	October 5th, 2005 \| Issue 33
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Diabetes: Symptoms, Treatment and Management

Diabetes: Symptoms, Treatment and Management

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is a disease that results in high blood glucose levels due to the body's inability to utilize the hormone insulin properly. Our bodies need glucose in order to fuel our body cells. The brain relies almost exclusively on glucose for energy, which is why our bodies are so sensitive to changes in blood sugar levels.

SUCCESS STORY

Diabetes Success Story

Jeff Garlin
Actor and Producer

"By my third day at Pritikin, I was off all diabetic medications."

By his third day at Pritikin, Jeff's blood sugar had plummeted to normal, non-diabetic levels. His doctor at Pritikin took him off his medications; Jeff simply didn't need them anymore. Read More

DIABETES RESOURCES

Control Type 2 Diabetes

Nearly 40% of Type 2 diabetics on insulin injections became insulin-free.
70% of diabetics on oral drugs eliminated the need for these medications. Read More

Diabetes Health Weeks

10/22-11/11/2005
Everything you need to help reverse or manage your type 2 diabetes, including glucose monitoring, body scan, tailored classes and customized workouts. Read More

Diet and Exercise Best For Preventing Pre-Diabetes

Lifestyle changes are far more effective than drugs. Read More

Cleaning Up a Metabolic Mess

Are you at risk of Metabolic Syndrome, also known as Syndrome X? Read More

200 New Recipes to Help Manage Your Diabetes

To help you maintain your Pritikin Program we have put together a unique collection of 200 delicious and easy-to-prepare recipes from the Pritikin Cooking School. Read More

Nutrition Supplements and Diabetes

Many research studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of specific vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Read More

Why Pritikin Works

Pritikin is set apart from other wellness programs by its results and education program. Read More

Pritikin Eating Plan

Making optimal food choices is an integral part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. FREE Download. Read More

After a meal, your bloodstream is flooded with glucose from the breakdown of carbohydrates. Your blood sugar begins to rise which triggers the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin helps store the glucose in our body cells for energy. A normal blood glucose level is 60-110 mg/dl. Diabetes is diagnosed with a fasting blood glucose level of 126 mg/dl or higher.

What is the difference between Type I and Type II Diabetes?

Type I - typically arises in childhood or early adulthood and occurs when the pancreas is unable to produce a sufficient amount of insulin. Most cases are diagnosed before the age of 30. This population must receive insulin via injection or an insulin pump.

Type II - often referred to as adult onset diabetes, usually occurs after the age of 30*. This type may produce some insulin, however the body's cells have become resistant to insulin and this prevents glucose from entering the cells. Metaphorically speaking, the insulin in a person with type II diabetes is trying to open the doors of the cells, but the cells won't let it in. This is what scientists refer to as "insulin resistant". When cells become insulin resistant, blood glucose and insulin levels rise and eventually lead to many complications. For instance, uncontrolled glucose levels can damage the large blood vessels leading to the heart (coronary heart disease) and the extremities (peripheral vascular disease), the eyes retinopathy, nerves (neuropathy) and the kidneys (nephropathy). Ultimately, the pancreas wears out after years of being in overdrive, pumping out more and more insulin to get through the cell doors. Eventually production of insulin will stop and insulin shots will need to be given.

* Recent studies have shown that type II diabetes is showing up in children and young adults due to the increase in obesity in this age group.

About 16 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 90% of those people have type II diabetes. This number has increased six fold since 1958. It seems that the primary cause of type II diabetes is excess body fat in genetically predisposed people excess body fat leads to resistance to insulin. Type II diabetes is typically hereditary, but is not exactly destiny. This is evidenced in a study with the Pima Indians. By age 50, more than fifty percent of the Pimas in Arizona have type II diabetes. They eat a diet high in fat and refined carbohydrate and are fairly inactive. By contrast, the Pimas in Mexico are very active and eat a high fiber, high carbohydrate diet that is minimally processed and very few have type II diabetes. Another study, called the Honolulu Heart Program, found that men of Japanese descent who adopted a Westernized lifestyle – a high-fat diet and little activity – had almost twice the rate of type II diabetes than men living a more traditional Japanese lifestyle. The men who ended up with diabetes were sedentary and overweight. They also ate significantly more fat and fewer carbohydrates. (American Journal of Epidemiology, 1996).

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

When a person with type II diabetes develops high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia), they may develop excessive thirst, frequent urination, increased appetite, weight loss, blurred vision, fatigue, headaches, occasional muscle cramps and poor wound healing. However, there are a lot of people with type II diabetes who do not even know they have it.

What are the complications? ...

What can the Pritikin Program do for someone with diabetes? ...

What can I do to improve my blood glucose levels and prevent complications from my disease? ...

Why are whole grains better than refined grains? ...

Isn't it better to eat a higher fat diet than a high carbohydrate diet? ...

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