Search This Blog

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

The Why of the Diabetes Epidemic, Part 2

Last week, we had over 400 words and we barely covered our topic. My, this will take many parts, won't it? I don't mind because this is my passion but you probably will get tired of this. But you never know you might pick up something good for you or your loved one with diabetes. So, keep tuned in, will you? And please spread the word.

Reading this blog will benefit those with diabetes or prediabetes in these ways:


  • make the blood sugar level better

  • cut back on some of the medications

  • take control of the condition



Learning the why of the diabetes epidemic will lead to a program of living healthy. Don't worry, you will not have to make severe changes. Nor do you have to spend money to do this. There will be suggestions on diet and exercise but these will not be extreme. Whatever changes you make though, let your health care team know. You may have a condition that needs special care.

This discussion will help us understand better what diabetes is, how we ordinarily manage the food nutrients and how metabolism affects the overall health. This will answer the question why there is such an epidemic of diabetes, prediabetes and obesity.

Once we understand the above, we will have a better understanding of how important lifestyle is. Perhaps then we will be more motivated to change the lifestyle to turn the statistics around. This is really the basis for the change that those in the know are advocating.

Now I mentioned metabolism and I wonder if we really understand that. Why is this important? Learning what it is and what it does will give meaning to why many are afflicted by prediabetes. And when this is not addressed, it leads to diabetes.

We know that the body directs the energy into storage as in fat, or let the body use it for normal growth or to use it for any physical activity. All these are represented by metabolism. If we understand this as the normal metabolism, then we will have an idea when metabolism goes awry.

What is this energy that the body processes and directs to store, use for growth or fuel Physical Activity?
There are three of them: protein, fat and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates and fats are the principal providers of energy to keep the body working.

We will discuss how these three nutrients met Mr. Insulin. For now, it is enough that we know the three nutrients that metabolism represents when the body's processes direct them to different channels. We will see what happens to these three nutrients when that occurs.

No comments: