ONE OF EVERY TWO of you have a deadly disease that’s making you fat sick and will kill you and 90% of you don’t even know you have it.
What’s worse is your doctor’s not trained how to find it and they are not even looking for it.
This problem will cost us $3.5 trillion over the next 10 years. It is bankrupting our economy. In 30 years 100% of our federal budget will be needed to pay for Medicare and Medicaid leaving nothing for education, defense, agriculture, roads or even social security.
So what am I talking about?
I’m talking about diabesity—the number one cause of obesity, heart disease, cancer, dementia and of course type 2 diabetes.
You might hear many terms used to describe this one basic phenomenon—a new epidemic of disordered biology and disease. It is the continuum of abnormal biology that ranges from mild insulin resistance to full-blown diabetes. We call it by many names. See if you recognize any of them:
- Insulin resistance
- Prediabetes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Syndrome X
- Adult-onset diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes.
In truth, these are ALL essentially one problem with varying degrees of severity. The diagnosis and treatment of the underlying causes that drive all these conditions are actually the same.
That is why I use a more comprehensive term to describe these conditions—diabesity. Diabesity describes a continuum of disease from from optimal blood sugar balance to insulin sensitivity to full-blown diabetes. This biological imbalance is our modern plague. It affects 1 in 2 Americans and is the leading cause of most chronic disease in this country including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer, not to mention its leading role in weight gain and obesity.
Despite this fact, there are no national recommendations from the government or key organizations to advise screening and treatment of it, and most doctors don’t know how to properly diagnose it. The result is that 90 percent of the people who suffer from diabesity are left undiagnosed and untreated.
The instances of diabesity are increasing at an astonishing rate. 20 years ago when I started practicing medicine, not a single state in the nation had an obesity rate over 20 percent. Today, not a single state in the nation has an obesity rate under 20 percent. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has tripled in since the 1980s. There are now 27 million diabetics in the country.
The question is, “Why?” Why are we facing a diabesity pandemic? Why are our current treatment approaches failing so miserably? And why is conventional medicine floundering when it comes to diagnosing the biggest health threat of our time?
Diabesity describes a continuum of disease from from optimal blood sugar balance to insulin sensitivity to full-blown diabetes. This biological imbalance is our modern plague. It affects 1 in 2 Americans and is the leading cause of most chronic disease in this country including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and cancer, not to mention its leading role in weight gain and obesity.
Conventional Medicine Misunderstands the Fundamental Laws of Biology
Modern industrial medicine treats disease with medication or surgery. That’s what it is designed to do, and when it comes to emergency interventions it is still the best medicine in the world. When someone comes into the emergency room with a severed leg, conventional medicine treats the problem with incredible efficacy.
But when it comes to chronic illness, this approach simply doesn’t work.
Here’s why conventional medicine tends to break down in the face of chronic illnesses like diabesity …
Most medicine today is based on clear-cut, on-or-off, yes-or-no diagnoses that often miss the underlying causes and more subtle manifestations of illness. Most conventional doctors are taught that you have a disease or you don’t; you have diabetes or you don’t. There are no gray areas.
Practicing medicine this way is extremely misguided because it misses one of the most fundamental laws of physiology, biology, and disease: The continuum concept. There is a continuum from optimal health to hidden imbalance to serious dysfunction to disease. Anywhere along that continuum, we can intervene and reverse the process. The sooner we address it, the better.
For example, when it comes to diabesity most doctors just follow blood sugar, which actually rises very late in the disease process. If your blood sugar is 90 or 110, you don’t have diabetes. If it’s over 126, you do have diabetes. But these distinctions are completely arbitrary, and they do nothing to help treat impending problems. I remember one patient, Daren, who came to see me with mildly elevated blood sugar. I asked Daren if he had seen his doctor about this. He said yes. I then asked, “What did your doctor say?” Daren’s doctor had told him, “We are going to wait and watch until your blood sugar is more elevated, and then we are going to treat you with medication for diabetes.”
This attitude is absurd and harmful in the face of what we know about the problems that occur even in the absence of full-blown diabetes. Science is now showing us that many people with prediabetes never get diabetes, but they are at severe risk just the same. Prediabetes actually isn’t pre-anything, it’s a serious health condition and needs to be treated as early as possible.
