Diabetes

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin or does not use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body convert sugar, starches, and other food into energy. Without enough insulin, glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of being used for energy. This can lead to serious health problems, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, vision loss, and nerve damage.

 

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body processes blood sugar (glucose). It is the most common type of diabetes, affecting around 90-95% of all people with diabetes and it is estimated that over 29 million people in the United States have it. People with type 2 diabetes have cells that do not respond properly to insulin, a hormone that helps the body use glucose for energy.

 

Diabetes is typically diagnosed through a combination of blood tests. The most common test used to diagnose diabetes is the fasting plasma glucose test, which measures the amount of glucose in your blood after you have gone without food for at least 8 hours. Other tests used to diagnose diabetes include the oral glucose tolerance test, the random plasma glucose test, and the hemoglobin A1C test.

 

 

The A1C test measures your average blood glucose for the past two to three months. The advantages of being diagnosed this way are that you don't have to fast or drink anything.

 

 

 

Traditionally treatment for type 2 diabetes includes lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and increasing physical activity, as well as medications. Eating healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and being physically active can help you manage your blood glucose levels and prevent or delay complications.

 

Here is the problem: though fruits and whole grains are healthy in general, eating plenty of them will lead to rise in blood sugar. Moreover, it is scientifically clear now that diabetes type 2 is not simply because of lack of insulin production but more because of insulin resistance due to increased exposure of cells to sugars (consumed often in the form of carbohydrates...our diets are so rich in carbs in the 21st century).

 

A new perspective, a paradigm shift is needed to solve the epidemic of diabetes affecting millions of people across the globe. Eating too much protein doesn't solve the problem. Contrary to popular belief, excessive protein consumption can be detrimental too! But by significantly cutting down carbs, adding healthy fats to your diet, and consuming a balanced diet you can rapidly affect blood sugar control. Of course, this has to be combined with good exercise plan.

 

But don't do it just by yourself. Changing your diet and exercise plan drastically can drop your blood sugars and that can be harmful. You need a well trained doctor to carefully monitor those changes and adjust your medications properly for positive outcomes. Dr. Calm will be happy to help you with that.