By T.J. Henry
Has your weight started to creep up recently and are you unable to shed the extra pounds, no matter what you do? Are you exercising at least twice a week? Do you find that you are more thirsty or wanting to eat more lately? These are the three top indicators that you may have Type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a combination of nutritional and hormonal imbalances. According to the American Diabetes Association, 57 million people are pre-diabetic and do not know it, while 29.1 million people have already been diagnosed with this disease. Detecting signs within the body prior to a diagnosis of this disease can allow for prevention of this disease. It is believed that for 91% of individuals already diagnosed, changes in diet and lifestyle, may have avoided this disease.
Men and women are equally vulnerable to this disease. Non-Hispanic black, Hispanic, American Indian and Alaska Native adults are twice as likely to develop this disease than Non Hispanic White adults, however, everyone is at risk for developing diabetes (Type 2). Many other conditions, such as thyroid or gut issues, can also increase the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Chronic stress and long term dieting may also be contributing factors placing you at risk.
Diabetes Type 1 is diagnosed very early in life as the pancreas is just not producing any insulin needed to control blood sugar and produce energy. This is known as juvenile onset diabetes and requires insulin to be given as our bodies cannot function without it. Diabetes Type 2 develops later in life and referred to as adult onset diabetes. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, insulin is being produced by the pancreas, yet the body has developed a resistance to the insulin reducing the production of energy to our cells, tissues, glands, and organs. This disease is a direct result of our diet and lifestyle choices we have made during our life.
Many common symptoms of diabetes type 2 include:
- Increased thirst
- Frequent urination
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain or drastic fluctuations
- Bouts of fatigue
- Numbness and tingling in fingers/hand
- Skin disorders
- Circulation issues which affects the feet
- Slow healing wounds
These symptoms can come on gradually and may go unnoticed until something significant occurs such as a severe infection that does not heal. Our diet significantly affects whether Diabetes Type 2 develops within our body. Decreasing the amount of processed foods, sugar, and energy drinks we consume daily due to our hectic schedules can nearly solve the issue of diabetes all by itself.
American’s consume approximately 60 pounds of sugar per person per year. And believe it or not, this is lower than it was prior to 2000, due to the decreased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. According to the American Heart Association the maximum amount of added sugars you should eat per day for men is 150 calories (9 teaspoons) and for women 100 calories (6 teaspoons) per day. Adding sugar to our diet doesn’t serve us physiologically in any way and quite unnecessary.
We live in Santa Cruz County, one of the healthiest places to live in the United States. Every opportunity is available for us to live as healthy a life as possible. Even Costco caters to the organically inclined individual and should be utilized as much as possible. I grew up in the Midwest eating meat, potatoes, and canned vegetables. I was amazed at what an avocado actually looked like upon my arrival to California at 17 years of age. I am so thankful and grateful I made it to Santa Cruz County to become the healthiest woman I can be during the second half of my life!