More to the point, this approach of completely ignores more subtle clues from symptoms and signs of disease, which may highlight underlying metabolic imbalances (especially when complemented by further testing). These imbalances may be remedied by the appropriate treatment—treatment that is not focused on some disease, but instead works to remove those things that alter or damage our functioning, and provides those things that enhance, optimize, and normalize our functioning by balancing the system rather than treating the symptom. We need to treat the system, not the symptom; the patient, not the disease.
Consider the man in the emergency room with the severed leg again for a moment. For that person, identifying what severed the leg isn’t likely to make the difference between life and death. The symptom—the severed leg—must be treated if he is going to survive.
But that paradigm simply doesn’t hold true for health conditions like diabesity. This mechanistic model can be applied in some health crises, but it doesn’t work when it comes to chronic disease.
Navigating the Terrain of Disease: Identifying the Causes
To effectively treat diabesity we must shift our focus away from the symptoms or risk factors of the disease and begin taking a hard look at the causes. All of our attention is on treatments that lower blood sugar (diabetes drugs and insulin), lower high blood pressure (anti-hypertensive drugs), improve cholesterol (statins), and thin the blood (aspirin). But we never ever ask the most important question:
Why is your blood sugar, blood pressure, or blood cholesterol too high and why is your blood too sticky and likely to clot?
Put another way: What are the root causes of diabesity?
Answering that question must be the focus of our diagnosis and treatment of the disease if we are going to solve this global epidemic.
The good news is that the answer is shockingly simple.
In next week’s blog I will outline what really causes diabesity and provide 8 steps you can use to overcome it.
In the meantime, I’d like to hear from you …
Do you suffer from diabesity? What has your struggle been like?
Why do you think conventional medicine is so ineffective at treating this illness?
What do you think are the real underlying causes of this deadly disease?
Please share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
To your good health,
Mark Hyman, MD
I am a 41 year old woman with elevated fasting glucose. A year and a half ago my fasting glucose was 100, and my liver enzymes were also elevated. My doctor’s office uses 101 as the cutoff for pre-diabetes so there weren’t any more tests or follow-ups scheduled by them. At that time, I was already trying to eat less gluten to help with asthma. I managed to stay off/very low on gluten, which does help the asthma, but my sugar cravings remained very strong. Still, I lost 15 lbs. I’m 5′ 4″ and went from 165 to 150. A year later, this spring, my fasting glucose was 99. My liver enzymes were in the normal range so I see that as a positive but I’m frustrated that even with weight loss my fasting glucose barely changed. Plus, I still have major sugar cravings. I have to be very careful about timing when I eat, & what I eat, etc. Even under the best conditions I can still end up craving sugar…but then feel sluggish & foggy after I do eat something. I am definitely looking forward to the next article!
It seems that a common underlying cause of many of our health problems is too much dependence on doctors.
Just as you should not be eating manufactured foods you should not be getting advice on what to eat from most doctors. The proof of this is that doctors who can give sensible advice on what to eat, like Dr Hyman for example, have to go outside the medical paradigm to come up with that advice. And the advice they end up giving is the same advice you would have received from your great grandmother.
Yet most people don’t want to eat healthy, they want to go on a diet. They want to treat some specific health condition with a diet. In the long run this is no different than taking drugs prescribed by your doctor for that condition. This is true because for most people, once the goal is achieved, they promptly go off the diet/drug and back to their old disease causing ways.
You don’t need the medical establishment telling you what to eat, that knowledge is embedded in the culture through a long process social evolution. Doctors like Dr Hyman do us a service by bringing us this information, with their scientific/medical imprimatur (because thats all we trust these days), but we must realise that its really just a matter of commonsense.
Eat natural foods
Don’t eat too much
Eat a wide variety
Exercise
Get out of your containers (buildings, cars)
Its OK to break the rules occasionally
emk
I am in the front lines of medicine as an RN on a busy med/surg floor. Dr. Hyman has probably saved my life with his books and columns, but it does not help the health of the people I care for. The physicians I work with are wonderful and caring people, but they are caring for patients who are lost in terms of health. It is also true that when a patient attempts to have a strong voice in his care and treatment, it is usually offensive to the physician, especially if the patient’s wishes conflict with the physician’s treatment plan. What saddens me the most is that I feel we have entered an era in this country where we are witnessing the loss of health and well being in nearly an entire population. Worse yet, we have an entire pharmaceutical industry that thrives and prospers at the expense of this loss of health.
