Lifestyle Management and Diabetes
We are often told diabetes is a disease that is chronic, progressive and non-reversible.
This statement is repeated like a mantra to everyone who would be categorised as pre-diabetic to those suffering from the effects of long standing type 2 diabetes.
WHAT ARE THE FACTS ABOUT DIABETES?
With the price tag on diabetes ringing at 800 billion dollars globally, it goes without saying diabetes is a rapidly expanding epidemic with a significant cost to patients and their governments.
WHAT IS TYPE 2 DIABETES?
In the case of normal physiology, when food is consumed, a hormone called insulin helps to move glucose from the bloodstream into the cells of the body.
A problem arises when the consumption of sugar increases so much that insulin starts having difficulty shuttling glucose into the cells because they are getting full.
Eventually, like trying to pack your cupboards with more food when they are fully stocked, it gets harder and harder to accomplish. This is known as insulin resistance.
The response by the majority of healthcare providers to this problem is to prescribe a medication. This works to keep blood sugar levels under control…
...for a while at least.
Soon to follow is medication number two and three and eventually, it’s a lifetime of insulin injections because, as we all know, diabetes is a chronic, progressive and non-reversible disease.
Of course, it sure seems that way when the accepted approach to a dietary problem is to solve it with medication.
Patients get increasingly higher doses to keep the same blood sugar levels (a sign diabetes is getting worse) and the body eventually pays a major price when excess sugar gets directed towards every organ in the body. That’s why diabetics go blind, get skin ulcerations, and develop diabetic neuropathies.
LIFESTYLE STEPS FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES
For a disease process that requires billions in spending and is impacting the world’s population at an incredible rate, you’d think it would be an extremely complex and difficult problem to solve, yet it’s really not.
The answer to dealing with type 2 diabetes is to reduce the amount of sugar in the body.
1. Stop consuming it.
2. Use it for energy.
#1 – STOP CONSUMING SUGAR
Although the body has the ability to metabolise glucose, by the time you’ve reached a pre-diabetic state or have been diagnosed with full-blown diabetes, sugar should be approached as essentially toxic.
Taking steps to eliminate all sugar may seem difficult but once you’ve reached this level, it’s time to ring the alarm and make some serious lifestyle changes.
Even starches are just long chains of sugars and what would be considered safe for a non-diabetic population is now a real issue for anyone with sugar overload.
Whole food carbohydrates like potatoes and root vegetables are not the cause, but consuming lower amounts of total carbohydrate is a fundamental piece in solving the diabetes puzzle.
Instead, focus on quality protein and healthy fats from coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, seafood and healthy animal products.
DIABETES SOLUTION #2 – USE SUGAR FOR ENERGY
Exercise is a tremendous strategy to start using up excessive sugar as an energy source.
With the correct type of training program, our body uses available sugar for energy, builds more lean muscle, increases metabolism and reduces body fat levels.
In addition to exercise, eating less or fasting can prompt the body to use the glucose available in the blood. The more time in between meals, the more time you’ll spend using stored sugar for energy.
If you are in a pre-diabetic state or already have a diabetes diagnosis, it’s time to consider whether the traditional solution is going to be the best approach to solving a dietary problem.
Let us know what you think.
**If you are currently on medication, consult with your supervising physician**
Dr. Ryno Tope is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a member of the New Zealand Chiropractic Association, and owner of Structural Chiropractic in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay. Dr. Tope focuses on an area of chiropractic called Structural Correction and has been in practice for 6 years. You can reach Dr. Tope at drryno@structuralchiro.co.nz or 06•651•1004. You can also follow the Structural Chiropractic Facebook page (www.facebook.com/StructuralChiropracticHB).