Diabetes is a growing problem in the United States. According to the 2011 National Diabetes fact sheet, there were 25.8 million people with diabetes in the United States. According to the National Diabetes fact sheet released in 2017, there are now 30.2 million Americans with diabetes.
As you can see, this is a growing issue. Type II diabetes is the type that comes from lifestyle and diet. We know how to prevent it and to fix it and yet this problem still grows. Worse yet, many people think that it is enough to get their blood glucose on their lab testing to look normal with drugs. I have heard people say, “I have diabetes, but I take *so-and-so drug* so I can eat whatever I want to.” The truth is that if you have diabetes you are 4 times more likely to die of a heart attack. You are 3 to 4 times more likely to have a stroke. This is even if you’re on a medication. And if you are ‘pre-diabetic’, you are still 4 times more likely to die from heart disease. So people who heard they were ‘pre-diabetic’ are also at risk for heart disease at the same level as a regular diabetic. The word ‘pre’ isn’t an indication of decreased risk. Also, a diabetic who takes insulin has a 4.3 fold risk of getting Alzheimer’s and a non-insulin dependent diabetic has at least a double risk for Alzheimer’s. And the disease is PREVENTABLE and CURABLE through lifestyle and diet.
I know this is unpopular information to give out. Some people might even be angry to hear the truth. Some people want to take a pill for their diabetes and feel like they’re taking care of it and they don’t have to feel guilty about any harm they might be doing. But the truth is, if you are diabetic on or off a medication then you are at risk. And there are ways to mitigate these risks through lifestyle and diet. If you actually want to fix the cause of your disease, and want to reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, and Alzheimer’s, then make sure you work with someone who understands these facts and is willing to help you to incorporate lifestyle and diet changes to support your condition so that you can live as long and healthy a life with your family as you want.