Diabetes is still a Monstrous Disease!

12 Nov Diabetes is still a Monstrous Disease!

As I’ve been thinking about diabetes this past little while, a quote by Alexander Pope came to my mind. 

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace”. 

 I know that diabetes is not the type of vice that Pope was referring to, but I do feel that because diabetes has become so common in our world, the “fright” that used to be associated with this horrible disease has been replaced with endurance and pity, and in certain cases – an “embracing” of diabetes as family trait that just has to be accepted.

 This is not the case!  Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that is becoming more common in our society and fortunately, treatment is getting better and better and people are able to live with diabetes for longer with the help of medication.  But we don’t have to accept it.  We CAN do something to change it! 

It seems that part of “embracing” the disease of Type 2 diabetes may come from the comfort of medication that controls blood sugar levels.  Nutritional changes are often neglected because our medications are so good at doing their job.  Blood sugar levels will stay in check – even with high carb, high sugar foods, as long as you take enough medication.  The problem there comes in the fact that our bodies don’t function optimally with high insulin levels that are produced naturally (without being diabetic) or unnaturally (by taking medication that replaces natural insulin).  Taking medication that does the job that the body usually does on its own with insulin still blocks the body’s ability to burn fat, and it still stops the production of growth hormone.  By just adding more medication – we’re not helping our body work at an optimal level even if we are controlling our blood sugar levels.

I’m not suggesting that diabetics go off of their medication, but I do know that the majority of clients with type 2 diabetes are able to manage blood sugar levels by eating the right type of foods.  Medication amounts are often able to be reduced or eliminated completely for diabetics who make appropriate nutritional changes in their diets. 

Don’t “embrace” Type 2 Diabetes.  Don’t even endure it or pity it.  FIGHT IT!!!  HATE IT!!! BEAT IT!!!  Take charge of your body again and help make it function optimally by learning about the types of food that require diabetic treatment, and how to avoid them.