Music to my ears!
Jenny of Diabetes Update blog and Diabetes 101, my two favorite sources for unbiased, well-researched information on diabetes and glucose metabolism abnormalities, has an excellent post up about the glimmer of hope on the horizon on the real causes of some, if not most forms of T2 Diabetes and blood sugar problems.
For years, there has been mounting scientific research evidence that obesity does not cause diabetes, but rather, obesity develops because of diabetes or glucose impairment. But the evidence has not trickled down to primary care physicians (or I would argue, even endocrinologists), patients, or the media. Instead, T2 diabetics and those on the well way to becoming diabetic (often yet undiagnosed) are continually slogged by their doctors, the insurance industry, the media, and the public with the “it’s because you are fat” or “you did this to yourself” sticks.
Whether you are thin, just a bit thick around the middle, or quite overweight, or have worries about loved ones, Jenny’s post is worth reading. If you haven’t looked at Jenny’s excellent site, Diabetes 101, be sure to take a look at that, too. Glucose metabolism abnormalities typically begin long before the criteria for a diabetes diagnosis is reached, yet it generally goes unrecognized for years, and by then the damage is done. Research data is indicating that glucose control can start to go awry even in younger and thin people (who are not usually screened for glucose abnormalities), creating years of damage from hyperglycemia occurring before the problem is diagnosed. T2 diabetes is a long developing condition, not a short term phenomenon, so when caught early, there is far less damage done and far less to do to return to normal or nearly normal blood glucose/insulin levels. Think of it this way - it is impossible to be “a little bit pregnant” but it is entirely possible to “be a little bit diabetic”. It just isn’t a good idea to stick one’s head in the sand about it.
Finding Jenny’s well-researched, clearly presented information finally clued me into my own glucose abnormalities (not much of a first phase insulin response), heightened personal risk of further progression to full-blown diabetes and complications, and helped me understand that my doctors were missing the boat with their inadequate screening methods (despite my history of gestational diabetes, a very strong risk factor for later development of T2 diabetes). Armed with the right information and tools (my trusty glucose meter and a nutrient-dense low carb diet), I have been able to, at least for now, stop the progression to T2 diabetes in its tracks without medications.
Being one of those “non-overweight types” with pre-diabetes, it may well turn out to be a progressive inulin secretory disfunction rather than Insulin Resistance for me, as indicated in Jenny’s post, but now I “have a clue” and continue to seek out the most informed, most credible science-backed information available.
Going Against the Grain
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
