Reverse Diabetes by Understanding the Causes of Insulin Resistance

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Article Title:

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Reverse Diabetes by Understanding the Causes of Insulin Resistance

Article Description:

====================

Think diabetes is irreversible? Nothing could be further from

the truth. Despite what the medical establishment tells you, you

can reverse diabetes -- without insulin or medication. Today,

I'd like to tell you about a new way of viewing -- and treating

-- diabetes. First, though, you need to understand why diabetes

is such a problem

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Distribution Date and Time: 2008-02-05 11:24:00

Written By: Mark Hyman, M.D.

Copyright: 2008

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Reverse Diabetes by Understanding the Causes of Insulin Resistance

Copyright © 2008 Mark Hyman, M.D.

UltraMetabolism

Think diabetes is irreversible?

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Despite what the medical establishment tells you, you can reverse

diabetes -- without insulin or medication.

Today, I'd like to tell you about a new way of viewing -- and

treating -- diabetes.

First, though, you need to understand why diabetes is such a

problem.

A Growing Epidemic

The disease has reached epidemic proportions: Type 2 diabetes

(formerly called adult onset diabetes) now affects nearly 100

million people worldwide, 20 million of which are Americans.

And it's on the rise -- especially in kids. One in three

children born today will have diabetes in their lifetime.

That's because the path to diabetes starts very early.

The culprit is insulin.

When you eat a lot of sugar and other refined carbohydrates like

bread, pasta, rice, and potatoes, your body eventually becomes

resistant to the effects of insulin. It requires more and more

insulin to keep your blood sugar balanced. High insulin levels

increase your appetite -- and your belly fat.

High levels of insulin can occur decades before you're diagnosed

with diabetes. They are warning signs of this condition.

So are the other symptoms of insulin resistance, like belly fat,

sugar cravings, feeling tired after meals, high blood pressure

and triglycerides, and inflammation.

A family history of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even

dementia can increase your chances of developing insulin

resistance and pre-diabetes.

And pre-diabetes is just as bad as full-blown diabetes. It, too,

can cause heart attacks, strokes, dementia, cancer, and

impotence.

So why is diabetes on the rise?

The answer is as close as the food on your plate.

Our bodies were meant to consume a diet that's high in

nutrients, fiber, and omega-3 fats and low in sugar. So when we

eat unhealthy foods -- like sugar, trans fats, white flour, and

processed foods -- we activate genes that promote diabetes.

Yet type 2 diabetes is almost totally preventable. In fact, in

one major study, Harvard researchers found that lifestyle and

diet changes could prevent more than 90 percent of all type 2

diabetes cases.

Early Diagnosis is Key

Diagnosing type 2 diabetes early is crucial to its management and

reversal.

Because damage to the body can occur with even small changes in

insulin and blood sugar, doctors should diagnose pre-diabetes as

soon as possible.

The proof is in the research. One recent study found that people

whose fasting blood sugar was higher than 87 were at increased

risk of diabetes.

Yet most doctors don't worry until the blood sugar is over 110

-- or worse, over 126, which is diabetes.

Instead, I recommend early testing with anyone who has a family

history of type 2 diabetes, belly fat, or abnormal cholesterol --

regardless of your blood sugar level.

Ask your doctor for these tests:

1. Insulin glucose challenge test with 2-hour glucose challenge,

75 grams measuring fasting, 1 and 2 hour blood sugar AND

insulin.

Your blood sugar should be less than 80 fasting and never rise

above 110 or 120 after one to two hours. Your insulin should be

less than 5 fasting and should never rise above 30 after one to

two hours.

I recommend this test for everyone over 50, and for anyone with

any risk of insulin resistance, even children.

2. The hemoglobin A1C is an important measure of glycated

hemoglobin, which can be an early indicator of sugar problems. It

should ideally be less than 5.5. Anything over 6 is considered

diabetes.

3. Lipid profiles are important. An HDL under 40 and a

triglyceride level over 150 usually means diabetes.

4. An NMR lipid profile identifies the size of your cholesterol

particles.

5. High sensitivity C-reactive protein is a measure of

inflammation, which is both a cause and result of insulin

resistance and diabetes. It should be less than 1.

6. Homocysteine is often abnormal in people with diabetes. It

should be between 6 and 8.

7. Fibrinogen measures your risk of clotting and is associated

with insulin resistance and diabetes. It should be less than

300.

8. Ferritin is a nonspecific marker of inflammation associated

with diabetes. It should be less than 150.

9. Uric acid should be less than 6. Higher levels indicate

problems with insulin resistance.

10. Elevated liver function tests result from insulin

resistance.

These are tests any doctor can perform and are covered by

insurance. If you're at risk for diabetes, I urge you to get

tested.

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Mark Hyman, MD is a pioneer in functional medicine, practicing

physician and best-selling author. A sneak preview of his book

" The UltraSimple Diet " is available. See The UltraWellness Blog

for more on http://www.ultrawellness.com/blog/insulin-resistance

Testing for Insulin Resistance