I am a 59 year old female who has been reading your “Ultramind Solution”. I have started off reading Chapter 7, Balance your harmones. Since I had my 1st child at age 32 I have experienced what I thought were hot flashes and I have never been able to lose weight. I weigh anywhere from 189 to 193 and I was 5’4″ and I’m now 5’3″. I’m on blood pressure med. and was on Metformin but got off that – it was turning my teeth in front on the bottom green and was also on a statin which has caused baldness (same as male pattern baldness). When I read your chapter you were talking about labs. that could be done to get to the root of the problem not the symtoms. I’d like to find a physician here in Raleigh, N.C. that hasn’t been tought “treat the symtoms – throw a pill at the patient and they will be fine and when it doesn’t go the physicians’s way make me feel like I’m the villan. I’m tired of “Big Pharma” teaching our Drs. to hand out pills. Where can I go to get real help?
I have no idea what to eat, what not to eat, when to eat it, which diet plan works, which ones to avoid, etc., etc., etc. I do not have diabetes (I don’t think), but it is prevalent in both sides of my family. I am a 60 year old Black woman and I’ve always tried to do the right things..eat a healthy diet and exercise. I think this has paid off for me. People say my daughter and I look like sisters
Anyway, since doctors are not trained to explore diabesity, how do we know we have it? I am rather tall and all my life I was very slim. But in the last 10 years or so, I’ve been battling to keep my weight down. People are quick to say that with age, weight gain is inevitable. I simply will not concede to that. If that were true, all elderly people would be overweight. And I have noticed that there are no very old, very fat people. I recently lost about 30 pounds by cutting out simple carbs, eating smaller portions, drinking green tea, and not eating 2 hours before bedtime. I am anxiously awaiting your 8 steps so that I can continue to lose weight and remain healthy. I also want to set an example for my children. Hopefully, for my family, the killer named diabesity stops here.
Hi Marshall,
Thank you for sharing your story. We want you to get the best care to restore your health. For local practitioners of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Hi Brenda,
It seems you are on the right track and we are excited to share that Dr. Hyman’s new book, The Blood Sugar Solution (out this winter!) will have many ideas for you to explore. For now, read this articles for an interesting trick which you can get started on right away to prevent diabetes, lose weight and ward off cravings: http://drhyman.com/the-super-fiber-that-controls-your-appetite-and-blood-sugar-2994/
In good health
Hi Rosemary!
Thank you so much for sharing your health story. It seems you are doing so many wise action steps to improve your health. We are happy to hear you are feeling better. There is a lot you can do with your nutrition and supplement regimen to benefit your blood sugar. Check this out first and see what strikes you: http://drhyman.com/new-research-finds-diabetes-can-be-reversed-6187/
If you are interested in our nutrition coaching program you can learn more about it here: http://store.drhyman.com/Store/List/Coaching-Programs
In good health
Hi Rebecca,
It seems you are doing so much to nourish yourself in a healthy way! It is important that you provide yourself with the appropriate quality and quantity of nourishing carbohydrates. We recommend including whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, amaranth, millet and teff into the diet in responsible portions- about 1/3 cup is 1 serving. Have at least 1-2 servings of whole grains in this complete form (whole grain bread or pasta does not count!0 These grains are necessary for complete wellness and without them cravings are sure to follow. While we suggest eliminating certain carbohydrates, we do advocate for low glycemic carbohydrates so you have energy and sound nourishment from healthy food and not binge on the unhealthy sugars! Also, this time of year is great for swete potato and squash. A little can go a long way in controlling cravings. Try half a sweet potato and see how you feel. Ultimately the timing and amount of carbohydrate will become clear to you as you listen to how your body responds.
In good health
Dear George,
We appreciate you writing in and sharing your story. You certainly have been going through a lot and have had such a journey with your health. We want you to stabalize your health and feel well again. After reading your words, the main insight that I have from a nutrition perspective in getting you into a rhythm. We see you eating nutritionally balanced meals with a focus on high fiber, low glycemic index carbohydrates. You would not go longer than 2-4 hours without food. And no, please do not do more fasting. With unbalanced blood sugar and insulin this actually has the potential to cause more harm than good. As Dr. Hyman says, 1.Eat a low glycemic load, high fiber, plant-based diet of vegetables, beans, nuts, limited whole grains, fruit and lean animal protein and 2. 3.Take a good multivitamin, fish oil, vitamin D and blood sugar and insulin balancing nutrients (including chromium and alpha lipoic acid)
This winter Dr. Hyman’s new book will be released which has a complete plan for someone like you needing some structure, rhythm and nutrition essentials to guide you back to a state of balanced health. The book is called the Blood Sugar Solution so look out for it! In the meantime, read this over and see how you can incorporate into your life: http://drhyman.com/5-steps-to-reversing-type-2-diabetes-and-insulin-resistance-591/
In good health
Hi Cheryl,
What a run around of docs you have experienced. im sure it is very tiring. Have you read this yet?: http://drhyman.com/is-there-a-cure-for-autoimmune-disease-2435/
Read it and pay attention to the part towards the end re: elimination diet. from a nutrition perspective this could really help serve you. We would like you to get the proper care of a functional med practitoner so you can get to the root of your inflammation. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Dear Nancy,
Don’t give up! You dont have to and we can help you. For starters, you need to get the right medical attention from practitioners who understand how to assess you accurately! To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
This winter Dr. Hyman is releasing an amazingly written and well organized book called The Blood Sugar Solution. It sounds like you could benefit from it immensely. In the meantime, you can get started by going here and implementing some of these ideas: http://drhyman.com/5-steps-to-reversing-type-2-diabetes-and-insulin-resistance-591/
Dr. Hyman offers a nutrition coaching program you can learn more about here if you are interested in more personalized attention: http://store.drhyman.com/Store/List/Coaching-Programs
In good health
I have been severely obese my entire life. In my 30′s I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. I have gone to several doctors who just threw drugs and diet at me. Everything from pills to shots and all kinds of diets. Just a few months ago I met a new doctor. I really don’t know what the difference is except this one fact. She treats me as if I am a whole person. She listens closely she researches. I know she has consulted with a team from Vanderbilt University. When I met her my blood sugars were running close to 300, within a week and a half they they dropped down into the 120′s. She took me off all meds which was a lot and gave me two. No insulin. The real difference for me is that she treats all of me. I am losing weight and even being going to the gym to walk on the treadmill everyday. I am feeling better than I have in years. So there is something about treating the whole person. There is something treating with dignity and respect. There is something about this doctor that really wants to make a difference.
Honestly, I don’t think it is that simple in some cases – at least not in my case.
I’m an extremely clean eater. I eat only organic veggies. I eat only wild caught fish. I eat only grass fed beef. I take Chromium (spelling), apple cider vinegar, etc. I stay away from HG foods, like potatoes, etc. I never eat sugar. I rarely eat processed foods.
I exercise 6 times a week. Each workout is between an hour and 1.5 hours. I alternate days between lifting and cardio.
I’m very lean. I’m 6’3″ and weigh 190 lbs. My waist is 29″. I’m 52 years old.
I’ve never been out of shape in my life. I have never had a sweet tooth.
But given all that .. I’m still pre-diabetic.
Dr. Hyman is right. We can and should be proactive in our health!! Prevention and treating the cause of disease should be our main focus. I believe that there is more money in treatment and not curing or preventing disease in our country. Just like we are still dependent on foreign oil, our society is mostly still dependent of fast food.
