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Sugar is Sweet... but Diabetes Is Not

Imagine driving down the road and your car starts to sputter and shake. You know you have afull tank of gas, so why is the engine acting as it ifit's starving for fuel? Because there is a blockage in the system: The fuel is there - it just can't get to the engine. A similar phenomenon occurs in diabetes, explains Dr. Christiana. Excess gasoline in a car's tank does no damage. But excess glucose, our body's fuel, does. There are two types of diabetes: Insulin dependent, known as Type I (or juvenile), and non-insulin dependent, known at Type II (or adult onset). Symptoms are similar in either case: Unexplained weight loss, increased urination, urinary tract infections, excessive thirst/hunger, blurred vision and fatigue (particularly within two hours after a meal). Staggering Statistics According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), 16 million people in the United States have diabetes. Even more shocking than this sobering statistic is the fact that one in three sufferers is not even \ aware they have diabetes. The odds of you being that "one in three" are enhanced if your ethnic background is African-American, Latino, Native-American, AsianAmerican or Pacific-Island. Dr. Christiana knows just how devastating diabetes can be. According to the ADA, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death (sixth-leading cause of death by disease) in the United States. Blindness, kidney disease, nerve disease, amputations, heart disease and stroke are all related to diabetes. Formerly associated with the onset of aging, Type II diabetes is becoming more and more prevalent in younger people. "In the past 8 years, the onset of diabetes among people 30 to 39 years of age has skyrocketed by 70 percent - enough for the American Diabetes Association to call it an epidemic." (Prevention 2001;53:58.) The National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases maintains that 15.7 million individuals in the United States 5.9 percent of the population - have diabetes. Of that number, 18.4 percent are senior citizens, 8.2 percent are men age 20 or older and 8.2 percent are women age 20 or older. Even more startling is that 5.4 million cases go undiagnosed each year - with 798,000 new cases occurring annually. And Americans are not alone. According to the Belgium-based International Diabetes Foundation's Web site, there is a "pandemic" of diabetes which now affects more than 150 million people worldwide and is predicted to affect 300 million by 2025. Complications You can ignore the evening news, you can ignore your in-laws, but you cannot ignore diabetes. Unlike many other diseases, diabetes affects virtually every area of your body from sight to circulation. The disease can harm nerves, kidneys, heart function and other important systems in the body. Did you know it can also cause problems in your mouth? People with diabetes have a higher than normal risk of periodontal diseases. According to the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in 20 to 74 year olds and end-stage renal disease. Approximately 65 percent of diabetics also have high blood pressure, and their risk of stroke is two to four times higher than that of non-diabetics. Scary stuff. That's why Dr. Christiana is committed to helping patients detect hidden blood sugar problems and prevent diabetes - and to helping patients with diabetes explore allnatural, effective solutions. Read on to learn how making a few simple lifestyle changes may ward off this common disorder. Say No to Sugar Reading nutrition labels is important for everyone, but it's particularly crucial for diabetics. Sugar is somewhat of a chameleon: It can appear as "sugar" in the ingredients list or as any of a dozen other words ending in "ose" that essentially mean the same thing. Also watch out for corn syrup, honey and molasses. When looking at the amount of sugar in a product - particularly in the cereal aisle - also note the number of servings. The Fat Factor Obesity is recognized as the primary reason for the dramatic increase in diabetes. Stop for a moment and consider your own lifestyle. Exercise, a mainstay of the chiropractic approach to wellness, has a profound effect on preventing obesity and lowering blood glucose levels. Exercise helps the glucose in your blood stream enter your cells and get to work. Your chiropractor has training in exercise and nutrition therapy and can design a program to help you prevent diabetes. Often, even the most minor of dietary changes can have a dramatic effect on diabetes. Losing 10 or 20 pounds can make all the difference in the world. According to the ADA, the perfect diet for diabetics - as well as non-diabetics - is low in fat, moderate in protein and high in complex carbohydrates such as beans, vegetables and grains. Consider Chiropractic Care Chiropractic adjustments are specific maneuvers chiropractors use to correct a condition known as vertebral subluxation - areas in the spine where movement is restricted or bones are out of alignment. Preliminary research indicates that vertebral subluxations may playa role in diabetes, although additional research is needed before a fmn link may be established. One scientific case study followed an 80-year-old man with diabetes mellitus who suffered from polyneuropathy, a complication of diabetes characterized by disturbed nerve flow, muscular pains, balance disorders and vision problems. Researchers found that chiropractic adjustments, coupled with a specific type of massage called trigger point therapy, "brought about dramatic improvement in both symptoms and clinical signs of nerve function." (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1994;17:29-37.) Kick the Habit If you're a smoker, here's yet another reason to quit: Use of tobacco products significantly elevates an individual's odds of diabetes and complications from the disease. Experts estimate that diabetic smokers are two to three times more likely to suffer from severe kidney damage, compared with diabetics who don't smoke. Herbal Solutions? The herb ginseng is one natural method often recommended by chiropractors for lowering blood sugar. In Asian cultures, it's been used for its medicinal properties for over 2,000 years (Nursing 2001 ;31 :28). "In one study, ginseng decreased fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin levels in patients with and without diabetes to the extent that some patients with diabetes didn't need insulin therapy for the duration of the study." (Nursing 2001;31:28.) In addition to ginseng, other nutritional supplements may help normalize blood sugar levels such as spirulina, huckleberry, bilberry, buchu, dandelion root, DHEA and uva ursi. Remember, speak to your chiropractor or other health-care providers before trying ahynatural remedy. If you have a cardiovascular condition, including hypertension or hypotension, are undergoing steroid therapy, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is particularly important for you to consult with your healthcare provider before beginning a supplementation program. Chromium Quandary Chromium picolinate is a nutritional supplement highly celebrated for its ability to normalize blood sugar. However, the long-term safety of this supplement has yet to be determined. So, speak to your ciliropracjor to determine if chromium picolinate supplementation is right for you. Caution Ahead! Although some nutritional supplements appear to prevent diabetes, others may aggravate the disorder, warn experts. Diabetics should steer clear of supplements containing large amounts of thiamin (vitamin Bl), niacin (vitamin B3) and vitamin C. On the other hand, moderate doses of these vitamins may quell symptoms. In addition, diabetics should avoid supplements containing the amino acid cysteine and fish oil capsules or other supplements containing paraaminobenzoic acid (PABA). Think Prevention There is currently no cure for diabetes; however, proper nutrition and regular exercise can prevent the disease. If you already suffer from diabetes, lifestyle changes may ward off long-term complications. Let your doctor of chiropractic help you design a disease.,Jighting lifestyle aimed at preventing diabetes and other diseases. Call today to schedule a chiropractic consultation.

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