With the rising number of people diagnosed with diabetes, one has to wonder, will I be next? According to the American Diabetes Association, 7% of the population is diabetic or in pre-diabetic stages. In just one year, 1.5 million people age 20 and older were diagnosed with the disease. Of the youth population, 1 in 6 overweight children are pre-diabetic. Unfortunately, the cause of diabetes and it’s pathology are not clearly understood. To make matters worse, our society has become soft and lazy. It’s no surprise that the obesity rate is increasing as quickly as diabetes.
Type II diabetes is created by increased aging, obesity, poor nutrition, high stress and physical inactivity. All of these conditions can be traced back to one source high acidity. Over-acid lifestyles and food choices have negative impacts on health, which is shown by the rapidly increasing diabetes rates in the country.
Diabetes refers to the disease in which the body does not use or produce insulin as it should. Insulin is a hormone used in the metabolic process to aid in converting sugar, starches and other foods into usable energy. According to the American Diabetes Association, 7% of the population is diabetic or in pre-diabetic stages. In just one year, 1.5 million people age 20 and older were diagnosed with the disease. The most common form of diabetes is the Type II, or insulin resistant disease. Of the youth population, 1 in 6 overweight children are pre-diabetic. The numbers are climbing at an alarming rate. Almost directly proportional to the increasing diabetic population is the obesity rate. Not surprisingly, one is closely linked to the other.
While exact causes of diabetes are not clear, there is speculation concerning obesity and diabetes. It is the classic cyclic question, which comes first. As an individual’s weight increases as result of poor nutrition, over indulgence and an inactive lifestyle, the body responds less and less to its natural metabolic processes. It fails to convert glucose into fuel for the cell. As a result, the glucose is stored as fat, contributing to the existing weight problem. It is acceptable to state that reduction of weight can assist in prevention or management of the disease.
There is also a belief that insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar levels in the bodies. The term “insulin dependent” was created in the 1950s to create the impression that muscle and fat require insulin to take up glucose (the sugars created by eating high carbohydrate and sugary foods). However, current studies show that many different things in the body transport glucose. Cells require glucose for their cell respiration process. The body makes sure that the cells receive that, no matter how much insulin in present.
Furthermore, the role insulin plays in the metabolic process is not fully understood. The common belief is that insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar levels in the body. The term “insulin dependent” was coined in the 1950’s. It gave to the impression that muscle and fat required insulin to unlock the cell, allowing it to convert the glucose. However, current studies conclude that many different cellular bodies transport glucose. Cells need glucose for their cellular respiration process, regardless of insulin presence.
By incorporating inflammation fighting foods such as dark green vegetables, fresh dark fruits and complex carbs, as opposed to simple carbs, can not only help reduce pH levels in the body but improve blood sugar levels. By making conscious health decisions can delay the onset of diabetes does not have to be predetermined. Not everyone has to develop the it.