I have been on Dr Hyman’s program since February 2010 because a severe reflux. I followed the steps on the Ultrasimple diet for two months and reflux was gone. I will start again the ultrasimple diet to revitalize my health and to boost my energy and will try to be more firm making the program work on my busy schedule. Thank you Dr. Hyman, God bless you richly
Hi Renee,
There is a lot you can do. Enjoy those apples- a few of them a week is great and try to include some protein with them. Perhaps a small handful of almonds with your apple as a snack would be helpful for your blood sugar. The alcohol would actually not be recommended with the elevated sugar levels as it interferes with normal metabolism and lowers your overall blood sugar which potentially causes an imbalance. So, instead drink herbal tea, lemon water or green tea. You can learn a lot more by going here : http://drhyman.com/new-research-finds-diabetes-can-be-reversed-6187/
In good health
Hi Paul,
Sorry to hear you still dont feel informed even after the doctors visit. Read this article for starters: http://drhyman.com/new-research-finds-diabetes-can-be-reversed-6187/
Next, we recommend you first have a conversation with your Functional Medicine practitioner to get the proper care and attention you need. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Hi Claudette,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns. We can start you off by pointing you in the direction of this useful article:http://drhyman.com/new-research-finds-diabetes-can-be-reversed-6187/
And then, we recommend you first have a conversation with a Functional Medicine practitioner to begin a new protocol regarding your trend towards Diabetes. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Hi Harriet,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns. It sounds like you could benefit from a comprehensive care plan from a functional medicine provider. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
Also stay tuned for Dr. Hyman’s new book called The Blood Sugar Solution out this winter. I think it could help you and it has a lot of tips, tools and information to help you take back your health!
In the meantime, check out this article on a program called the Ultra Simple Diet. It might interest you: http://drhyman.com/the-ultrasimple-diet-kick-start-your-metabolism-and-safely-lose-up-to-10-pounds-in-7-days-3402/
In good health
In good health
Hi Lynn,
Due to the nature of your health inquery we recommend you recieve care from a trained practitioner in Functional Med. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Hi Cedar,
Check out this article for how to get started: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/
We recommend you get the care of a functional medicine practitioner. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Hi Brenda,
check out: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/
In good health
Hi Leroy,
Do you have DM I or II? If you have Type II than yes the Diabesity Prescription or actually Blood Sugar Solution (out this winter!) can help you for sure. However it it is Type I than this is a different approach. We would suggest you see a Functional Medicine physician to help you. To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
In good health
Hi Debra,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns. It sounds like you are doing so much but perhaps you might benefit from a practitioner trained like Dr. Hyman? To locate a practitioner of functional medicine in your area see the “Find a Functional Medicine Practitioner” link at the Institute of Functional Medicine’s website. Here you will find a place to enter your zip code and look for practitioner’s in your area that have completed the institute’s five-day training course in functional medicine. Understand that not all of the doctors listed here will fit your particular needs. Many different medical professionals complete this training, and you will have to do additional research on your own regarding a particular practitioner’s approach and whether or not it fits your specific medical requirements. This may include calling the practioner’s office, visiting his or her website, and/or scheduling a consultation
Menawhile, check out this article for more info on how to take back your health: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/
In good health
http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/
I am obese (191 lbs @ 5’3″), my glucose readings are starting to elevate from insulin resistance to real diabetes 2 (used to be around 119, now fasting in am @ 135 +). I have had digestive problems since birth (told was born with twisted stomach – recently told that was really pyloric stenosis); couldn’t keep food down until around 1 yr old, always threw it up. I am the hugest person in my family and the only one out of shape. I used to be a champion rower, now I’m lucky I can walk my dogs up the street. I am fatigued to the point of exhaustion, and am fearful of starting exercise programs because when I did prior to this I stuck with programs & loved it – but my weight only moved up. My tsh recently was .57 (3rd gen.); my Bp is mostly controlled on Coreg 40 (timed release really works well). I was prescribed Metformin which made me have severe diarrhea – did lower glucose a bit but not enough – refused to take 2000 mgs a day of the stuff – so I try to control by diet. I live in an area with a glut of doctors who are all idiots. Thinking of going to Mayo to see an endocrinologist, but at this point hate doctors. One branch of Mayo is 2 1/2 hours away.
Any insight?
I know what “caused” my type II diabetes (and my son’s prediabetic condition)–an inherited inability to detox normally. My mother died of health problems that I believe were directly related to this. (leading to the cancer that killed her)
I was in peak health when my downward spiral began.
Like ChrisW (see above comment), I exercised daily and ate a healthy diet. I belonged to a church nutrition group, that met regularly to share organic produce, supplements and information about alternative health practices. In my early 40′s my body was toned, my skin clear and you could see I radiated health with every step.
I didn’t know about the genetic inability to detox until years later, (after being chronically ill.)
My health decline was rapid and mysterious–yet some of what led to it was a gradual process, (years of allergies, sensitivities and low level exposures to environmental toxins) finally exacerbated by an onslaught exposure of workplace toxic molds and chemicals. (years of that, too) Traditional medicine docs did not know what was wrong with me. Even after I had figured it out myself, little was offered by way of treatment. In fact, a toxicologist told me there was no treatment–just to avoid future exposures.
