Metabolic syndrome, what is it? Well, it is a group of problems or conditions that could lead to prediabetes and diabetes. How does one know if he has this condition? It is easy to recognize this but here are the signs that two or more of the following will indicate a positive answer: (not in a good way)
. High blood pressure greater than 130/85 mmHg
. A big waist of forty inches or greater for men and thirty-four or greater for women
. Low HDL or good cholesterol of lower than 40 mg/dL for men or below 50 mg/dL for women
. High level triglycerides of more than or the same as 150 mg /dL
It is a big mistake to ignore the presence of the above or the metabolic syndrome as this could have a great impact on one's health. It could certainly lead to diabetes and this is one thing I am very passionate about to prevent.
And diabetes could lead to cardiovascular problems, two to five times more than those without this condition. It is also the chief cause of kidney failure, blindness, limb amputation, and neurological complications. Life span is also lowered by seven to twelve years. Now you know why I am so passionate about preventing diabetes complications.
.
Now type 2 diabetes is on the rise. Our industrialized lifestyle certainly contributed to this. We are eating more (and the wrong food at that) and moving less with all those energy-saving machines we have at our disposal. We are living the dream life of a coach potato. Give me that remote, I need to lie down.
Yeah, right! Just look at how our forefathers lived their life. Some were farmers who got up at dawn to tend to their animals and growing their own food. Now this automated the production of food and the hard-working slim farmer is replaced by an overweight one driving an air-conditioned tractor, planting and harvesting all by himself.
Now don’t get me wrong. I am not against labor-saving devices; they’re great to have and should free us to pursue other leisure time activities like playing balls and such. But no, we were reduced to becoming sports spectators instead of going out there and playing the game ourselves. Is it any wonder metabolic syndrome is here to stay?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Why of the Diabetes Epidemic, Part 4
Now we come to the 20th and 21st century epidemic of type 2 diabetes. Before, this was called adult-onset diabetes because it used to appear in grown-ups. Lately though, teenagers and children have been afflicted by this condition and this is greatly due to lifestyle.
One cause of this is insulin resistance which makes the body tissues less sensitive to insulin. This lets the sugar circulating in the blood stay there instead of entering the body cells. This requires more insulin in order to lower the blood sugar.
The other cause of type 2 diabetes is the incapacity to produce more insulin to meet the demand. The reasons for this are growing old, overweight, inherited tendency, lack of physical activity and some other hormonal condition.
As to why insulin resistance develops is not clearly understood but researches have suggested that fat cells make chemicals that result in the tissues becoming resistant to insulin. The more fat cells one has, the more chemicals are produced. This makes the sugar unable to enter the body cells where they are sorely needed.
The beta cells in the pancreas cannot meet the demand no matter how hard they work and as years pass, they slowly lose their capacity to make insulin. They can still make some but not adequate enough to keep the blood glucose levels within normal target.
The rise of the blood glucose levels sometimes results in the symptoms like increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and fatigue but sometimes there are no symptoms at all and this is what is dangerous. The condition may not be diagnosed until some complications have already occurred.
That is why about 33% of people who have this condition do not know they have it so please if you are at risk, get yourself tested so that strategies can be in place to fight this. Sometimes it takes twelve years before the symptoms appear.
It is good to know if you have this condition before it has the time to wreck havoc in your life. Once you know you have it, you can start taking care of it. Controlling the blood glucose level is a must to prevent the diabetes complications from setting in.
One cause of this is insulin resistance which makes the body tissues less sensitive to insulin. This lets the sugar circulating in the blood stay there instead of entering the body cells. This requires more insulin in order to lower the blood sugar.
The other cause of type 2 diabetes is the incapacity to produce more insulin to meet the demand. The reasons for this are growing old, overweight, inherited tendency, lack of physical activity and some other hormonal condition.
As to why insulin resistance develops is not clearly understood but researches have suggested that fat cells make chemicals that result in the tissues becoming resistant to insulin. The more fat cells one has, the more chemicals are produced. This makes the sugar unable to enter the body cells where they are sorely needed.
The beta cells in the pancreas cannot meet the demand no matter how hard they work and as years pass, they slowly lose their capacity to make insulin. They can still make some but not adequate enough to keep the blood glucose levels within normal target.
The rise of the blood glucose levels sometimes results in the symptoms like increased hunger and thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and fatigue but sometimes there are no symptoms at all and this is what is dangerous. The condition may not be diagnosed until some complications have already occurred.
That is why about 33% of people who have this condition do not know they have it so please if you are at risk, get yourself tested so that strategies can be in place to fight this. Sometimes it takes twelve years before the symptoms appear.
It is good to know if you have this condition before it has the time to wreck havoc in your life. Once you know you have it, you can start taking care of it. Controlling the blood glucose level is a must to prevent the diabetes complications from setting in.
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Why of the Diabetes Epidemic, Part 3
We said before that carbohydrates and fats are the main providers of energy to keep it working. The carbohydrates are broken down into smaller sugars in the intestine. These smaller sugars can now be absorbed into the circulation. This is then moved from the blood into the cell.
It is during this transport that it gets to meet Mr. Insulin. There it is broken further making it a main source of energy. The extra sugar or glucose is then stored in the liver or as glycogen in the muscle. This can also be stored in the muscles where they stay until they are needed.
How about the fats? The other main source of energy is dietary fat which produces a breakdown product called fatty acids. The same thing happens to it just like the glucose. They are either used immediately for energy or stored to use later.
Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. It is a protein that is circulated in the blood stream and while it does, it affects the functioning of the other organs. The pancreas also produces chemicals that help break down the food so that that the intestine can absorb this.
There are also bunches of cells in the pancreas called islets that contain different specialized cells. Phew! Thank goodness for the forefathers who did studies on this and now they're even using it as a new diabetes cure or we would not even know these cells exist. Anyway, one of the cells in the islets are the beta cells that produce insulin.
The sugar level in the blood is sensed by these beta cells after a meal and as the level goes up, the beta cells make insulin that makes the transport of sugar into the cells faster, thus effectively stopping the blood sugar from going up too high.
When the sugar level falls, what do you think happens? The opposite happens. The insulin production stops and opens up the stored sugar in the cells. Think of the insulin as a traffic policemen who directs the nutrients to the storage when the sugar level is up and then directs them to come out of the storage when the sugar level is down.
Isn't that cool? This is what happens in a person without diabetes. This is a finely tuned machine but just like our cars, when something disturbs the engine, then there is trouble. I should not really call it trouble for it is just a challenge we have to meet head on.
My, my, this is getting too long. We have not halfway covered why diabetes is on the rise but we will. We will just persevere with our weekly sessions and learn as much as we can about this. What is ten minutes (it takes to read this) compared to a life-long knowledge on this which we can pass on to the next generation?
It is during this transport that it gets to meet Mr. Insulin. There it is broken further making it a main source of energy. The extra sugar or glucose is then stored in the liver or as glycogen in the muscle. This can also be stored in the muscles where they stay until they are needed.
How about the fats? The other main source of energy is dietary fat which produces a breakdown product called fatty acids. The same thing happens to it just like the glucose. They are either used immediately for energy or stored to use later.
Insulin is a hormone that is made in the pancreas. It is a protein that is circulated in the blood stream and while it does, it affects the functioning of the other organs. The pancreas also produces chemicals that help break down the food so that that the intestine can absorb this.
There are also bunches of cells in the pancreas called islets that contain different specialized cells. Phew! Thank goodness for the forefathers who did studies on this and now they're even using it as a new diabetes cure or we would not even know these cells exist. Anyway, one of the cells in the islets are the beta cells that produce insulin.
The sugar level in the blood is sensed by these beta cells after a meal and as the level goes up, the beta cells make insulin that makes the transport of sugar into the cells faster, thus effectively stopping the blood sugar from going up too high.
When the sugar level falls, what do you think happens? The opposite happens. The insulin production stops and opens up the stored sugar in the cells. Think of the insulin as a traffic policemen who directs the nutrients to the storage when the sugar level is up and then directs them to come out of the storage when the sugar level is down.
Isn't that cool? This is what happens in a person without diabetes. This is a finely tuned machine but just like our cars, when something disturbs the engine, then there is trouble. I should not really call it trouble for it is just a challenge we have to meet head on.
My, my, this is getting too long. We have not halfway covered why diabetes is on the rise but we will. We will just persevere with our weekly sessions and learn as much as we can about this. What is ten minutes (it takes to read this) compared to a life-long knowledge on this which we can pass on to the next generation?
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:
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
The Why of the Diabetes Epidemic, Part 1
Everyone is saying the statistics for the diabetes is on the rise. But if we are to understand this topic in the true sense of the word, we have to dig deeper, delve into the reason behind this. So I decided that in the next posts this is what we are going to talk about.
It is no mystery that the skyrocketing numbers of type 2 diabetics have gone up and up into the stratosphere. And the number is not only true in the US but also globally. I suspect though that the statistics include those who have the condition known as prediabetes.
What is this prediabetes all about? Well, one who is in the state of prediabetes is not diabetic yet but he is on the road to becoming one. This condition is also called glucose intolerance. It means that the blood glucose levels are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes but high enough to be healthy.
So if you have prediabetes, consider yourself lucky for you can do some steps to keep diabetes away for good. You can protect your health from those complications that come with diabetes. With symptoms not appearing until the damage has been done, I'd say I have a reason to call you lucky.
Now, how about those with type 2 diabetes already? Does it mean it is too late already? Not on your life it isn't. It is never too late to do something to maintain one's health no matter what stage we are in. The question is how many will protect their health knowing that they can.
Come on, confess. What were your first thought when you found out you had diabetes? Some people thought it was the end. Others were devastated. Many cried, "Why me, what did I do wrong?" And the fear of the unknown was just unbearable.
Okay, why don't you give me some feedback by going to Type 2 Diabetes? There is a contact form there you can fill in. That way, you can tell me too what topic you want to see next time after we finish this.
Thank goodness you woke up and started seeing the light. First, you read everything in sight. You tried to do everything right. You quit smoking, ate healthy meals, exercised like crazy and tried to lose weight. Now you're winning the battle.
But we went off topic so next week, we will continue the discussion on the rise of diabetic cases, explain what diabetes is and actually delve on what made the statistics go crazy like it has done. And perhaps at the end of this discussion of several parts, we will solve this mystery. Well, it's not really a mystery, but it's good to get all the whys in the open.
It is no mystery that the skyrocketing numbers of type 2 diabetics have gone up and up into the stratosphere. And the number is not only true in the US but also globally. I suspect though that the statistics include those who have the condition known as prediabetes.
What is this prediabetes all about? Well, one who is in the state of prediabetes is not diabetic yet but he is on the road to becoming one. This condition is also called glucose intolerance. It means that the blood glucose levels are not high enough to be diagnosed with diabetes but high enough to be healthy.
So if you have prediabetes, consider yourself lucky for you can do some steps to keep diabetes away for good. You can protect your health from those complications that come with diabetes. With symptoms not appearing until the damage has been done, I'd say I have a reason to call you lucky.
Now, how about those with type 2 diabetes already? Does it mean it is too late already? Not on your life it isn't. It is never too late to do something to maintain one's health no matter what stage we are in. The question is how many will protect their health knowing that they can.
Come on, confess. What were your first thought when you found out you had diabetes? Some people thought it was the end. Others were devastated. Many cried, "Why me, what did I do wrong?" And the fear of the unknown was just unbearable.
Okay, why don't you give me some feedback by going to Type 2 Diabetes? There is a contact form there you can fill in. That way, you can tell me too what topic you want to see next time after we finish this.
Thank goodness you woke up and started seeing the light. First, you read everything in sight. You tried to do everything right. You quit smoking, ate healthy meals, exercised like crazy and tried to lose weight. Now you're winning the battle.
But we went off topic so next week, we will continue the discussion on the rise of diabetic cases, explain what diabetes is and actually delve on what made the statistics go crazy like it has done. And perhaps at the end of this discussion of several parts, we will solve this mystery. Well, it's not really a mystery, but it's good to get all the whys in the open.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Did Ernest Lose Weight?
March 18, 2008
Since to lose weight was his goal in order to prevent diabetes, Ernest concentrated on doing just that. The Diabetes Prevention Program that advocates a change in lifestyle in order to put a stop on the obesity problem that plagues the nation was kind of a solution for Ernest.
He attended the sixteen sessions but Ernest found that to lose weight was easier said than done. He liked the DPP program though better than the ones his wife attended before because with this, he only had to lose 7% of his weight and he could take his time doing it.
He encountered problems both on the healthy eating part of the program and the exercise part as well. For the former, the problem was when he had cookouts with friends and when he went on vacations where he was sorry to say sometimes turned out to be pig-out days.
He tried to work around this dilemma by eating less the day before and the day after. By eating less didn't mean he starved himself. No, not at all for that would not have worked out. What he did was substituted some lower fat variety of dressings and other stuff for the rich ones his friends used and the food served on his vacations.
As for his physical activity quandary, while he could only play basketball once a week, he added some activities into his everyday routine. He biked to and from work and enlisted the help of a friend to jog with him after work several times a week.
As you can see, Ernest developed a schedule that he liked. He is still eating his favorite Italian dishes but this time he and his wife used low-fat oils and stuff. The homemade pizza he liked was now made with low-fat cheese and low-fat tomato sauce.
Now do you think he reached his goal to lose weight of 7%? You bet he did over time. He now weighs 186 pounds but he is not sitting on his laurels. No sir! He plans to go down to 180 to 184 pounds. Now why do you think a guy will think this way? Is he a stickler for punishment? Hmm, let's see what he says.
Aha! Now I get it. He wants to lose a little bit more weight to make room for when he goes on those tailgating parties with his friends and going on vacations with his wife. He has to have a cushion there, you see. Smart man, don't you think? Not only did he change his lifestyle and lost weight, but also he's preventing diabetes.
Now that we're done with the Diabetes Prevention Program, I will have to think of other things to blog about, all diabetes-related of course. Perhaps I will surprise you or go to some other physical activity, and fill out a contact form there so I can email you and then you can tell me what you want for our next topic.
Since to lose weight was his goal in order to prevent diabetes, Ernest concentrated on doing just that. The Diabetes Prevention Program that advocates a change in lifestyle in order to put a stop on the obesity problem that plagues the nation was kind of a solution for Ernest.
He attended the sixteen sessions but Ernest found that to lose weight was easier said than done. He liked the DPP program though better than the ones his wife attended before because with this, he only had to lose 7% of his weight and he could take his time doing it.
He encountered problems both on the healthy eating part of the program and the exercise part as well. For the former, the problem was when he had cookouts with friends and when he went on vacations where he was sorry to say sometimes turned out to be pig-out days.
He tried to work around this dilemma by eating less the day before and the day after. By eating less didn't mean he starved himself. No, not at all for that would not have worked out. What he did was substituted some lower fat variety of dressings and other stuff for the rich ones his friends used and the food served on his vacations.
As for his physical activity quandary, while he could only play basketball once a week, he added some activities into his everyday routine. He biked to and from work and enlisted the help of a friend to jog with him after work several times a week.
As you can see, Ernest developed a schedule that he liked. He is still eating his favorite Italian dishes but this time he and his wife used low-fat oils and stuff. The homemade pizza he liked was now made with low-fat cheese and low-fat tomato sauce.
Now do you think he reached his goal to lose weight of 7%? You bet he did over time. He now weighs 186 pounds but he is not sitting on his laurels. No sir! He plans to go down to 180 to 184 pounds. Now why do you think a guy will think this way? Is he a stickler for punishment? Hmm, let's see what he says.
Aha! Now I get it. He wants to lose a little bit more weight to make room for when he goes on those tailgating parties with his friends and going on vacations with his wife. He has to have a cushion there, you see. Smart man, don't you think? Not only did he change his lifestyle and lost weight, but also he's preventing diabetes.
Now that we're done with the Diabetes Prevention Program, I will have to think of other things to blog about, all diabetes-related of course. Perhaps I will surprise you or go to some other physical activity, and fill out a contact form there so I can email you and then you can tell me what you want for our next topic.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Was Ernest Successful at the DPP Lifestyle Change Program?
Weighing 200 pounds at five feet eleven inches, with BMI of 27, Ernest joined the Diabetes Prevention Program. He wanted to prevent diabetes especially so his brother was already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. His doctor told him he probably will have diabetes so he signed up for the DPP lifestyle intervention program.
Ernest had never tried to lose weight before so everything was new to him. his wife supported him 100% and in fact joined him in this intervention program. The 7% weight loss goal would bring his weight down to 186 pounds.
His goal for fat gram was to consume not more than forty-two grams of fat each day. He found it interesting to have to read the nutrition labels on the food they purchased. He was bent on making changes on his fat gram intake by reducing fat from salad dressings and butter. How did he do this?
He substituted lower fat variety of the butter and salad dressings. His wife started preparing food using less cooking oil and on days when they ate their favorite food with more fat content, Ernest looked ahead by consuming less fat at breakfast and next day's lunch so he won't go over his goal of the forty-two grams of fat per day when calculating his weekly consumption.
As for his physical activity, Ernest enjoyed playing basketball but he could do this only once a week. So he was not consistent with the 150 minutes per week that he would like to have. In order to get around this, Ernest thought he should put in lifestyle activities into his every day routine. How did he do it?
He decided to ride his bike to work every day. He also rode his bike to go home from work. He also asked a buddy of his to jog with him several times a week. Slowly but surely, he started to lose weight over the sixteen sessions of the lifestyle intervention program.
He observed a problem though. Every time he went on vacation he would gain some weight back. The same thing happened whenever he went to barbecues with his friends. His favorite food was Italian dishes which were sometimes high in fat. Do you think he will solve this problem? Tune in next week and let's see what happens to Ernest.
Ernest had never tried to lose weight before so everything was new to him. his wife supported him 100% and in fact joined him in this intervention program. The 7% weight loss goal would bring his weight down to 186 pounds.
His goal for fat gram was to consume not more than forty-two grams of fat each day. He found it interesting to have to read the nutrition labels on the food they purchased. He was bent on making changes on his fat gram intake by reducing fat from salad dressings and butter. How did he do this?
He substituted lower fat variety of the butter and salad dressings. His wife started preparing food using less cooking oil and on days when they ate their favorite food with more fat content, Ernest looked ahead by consuming less fat at breakfast and next day's lunch so he won't go over his goal of the forty-two grams of fat per day when calculating his weekly consumption.
As for his physical activity, Ernest enjoyed playing basketball but he could do this only once a week. So he was not consistent with the 150 minutes per week that he would like to have. In order to get around this, Ernest thought he should put in lifestyle activities into his every day routine. How did he do it?
He decided to ride his bike to work every day. He also rode his bike to go home from work. He also asked a buddy of his to jog with him several times a week. Slowly but surely, he started to lose weight over the sixteen sessions of the lifestyle intervention program.
He observed a problem though. Every time he went on vacation he would gain some weight back. The same thing happened whenever he went to barbecues with his friends. His favorite food was Italian dishes which were sometimes high in fat. Do you think he will solve this problem? Tune in next week and let's see what happens to Ernest.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)