Integrative Health Blog

Healthy Tips

Dr. Mark Hyman has coined the term “diabesity”. It refers to the journey from a normal blood sugar level to pre-diabetes and finally to full blown Type II diabetes, often accompanied by obesity.

Sugar, Sugar, Sugar

Refined foods, sugary drinks and fast foods all turn to sugar very quickly in the body. After a high carbohydrate meal or snack, insulin is secreted by the pancreas so that the sugar can be transported from the blood into the cells where it can be used for energy. An abundance of sugar in the system (aka a normal American diet) causes a lot of insulin to be produced. Over time the cells no longer respond to the insulin and the body needs more of it to keep blood sugar in balance. This is called insulin resistance.

The brain, the liver and the muscles are the primary users of sugar or glucose. After that, all the excess gets stored as fat!  A common side effect of insulin resistance is weight gain.

Hidden Calories

A diet that reduces the amounts of simple carbs and sugary drinks consumed is essential for combating insulin resistance which can lead to heart disease, stroke and cancer. Dr. Joe Mercola says that the #1 source of calories in the American diet is soda and sweetened beverages. Even diet sodas lead to increased food consumption according to Dr. Mercola.

In summer, as the temperature rises, reach for pure water to quench your thirst. And note that at all times of the year, when you feel hungry- you may be thirsty! Quench your thirst with water.

Sugar sweetened beverages like teas, sports drinks and coffees- latte this and latte that means a lot of extra calories from sugar- are found at every quick mart and coffee shop are fueling our nation’s obesity and Type II diabetes epidemic. These are largely preventable chronic diseases. 

Diet and lifestyle modifications work to improve chronic disease in a vast majority of  cases. We can all start by taking action step # 1 towards reducing this epidemic right now ........stop drinking sweetened beverages! 

Let's reverse this national trend towards chronic disease. Get off the sugar drinks.