ONE OF THE BEST DIETS TO PREVENT TYPE TWO DIABETES

In our office we seem to be seeing a huge increase in patients coming in with diabetes or prediabetes. I think it is an epidemic. In the U.S. it is estimated that approximately 40 million people already have Type 2 Diabetes and there are approximately 79 million that have prediabetes. There is another estimated 79 million people that have undiagnosed Type 2 Diabetes (that means they don’t know they have it!). How can that be?

That means that about half of the U.S. population has Type 2 Diabetes. The reason that they don’t know that they have it is because they either don’t go to their physician for a physical examination, or the physician doesn’t test for prediabetes. Please go to your physician now and get tested because most of the time there are no signs or symptoms that tell you the answer.

What is prediabetes? Prediabetes means that you have a higher-than-normal blood sugar level and left untreated will usually develop into TYPE 2 DIABETES. This disease can lead to lots of complications and premature death. It is the 8th leading cause of premature death and can shorten your lifespan by up to 10 years. It is also the leading cause of amputations of legs and feet! It does long term damage to your heart, blood vessels and kidneys not to mention the following:
Gum disease-almost all diabetics have some form of gum disease.
Neuropathy-this is numbness or tingling in your legs, feet, arms, hands etc.
Eye Problems-this can be blurred vision or damage to your retina.
Stroke-this can be fatal or life changing.
Kidney disease-when kidneys become damaged it can lead to lots of other problems.
Increased risk of cancer-we don’t need that one.
Increased risk of Alzheimer’s-and I’m not interested in this one.

Although there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, it is possible for some people to reverse it with diet changes and weight loss. There are medications to treat type 2 diabetes (known as T2D) but medications bother me because there are so many possible serious side effects such as cancer and heart problems etc. that I prefer a more natural method if possible. All of that leads to the topic of this newsletter about diets to prevent and or reverse Type 2 Diabetes. Of course, I am prejudiced, but I have seen some great results by following the PALEO DIET. The Paleo diet is similar to the Mediterranean diet meaning to eat low fat protein, fruits, vegetables and to eliminate SUGAR from your diet. In addition, the Paleo diet wants you to eliminate all grains (breads, crackers and chips) and also eliminate dairy and processed foods as they contain a lot of sugar and carbs that can really affect your blood sugar.

In addition to the paleo diet, it is important to make physical activity such as walking, running, swimming, strength training etc. a part of your daily routine. It is also extremely important to stay at a healthy weight. I like to focus less on weight and more on having a normal BMI (Basic Metabolic Index) and a normal Waist to Hip ratio. If those two items are in line, then you don’t need to worry so much about the pounds. Your BMI should be under 25 and the Waist to Hip ratio should be about .8 for women and .9 for men.

Also, there are several other factors that are complications for Type 2 Diabetes, and they include smoking, High blood Pressure and high cholesterol treated with a Statin. If you have any of these issues, I highly recommend the following-in fact, it’s not really an option:
1. Please switch to the Paleo diet and be strict- you can’t cheat!
2. Eliminate all sugar from your diet!
3. Begin an exercise program and start out slow and easy.
4. Consult with an endocrinologist or your General Physician.
5. Visit your dentist for a thorough cleaning and exam.
Following the above examples can also work to prevent Type 2 Diabetes in children. You might be able to help them avoid a lifetime of Diabetic misery. I kind of think it is your responsibility!

If you need additional help with your diet, we have a holistic nutritionist as part of our team. Her name is Jenna Nixon, and she really knows her stuff. She can come to your office or do everything over the internet.

Jenna Nixon
https://goodthingsnaturalhealth.com
Jenna@goodthingsnaturalhealth.com 281-433-9996

SUMMARY-It is obvious to ME that your mouth is the window to your health. In my opinion, we need to eliminate SUGAR and processed foods from our diet. Sugar, along with lots of chemicals and additives are in almost anything in a container. Please switch to fresh foods and unprocessed foods and in my opinion, avoid the fast-food restaurants as they are loaded to the gills with all kinds of chemicals, sugars and salts. Follow the PALEO DIET and contact your dentist, physician and nutritionist. Remember, the American Heart Association recommends only 6 tsps. of SUGAR PER DAY!
LET’S THROW OUT SUGAR AND GET HEALTHY FOR 2024. The doctors and staff are behind you and call us if we can help. 713-781-2800. Also, please call or email JENNA NIXON if you need some detailed nutritional counseling from a true well trained professional.
Jenna@goodthingsnaturalhealth.com 281-433-9996

WELCOME 2024 AND LET’S MAKE THIS OUR HEALTHIEST YEAR EVER!
Spiker