Posted by hanlie | Posted in Health and Fertility | Posted on 19-11-2009
It was World Diabetes Day last Saturday and it generated quite a lot of discussion in the blogging world. Yet, in most cases, the emphasis was on managing diabetes, not reversing it.
The problem with managing diabetes is that diabetes is a degenerative disease, meaning that it gets worse and worse over time. That means more drugs, more symptoms and more related diseases. The cost over a few decades can be astronomical and you will still have diabetes.
Why do we develop diabetes? In a nutshell because we live a lifestyle that supports diabetes. When you take away the things (foods and habits) that diabetes needs in order to exist and thrive in a body, you cure diabetes.
Sure, it requires change to cure diabetes and some people would rather die (literally) than change. Chances are your doctor will tell you that diabetes can’t be cured, but you have to remember that he is singing the pharmaceutical industry’s tune, since they largely determined what he learned at medical school.
The truth is that many, many people cure their diabetes in a relatively short period of time by changing their diet and lifestyle.
Visit Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s website and read the testimonials. People who adopt his Eat to Live plan usually see huge improvements within the first week and full reversal in a few weeks.
Then there is Dr. Gabriel Cousens, who uses raw food to cure diabetes. Watch this trailer for the movie Simply Raw, where a group of diabetics reversed their diabetes within 30 days with raw foods.
You can also listen to this audio recording of an interview with Dr. Cousens where he discusses reversing diabetes.
Of course, when you change your life in this way, it’s not only diabetes that gets cured… You will be healthier in every conceivable way.
Not everyone will want to change their lives in this way. That is okay – we are all on our own paths and responsible for our own selves. But I do believe that people should be informed that there are alternatives to managing diabetes so that they can make the choice for themselves. As I said, you are unlikely to hear this from your doctor, which means that he is robbing you of your right to choose how you want to live your life.
I was very touched by this video from Dr Oz’s show. I have to admit that, had I met Rocco before this, I would never have pegged him for someone who would be willing to change in this way. Dr. Oz presented him with a choice and this most unlikely character did something amazing and turned his health around in 28 days. If you haven’t seen this clip, do watch it. Watch his face when he hears the unvarnished truth about his health… for him it was truly a moment of truth.
So, diabetes doesn’t have to be managed. You can reverse it. The choice is yours.
Hanlie, as you know, I think I had slipped into diabetes when I made the decision to change my life for the better. In fact, I am quite sure of it. Since then, my blood sugar has still been borderline. As I reported on my blog yesterday, I had my fasting blood sugar taken at the doctor’s office Monday and it is now 85! Woot!
Diabetes can be reversed!
South Beach Steve´s last blog ..Medical (Bloodwork) Update
Diabetes is a terrible, terrible disease – particularly when people are diagnosed as children. I think it’s so amazing how our bodies can help heal ourselves naturally when we fill it with wonderful, nutritious food.
Thanks for this post!
Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..The Hunger Excuse
“Like shards of glass scraping your insides.” When Dr. Oz said that it sent shivers down my spine. Diabetes is real for me. If I don’t take care of myself, it’s something that I’ll have. I will be fighting it off for the rest of my life.
Amy H.´s last blog ..That’s More Like It…
your posts are always good – but the last two are particularly GOOD – I added links – cry one is on my side bar – today’s diabetes is shown above my daily post.
and I added a note after your scale comment this morning – tripod thing. I have done it too and if one is ‘clear eyed’ it really does work.
vickie´s last blog ..
Not getting diabetes is probably my biggest driver to get the weight off and be healthier. It is one of my main motivators for exercising every day. I think it is possible to reverse diabetes – the research is there. Thanks for sharing it.
Kat´s last blog ..Day 3 of The 30 Day Shred and Cauliflower, Garbanzo Beans and Kale Curry
Diabetes runs on my mom’s side of the family. All her siblings have had to battle with it and their weight. My grandpa died of it many years ago. He just gave up and didn’t think he could do anything about it. I don’t think its a very fun disease to die from, after watching him!
My mom has always been interested in eating healthy, although I think I’ve kind of surpassed her. When she comes to visit and help with baby she wants me to show her some more diet tricks and recipes. I think once she can see what some of the new ingredients are that I’m using, she’ll be more likely to try them out herself instead of just going with what she has always done.
Tricia´s last blog ..We just couldn’t wait!
I have to say this drives me just a little bit nuts. Diabetes type 2 is a combination of lifestyle AND genetic factors. To me your post suggests that people with type 2 “earned it” because they “didn’t take care of themselves” as opposed to non diabetics. Two people can eat, exercise, and weigh the same– one will get diabetes, one won’t. Some people will see dramatic improvements with lifestyle changes– others won’t. Beta cells do not grow back and when enough are gone, you are going to have problems no matter how well you eat or faithfully you exercise.
Larkspur´s last blog ..All Over Post
I agree with Larkspur in that genetics plays a role in diabetes. This is more true in Western cultures (enter: lifestyle) than in non-Westernized cultures, but genetic markers aren’t reversible. Certainly, nutrition and exercise are critical to successfully repelling genetic probabilities, but for some people, even that will not be enough.
cammy@tippytoediet´s last blog ..The Taco Soup Edition
I think type one is just something you have to deal with…as far as I know, type 2 is preventable. I say, eat healthy and get to healthy weight…and see what happens. I love your passion for health of all kinds hanli.
chris´s last blog ..Day 11…Arnold is sorry…
Well put! As with so many chronic illnesses, we can not only manage but reverse them with diet and lifestyle changes. It takes change, which is scary. But not as scary as diabetes, if you ask me.
Michelle @ Find Your Balance´s last blog ..These whole grains know how to party
Wonderful point. And we can take it a step further: PREVENTING diabetes from occurring in the first place!
Sagan´s last blog ..Judgments Based on First Impressions
This is the second post on diabetes that I’ve read this AM!!
Thanks for this great post, Hanalie.
A few years ago I read ‘Diabesity’ by an endroconloligist who had worked with kids – so mainly type I diabetes (body makes no insulin). She was shocked when she was called into the hospital with her first Teen with type II ~ 15 years ago. The child was obese, & this book recounts her efforts to help teens manage, & often reverse, the disease.
The other post talks about the importance of Iodine for diabetics – & is in 3 parts – more great info! Adding kelp to the diet (in its many forms) is a great way to support the vegan approach, supplys iodine & support your thyroid as well http://diabetesdietdialogue.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/diabetics-iodine-and-health-recipes/
Take the time to read all three sections – I’ve been aware of the need for iodine & the importance for energy for years. I also suffered from fibrocystic breasts in my mid 20s, shortly after my son weaned. I read an article on iodine helping around that time, & within 2 months was pain free!
As Em mentions, Iodine is in the same ‘halogen’ group as Fluorine, Chlorine & Bromine – we get the first two in much of the municipal water (& standard filters don’t remove the fluoride!). Soda pop (in addition to the dangerous sugars or high fructose corn syrup) & bread (dough ‘conditioners) also contains bromine – all of these displace the iodine, depress the thyroid, & contribute to weight gain!! Some medications contain it as well – yikes!
Testing for optimal amounts of iodine is relatively simple. I took a seaweed workshop with Dr Ryan Drum ~ 20 years ago, & love incoroprating sea veggies into my food – kombu in soup (she suggests powdered to thicken!) & etc. (& Dr Drum is a good resource if you’re already on thyroid med.)
Dia´s last blog ..Eat the Fridge – Step 1 – CLEAN the fridge!
Diabesity is by Francine Kauffman, & is avail. thru Amazon – I got it from the library – such a thought provoking book! http://www.amazon.com/Diabesity-Obesity-Diabetes-Epidemic-Threatens-America/dp/0553803840
Dia´s last blog ..Eat the Fridge – Step 1 – CLEAN the fridge!
I saw that and was amazed by it all. and think if raw and vegan foods can cure diabetes in 30 days…think what it could do for you if you don’t it….life and vitality! Energy!
great job for awareness! my hubs saw it too…and he worries about diabetes..it runs in his family.
Cindy´s last blog ..Gee your Hair Smells Good
Hi Hanlie
I am so glad you talked about this topic! With me being away I had no chance to post anything about it.
You did such an awesome job and combined a host of great references and resources.
You know I got a review request for a book for diabetes and how to cope with it a few months ago (out of respect for the author will not mention the title or their name) Anyway I just could not do it, meaning write any review about it, because this person living with diabetes felt the world needed to revolve around them and that diabetes (type 2 by the way) was some horrible stroke of bad luck. That the soda, chocolate bars, etc had nothing to do with it.
You know I always speculated that diabetes was preventable to get, and after watching Alex Ortener’s film Rawfor30 – I now realize that not only is it preventable, but it is reversible too!!!
I mean how amazing is that! But it is as you say, some people would rather die than change. So I learn everyday that we cannot help everyone. Some people may be complaining out there, but very quickly look the other way when you offer them a solution. Go figure…
Evita´s last blog ..How Hypnosis Can Help With Motion Sickness
hey hanli, just got to watch the video with the cowboy..what a sweetheart, glad he was able to turn his health around.
chris´s last blog ..Day 14—Important news…I’m not in Kansas anymore
From what I’ve read, type 2 diabetes is a combination of genetics (inherited and/or damaged by environmental pollutants) and lifestyle; otherwise, wouldn’t *everyone* who is overweight and sedentary develop it?
I’d be the first to agree, though, that healthy eating and regular exercise can go a long way to help manage (and possibly prevent or delay) diabetes: I’ve implemented both and have enjoyed an a1c in the “normal” range for nearly a year now. But I would in no way say that I’m “cured.” I still need to eat clean, watch my carbs, monitor my blood glucose, and take Metformin twice a day. (Although that might change; my doctor is talking about reducing my dose, since I’m doing well with the rest. I still want to lose more weight before I take that step.)
Pubsgal´s last blog ..Weekly Update 11/25/09 and Happy Thanksgiving!
Oh, thought I would also add that while my previous lifestyle (sedentary, eating lots of not-so-good food along with the healthy stuff) hastened my development of type 2–no doubt in my mind–I have to wonder how much of that could be considered “choice” when the symptoms of high blood sugar (hunger, tiredness, mental fuzziness) robbed me of the mental clarity and the energy to get myself on track. I think diagnosis provided the necessary “shock,” as well as ensured I got the help I needed to take better care of myself.
Pubsgal´s last blog ..Weekly Update 11/25/09 and Happy Thanksgiving!
You can always manage Diabetes by proper diet and nutrition. Food supplements also help slow down some of the side effects of high blood sugar.
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