Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome (Insulin Resistance)

Many of us think we live somewhat healthy enough to avoid the risks of developing diabetes. However, our modern food culture and sedentary lifestyles do not allow us to take proper care of our bodies. According to the Center for Disease Control, over 86 million people have prediabetes (also referred to as early diabetes). This is equivalent to 1 in every 3rd American with the gap quickly decreasing to every other person by 2030.

Many people live with early diabetes for many years without realizing it since they do not experience obvious symptoms. Some may develop dark, thin skin patches on their neck, knees, knuckles, armpits, and elbows, and/or a little extra abdominal fats — all signs of early diabetes.

Although there are various factors which can easily lead to the development of early diabetes, there is insufficient awareness regarding how the impact of our daily lifestyle affects our health. In fact, an estimated 90% of people with early diabetes are simply unaware they have it.

What is Insulin?

Insulin is an extremely important hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas. Insulin regulates the breakdown of sugars, starches, fats, and proteins from the food and beverages we consume.  It controls how these sugars are used for energy and regulates other functions of the body’s cells, including growth.

What is Insulin Resistance (also called Pre-Diabetes or early Diabetes)?

Insulin resistance is when the body’s cells oppose the effects of insulin.  The pancreas must then secrete more insulin to compensate for the higher insulin demand. Eventually, the pancreas can no longer keep up with the high insulin demand. Since the insulin level in the bloodstream begins to gradually decrease, sugar can no longer be adequately delivered to the cells for energy.  As blood sugar begins to increase to toxic levels, the blood vessels become damaged. This damage leads to high levels of inflammation which in turn damages all the body's organs. Insulin resistance is linked to fatty liver disease, heart disease, hormone disorders, infertility, kidney damage, obesity, and blindness. 

When the glucose (a.k.a., sugar) is detected in the blood, the pancreas will release insulin.  Insulin will bind to glucose and deliver the glucose to all of the organs which need the glucose for energy.  The problem is when the production of glucose in the blood excesses the body’s cells demand for glucose, the cells will resist the effects of insulin.  The insulin will bind to the blood glucose but has nowhere to go.  

The pancreas must also keep pumping out more insulin to keep up with the continued demand of excess blood sugar. Eventually, the pancreas becomes tired and can no longer keep up with the high insulin demand. At this point, the insulin level in the bloodstream begins to decrease causing the blood sugar to no longer be adequately delivered to the body’s cells for energy.  As blood sugar begins to increase to toxic levels, the blood vessels become damaged and cause a high level of inflammation.  All of the body's organs now become damaged.  

Insulin resistance is linked to skin problems (i.e., acne, eczema), fatty liver disease, hormone disorders, infertility, kidney damage, obesity, and blindness.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is when the pancreas can no longer keep up with the high insulin demand and hence, leads to blood sugar levels reaching toxic levels. Once diabetes has been diagnosed, major damage has already occurred to the blood vessels and all of the body’s organs.  The risk of having a  heart attack, stroke, cancer, dementia, liver and kidney failure are extremely high.  

There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Type 1 Diabetes

In Type 1 diabetes the pancreas is unable to produce insulin. It typically occurs before the age of 40 – primarily in the teen years to early adulthood.  10% of diabetic have type 1 diabetes. These patients must take insulin injections each day for the rest of their lives. They also need to closely monitor their daily blood sugar levels.

Type 2 Diabetes

In Type 2 diabetes the body’s cells are no longer able to utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas.  90% of diabetics have type 2 diabetes.  Type 2 diabetes can be effectively treated with the right diet, regular exercise, and certain medications.

People who are overweight or obese and carry extra weight around the abdomen, those with thyroid or other hormonal problems have a high risk of developing diabetes.

Being overweight, physically inactive, and choosing the wrong foods to eat all play a huge role in developing insulin resistance.  For example, drinking just one can of soda every day will increase a person’s risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes by 22%.  Diet sodas increase the risk of developing diabetes by 33%. The risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes can also increase with age.  

It is critical to be on a nutrient-dense, plant-based diet and get plenty of exercise throughout your life.

Complications of Insulin Resistance & Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease.  It can cause serious health concerns such as:

• Vision loss such as blindness or severe near sightedness

• Skin rashes and skin tags

• Compromised immune system with poor healing and high risk of infections

• Arthritis

• Heart disease

• Mental disorders such as depression

• Hearing loss

• Gum disease

• Nerve damage such as neuropathy and chronic pain

• Stroke
  
  

HOW TO PREVENT THE ONSET OF DIABETES

Diabetes is preventable in most cases. It typically takes 3 to 7 years from the time a person is diagnosed with early diabetes to progress to moderate type 2 diabetes.  

Here are a few simple lifestyle tips which can dramatically help:

Apple cider vinegar, cinnamon extract, and foods high in fiber or chromium, have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels. You can drink apple cider vinegar in water (2 tsp in 8 ounces of water) or use it frequently as a salad dressing.

Eating foods that are high in fiber throughout the day helps balance blood sugar levels. You should aim to get at least 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day from fresh vegetables, whole grains (not wheat or white rice; buckwheat, barley, quinoa, brown rice), seeds, avocados, and beans (i.e., split peas, lentils, chickpeas, black beans).  Move away from animal protein, fish, caffeine, alcohol, refined sugar, and processed ready-made foods filled with additives and GMO crops (e.g., wheat, corn, soy, rice).

Chronic sleep problems cause you to have imbalanced energy levels, and can out bodies less effective at using insulin.  Sufficient quality sleep is critical because it helps the body repair from the our everyday stressors, and directly affects our daily eating and exercise habits. 8 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night is recommended for all adults.

Our modern culture has made it more normal to have a sedentary lifestyle. However, we all need at least one hour of physical activity every day. You don’t need to necessarily start going to the gym and committing to a strict regimen. Start integrating more activity into your life and get your body accustomed to moving around throughout the day. For example, try dancing while you're around the house.  Put music on while you sweep the floors or cook dinner. Getting into the habit of going for walks is a very practical goal that can make a big difference on your health. You can also try playing a sport or joining an exercise class. Start with one step and make a practical goal that you can maintain before you move onto the next.

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE DIABETES

Although there are generally no symptoms for early diabetes, there are factors that increase your likelihood of having diabetes. If you are over 40, overweight, have a family history of diabetes, or lead a sedentary lifestyle, you should consult with a doctor and get your bloodwork checked (i.e., cholesterol panel, blood sugar levels).  If you are diagnosed with early diabetes (also referred to as prediabetes/metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome), it is important to get on the right lifestyle plan to help stop your cells from prematurely and risk suffering deadly complications associated with diabetes.

BE PROACTIVE

An estimated 3 out of 4 people with early diabetes/metabolic syndrome will eventually develop full-blown diabetes. As with any chronic illness, diabetes requires an integrative functional medicine approach to best understand the underlying culprit(s).  Early to moderate diabetes can be remarkably improved and even reversed through aggressive lifestyle counseling focused on nutrition, physical activity, sleep and stress management.  

GUARANTEED RESULTS