Who knew such a thing even existed? Thanks to one of the daily nutrition digests I get online, I now do. Unsure what to do with this information I went to the International Diabetes Foundation website to learn something. I was happy to find out that their mission is “Promoting diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide.” My personal mission aligns with theirs, (To reverse the rates of heart disease and diabetes in midlife women)  so I did some research on their site. What I found makes me sad but even more dedicated to my mission than ever.

Consider these facts: “In virtually every high-income country, diabetes is ranked among the leading causes of blindness, renal failure and lower limb amputation. Diabetes is also now one of the leading causes of death, largely because of a markedly increased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke (cardiovascular disease).”

One of the reasons I’m so hot on people knowing their numbers–fasting blood sugar, waist size, and other markers of predicting health challenges–is that aging increases our risk for these non-communicable diseases. Aging in addition to what you eat and don’t, lack of exercise, weight gain, chronic stress, and family medical history set many midlife women up for a diagnosis. Knowing your numbers can give you a heads up early enough to make the reversal process easier.

BUT–there is hope and help. Please read on.

Anyone reading this who has diabetes, has been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, has had a high sugar reading, is way overweight or just worries that they might become diabetic; there are things you can do. If you have the disease, it’s reversible, if you are heading there you can stop the process and regain your health.  

Eating and exercise are the weapons of choice–to keep the popular “war” on diabetes metaphor going. 

If that sounds simplistic it’s not. I have worked with women who have done it, books are written on the subject, doctors around the world who have the time to learn about lifestyle influences on the diseases of affluence agree–modifying your day to day lifestyle habits can improve your health and reverse this set of symptoms.

The World Health Organization–regardless of your position on them–has adopted the idea that physical exercise and proper nutrition is key to disease prevention and reversal of ill health. That’s saying a lot as they are a very conservative organization with a global responsibility.

Dr. Julian Whitaker’s book, Reversing Diabetes: Reduce or Even Eliminate Your Dependence on Insulin or Oral Drugs is a must have paperback for anyone who wants to learn more about what it takes. His cookbook, Reversing Diabetes Cookbook: More Than 200 Delicious, Healthy Recipes  has delicious recipes that a friend cooks out of daily and loves. (I recommended this book to her when she was diagnosed. Along with a few other tweaks to her lifestyle she lost 25 pounds-and counting- in 6 weeks and her numbers are now normal.)

There are plenty of other programs by doctors out there if you start to look. The bottom line is this, diabetes does not have to be your experience. If you don’t want to go on meds, ask your doctor for 6 weeks before starting them. During that time find a coach who specializes in helping people do what they need to do safely and successfully. Or grab a book and give the process a try. 

Even if you are on insulin or other medications and you don’t want to do that for the rest of your life, don’t give up. Changing what you eat and how much you move can begin with small steps. Over time you’ll get the result you are looking for and boy will you feel good. 

You will not be facing the more life threatening aspects of a disease like diabetes, you’ll have more energy, and you’ll just plain feel better. If there is anything I can do to help you get help, drop me an email.