If Someone I Loved Had Diabetes

November 30, 2017
Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS

Award-winning nutritionist and New York Times bestselling author.

I’d Help Them Lose Weight for Keeps.

Over 10 percent of American adults have diabetes—a figure that doubled in the last few decades. Since obesity is the major reason for Type 2 diabetes, this epidemic is clearly growing and over 84.1 million Americans are considered “prediabetic” (according to the CDC).

Jaw-dropping new statistics find that over 36% off American adults are obese (30 or more pounds overweight)! In addition to diabetes, extra weight ups the risk for cancer, heart disease, and numerous other health problems. “There is a tsunami of chronic preventable diseases about to be unleashed into our medical-care system which is increasingly unaffordable,” says Reed Tuckson, MD, of the United Health Foundation.

Even before these latest figures, 48 million Americans were projected to have Type 2 diabetes by mid-century. Besides greatly increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes is the leading cause of adult blindness, lower-limb amputation, kidney disease, and nerve damage.

Because diabetes runs in my family, I’ve waged my own personal battle against this disease for years. That’s one reason that so many of my books—from Beyond Pritikin and The Fat Flush Plan to my soon-to-be released Radical Metabolism—have focused on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

As millions of Fat Flushers the world over have learned, sugar and refined carbs (bagels, corn, instant oatmeal, white bread, white potatoes, rice cakes, and sugary cereals) quickly raise blood sugar levels, flooding the bloodstream and causing a sugar high.

Too much sugar and high-glycemic carbs also trigger a rapid insulin response. Excess insulin causes your blood sugar levels to drop as sharply as they spiked up, causing fatigue and making you crave even more carbs and sugar.

This sets off a vicious cycle in which insulin remains high and you start to gain weight. The cells in the body no longer respond to insulin, increasing the risk for insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes.

Cut Out the Junk

While the latest obesity figures are truly shocking, there are numerous reasons, starting with the quality—or rather its lack of—in the American food supply. Just read the ingredients list on most processed foods and you’ll find high levels of sugar (in its various guises), along with unhealthy fats.

A study at Boston University School of Medicine called for industry-supported changes in the food supply. But with all the sugary cereals, soft drinks, and an ever-increasing number of high-carb, bad-fat “convenience” foods, I’m not holding my breath.

In general, the more a food is processed, the worse its effect on blood sugar and insulin! Because high insulin levels equal weight gain, it’s easy to understand why Americans get heavier year after year.

Eat, Drink, and Lose Weight

Fat Flush is a safe, effective way to lose weight—as well as inches around your waist—and abdominal fat that’s clearly linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 diabetes. Even during summer vacation, you can enjoy delicious foods—without packing on added pounds.

At parties and get-togethers, cruise the buffet table for lean protein and high-fiber, low-glycemic fruits and veggies (artichokes, berries, bok choy, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, citrus wedges, cucumbers, grapes, leafy greens, pears, water chestnuts). Eat an apple before you leave home to prevent overeating—all that fiber will help fill you up.

And stay hydrated. Ask your host for seltzer water with a splash of cranberry juice. Never drink alcohol on an empty stomach. If you do imbibe, choose clear liquids like vodka with lemon or lime—and then add water. Limit alcohol, coffee, chocolate, and tea—all are insulin promoters.

Exercise and Safe Supplements

Get added support in balancing blood sugar levels. Research at the University of Ottawa finds that the essential mineral chromium improves blood sugar control. But diet beverages and sugar substitutes like aspartame only rob the body of this valuable mineral, increasing insulin resistance.

The more lean (muscle) tissue you have, the more fat your body will burn. Pound for pound, muscle burns five times as many calories as other tissue. You can jump start weight loss by working out more. Try 2- to 5-pound dumbbells to build lean muscle mass.

L-carnitine also helps you burn excess fat and lose weight. A cousin to amino acids and similar to B vitamins, carnitine also protects the liver from toxins, which contribute to weight gain in the first place.

You’ll find both chromium and L-carnitine in UNI KEY’s Weight Loss Formula. This stimulant-free supplement stabilizes blood sugar, supports healthy metabolism, and boosts energy, making it an ideal tool to help you lose weight.

Sources:
www.abcnews.go.com/print?id=9106890
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19914095
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19509199

Related Articles and Podcasts

Ann Louise Gittleman, PhD, CNS, is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of more than thirty books including The Fat Flush Plan series and her latest book, Radical Metabolism. She’s been rewriting the rules of nutrition for more than 40 years and is internationally recognized as a pioneer in the field of diet, detox and women’s health issues. 

For a FREE daily dose of tips and strategies for maintaining healthy weight, conquering insomnia, and much more…check out my Radical Health Tips.

I’d like to meet and greet you on my Facebook groups, so won’t you check us out at the Radical Metabolism RevolutionFat Flush Nation, or my Inner Circle!

9 Comments

  1. Gail

    If someone I loved had Diabetes, I would tell them they could BE RID OF IT – CURED! I would give them my CD’s from the Raw for 30 days and show them how EVERYONE I know who has had Diabetes and who has gone raw, no longer has Diabetes! I would tell them to drink ionized, alkaline, microclustered water (at least one gallon a day which believe it or not is EASY because it’s microclustered) and then I would tell them to be prepared to celebrate! I’m seeing and hearing these results on a regular basis!

    Reply
  2. Annie

    Raw foods are an important part of any diet. But (let’s get real), they’re not a lot of fun this time of year.
    As someone who reads a lot of research, as well as the web, I haven’t seen PILES of research on raw foods to prevent diabetes.
    Fiber, yes. Enzymes, certainly, but what’s your evidence?

    Reply
  3. Alandra

    Too many people in my family had diabetes (type 2), usually as they gained weight in middle age. Is this more common in women?

    Reply
  4. Stacey

    I am having the hardest time staying on a diet! I need to lose nearly 90 pounds, but my blood sugar drops drastically whenever I cut down on eating. Eating a handful of almonds does not stabilize me! I’m so psyched out by my unstable blood sugar, I eat constantly to avoid the horrible physical feelings (I feel so sick, it scares me). Is there a solution? Help!!!

    Reply
  5. Jennie

    How does drinking lemon juice and drinking the cranberry juice affect teeth?

    Jennie

    Reply
  6. Peggy

    Stacey, I have found that spreading your allowed fruit over the course of the day has helped me tremendously. So, don’t eat that apple all in one sitting. Eat 1/4 of it at a time. Yes, it’s a pain, but it works for me, made ALL the difference in the world. For *ME* I needed to balance protein and carbs for each meal, as I seem to be very sensitive.

    Reply
  7. Peggy

    This is a great article, but you cannot convince someone to eat properly and try to lose weight if they do not want to. Unfortunately my 25 year old daughter is obese and I worry about her long term health. She loves junk food, and refined carbs. She’s not diabetic yet, but I’d love to help her avert future issues. I cannot tell her what to do, but I’ve told her I’m here for her when she wants me. If anyone has other ideas feel free to share!

    Reply
  8. Jim Nebel

    Dr.Ann has taught my wife Lori Ann and I much about nutrition. We need more Ann’s in the world!

    The US Govt backed Soy & Corn crops so much that these 2 crops have become the US King of Crops. And “kings” rule the land not the people.
    Watch out for Soy & Corn it’s everywhere & in nearly everything!
    Organic non-GMO “fermented” soy products are a safer chose if used sparingly.
    Addl zinc can help balance copper levels.

    Reply
  9. Jim Nebel

    Diabetes effects the whole family!
    My Dad has had Type 2 since 1997 this lead to a heart attack in 2001 and neuropathy in his legs since 2005.
    Watching my Dad suffer lead me to start http://www.thedetoxguy.com with my wife in 2006.
    There is absolutly no reason so many humans & animals have diabetes.
    Take care of yourselves before this dis-ease takes care of you.

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This