believe that we can eat unhealthy things and thus perpetuate our poor health, requiring more and more medications. There are natural solutions and alternatives!”

To read the entire article, PLEASE CLICK HERE

There are many myths that make it difficult for people to believe some of the hard facts. These myths can create a picture of diabetes that is not accurate and full of stereotypes and stigma.

Myth 1: Diabetes is not a serious disease.

Fact: Diabetes causes more deaths a year than breast cancer and AIDS combined. Two out of three people with diabetes die from heart disease or stroke.

Myth 2: If you are overweight or obese, you will eventually develop type 2 diabetes.

Fact: Being overweight is a risk factor for developing this disease, but other risk factors such as family history, ethnicity and age also play a role. Unfortunately, too many people disregard the other risk factors for diabetes and think that weight is the only risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Most overweight people never develop type 2 diabetes, and many people with type 2 diabetes are at a normal weight or only moderately overweight.

Myth 3: Eating too much sugar causes diabetes.

Fact: The answer is not so simple. Type 1 diabetes is caused by genetics and unknown factors that trigger the onset of the disease; Type 2 diabetes is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors.

Being overweight does increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes, and a diet high in calories from any source contributes to weight gain. Research has shown that drinking sugary drinks is linked to type 2 diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people should limit their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes. Sugar-sweetened beverages i.e. soda, fruit punch, fruit drinks energy drinks, other sugary drinks. These will raise blood glucose and can provide several hundred calories in just one serving!

Myth 4: People with diabetes should eat special diabetic foods.

Fact: A healthy meal plan for people with diabetes is generally the same as a healthy diet for anyone – low in fat (especially saturated and trans fat), moderate in salt and sugar, with meals based on whole grain foods, vegetables and fruit. Diabetic and “dietetic” foods generally offer no special benefit. Most of them still raise blood glucose levels, are usually more expensive and can also have a laxative effect if they contain sugar alcohols.

Myth 5: If you have diabetes, you should only eat small amounts of starchy foods, such as bread, potatoes and pasta.

Fact: Starchy foods are part of a healthy meal plan. What is important is the portion size. Whole grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice and starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, peas and corn can be included in your meals and snacks. The key is portions. For most people with diabetes, having 3-4 servings of carbohydrate-containing foods per meal is about right. Whole grain starchy foods are also a good source of fiber, which helps keep your gut healthy.

Myth 6: People with diabetes can’t eat sweets or chocolate.

Fact: If eaten as part of a healthy meal plan, or combined with exercise, sweets and desserts can be eaten by people with diabetes. They are no more “off limits” to people with diabetes than they are to people without diabetes. The key to sweets is to have a very small portion and save them for special occasions so you focus your meal on more healthful foods.

Myth 7: You can catch diabetes from someone else.

Fact: No. Although we don’t know exactly why some people develop diabetes, we know diabetes is not contagious. It can’t be caught like a cold or flu. There seems to be some genetic link in diabetes, particularly Type 2 diabetes.Lifestyle factors also play a part.

Myth 8: People with diabetes are more likely to get colds and other illnesses.

Fact: You are no more likely to get a cold or another illness if you have diabetes. However, people with diabetes are advised to get flu shots. This is because any illness can make diabetes more difficult to control, and people with diabetes who do get the flu are more likely than others to go on to develop serious complications.

Myth 9: If you have Type 2 diabetes and your doctor says you need to start using insulin, it means you’re failing to take care of your diabetes properly.

Fact: For most people, Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease. When first diagnosed, many people with type 2 diabetes can keep their blood glucose at a healthy level with oral medications. But over time, the body gradually produces less and less of its own insulin, and eventually oral medications may not be enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Using insulin to get blood glucose levels to a healthy level is a good thing, not a bad one.

Myth 10: Fruit is a healthy food. Therefore, it is ok to eat as much of it as you wish.

Fact: Fruit is a healthy food. It contains fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. Because fruits contain carbohydrates, they need to be included in your meal plan.

Like most of us, I have much to learn and much that I can do to prevent it for myself, and after last week, I’m ready to be a “doer” when it comes to diabetes knowledge and prevention. How about you?