Fortunately, I had family members who helped me find specialists in toxic exposure. (My treatment began years after the exposures, making any recovery a slow process–and complete recovery unlikely.)
Here’s what I noticed about others response to the mold and chemicals in the workplace: They had health problems unique to their individual “chemistry”. Two (that I know of) died of brain tumors; another survived removal, but had distinct personality disorder. Some had systemic health problems, with some similarities to mine, especially inflammatory-based. A few were exposed for shorter periods of time, and when I last saw them, they were experiencing only upper respiratory illness, digestive symptoms and headaches. Some complained of panic attacks, along with other symptoms. One had heart attacks in addition to breathing problems and digestive complaints–and what seemed like an auto-immune type condition with fatigue and muscle pain. Sleep apnea, acid reflux, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, migraines, irritable bowel….and more.
We are poisoning ourselves via our toxic environment in so many ways. You may not have inherited this inability to detox from both parents–maybe you did from one side of the family–or maybe you detox “normally”. Whatever your detox ability, it will at some point, not be sufficient to protect you.
We need to take action to clean up this beautiful planet we were entrusted with. When I am physically able to do more than write a comment like this one, I want to make a difference…I want to help the folks who don’t know they are at risk, and the children who inherit the need for environmental cleanup.
Apparently we have a lot of obesity in children and adults in Arkansas. We’re behind on good diet information. In my small town one can’t even get various types of fish. Thank goodness we heard about Tufts University Strong Women program.
HI Diane,
Sounds like you could use the care of a functional medicine practioner to help you safely and naturally control your insulin and sugars. Go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org and scroll down to locate a practitioner. Put in your zip code and see who is the best option for your needs. I hope you get some attention you need. Also, check out this article for a lot of helpful information which you can start applying now: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/ And stay tuned for the release of Dr. Hymans new book The Blood Sugar Solution, which is out this winter and can be a huge help for your condition.
In good health
These are great questions we all should be wondering. How do you think our current Standard American Diet (SAD!) effects this?
Hi There,
We understand your confusion and hope you get an opinion with a doc trained in functional medicine. They will be better able to assess your symptoms and give you an accurate and useful plan tailored to your individual needs. Go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org and scroll down to locate a practitioner. Enter your zip code and choose the best option for your needs. Best of luck!
In good health!
Hi Susan,
Perhaps you might both benefit from going on a comprehensive elimination protocol. This can help demystify if food is a contributing factor to inflammation, weight, etc. and it also acts a healthy detoxification program. Sounds like your hubby might benefit from that! ost importantly it outlines a healthy way to eat- all whole foods. Nothing processed or refined. There is a lot of great info you can learn from this program so I highly recommend it!
http://store.ultrasimplediet.com/
In good health!
Lizzy
Hi Veronica,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns. The weight will come off so keep up your exercise. How intensely you work out is actually more important that how much time you log on the elliptical. You want to make every minute of your 35 count! Dr. Hyman recommends you try interval training. Essentially you workout in spurts of high intensity and then cool it down for a brief time before kicking it up to high intensity again. Doing these intervals keeps your heart rate up and the body’s use of insulin becomes very functional and efficicient. The less insulin circulating. the more able you are to lose that weight! You can do this by controlling your glycemic intake in your diet as well. When you eat carbohydrates, you want to make the quality count- just like exercise it always comes back to QUALITY! Choose low glycemic carbohydrates- those which have a lot of fiber and little quick , refined sugar. Think apple with skin vs. apple juice. Think whole brown rice vs. white rice Think mixed whole grains in a salad vs. whole grain bread or flour products… You get the idea. The more attention you give to where these carbohydrates are coming from in your diet the more apt you are to lose weight!
In good health
Lizzy
Hi Craig,
You might do best speaking with a functional med practitioner in more detail about your case. Go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org and scroll down to locate a practitioner. Enter your zip and select a professional who best fits your needs.
In good health!
Lizzy
Hi Isabella,
Thank you for sharing your health concerns re: diabetes. You are not alone. Many people are tsruggling to find healthy blood sugar balance that sustains them day in and day out. Well, we surely have some answers for you and hope you can find a few ideas here to adopt. Remember, be kind and gentle with yourself and take it one step at a time! http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/
In good health!
