Monday, March 21, 2011

BALANCE YOUR BLOOD SUGAR (part 1 of 2)

DIABETES + OBESITY = DIABESITY  (Part 1 of 2)

Insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and obesity (diabesity) are global epidemics that continue to rise and come with major health consequences. Type 2 Diabetes is commonly associated with poor diet and inactivity. However, there is now evidence of autoimmunity in Type 2 Diabetes.

Nearly two-thirds of Americans are now medically classified as overweight or obese. What’s crazy is that 30 percent of overweight individuals believe they’re at a healthy weight, and 70% of obese individuals feel they’re simply overweight. This excess weight costs our nation ~$93 billion in annual medical bills, and that number is expected to rise.

And, if you think diabetes and insulin resistance affects only those who are overweight, feast on junk food and are sedentary, listen up. According to the National institute of Health, approximately 15 percent of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are not overweight – they’re skinny on the outside, but fat on the inside, commonly known as “skinny-fat.” On the inside these folks have excessive visceral fat (intra-abdominal fat around organs) which increases their risk of insulin resistance and diabetes. Just because someone is thin, does not mean they’re healthy – a common misconception on our society.

A study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development predicts that by 2020 close to 75 percent of the American population will be overweight or obese. What does this mean? In less than 9 years, more than half of all Americans will be pre-diabetic or suffer with type 2 diabetes. What exactly is insulin resistance? What leads to type 2 diabetes?

Insulin resistance is when the cell loses its responsiveness on the insulin receptor site (particularly liver, muscle and fat cells, with the liver losing sensitivity first, followed by muscle, then fat cells). Your body adds more and more insulin to store fat. Overtime, the pancreas give up, leading to type II diabetes. 

In type 2 diabetes, your body isn’t making enough insulin and/or the cells are resistant to insulin causing too much sugar to remain in the blood. Insulin takes the sugar from the blood into the cells. Although insulin is necessary for your body’s use of sugar, higher insulin levels accelerate the aging process, increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and lead to diabetes.

You want to create an environment in which you’re sensitive to insulin. Insulin sensitivity is your body’s ability to use insulin properly to regulate the amount of glucose in the bloodstream. Optimal serum glucose fasting blood levels are 70-80 (Dr. Harry Eidenier, Jr., PhD). Fasting blood sugars in the 70s are the most protective for preventive CVD and neurological decline. Abnormal is 100. Levels 70-100 are an opportunity to restore back to an optimal range. Fasting serum insulin levels should be <10. Longevity studies of all creatures, from worms and yeasts to humans shows that the lower the levels of insulin are over the course of a life, the longer the life will be.

High levels of insulin can cause major damage to your body. The most recognized of these is diabetes, but that is far from the only disease. As Ron Rosedale, M.D. said "It doesn't matter what disease you are talking about, whether you are talking about a common cold or cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis or cancer, the root is always going to be at the molecular and cellular level, and I will tell you that insulin is going to have its hand in it, if not totally control it."

Insulin Resistance Symptoms and Conditions:

Brain fogginess and an inability to focus Hypertension
Elevated triglycerides and Low HDL Levels Gout; Hepatitis
Excess belly fat or fat around your scapula Inflammation and/or Intestinal Bloating
Sleepiness; Dizziness; Fatigue PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Extreme thirst Elevated blood sugar and HbA1C

When glucose (sugar) builds up in the blood instead of going into cells, it can cause:

  • An increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease (diabetes of the brain, a.k.a. Type 3 diabetes). Hyperinsulinemia doubles your risk for Alzheimer’s compared to people without diabetes, and Inflammation increases risk for diabetes and Alzheimer’s. In Americans over 65, 1 in 8 has Alzheimer’s and nearly half of those over 85 have it.
  • Obesity
  • Damage to your eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart.

ALL hormones work in synergy with one another. The hormone you have the most control over is insulin. This is regulated by your diet and what you choose to eat.

What Causes Insulin Resistance? Diabetes?

  • A sedentary lifestyle
  • Calorie restriction, skipping  meals, diet pills
  • Processed foods, fast foods, crap in a box, canned or microwaved foods. Unbalanced meals high in processed carbohydrates, grains, sugar, HFCS, excess omega-6 fats and vegetable oils, and a low intake of healthy fats and protein.
  • Fast food. Consuming fast food 2 or more times a week results, on average, in an extra weight gain of 10 pounds and doubles the risk of prediabetes over a 15-year period.
  • Drinking soft drinks and fruit juices
  • Elevated lypogenic (fat storing) enzymes and decreased lypolytic (fat burning) enzymes
  • Lack of quality sleep
  • Stress, adrenal fatigue, altered hormonal levels and inflammation. Years of high adrenaline and/or elevated cortisol (which elevates blood sugar) from chronic stress, poor nutrition, overtraining/excessive exercise, and/or unhealthy lifestyle habits

Part 2 – Simple Tips to Balance Your Blood Sugar and Boost Diabetes Protection

Looking for a custom plan? Make an appointment. Schedule a 15-minute phone call to discuss your goals and needs. Paula consults with clients locally in the Phoenix area and around the world via telephone or Skype.

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