Diabetes-Free in Two Months?

Alright, so I know talking about diabetes isn’t exciting or even minutely desirable. But listen up, because this is important. Chances are you know one or more people with diabetes, and after reading this short article, you can share some amazing news with them.

Here are the facts:

Diabetes affects 8.3% of the US population (18.8 million diagnosed plus another 7 million undiagnosed, totaling 25.8 million). Worldwide, an estimated 285 million people are living with diabetes. This number is expected to grow to 438 million by 2030, corresponding to 7.8% of the adult population. The cost of managing diabetes is also an enormous burden for families and society as a whole.

Currently, type 2 diabetes is seen as a chronic (long-term) progressive condition. Once diagnosed, the patient starts off with a special diet, then takes tablets, and eventually needs insulin injections. Once diabetes was only a danger to the adult populations, but sadly more and more children and teenagers are developing it. The CDC estimates that the lifetime risk for Americans born in 2000 to be 1 in 3.

Diabetes is one of the major causes of premature illness and death worldwide… but it doesn’t have to be!

A recent study, funded by Diabetes UK, involved 11 people who were recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The 11 participants were put on a 600 calorie-per-day diet of liquid drinks and non-starchy vegetables for two months. They were closely monitored by a team of healthcare professionals.

The results were astounding! Each of the 11 participants reversed their diabetes. That’s 100%! Three months after completing their diets, seven of them were still diabetes-free.

The study leader had this to say: “To have people free of diabetes after years with the condition is remarkable – and all because of an eight week diet. This is a radical change in understanding type 2 diabetes. It will change how we can explain it to people newly diagnosed with the condition. While it has long been believed that someone with type 2 diabetes will always have the disease, and that it will steadily get worse, we have shown that we can reverse the condition.”

How Does It Work?

Type 2 diabetes occurs either because the pancreas is not producing enough insulin, or the body is not reacting to the insulin properly (insulin sensitivity).

You can use diet to remove fat from the pancreas, resulting in normal secretion of insulin, explained the scientist who presented their findings at the American Diabetes Association conference.

The participants in this study were matched to a control group of healthy individuals (without diabetes) and were monitored by a medical team over the 8 week period. Researchers studied their liver fat content and pancreas insulin production.

All of the participants had pre-breakfast blood sugar levels that were back to normal within just seven days! MRI scans of the pancreas showed that pancreas fat levels, which were high initially, also returned to normal, resulting in normal insulin secretion and better blood sugar levels after meals.

But only 600 calories a day?

So, it may sound extreme, but if eating less could cure you of diabetes, wouldn’t it be worth it? You can start reducing your caloric intake by eating less meat and dairy and increasing your intake of plant-based foods. That way, you can eat a large quantity of food and not feel so hungry. (An apple is about 65 calories)

This is amazing news, though more research needs to be done, perhaps a study involving more participants. Please share this with those you know who are suffering needlessly from the painful affects of diabetes.

*As always, consult a health care professional before starting a new diet or health care regime.

Super Charge Your Diet: Ten Super Foods You Should Be Eating

Super foods are “super” because they have the highest concentrations of easily digestible nutrients, fat burning compounds and vitamins and minerals to protect and heal your body. If you had an expensive sports car you would only fill its tank with top quality fuel, right? Your body is an even more precious vehicle, one that runs much better on quality food. These ten super foods, when incorporated regularly into your diet, can help you run on all cylinders.

Eggs: The best protein source on the planet, eggs consistently outrank milk, beef, whey, and soy in the quality of protein they provide. In addition to containing all the essential amino acids, eggs are loaded with nutrients. “And for God’s sake, eat the yolks,” says Bowden. People avoid the yolks because they fear cholesterol, but egg yolks contain choline, which helps protect heart and brain function and prevents cholesterol and fat from accumulating in the liver.

Kale & Spinach: When it comes to leafy green vegetables, the darker green, the better. Greens are low in calorie, vitamin-rich and high in fiber. Considered perhaps the most concentrated source of nutrition of any food, greens are packed with vitamin K, which regulates blood clotting and helps protect bones from osteoporosis.

Avocados: Sure, they’re high in fat, but avocados contain healthful monounsaturated fat, which has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. “Avocados aid in blood and tissue regeneration, stabilize blood sugar, and are excellent for heart disorders,” says Ed Bauman, Ph.D., director of Bauman College. They’re loaded with fiber (11 to 17 grams per fruit) and are a good source of lutein, an antioxidant linked to eye and skin health.

Salmon: Eating fish helps cut the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. The fatty varieties may also help alleviate depression. The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat at least two fish meals per week, especially wild salmon, herring, and sardines” The Omega-3 fatty acids that Salmon provides can improve insulin sensitivity—which helps build muscle and decrease belly fat.

Apples: With twice the fiber of other common fruits, apples are a great low calorie snack that will fill you up and keep blood sugar in check. Loaded with the powerful antioxidants quercetin and catechin, which protect cells from damage, apples can help reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, especially if you eat the skin. An apple’s peel contains five times more polyphenols than its flesh.

Blueberry: These anti-aging superstars have highest antioxidant level of all regularly consumed fruit anti-aging superstars, their rich in anthocyanins, which have been shown to improve vision and brain function. Studies show that eating blueberries slows impairments in motor coordination and memory that accompany aging. These little blue gems also reduce inflammation, which is inextricably linked with virtually every chronic disease from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, to diabetes and heart disease.

Olive oil: Another on the list of cancer inhibitors is olive oil, a “healthy” type of fat which has anti-inflammatory properties. Replacing other fats in your diet with olive oil can significantly lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack. Chronic inflammation in the body is linked to metabolic syndrome but a diet rich in cold-pressed (not heated) olive oil can fight inflammation in your body.

Pomegranates: These beauties have up to three times the antioxidants of red wine and green tea – and the juice has been shown to reduce artery-clogging plaque, which in turn prevents heart disease and stroke. Research shows that long-term consumption of pomegranate juice may also help slow aging and protect against cancer.

Garlic: Research shows that garlic lowers total cholesterol and triglyceride (blood fat) levels, helping prevent clogged arteries. “Two to three cloves a day cut the odds of subsequent heart attacks in half for heart disease patients,” says Bauman. Garlic also tops the National Cancer Institute’s list of potential cancer-preventive foods.

Almonds: Even though almonds are relatively high in fat and calories, studies show that eating then can  help with weight loss and lowering cholesterol (their protein, fiber, and monounsaturated fats provide the feeling of fullness, preventing overeating).

So, they haven’t officially found a cure for caner, but eating super foods and living well can help prevent it. This list only skims the surface of the abundance of exotic super foods available. Do some research and try incorporating a new super food into your diet each week.