What is Diabetes ?
Now I am going to keep this simple because "the understanding" is very important for the level of information that I want to pass on to you.
Overview.
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body does not produce enough of the hormone insulin (type 1), which is not reversible and mostly hereditary or cannot make proper use of the insulin it does produce, a condition called insulin resistance (type 2) which is impacted upon by lifestyle choices.
As a result of both conditions, there are wild fluctuations of glucose levels in the bloodstream (following your intake of carbohydrate type fuels or food). You would know these as fruit (including juice), grains, vegetables, legumes, some dairy and includes the non-traditional but heavily consumed forms from soda or soft drink, sweets, fast food etc. From these foods your body gets these "sugars" and they enter the bloodstream as glucose for energy.
The problems arise when there is a build up of excess glucose. There may be resulting problems with your artery walls which can become thicker increasing blood pressure. This then impacts on other conditions. The implications of these can eventually lead to blindness, coronary heart disease, amputations or kidney failure.
What does that mean to you as an individual ?
I can tell you one thing that people have died from this disease. Diabetes is fast becoming a major health concern as it gets more and more common. The world is becoming more overweight / obese and this means an unhealthy population. It is not limited to one country, one race or one gender. It is rampant everywhere.
Is this a result of us living longer and our bodies aging or is it a result of the lifestyle choices we make ?
It seems to be a function of both of these situations but the most common form of Diabetes (type 2) can be a preventable condition. Yes I said PREVENTABLE. Type 2 Diabetes or as it used to be called Adult Onset Diabetes has now had to revert to it's correct title as the incidence of the disease is now presenting in children all over the world.
How can children get an "adult onset disease" condition ?
It really isn't all that hard to understand. There is far more processed food being eaten then 10-20 years ago. The availability of low quality nutrient, high density calorific fuel is everywhere. Our use of this fuel (movement in any kind) has been markedly reduced.
Bottom line is that we have become 'UNDER-ACTIVE AND OVER-FED" !!
Is there any likelihood that this situation will get worse in the coming years ?
Absolutely. They call Diabetes the silent killer for a reason.
You could have it now and not know. The symptoms may not be presenting so as a result you continue with your "unhealthy" lifestyle that is by your standards all about "balance and moderation".
Sure you may be carrying a few extra kilo's but so is everyone.
You probably use the words of balance and moderation for justification when you are doing something that you know is not in your best health interests but "you have to have a life - right ?".
It is just a few extra glasses of wine.
And who can enjoy that wine without a nice cheese platter ??
Doing this every so often can't really do us harm - can it ?
Yes it can if in the rest of your daily life you do not practice your Human ECO plan.
All of your poor lifestyle choices add up.
If you don't make exercise a regular part of your life on a regular basis then you are adding to all of the other health errors you are making.
Just so we are clear, I am not talking about your walk on a Saturday to the nearest drinking hole or your weekly shopping trips when you walk miles from shop to shop. They are not getting your heart healthy.
You have the ability to reduce / reverse the implications of this disease.
Type 2 diabetes, the more common of the two types, results mainly from an unhealthy diet and inactivity and is becoming epidemic in scale in many developed or fast-developing countries.
Are you a statistic or are you going to change your life ?
Be a Health Warrior NOT a Health Worrior !
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1 comment:
This has put alot of things in to perspective for me in relation to my mother's condition (high blood sugar) and also for my own knowledge.
Perhaps I can help others as well a my mother in educating them about how important it is to eat healthy wholesome foods and to make poeple aware how easy it is to become a diabetic.
Thanks again Tony.
Deb
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