The
incidence of diabetes has doubled over the past 10 years, and many people remain
unaware that they have become victim to this silent killer disease. Millions of
people are pre-diabetic, indicating a failing metabolism which will lead to
full diabetes, typically in 6 months to 2 years’ time.
Surprisingly,
the diagnosis of diabetes doesn't have the same impact on patients as other
potentially lethal diseases, due to the subtle manifestation of symptoms before
the disease progresses fully. Because of this, people are less likely to take
diabetes seriously, placing them at high risk for heart disease and a host of
debilitating diabetic complications.
Diabetes Doubles the Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
Information
from a study published in The Lancet finds that a diagnosis of diabetes
doubles the risk of developing life-threatening events such as a heart attack
or stroke. Type II diabetes is largely a disease caused by poor lifestyle
choices and is perpetuated by a diet of processed junk foods which leads to
complete metabolic dysfunction.
Fortunately,
diabetes can be controlled and even reversed by following a strict meal plan
which drastically limits high carbohydrate foods and sugary drinks. Many people
have been able to minimize and resolve blood sugar surges and neuropathic
complications by eliminating specific foods which create metabolic imbalance,
and cut their risk of a heart attack in half.
Carbs Count, So Count Them
The most
important thing to understand when working to prevent or treat Type II diabetes
is that the low fat, high carb diet you've been prescribed by your health care
professional is based on an ancient understanding of the disease and will
promote disease progression. The only way to take charge of diabetes is to
track and monitor every morsel of food you eat, and keep track of the
carbohydrate count.
Carbs,
regardless of the dietary source, cause blood sugar to rise and insulin
resistance to develop. Once this metabolic imbalance begins, the only way to
keep it on track is to severely limit carbohydrate intake. Fats and protein
have a limited effect on blood sugar and actually help to flatten blood sugar
spikes.
Target Less Than 100 Grams of Carbohydrates Each Day
Many
people eat more than 100 grams of carbohydrates each meal, causing wild swings
in post meal blood sugars which have been shown to lead to metabolic dysfunction,
diabetes and serious complications. Limit carbs from all sources, including
vegetables to no more than 30 grams each meal. You'll need to use nutritional
tracking software to calculate carb counts. Weigh and measure everything and
record it before you eat. Be accurate, as small deviations can create big blood
sugar swings.
You'll
find that to hit your target carbs for each meal, there's no room for junk
foods, breads, pasta, sugared drinks, and even salad dressing which are pumped
full of sugar. Make fresh vegetables the core of each meal and compliment with
solid protein and fat sources from meats, nuts, seeds and legumes.
Check Blood Sugar after Each Meal
The only
true way to know if you can tolerate more carbs is to test your blood sugar
with an inexpensive meter. Check your reading 1 and 2 hours after eating, as
this is when the highest blood sugar readings will be recorded. Make sure that
your 1 hour reading is no higher than 140 mg/dl, and the 2 hour reading is
below 120 mg/dl.
Readings
above these levels indicate metabolic instability, and the need to lower your
carbohydrate intake. Blood sugar readings above 140 mg/dl are associated a
doubling of risk of heart attack and dangerous complications from kidney
disease, blindness and nerve damage. Monitor your blood sugar after every meal,
and soon you'll know exactly which foods cause the largest swings and must be
avoided.
Diabetes
cases will continue to double every decade, jeopardizing the lives of millions,
unless people are educated to take control of their diet. The disease is in
your control, and only you can determine how it progresses. Many people have
shown that they can prevent and even treat diabetes by incorporating an ultra-low
carb diet and monitoring blood sugar levels carefully after meals. Cut your
risk of a heart attack and diabetic complications by taking charge of your diet
and lifestyle.
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