Hi William,
Thank you for sharing your concerns with your diabetes. We know how difficult it can be to stay motivated when you dont “see” the results. You should be proud you have made it this far and are still willing to go a few steps more! Please read this article: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/ It has a lot of tips you can start immediately. The best type of exercise for blood sugar balance is interval training and also any relaxation exercises to negate any asscociated stress. Stress play a huge role in blood sugar stability and so we hope you feel more empowered now so you feel less stressed about your sugars! Best of luck.
In good health!
Hi Tina!
There is so much you can do! We really like this article: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/ You will find so many great tips which you can implement right now to get better control of your blood sugar. And stay tuned because this winter Dr. Hyman will be revealing his Blood Sugar Solution- an interactive guide to reversing diabetes and balancing blood sugars for a lifetime.
In good health!
Hi David,
It sounds like you are on the right track! Glad to hear about all the wonderful dietary habits you maintain. This surely will help you. Supplements such as alpha lipoic acid, gluccomannan, bitter melon, cinnamon and a bunch of others will certainly help as will interval exercise. This quite frankly is the saving grace of insulin resistance. Read more on ways to improve your blood sugars and insulin here: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/
In good health!
Lizzy
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your astute comments and interest in Dr. Hyman’s work. Unfortunately Dr. Hyman is unable to return personal emails right now as he is on the road and very busy! If you are interested in any of his programs or becoming a patient with him or the other docs at the center, go to http://www.drhyman.com Someone there will be glad to assist you.
In good health!
Hi Susan,
Thank you for writing in with your health concerns and issues with blood sugar. It sounds like you might indeed have an underactive thyroid but may have been misdiagnosed. Functional med practitioners look at lab results with a bit more specificity than conventional docs and see thyroid and all disease conditions on a continuum. This means that even if you do not fit into the box of lab scores to put you in the “has disease” category you may still indeed be clinically diagnosed. Most conventional docs miss thyroid issues because they only check to see if your TSH is above a certain value and if it is not they tell you that your thyroid is fine and that they dont know why you having the sympoms you are… So we recommend you see a functional medicine practiitioner trained to evaluate your symptoms in a way which honors their cause. Go to http://www.functionalmedicine.org and scroll down to locate a practitioner, enter your zip code and find a physician who suits your needs best. Also for the diabetes, check out this article for more info: http://drhyman.com/8-steps-to-reversing-diabesity-7941/ And stay tuned for Dr. Hyman’s upcomong release of his Blood Sugar Solution! It seems you are part of the intended audience and would benefit from the wealth of information he puts in it!
In good health!
Lizzy
Hi Katie, thank you for your email. You sound like a healthy and vibrant 74 year young person! We can’t offer medical advice over the internet but your question is a very thought provoking one that we will post and see if others have input to share.
Best of health!
Hello Desiree, thank yo for your comment. The answer is that you can make an educated decision about your health at whatever level you can afford. The more information you have, the better decisions you can make. This website offers a lot of great information, you are welcome to join Dr. Hyman’s Facebook community as well for additional resources.
Best of health!
One of every two – unbelievable!
Did not know that it is so common…
JW – your problem sounds like what mine was—low magnesium and reactive hypoglycemia. Try taking a magnesium supplement along with a glass of milk (it has to have calcium and vit d to be effective). Do not take vitamins with iron along with this or it may wash out of your system. A B complex would help as well as magnesium works w/b vitamins. When you eat, always include some form of protein….only carbs (e.g. cereal for breakfast) will give you the brain fog about 2 – 3 hours later. Magnesium is a natural bronchodilator so the fact that you have asthma may indicate some trouble retaining or processing magnesium in the first place.
Hello,
53 y/o white male, 4xcabg, afib after. Would like to see some of Dr. Mark’s articles on Afib and heart health.
Thanks,
Scott
Hi Scott,
Thank you for your interest in dr. hyman’s work. Check out this article for your interest in heart health: http://drhyman.com/magnesium-the-most-powerful-relaxation-mineral-available-577/ and http://drhyman.com/gluten-what-you-dont-know-might-kill-you-11/
In good health
Lizzy